If You Love Sting, Set Him Free Edition Part 2
1Digest
This podcast delves into the extensive solo career of musician Sting, tracing his journey from The Police to a multifaceted artist. It examines his debut album "The Dream of the Blue Turtles," highlighting its jazz influences and successful singles like "If You Love Somebody, Set Them Free." The discussion continues through his subsequent albums, including "Nothing Like the Sun," "The Soul Cages," and "Ten Summoner's Tales," analyzing their musical styles, critical reception, and hit songs such as "Englishman in New York," "Fields of Gold," and the chart-topping "All for Love." The episode also touches upon Sting's collaborations, his impact on younger generations of artists through samples and stylistic influences, and concludes with a preview of the Audible podcast "Fella Kuti, Fear No Man."
Outlines
Introduction to Cornbread Hemp & Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria
This segment introduces Cornbread Hemp's CBD Gummies as a natural solution for stress and discomfort, offering a discount code. It then transitions to a personal anecdote about hives, leading into a discussion about Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria (CSU) and available treatments.
Hit Parade Podcast & Sting's Early Solo Ventures
The podcast "Hit Parade" is introduced, focusing on pop chart history. The host discusses Sting's early solo career, including guest vocals on Phil Collins' "Long Long Way to Go," Band Aid's "Do They Know It's Christmas?," and Arcadia's "The Promise."
Sting's "Money for Nothing" Success & Solo Debut
The significant financial success of Sting's guest vocal on Dire Straits' "Money for Nothing" is detailed, including his co-songwriting credit and royalties. His solo debut album, "The Dream of the Blue Turtles," is explored, noting its jazz roots and departure from The Police's sound.
Analyzing Singles from "The Dream of the Blue Turtles"
The lead single "If You Love Somebody, Set Them Free" is analyzed as an antidote to "Every Breath You Take." Subsequent singles like "Fortress Around Your Heart," "Love Is The Seventh Wave," and the impactful "Russians" are also discussed, with a focus on "Russians'" cultural impact and anti-nuclear message.
"Nothing Like the Sun" & Social Consciousness
Sting's philanthropy is highlighted, followed by an introduction to his second solo album, "Nothing Like the Sun." The accessible single "We'll Be Together" and the more sophisticated "Be Still My Beating Heart" and "Englishman in New York" are discussed. The segment characterizes Sting's late 80s output as "classy music and progressive politics."
"The Soul Cages" & Transition to Movie Music
Critical reception of "Nothing Like the Sun" is examined, questioning Sting's artistic identity. His third album, "The Soul Cages," is described as a transitional work. Sting's shift towards movie soundtracks, like "Lethal Weapon 3," and his fourth album, "Ten Summoner's Tales," which embraced romantic balladry, are introduced.
Romantic Hits & "All for Love" Success
Romantic singles from "Ten Summoner's Tales," including "If I Ever Lose My Faith" and "Fields of Gold," are analyzed for their adult contemporary success. Sting's biggest solo hit, "All for Love," a collaboration for "The Three Musketeers" soundtrack, is discussed.
90s Success, Crossover Appeal, and Hip-Hop Influence
Sting's continued platinum album success and genre exploration in the 90s are noted. His crossover success with "Desert Rose" featuring Cheb Mami is highlighted. The influence of hip-hop through samples and interpolations of The Police's music is explored, citing examples like Puff Daddy's "I'll Be Missing You."
Shaping Modern Pop & Enduring Legacy
Sting's influence on millennial and Zoomer pop artists, such as Bruno Mars and Gauthier, is discussed. The significant success of Juice WRLD's "Lucid Dreams," sampling Sting's "Shape of My Heart," is highlighted. The Police's reunion tour and Sting's diverse ongoing projects, emphasizing his enduring ability to connect with audiences, are also mentioned. A preview of the Audible podcast "Fella Kuti, Fear No Man" is included.
Keywords
Sting (Gordon Sumner)
A prominent musician, singer-songwriter, and actor, initially known as the frontman for The Police. He launched a successful solo career exploring diverse genres, from jazz to reggae and world music.
Hit Parade (Podcast)
A podcast from Slate Magazine that delves into the history of pop chart hits, analyzing the evolution of music and artists' careers, with a focus on chart performance and cultural impact.
The Police
An influential British rock band formed in 1977, known for their eclectic sound blending punk, reggae, and new wave. Key members included Sting, Andy Summers, and Stewart Copeland.
The Dream of the Blue Turtles
Sting's debut solo album, released in 1985. It marked a departure from The Police's sound, incorporating jazz influences and featuring collaborations with renowned jazz musicians.
