Sting Performs ‘Don’t Stand So Close To Me’ With The Roots And Jimmy Fallon: Watch

Brian Ives // Managing Editor, Beasley Media

Updated Apr 10, 2020 7:06 PM EDT

The Police's "Don't Stand So Close To Me" has become an unofficial anthem of the coronavirus pandemic, although the song is about a "young teacher" trying to keep away from a student "half his age," a rather different "social distancing" than what everyone is practicing today.

Still, Jimmy Fallon and the Roots hooked up with Sting for a socially distant version of the song. As Fallon and the Roots occasionally do, they play the song on a combination of legit instruments and other stuff that they make noises with. So for you fans who like to read the liner notes, here's who played what:

Sting - Vocals, guitar
Jimmy Fallon - Vocals, Jar
Questlove - Scissors, Forks
Black Thought - Hair Pick
James Poysner - Melodica
"Captain" Kirk Douglas- Ukulele
Mark Kelley - Bass
Tuba Gooding Jr. - Tuba
Stro Elliot - Pot Lid, Wooden Spoons
Kamal Gray - Connect 4
Ian Hendrickson-Smith - Throw Pillow
Dave Guy - Sneakers

Watch the performance below.

coronavirus Jimmy Fallon Sting The Roots

Brian Ives // Managing Editor, Beasley MediaWriter

Brian has been working in pop culture and media for about three decades: he’s worked at MTV, VH1, SiriusXM, CBS and Loudwire. Besides working as a writer and an editor-in-chief, he’s also appeared on air as a pundit, guested on radio shows and hosted podcasts. Over the years, he’s interviewed the surviving members of Led Zeppelin, the members of U2, Beyonce, Pink, Usher, Stevie Nicks, Lorde… and is grateful to have had the chance to interview Joe Strummer of the Clash and Tom Petty.

Sting Performs ‘Don’t Stand So Close To Me’ With The Roots And Jimmy Fallon: Watch

Brian Ives // Managing Editor, Beasley Media

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