Tea In The Sahara
The Police · The 50 Greatest Songs [2009]
Have one wish before we die
And it may sound strange
As if our minds are deranged
Please don't ask us why
Beneath the sheltering sky
We have this strange obsession
You have the means in your possession
Tea in the Sahara with you
Tea in the Sahara with you
The young man agreed
He would satisfy their need
So they danced for his pleasure
With a joy you could not measure
They would wait for him here
The same place every year
Beneath the sheltering sky
Across the desert he would fly
Tea in the Sahara with you
Tea in the Sahara with you
Tea in the Sahara with you
Tea in the Sahara with you..ooooo
The sky turned to black
Would he ever come back
They would climb a high dune
They would pray to the moon
But he'd never return
So the sisters would burn
As their eyes searched the land
With their cups still full of sand
Tea in the Sahara with you
Tea in the Sahara with you
Tea in the Sahara with you
Tea in the Sahara with you..ooooo
Tea In The Sahara
Released on The Police's 1983 album, 'The Police', 'Tea In The Sahara' stands as a quintessential example of the band's evolution from new wave into polished rock. Written by Sting, the track features his signature melodic sensibility layered over the group's signature drum machine and bass-driven rhythm. The song captures a specific moment of urban isolation, contrasting the mundane act of drinking tea in a desert setting with the emotional weight of longing. Its production marks a shift toward a more mature sound, blending funk and rock elements that would define the band's later career. As a staple of their discography, it remains a defining recording that showcases Sting's lyrical depth and the group's ability to craft anthemic yet introspective music.