Amber is the best! She nailed the message of this song! It was written about Quentin Crisp, an English writer and humorist (he's the older gentleman in the video) He had moved to NYC in his later years because he felt that's where a misfit would go to be accepted. His memoir tells his story of having always been a flamboyant gay man, even during a time when it was particularly dangerous and, in the UK, even illegal to be so.

@christineirving4491pluviophile

Жыл бұрын

I was just about to post something similar, but you have summed it up perfectly.

@jedislap8726

Жыл бұрын

It wasn't illegal to be gay in the UK. It was illegal to have gay sex though.

@lordhoot1

Жыл бұрын

@@jedislap8726 A distinction without much of a difference, really

@ralphraffles1394

Жыл бұрын

I used to pass Quentin in the street often. A kindly and gracious man who always had a smile for anyone who greeted him.

@xyzdgthereal

Жыл бұрын

Don't forget to mention the 2 films based on his life: 'The Naked Civil Servant' from 1975 and its 2009 TV sequel titled by this song, John Hurt as Crisp is amazing in both movies

"Takes more than combat gear to make a man Takes more than a license for a gun Confront your enemies, avoid them when you can A gentleman will walk but never run" Wise words... And a wonderful song

@JR-tl2ym

Жыл бұрын

You know I'm today years old when I understood what he meant. A gentlemen will walk away to avoid unnecessary conflict but won't turn and run out of cowardice.

One of my all time favorite songs!! Thanks for reacting to it. Sting wrote it about his friend (the legendary) Quentin Crisp.

@scottNNJ

Жыл бұрын

A gay man who could not find a way to be accepted in England, but when he came to New York he could just be himself without shame or reservation. That’s a thing about New York, it’s so diverse and nobody really cares about the differences between one another.

@GodLovesComics

Жыл бұрын

Mine too! I just realized that two of my all-time favorite Police songs--this one, and Tea in the Sahara-- are both about writers (Crisp and Paul Bowles). I heard them both long before I ever became a writer myself. Just total coincidence.

@joannecunliffe8067

Жыл бұрын

@@GodLovesComics I ❤ this song too. I love Sting's lute playing as well (kzread.info/dash/bejne/qoF4t7SCXdDbnaw.html ). What a lovely, amazing and talented person he is and a fabulous vocalist and musician. Love your moniker BTW 🥰

@jc3605

Жыл бұрын

Good to see Quentin Crisp in the video

@GodLovesComics

Жыл бұрын

@@joannecunliffe8067 Agreed! And thank you ;)

GOT to give a shout out to Branford Marsalis on the sax here and in a lot of Sting's other solo work. FYI for anyone not sure, it's a straight soprano sax, rather than a type of clarinet. The soprano, with its beautiful, emotional, almost mournful sound is a great compliment to Sting's voice.

@sherrysink3177

Жыл бұрын

I always thought it was a clarinet, until I got the Bring On the Night live album where they list Branford playing the soprano sax and I was like, "ohhhhhh" Lol). 😄

@carlossaraiva8213

Жыл бұрын

Marsalis is a frigging genious.

@carlossaraiva8213

Жыл бұрын

​​@@sherrysink3177n the album's sleeve they fo name Marsalis as a player of soprano sax.

@sherrysink3177

Жыл бұрын

@@carlossaraiva8213 I don't think I ever looked at that album's sleeve when I was first listening it - I just assumed it was a clarinet until much later. 😄😉

@alandouglas8044

11 ай бұрын

I'm a jazzer, so pleased that you have mentioned that it was Branford Marsalis on soprano. Think that lots of people do not know that the saxaphone family is broken down into Alto, Tenor, Baritone etc. Changing subject; pleople should watch the Naked Civil Servant, which covers Crisp's experience of being a gay man at a time when it was a taboo subject.

The brilliant Sting. You can't go wrong with this man's music. "Be Still My Beating Heart", "Fragile", "Russians", "If You Love Someone, Set Them Free".

