Stewart Copeland humorously remarked that his personality was too difficult for Sting to handle during their collaborative efforts in The Police’s musical journey. He acknowledged that their contrasting viewpoints on songwriting often led to creative tensions and disagreements. This dynamic was explored in a recent video from the drum channel Drumeo, where Copeland was challenged to improvise and play along with the Limp Bizkit track “Rollin’,” despite not being familiar with it beforehand.

READ MORE: Why Stewart Copeland Prefers Life Outside the Police

When asked about his method for tackling unfamiliar music, Copeland candidly stated, “I don’t have a specific process – I just make this stuff up as I go. I tend to search for an alternative approach.” He went on to showcase a classic four-on-the-floor beat, explaining that if a track called for such a rhythm, “I can definitely deliver that.” However, he added with a chuckle, “But I’m an asshole, so I might choose not to!”

Be sure to watch the video below to see his spontaneous creativity in action.

Reflecting on his experiences with The Police, Copeland shared, “I genuinely put in a lot of effort to keep my bandmates content.” He noted, “Whenever Sting had a vision for a song, I would absolutely pay attention because he’s quite talented in this area.”

He continued, “I would listen intently – but I often forgot his suggestions. My instincts would kick in, and I tried my best to contribute meaningfully. My sole intention was to satisfy, and I wasn’t being stubborn or anything like that when I missed the mark. I simply forgot!”

Copeland elaborated, “Every morning, I’m sure Sting looked in the mirror, thinking, ‘Just let Stewart be himself!’ He really did his utmost. But before long, I would start layering all sorts of nonsense over his beautifully crafted songs. Meanwhile, I’d look in the mirror, promising myself, ‘Today, I’m going to give Sting what he wants and make him happy!’ That resolution never seemed to stick.”

Embracing Stewart Copeland’s Unique Musical Perspective

He emphasized that both he and Sting had “genuine intentions,” yet the recurring source of their friction stemmed from the very essence of their music-making process. “This conflict arose because we create music for distinct reasons and listen for different elements within it,” he explained.

Copeland articulated his perspective on songwriting, acknowledging that many might not share his views. “I don’t focus on the lyrics,” he explained. “I’m more attuned to the riffs. As I often say, I don’t know the words to most Beatles songs, but I can replicate every drum fill by Ringo Starr.”

“For me, the song serves to support the riff. In fact, the entire composition and riff exist to elevate the band as a whole. I recognize that this viewpoint might be considered unconventional – I appreciate that; the majority would likely disagree with me,” he added thoughtfully.

He summarized his role as a drummer by stating, “Sing your damn song, but I’m over here banging on drums!”