Sting, 73, insists ‘still my song’ as he makes stance clear on P Diddy’s ‘Every Breath You Take’ track amid allegations

Sting has declared that the recent allegations against Sean “Diddy” Combs have not tainted his iconic song Every Breath You Take, which was famously sampled by the embattled music mogul.

Speaking to the Los Angeles Times in an interview published on Monday, the 73-year-old former Police frontman addressed whether the current controversy surrounding Diddy had affected the legacy of his 1983 hit.

The comments come as Combs remains in custody at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center, facing serious charges including sex trafficking and racketeering. The English rock legend maintained a clear stance on the separation between his original work and its later sampling.

“No,” Sting responded directly when asked if Combs’ situation had affected the classic track.

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

When the interviewer noted that people continue to love hearing Every Breath You Take, Sting simply replied, “Absolutely.”

Diddy famously sampled Every Breath You Take for his 1997 track I’ll Be Missing You, which featured Faith Evans and paid tribute to The Notorious B.I.G.

The song became an international sensation, spending 11 weeks at the top of the US Billboard Hot 100. Sting and Diddy performed the emotional tribute together at the 1997 MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

The collaboration proved highly successful, with Diddy winning the Grammy for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group.

The track appeared as the second single from Diddy’s debut album No Way Out and was released without initially securing permission to use the sample.

In 2018, Sting revealed during an interview on The Breakfast Club that Combs pays him £1,494 per day for using the sample.

Last year, Diddy sparked confusion by claiming on social media that the actual amount was higher, stating he paid £4,020 daily. However, the rapper quickly retracted his statement, explaining he had been joking.

“He never charged me $3K or $5K a day for Missing You,” Diddy clarified. “He probably makes more than $5K a day from one of the biggest songs in history.”

The sample had initially been used without permission, leading to a legal settlement between the two artists. The arrangement ensures Sting receives royalties for the rest of Combs’ life.

Combs was arrested on September 16 after nearly a year of ongoing investigations, including home raids and several lawsuits.

The 55-year-old music mogul faces charges of racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution.

A judge denied his initial £38.4 million bail proposal, and he remains in custody at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center. Combs has recently filed a new motion for bail, which is still awaiting a ruling.

His trial date has been set for May 5, 2025, and he is expected to appear in court next on December 18. If found guilty, the rapper could face up to 15 years in prison.

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Discussing his broader views on sampling, Sting revealed he welcomes new interpretations of his music.

“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,” he told the Los Angeles Times.

The musician added that financial benefits were also welcome, stating “And I get paid, so why not? It keeps them current.”

He shared his philosophy about musical evolution, noting: “Songs are living organisms — you have to keep breathing life into them or giving them new bedfellows.”

This perspective was reinforced when discussing his recent collaboration on Dreaming with Pink and Marshmello, which uses his solo hit Fields of Gold.