@rwxstudio7173

Жыл бұрын

Was Fortress Around My Heart from his solo career?

@javajen19

Жыл бұрын

@@rwxstudio7173 yes

@alejandrobojorquez6181

Жыл бұрын

kzread.info/dash/bejne/qo55p7Vqg6zeZbw.html

@carlossaraiva8213

Жыл бұрын

All those belong to his first 3 albums, all masterpieces. After that he become mediocre. His ego caught up with his talent, sadly.

@TooSkinnyKenny

4 ай бұрын

did you know Dionne Warwick covered "Fragile"?

This entire album is a vibe. Every song on it is worth a reaction. I was a huge Police fan, and this album was so good I forgave him for leaving the band lol! The album is "Nothing Like the Sun", he also did a Spanish version of the album.

@TheNotedHero

Жыл бұрын

Haha, I was the same. It was "what the hell are you doing Sting!?" which changed rapidly as his solo albums dropped to "zomg, best move ever, let's go".

@rarelycares8416

Жыл бұрын

I was the same, resisted his solo work for a short time until I realized he was the Police. They would really love "Love is the Seventh Wave", seems right up their alley.

@Wolverines77

Жыл бұрын

Dude, there are hundreds and hundreds of other more worthy songs out there. I love me some Sting as well, but to claim every song is worthy, nah (imho).

@carlossaraiva8213

Жыл бұрын

Actually Sting's first solo album was The Dream Of The Blue Turtles 2 years earlier.

Sting - always musically classy and lyrically brilliant.

this song was written about *Quentin Crisp* who appears in this video several times, for example at the 02:38 mark, _'it takes a man to suffer ignorance and smile, be yourself, no matter what they say'_ is directly quoting Quentin Crisp, If you are not familiar with him, search him on KZread, he is utterly delightful to watch

@fayesouthall6604

Жыл бұрын

Absolutely brilliant 😊

@maha77

Жыл бұрын

In fact, Quentin's book *'Resident Alien: The New York Diaries'* was a source of inspiration for this song. Another very famous book he wrote is *'The Naked Civil Servant'* which was made into a movie staring John Hurt

@bibakroll8999

Жыл бұрын

@@maha77 John Hurt was absolutely brilliant in that role.

This was the first of two albums Sting did with this line-up of musicians. Branford Marsalis on the sax was already legendary in jazz circles along with his brother Winton. Glad you enjoyed this...his voice is made very haunting by the compression put through his microphone...studio tricks. I got to see him live in the 90s...good show.

@briandeeley1599

Жыл бұрын

Thank you for confirming that is Branford Marsalis, I haven't heard that name in a long time.

@asticou

Жыл бұрын

He plays soprano sax.

@kellyreiterman

Жыл бұрын

"Dream of the Blue Turtles" and "Nothing Like the Sun" are two of my favorite albums by Sting. If you want to dive deeper into more music like this where he collaborated with Branford Marsalis and other jazz musicians, check out these albums. They're so, so good.

@Julieroo28

Жыл бұрын

I love Branford! I had the VHS of Bring on the Night when I was a teenager. I won’t even tell you how much my parents paid for it! (I was extremely spoiled.)

@seanswinton6242

Жыл бұрын

​@@kellyreitermanYes, the lineup was Kenny Kirkland on keyboards and piano, Omar Hakim on drums, Daryl Jones on Bass, and Branford Marsalis on saxophones.

This is a lovely whimsical song from a lovely man. Glad you liked it!

@trevoncarter4861

Жыл бұрын

Love the Soprano Saxophone (No it’s not a clarinet)

@imaspoon4522

Жыл бұрын

Lovely cheekbones

@wangofree

Жыл бұрын

@@imaspoon4522 Would kill for cheekbones like that!

Jay & Amber, you'll love his "If You Love Somebody Set Them Free", "Fortress Around Your Heart", "If I Ever Lose My Faith in You" and "We'll Be Together"!!! edit- the line is 'I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien' . Branford Marsalis played the soprano saxophone you liked.

