10. In the UK, the track was confirmed by the end of 1980 to have been the biggest selling single of that year. The B-side, "Friends", was written by Andy Summers and is inspired by Stranger in a Strange Land, a science fiction novel by Robert A. Heinlein. Summers described the track as "Very quirky. A touch of Long John Silver on Acid." Sting was asked to perform on Mark Knopfler's "Money for Nothing" as he was in Montserrat at the time, and accidentally reused the melody from "Don't Stand So Close to Me" in the counterpoint lyric "I want my MTV." It was only after this story was relayed to reporters during promotions for the Brothers in Arms album that lawyers for Sting became involved, and later copies of the album co-credit the song to Sting. The initial pressings list only Knopfler. Composition "Don't Stand So Close to Me" features Sting on lead vocals. Like many Police songs, the verses are more subdued, while the chorus is bolder and louder. The song also bears a reggae style, yet another common trait in Police songs. The track uses a guitar synthesizer in the middle of the song, which was used by guitarist Andy Summers. Summers said, "After Sting had put the vocals on 'Don't Stand So Close To Me' we looked for something to lift the middle of the song. I came up with a guitar synthesiser. It was the first time we'd used it. I felt it worked really well." The verses and choruses do not feature this effect. The verses are in the key of G minor, and the chorus is in D major. Record World said it has "ingenious percussion, arrangement and hook." Track listing 7-inch – A&M / AMS 7564 (UK) "Don't Stand So Close to Me" – 4:03 "Friends" – 3:37 7-inch – A&M / AMS 2301 (US) "Don't Stand So Close to Me" – 4:03 "A Sermon" – 2:34 Personnel Sting – lead and backing vocals, bass guitar, bass pedals Andy Summers – guitars, guitar synthesizer Stewart Copeland – drums Chart history Weekly charts Year-end charts Certifications and sales UK chart history "Don't Stand So Close To Me" quickly ascended to in its first week of release on 27 September 1980, confirming their status as one of the UK's leading contemporary groups. It was also their third UK chart-topper in 12 months—in tandem with