Sting earns $5,000 per day in royalties from the song "Every Breath You Take" specifically related to its sampling in Diddy's hit song "I'll Be Missing You."
Royalties from "Every Breath You Take"
The discussion around Sting's earnings from his iconic song "Every Breath You Take," particularly its use in Diddy's "I'll Be Missing You," has seen various figures reported. Initially, a widely circulated story suggested that Sting makes $730,000 in royalties from the song each year, which breaks down to $2,000 per day.
This $2,000-per-day figure was even seemingly confirmed by Sting in an interview clip. However, Diddy himself later offered a correction to this popular belief.
The Correction from Diddy
According to Diddy, the actual daily earning for Sting from the sample of "Every Breath You Take" used in "I'll Be Missing You" is significantly higher than the commonly reported amount. Diddy stated: "Nope. 5K a day." This indicates that Sting's earnings from this specific usage are $5,000 per day.
To put this into annual perspective:
- *$5,000 per day 365 days = $1,825,000 per year**
This substantial income highlights the significant value of enduring musical copyrights, especially when sampled in other successful tracks.
Royalty Figures Breakdown
Here's a summary of the reported royalty figures for Sting from "Every Breath You Take," particularly concerning the Diddy sample:
| Source of Information | Daily Royalty Earnings (USD) | Annual Royalty Earnings (USD) | Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Story | $2,000 | $730,000 | General royalties from "Every Breath You Take" |
| Sting's Confirmation | $2,000 | $730,000 | Confirmation of the commonly cited figure |
| Diddy's Correction | $5,000 | $1,825,000 | Specific royalties for the "Every Breath You Take" sample in "I'll Be Missing You" |
The correction by Diddy suggests that the true earnings from his use of the sample are more than double the previously believed amount, underscoring the lucrative nature of the agreement for Sting.