@terrimilka7805

Жыл бұрын

I like "Seven Days "I don't know if you're heard it. Love Sting and The Police, I hope they react to "King of Pain "I hope I'm the only person that likes "Tea in the Sahara "I think it's a haunting,beautiful song

@jaybengston1164

Жыл бұрын

Definitely "If You Love Somebody Set Them Free" would be a great follow-up. Faster paced and great bass line.

@terrimilka7805

Жыл бұрын

@@jaybengston1164 Yes, that's the first single I heard from Sting

@angelalambert6069

Жыл бұрын

Please can I suggest 'It's Probably Me' by Sting ..... you guys would LOVE the sax on that track I promise you, so smooth, typical Sting at his best I think ! Please try it on your great Channel ,!😊

@terrimilka7805

Жыл бұрын

@@angelalambert6069 Great suggestion 👍,,Sting is such a great singer and songwriter. There's so many great songs to choose

"Fragile" is probably his most beautiful song ever...I love Sting and everything he's done with The Police and solo. I still have every CD of his I've ever bought.

@jadzia911

Жыл бұрын

Fragile is gorgeous...

@jaysmith2858

10 ай бұрын

'Ten Summoner's Tales' is my favourite album.

One of my favorites from him with the great Branford Marsalis on the soprano sax, which sounds quite a bit like a clarinet. He pilfered quite a few of New Orleans greatest musicians for his early solo career lol.

I love Sting. One of my favorite songs by him.❤❤❤❤❤

You should do “Russians” by him. Very relevant, very poignant

@angelagoodwin5758

Жыл бұрын

I second that!

@rusty9129

Жыл бұрын

"In Europe and America there's a growing feeling of hysteria..." yup...30 years on and nothing changes.

@scottNNJ

Жыл бұрын

Mr. Reagan and Mr. Khrushchev in the 80s. Today the names have changed but the stories are the same. Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.

@TheNotedHero

Жыл бұрын

And bloody disappointing that it's still very relevant! Such a great song. Same applies to Billy Joel's song Leningrad.

@PeteC1471

Жыл бұрын

Add me to the calls for this one too. Although not a protest song it makes you stop and think as it humanises the Russian people which the media had no interest in doing.

Fortress Around Your Heart! Sting said it’s the best chorus he ever wrote, so hopefully you get to it at some point. Love the channel!

The subject of this song appears in the video: Quentin Crisp. He was one of the first "flamboyantly gay" men in New York, before it was ever really acknowledged, or accepted. He was a love;y, intelligent and much misunderstood gentleman of leisure....He was a shining example of being one's self, and living one's own truth.

@ChrisW-17

Жыл бұрын

Wow, I always get so lost in the sound of this song, I never knew there was an actual human inspiration behind the lyrics (much less appearing in the video.) Thank you for the background. Takes it to a whole other level for me. "Be yourself no matter what they say". Absolutely!

@littleogeechee223

Жыл бұрын

He never went to New York until he was 72. He’d written The Naked Civil Servant autobiography about his young life as a gay man in London and was well-known way before he ever came to New York.

@markstanden202

Жыл бұрын

@@littleogeechee223 In England, yes. Less so over here.

Marsalis on the soprano sax, Sting on vocals and Quentin Crisp in the video was just an awesome vibe!! 😁

"Ten Summoner's Tales" is a FANTASTIC record by Sting that you all need to listen to. Any track on that album is a must play.

@jaysmith2858

10 ай бұрын

It's my favourite album. It's like an entire story.

Played this entire album on repeat for almost two years. It never fades in it’s quality. Thank you for reminding me to get it back out for another spin. Or two ❤ Jay I think your love of his lyrics can also be attributed to his love of language. Sting was a teacher for a brief moment in time.