Russians (Sting Song)
A song from Sting's "The Dream of the Blue Turtles" album, addressing the Cold War and nuclear proliferation. It interpolates a melody from Prokofiev's "Lieutenant Kijé Suite."
Nothing Like the Sun (Sting Album)
Sting's second solo album, released in 1987. It showcased a more sophisticated, world-beat sound and incorporated socially conscious themes, positioning Sting as a global artist.
Englishman in New York
A song from Sting's "Nothing Like the Sun" album, celebrating individuality and featuring Quentin Crisp. It has become a popular track, known for its message and smooth musicality.
Ten Summoner's Tales
Sting's fourth solo album, released in 1993. It featured a more accessible, romantic sound, moving away from the darker themes of its predecessor and catering to adult contemporary audiences.
Fields of Gold
A popular song from Sting's "Ten Summoner's Tales" album. Known for its romantic lyrics and smooth production, it became a significant hit on adult contemporary charts.
Shape of My Heart
A song from Sting's 1993 album "Ten Summoner's Tales." While not a major hit initially, it has gained significant popularity through samples, notably in Juice WRLD's "Lucid Dreams."
Desert Rose
A 2000 hit song by Sting featuring Algerian singer Cheb Mami. The collaboration blended Arabic music and electronica, becoming a sleeper hit and a significant crossover success.
Sample (Music)
The reuse of a portion of a sound recording in another recording. Sampling is a common technique in hip-hop and electronic music, often involving interpolation of existing songs.
Q&A
What is Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria (CSU)?
Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria (CSU) is a condition causing recurring hives without a known external trigger. There are different treatment options available for individuals suffering from CSU.
How did Sting's guest vocal on "Money for Nothing" benefit him?
Sting's guest vocal on Dire Straits' "Money for Nothing" was highly profitable. He received a co-songwriting credit and substantial royalties due to his unique vocal contribution to the song.
What was the musical direction of Sting's solo debut album, "The Dream of the Blue Turtles"?
"The Dream of the Blue Turtles" marked a significant departure from Sting's work with The Police, leaning heavily into jazz influences. Sting returned to his roots as a jazz player, assembling a band of seasoned jazz musicians for the album.
How did Sting's song "Russians" influence later works?
Sting's song "Russians," with its anti-nuclear message and lyrical themes, partially inspired filmmaker Christopher Nolan in creating his Oscar-winning film "Oppenheimer."
What characterized Sting's music in the late 1980s?
In the late 1980s, Sting's music, particularly on albums like "Nothing Like the Sun," was characterized by sophisticated pop, world-beat influences, and socially conscious lyrics, positioning him as a progressive artist.
What was the significance of "Englishman in New York" from Sting's album "Nothing Like the Sun"?
"Englishman in New York," while not initially a chart-topper, has become a highly streamed song and is considered an LGBTQ+ anthem. It celebrates individuality and features Quentin Crisp.
How did Sting's song "Shape of My Heart" achieve posthumous success?
"Shape of My Heart" gained significant success through its sample in Juice WRLD's 2018 hit "Lucid Dreams." This sample has generated millions in royalties and introduced the song to a new generation.
What was the outcome of The Police's reunion tour in 2007-2008?
The Police's reunion tour was highly successful, playing over 150 dates globally and becoming the third highest-grossing tour in history at the time, demonstrating their enduring popularity.
How has Sting's music continued to influence contemporary artists?
Sting's music continues to influence contemporary artists through direct samples (like Juice WRLD's "Lucid Dreams"), stylistic imitations (like Bruno Mars' "Locked Out of Heaven"), and the overall "Sting aura" (as seen in Gauthier's "Somebody That I Used to Know").
Show Notes
Walk into any store or flip on a radio, and you’ll probably hear the Police’s “Every Breath You Take” sooner or later. Thanks to that ubiquity, the swooning, menacing megahit’s songwriter—Sting—is a very wealthy man.
Now his former bandmates, Stewart Copeland and Andy Summers, are suing Sting over who deserves to profit from “Breath” and other Police songs. No matter how that dispute turns out, it’s a reminder of Sting’s uncanny songwriting skill and his charmed life of hitmaking.
For more than four decades, Sting seems to resurface every few years with a new earworm, from “Roxanne” to “Russians,” blending New Wave rock with another genre—reggae, jazz, classical, country, even rap and Raï—and in the process, getting sampled by new generations of millennial and zoomer hitmakers.
Join Chris Molanphy as he recounts the long, varied, sophisticated, but catchy career of the King of Pain. Whatever he tries, every little thing Sting does is magic.
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