Sting Says Diddy Allegations Don't 'Taint' 'Every Breath You Take' for Him: 'It's Still My Song'

Mar. 15, 2025

Sting and Diddy.Photo:JOHN LAMPARSKI/AFP via Getty; Paras Griffin/Getty

JOHN LAMPARSKI/AFP via Getty; Paras Griffin/Getty

Despite the allegations againstSean “Diddy” Combs, “Every Breath You Take” remains untainted — at least for the man who wrote it.

In a new interview with theLos Angeles Timespublished on Monday, Nov. 11,Stingrevealed that despite what “went on” with the disgraced music mogul — who famously sampled the 1983Policehit in his and Faith Evans’ 1997 song “I’ll Be Missing You” — the original track belongs to him.

When asked whether Combs’ current situation has affected how he looks at the classic ‘80s song, the Police songwriter and bassist, 73, had a pretty straightforward response: “No.”

“I mean, I don’t know what went on [with Diddy],” he added. “But it doesn’t taint the song at all for me. It’s still my song.”

The Police.John Rodgers/Redferns

John Rodgers/Redferns

Plus, when theL.A. Timesinterviewer pointed out that people still love to hear “Every Breath You Take,” he added, “Absolutely.”

The rock legend also gave a glimpse into his general philosophy about sampling while discussing a more recent collaboration,2023’s “Dreaming” with Pink and Marshmello, which uses one of his solo hits, “Fields of Gold.”

When asked why he thinks his music keeps drawing younger musicians, Sting told the outlet he has no clue — but doesn’t mind it.

“I have no idea, but when somebody wants to interpolate or whatever it’s called, I never object because I always learn something about the song that I hadn’t known or anticipated,” the rocker said. “And I get paid, so why not? It keeps them current.”

“Songs are living organisms — you have to keep breathing life into them or giving them new bedfellows,” he finished.

Sting and Diddy.Kevin Mazur/Getty

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The music mogul, 55, was taken into custody on Sept. 16 after nearly a year of ongoing investigations which includedhome raidsand several lawsuits against him, alleging sex abuse and rape.

Diddy was indicted on three charges, and a judgedenied the $50 million bailproposal that his attorney put forth. He is currently at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Centerwhile he awaits trial, and late last weekfiled a new motion for bail, which has yet to be ruled on.

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source: people.com