@chrisgilbert9076

Жыл бұрын

An English teacher to be precise. Literary influences can be found all through Sting’s works, most notably in the album title the track came from. “Nothing Like the Sun” is a quote from Shakespeare’s Sonnet 130, written about a lover, who though plain, filled the poet’s heart with live. Sting also quotes the opening line of the sonnet to open the last verse of the song “Sister Moon” on this same record. Two of Stings most beautiful/heartbreaking songs are here, too. “Fragile” opens the record and “They Dance Alone” closes it. Also check out “Moon Over Bourbon Street” from his first solo album. It’s a hauntingly moody song inspired by Anne Rice’s Interview with a Vampire book (also a very interesting film to react to. Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, Antonio Banderas and a very young Kristen Dunst. Quiet a production!) There are so many Sting songs to recommend, it’s a whole thing!

@kennethspears22

Жыл бұрын

Dream of The Blue Turtle and Nothing Like The Sun are in my personal top 20 favorite albums of all time.

@danbev9313

Жыл бұрын

Stop before you start...be still my beating heart

Solo Sting is my favorite solo artist. A bit of Jazz, a bit of crooner, lyrics that make you think...

The band on this album & Dream of the Blue Turtles is amazing: Branford Marsalis, Omar Hakim, Darryl Jones, Kenny Kirkland, and the awesome backup singers 🤘 There a great documentary, BRING ON THE NIGHT, about the making of the first solo album and resulting tour with all these great musicians.

Sting is an Icon..... No doubt about it!! 'Shape of my Heart' is another amazing track by Sting, and I know you'll love the instruments.....❤

I read his biography and he wrote words I've never heard of, his command of the English language is next level

"Takes a man to suffer ignorance and smile, be yourself, no matter what they say..." One of my favorite Sting songs, and a line I often quote (especially "Be yourself, no matter what they say," because there was a lot of time when I was younger when I felt like I couldn't be myself, I felt really self-conscious about myself and worried what people thought about me during school - as so many of us do at that age).

Sting - Be Still My Beating Heart - was my favourite song from this album in 1987. Nothing Like the Sun. They dance alone, well be together tonight and history teaches nothing other great tracks from what is a top 100 album in history.

This from his 2nd solo album, Nothing But The Sun ("The Lazarus Heart", "Be Still My Beating Heart", "Fragile", "History Will Teach Us Nothing", "They Dance Alone", "We'll Be Together) and the entire album is a keeper. Sting is just a multifaceted talent like very few others. He's a guitarist, bassist, mandolin player, pianist, harmonica player, saxophone player, and pan flute player. When The Police broke up I was heartbroken to never hear THAT sound again but was VERY excited to hear his own music because he's such a creatively captivating artist who uses all kinds of inspiration. You should check out If You Love Somebody Set Them Free, Fortress Around Your Heart and Love is a Seventh Wave from his solo debut album. You can't define his sound and that's one of the things I love most about him.

@terrimilka7805

Жыл бұрын

"Shape of my heart is another good one

This song is from my favorite Sting album called "... Nothing Like The Sun." Every song features the superb musicianship of first rate jazz musicians like Branford Marsalis, Kenny Kirkland, and the legendary Gil Evans. Sting's cover of Jimi Hendrix's "Little Wing" is a standout track.

"They Dance Alone" and "Fragile" are another 2 outstanding tracks from that album.

So, so glad y'all reacted to this one - I've been requesting it forever! LOVE that y'all loved it too! Your next Sting song should definitely be "Russians" (very poignant song written in the 80's during the Cold War, but still very relevant today) & then any of these: "If You Love Somebody, Set Them Free", "If I Ever Lose My Faith in You", "Moon Over Bourbon Street" & "Fortress Around Your Heart"...just to name a few. If y'all want to revisit The Police, some songs I would recommend include "Synchronicity II" (def need to listen to this one), "Invisible Sun", "King of Pain", "Can't Stand Losing You", "So Lonely" , "Tea in the Sahara" & "Don't Stand So Close to Me"...imho

Sting is one of my favorites of all time. He's so versatile. If you want something chill with amazing lyrics, try Fragile, Russians, or Shape Of My Heart. If you want fun and upbeat, try We'll Be Together. If you want just all out awesomeness, try Fortress Around Your Heart. If you want all out awesomeness with horns, try If You Love Someone, Set Them Free. This was great today, thanks! ✌️💐

@kimstockwell721

Жыл бұрын

When we dance and Fragile are both brilliant emotive songs

@miknik01

Жыл бұрын

I love Shape of My Heart.

