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What is Sting's Greatest Song?
- Thread starter Smallmouth_Bass
- Start date
Dang. I voted for Synchronicity I in that list, but I was thinking of II. That's one of the very few that transcends the pop format that they are otherwise sticking to. The combination of the bizarre lyrics and that feedback guitar part does it for me.
That's not to say that he didn't write any number of great pop songs, though.
Too many to choose from, seriously. And as others have said, it depends on the day or my mood.
Murder By Numbers, because of Copycat. But also, that chord progression by Andy Summers, waow... reinforces the sinister mood of the song. And most of it all: written in 10 minutes or so, recorded in only one take the hour after.
I've cried more than a few times to Fields of Gold when dealing with heartbreak. Beautiful song.
Voted for Fields of Gold, with Spirits in a Material World (not voted on) as second favorite. As we could really only chose one (as if) to vote on to keep it fair.
^This is the song that I think of first as well. Honorable mentions: "Synchronicity II" and "Roxanne."
Looking at the poll results so far with no clear favourite just goes to show how many good songs he's written and how they have connected with people differently. He was definitely not a one-hit wonder!
I voted "Other" with the intent to name this exact song. The song would not be the same without his contribution.
I'd like to note that Brand New Day currently has no votes, despite it being a big song for Sting as a solo artist. I assume this is due to his choice to rhyme "back" with "back". Not to mention "buddy" with "fuddy-duddy".
…And the transition into "When the World is Running Down, You Make The Best of What's Still Around". I've always imagined a group of friends lamenting what's going on, & they settle on 'do what you can, & keep doing'. It makes sense to me to play them together as one song, a call & response.
I won't necessarily say its his best song as there are many great songs in the poll and the comments, but my personal favorite is "Sister Moon".
For me, it's 'All This Time' from The Soul Cages album (which is my favorite album of his). As I understand it, the song and album were deeply personal as they were how Sting processed the death of his father. So many great lyrics:
Two priests came round
Our house tonight
One young, one old,
To offer prayers for the dying,
To serve the final rite
One to learn, one to teach
Which way the cold wind blows
Fussing and flapping in priestly black
Like a murder of crows.
--and--
Teachers told us
The Romans built this place
They built a wall and a temple on the edge of an
empire garrison town
They lived and they died
They prayed to their gods
But the stone gods did not make a sound
And their empire crumbled
Until all that was left
Were the stones the workmen found.
Two priests came round
Our house tonight
One young, one old,
To offer prayers for the dying,
To serve the final rite
One to learn, one to teach
Which way the cold wind blows
Fussing and flapping in priestly black
Like a murder of crows.
--and--
Teachers told us
The Romans built this place
They built a wall and a temple on the edge of an
empire garrison town
They lived and they died
They prayed to their gods
But the stone gods did not make a sound
And their empire crumbled
Until all that was left
Were the stones the workmen found.
