What is Sting's Greatest Song?

[Carl Hillman]

Two very different ones for me:

 

[FronTowardEnemy]

So Lonely.

But I like most all Police/Sting songs equally.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

They're all great songs. I couldn't pick one.

I know, right? When I started listing the poll choices, I was thinking "Oh, that's a good one. That's a good one.".

 

[iqi616]

I love anything off Outlandos or Regatta but progressively fewer as the albums go by. His solo albums are too self-indulgent for my tastes and unlike Beato I couldn't give a toss about fancy chords.

 

[SharpCat]

Money for Nothing?

 

[bass12]

The Blue Turtles band was killer and I would have liked to have seen that formation do more together.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

Money for Nothing?

I am not sure that one counts!

 

[pfschim]

Why Should I Cry For You is a favorite of mine, but as has been said, there are so many, in a bunch of different evolutions of his songwriting, it's really hard just to pick out one

 

[OldShark]

So many choices... "Oh my God" and "Jeremiah Blues (Part one)" are probably my favourites. Deep cuts...

 

[rstephens]

I'm kind of a "can't stand losing you" guy.

 

[74hc]

Every Breath You Take earns them about a million a year in royalties. So unless another song on that list earns more, I'd say it's that one.

 

[5StringBlues]

The whole first Police album is just a beast.




And DRIVEN TO TEARS should always be followed by WHEN THE WORLD IS RUNNING DOWN.

 

[jsixties]

Sting is an absolute genius, one of the key figures of the last third of the 20th century. You've already mentioned dozens of his huge songs, so here are a couple that might not be in his top tier but that I personally love:

 

[Nedmundo]

Hearing "Roxanne" for the first time in '79 completely blew me away. I hadn't realised you could combine the energy of punk with a strong melody and emotionally engaging lyrics. Sting has written songs I like more, but the impact of "Roxanne" was seismic!

I remember hearing "Roxanne" for the first time, and it freaked me out. I was 11 years old, and heard it on the radio when I was doing homework. The unusual rhythm and Sting's voice were so unique that it made a huge impression. I can't say I liked it right away, but I thought it was very interesting, and I became a Police fan within a year or two.

As for Sting's best, my first thought was "King of Pain."

 

[definenredefine]

Every Breath You Take earns them about a million a year in royalties. So unless another song on that list earns more, I'd say it's that one.

Hard disagree. Royalties and other earnings do not determine a song's greatness.

 

[stringthrough]

How do you measure greatness? A better stated question is, what's your favorite Sting song.

For me it's, Spirits in the Material World.

 

[LowWay]

Can't stand losing you.

 

[lomo]

To my surprise, I can't pick one that's truly better than all the others, even in my subjective opinion. That said, if pushed in the age of social media, I'd have to go with Walking on the Moon......which has tragically aged stunningly well.

 

[CochinoBass]

Canary In A Coal Mine

 

[pyrat56host]

Since hearing Outlandos when it came out, I've been fascinated by his writing...great feel in time changes, interesting chord choices and an admirable use of
S P A C E. I specifically love the Police, but much of his solo work is also quite good. A definite influence and hero!