I suggested this on your last Sting reaction. Thank you so much for listening to this awesome song. It's so beautiful and intricate. You both seemed confused at the "alien" reference. Obviously, he means being from the UK, he's a legal "alien" in the USA.

I'm going to see Sting this Saturday, absolutely brilliant artists .

Sting has the true English heart. Love culture, embrace it. See what you can learn.

This album and the one before it “Dream of the Blue Turtles” are both classics, with this lineup. Also worth tracking down is the documentary “Bring on the Night,” documenting the creation of that prior album and formation of the fantastic band Sting formed for this “solo” work.

Sting was my “go to” music in my college days. Somehow his music spoke to me in those changing times of life. This was from an amazing album. More Sting!

Not a specific band, but you will absolutely love the concert in Montserrat that has Mark Knopfler, Sting, Eric Clapton, and Phil Collins on stage jamming each other's songs.

Sting is a genius, his music always leave you wanting for more.

Saw Sting in concert many years ago when he was touring Nothing Like the Sun album. Wonderful! Next Sting song you should listen to “We Work the Black Seam.

Ah ! You've done it again ..... I love this Channel so much fir bringing back memories/music I'd forgotten We lived in NYC for 4 years .... used to get teased for taking English tea bags around with us 😅 NY'ers are super friendly great people .... they certainly don't suffer fools gladly, but you can be whoever you want to be , just like in this song ❤

One of the most meaningful Sting songs especially now is the song Russians

💛 🎵 Love Sting 🎶💜

Sting has played for us for multiple decades, offering us a wonderful vision with each decades, carrying us into strange and wonderous vistas.

Sting's lyrics all the way back to the Police are brilliant poetry.

This song has always been one of my favourite songs by Sting. In my brain, I have always associated this song with English actor Edward Woodward, who played a retired British intelligence officer living in New York in the 80's series "The Equalizer" . Which just happened to have its main theme song written and performed by Stuart Copeland of "The Police."

Sting is such an incredible artist and an incredible person. His cover of Little Wing is incredible. Amazingly humble and still keeps himself in great shape in his 70s now.

This song is incredible! Sting is a vibe at all times. Never afraid to try new sounds and new combinations of genres. ❤️❤️❤️

It's so hard to go wrong with The Police and Sting. Absolutely sublime. Have seen him live twice and will definitely make it a third when he tours in Australia again.

Sting wrote a really significant song during the Cold War called "Russians" that you should definitely put on your list.

And the backdrop is my homeland, NYC. The ribbon which ties this song perfectly.

I love his compositions. It's easy to get lost when the music supports the lyrics (rather than competing for your attention).

Sting is a musical genius...Rick Beato in an interview last year told him that his style is impossible to copy because only him can come up with the beautiful and original musical ideas that sound great but are not obvious (neither things that you can study). I would agree with that!

This entire album is a masterpiece! The pairing of Sting with Branford Marsalis was just magical. Peace and Love and I can't wait to see what you review next!

Great song from Sting. You should try "Love is the seventh wave", "Shape of my heart", "All this time", "La belle dame sans regrets", "I'm so happy I can't stop crying" and "I hung my head"... the whole Mercury Falling album is a Masterpiece

This is from his album ... Nothing Like the Sun which was released in late 1987. I purchased the record and played it regularly in the house. About a decade later my daughter was in college taking a foreign language class where the professor told the students that there were differences between "British" English and "American" English that made it difficult for non-English speakers to understand. He mentioned that British "take" tea or coffee with their meal but Americans say they "drink" those beverages. My daughter immediately spoke up and said "Oh, like where Sting says 'You drink coffee, I take tea my dear'." The prof smiled and said "Exactly!". You never know what your kids are going to pick up from you so keep the music coming guys! (Suggestion for future reaction: the Marsalis family (father Ellis and sons Branford, Wynton, Delfeayo, and Jason) playing the Louis Armstrong classic tune "Struttin' With Some Barbecue". You will LOVE it!)

