Thursday Throwback is a weekly colour scheme inspired by an iconic album cover of yesteryear. This week’s throwback is the 1983 album “Synchronicity” by The Police. The colours are as follows:
| Colours | HEX | RGB | HSB | CMYK | LAB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colour 1 | #0487CF | 4, 135, 207 | 201, 98, 81 | 98, 34, 0, 18 | 53, -3, -45 |
| Colour 2 | #F9B919 | 249, 185, 25 | 43, 90, 98 | 0, 25, 89, 2 | 78, 11, 78 |
| Colour 3 | #D83C2F | 216, 60, 47 | 5, 78, 85 | 0, 72, 78, 15 | 49, 59, 43 |
| Colour 4 | #ECECEC | 236, 236, 236 | 0, 0, 93 | 0, 0, 0, 7 | 93, 0, 0 |
| Colour 5 | #242529 | 36, 37, 41 | 228, 12, 16 | 12, 9, 0, 83 | 14, 0, -2 |
The album was recorded at AIR Studios in Montserrat, with additional sessions taking place in Québec and Paris. The recording process was marked by notable tension, as band members often worked separately and communicated primarily through their producer, Hugh Padgham. Interestingly, this tension contributed to the album’s creative energy. The title and themes drew inspiration from Arthur Koestler’s “The Roots of Coincidence,” which explores Carl Jung’s theory of synchronicity. Sting, the band’s main songwriter, was particularly influenced by these ideas and intricately wove them into the album’s lyrics and structure.
The album cover was crafted by Norman Moore, who had previously worked on the band’s “Ghost in the Machine” album. It showcases three colour-coded images of each band member—Sting in yellow, Andy Summers in red, and Stewart Copeland in blue—set against a white background. These images were captured by Duane Michals using Polaroid SX-70 manipulation, a technique where the emulsion of Polaroid photos is altered before it sets to create a painterly effect.
“Synchronicity” achieved immediate commercial and critical acclaim. It reached the top of both the UK Albums Chart and the US Billboard 200, maintaining its position at number one for 17 non-consecutive weeks. The album produced several hit singles, notably “Every Breath You Take,” which dominated charts worldwide and became one of the most played songs in radio history.
The album achieved significant commercial success, being certified 8x Platinum in the United States and 2x Platinum in the United Kingdom. In 1984, it garnered three Grammy Awards: Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal, Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal, and Best Rock Instrumental Performance for “Synchronicity II.” Over the years, “Synchronicity” has been acknowledged as a seminal album of the 1980s. It regularly features on “Best Albums” lists, such as Rolling Stone’s “500 Greatest Albums of All Time.” The album is noted for its innovative fusion of rock, new wave, and world music influences, which have been credited with broadening the horizons of pop music. Its influence on other artists is considerable; its sophisticated production techniques and complex arrangements have inspired numerous subsequent rock and pop musicians. Notably, the success of “Every Breath You Take” has led to it becoming one of the most frequently covered songs in popular music history.
“Synchronicity” is frequently recognised as the album that firmly established The Police as a pivotal band of their time. The album’s exploration of themes such as interconnectedness and global awareness remains impactful for listeners today, while its musical innovations continue to influence artists across various genres. Looking back, “Synchronicity” serves as an apt conclusion to The Police’s career, highlighting the band at the peak of both their creative prowess and commercial achievement. Its lasting popularity and critical acclaim have cemented its status as a classic album that surpasses its era.
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