Sting is best known for the Police, but he did some amazing solo work. That's Branford Marsalis on the sax, by the way. Another masterpiece is "Why Should I Cry For You" off his album "Soul Cages." One of his most emotional and powerful songs.

Sting is a vibe unto himself. This is a favorite of mine as are 'Russians' and 'Fields of Gold,' which if I'm not mistaken was in the soundtrack for 'The Professional' which would be a good movie for you to check out.

Quentin introduced me to the idea that you never dust as the pile of dust reaches equilibrium and never grows, so just go with it and save yourself the effort.

That's the amazing Branford Marsallis on saxophone, and I've mentioned him before. He, his brother Winton, their father and other men in the family are musicians. More of Sting, solo... "Be Still My Beating Heart" (written while going through his mother's illness and death. It's really deep. I played it a lot when I lost my mom to cancer.) 😢 "St. (Saint) Augustine In Hell" (the keys and drums are beyond funk/jazz. The drums have a lot of"broken beats" which I've mentioned before, but don't know if you ever read my comments or email.) "We'll Be Together" "It's Probably Me" w/ Eric Clapton " Tomorrow We'll See" "Russians" "Seven Days" "Set Them Free" (Branford plays in that one)

@mstewart109

Жыл бұрын

Wynton Marsalis is one of my favorite trumpet players ever. I got hooked on one of his classical albums. Played it non stop for months. Check him out folks.

@LMmccallL57

Жыл бұрын

@@mstewart109 That's cool. 👍🏽 I've been hoping and making suggestions for much more jazz for two years. You'd think since they're often saying they love horns, they'd listen to the style of music that definitely gives them to us, along with guitar, piano, flute, clarinet, and more. 😕

I love those strings on the off-beat, the jazz vibe of the soprano saxophone, and the surprise kick-in of those drums in the midst of the song. Add to that some amazing lyrics, and it's just a fantastic song all around. I was THRILLED when I got to see him sing this song in concert. Made my day, my decade, my life, all of it, lol! 😄😍

Branford Marsallis soprano saxophone playing is lovely. Yes, Quentin Crisp the Naked Civil Servant. He never dusted!

The gentleman featured in the video was Quentin Crisp. A well-known englishman. Writer, model, humorist....known for his eccentricity.

Love how lost you two got into this song! Sting is always a good time! :) Branford Marsalis played the sax in this song, and his music is amazing too. You might start with his fun tune "some cow fonque" (I'd recommend watching him perform it live in his 1995 performance; so good!). :)

Incredible song - and I love that Quentin Crisp (the subject of the song) appears throughout the video.

The Jazz part into the breakdown is part of the genius music storytelling of Sting, showing the contrast of the Englishman and frantic pace of New York life.

Sting is one of my favorite artists. His unique voice and music can take you to different places and create different atmospheres. A favorite song of his for me is "Fragile". It is a raw and powerful song with Sting playing acoustic guitar. He makes the guitar cry and the lyrics are all about how vulnerable we as humans are. It was written after he visited Latin America and learned about some human rights issues that went on at the time. Powerful and poignant song even though it is simplistic but it doesn't need much to reach your core.

I adore this song! It’s a favorite of mine to sing along to in the car.❤

You want a Sting mood??? "LITTLE WING" Sting covering Jimi Hendrix is INCREDIBLE. Most ppl instantly think of SRV's cover, but he doesn't sing the lyrics - Sting does.

@danielmccann8325

Жыл бұрын

The great Hiram Bullock on the lead guitar. Agree its a great version.

@benshafer5198

Жыл бұрын

@@danielmccann8325 Hiram an original member Letterman's World's Most Dangerous Band with P. Shaffer

@adamsher2538

Жыл бұрын

I love his version of Little Wing.

@RikardPeterson

Жыл бұрын

Most people do? I think of The Corrs

@maveez1

Жыл бұрын

Best song on the album

Shadows in the rain, Consider me gone, Fragile, so many others! He’s got tons of amazing songs.

Yet another great song by Sting, this era of his music is full of fantastic songs, try out "Fragile" or "They Dance Alone" for more heart grabbing songs. His ability to write songs that not only touch us they make us dig deep into the lyrics and see another world we close our eyes to. TY Keep Safe Keep Strong 🦘🦘🦘🦘🎶🎶🎶🎶💖💖💖💖

This is one of my favorite sting songs and it reminds me very much of my mother, because she used to love it too. One of the things that I love about Sting the most besides his voice - is the way he writes. He's always been a poet to me. He always tells stories. I suppose it's his English teaching background that influences is music.

This whole album is pretty great.

I always thought this was one of his catchiest and most memorable solo songs.

Supertramp”hide in your shell “ is next!! I just know it……..sting/police is awesome also!! Great video guys!!

Great choice! I love this song. Amber, that was a soprano sax, played by the great Branford Marsalis. One day you should check out Shinehead's remake/parody, "A Jamaican in New York." And you'll love Sting's "If You Love Someone Set Them Free."

This whole album is A+++

Sting is so creative as a solo artist and that amazing voice and delivery!!!!

thank guy's again I love your honest review's and appreciation of British artists. This is also one of my favorite songs. Bluesy, bit of ska/ragea and so smooth......

"BE STILL MY BEATING HEART" off this sting solo album of which he had so many hits for reaction! an awesome 80s song love the reaction. ; )

There’s so many good songs to discover….They dance alone, Fields of Gold, Love‘s the seventh wave etc.

The song is about Quentin Crisp, the old gentleman in the video. Sting's album 'The Dream of the Blue Turtle' is a masterpiece.

Everthing you said about Sting is so true. This my favorite of his songs. Branford Marsalis, the sax player and his brother Wynton are both jazz legends in their own right. Thank you for reacting to this.

sting wrote this about an Englishmen in ny who was very flamboyant. great tune lyrics and music.

@fayesouthall6604

Жыл бұрын

Quentin Crisp. An openly gay man.

Guys you should have a listen to Gregory Porter performing a Sting song "It's probably me" at the Polar Music awards. As far as I know it was a tribute to Sting and he's in the audience with his wife. It's a beautiful song, Gregory Porter is an incredible singer, and it's so interesting to watch Stings reaction to the performance... the camera is on him a lot!😊

With "Fields of Gold" one of my favorite sting songs .. thanks for the reaction :)

You guys and your fans tap into my soul.. So much great music

The old guy in the video was a sophisticated gay Englishman in a foreign city in a time period where some might frown down on him. " Be yourself, no matter what they say". He had a wish, that he could meet every single person born.

Great reaction as usual! Keep going down the Sting rabbit hole. Please react to Sting's live "Brand New Day" (his 60th birthday). It has Stevie Wonder on the harmonica, it is a fantastic performance. You will love it!!

The whole song, the meaning, the vibe, everything is incredible. He was an English Teacher before he went to music so that explains his incredible lyrics. It was, as someone else says, about Quentin Crisp, the older beautiful gentleman in the video. Brandon Marsalis (on soprano saxophone, not clarinet)and the whole jazz band were brilliant here and the "heavy rain drops" is the sound of many violins, and violas, getting plucked rather than the people using the bows. You use your fingers to pluck the notes.

As someone mentioned, he is not singing about himself but of the older gentleman in the video, Quentin Crisp. You may want to look him up. Then the lyric “Be yourself, no matter what they say.”… will take on a more profound meaning to you.

The horn is actually a soprano saxophone (it was on "What Would You Say" by Dave Matthew Band also), not a clarinet. And it's being played by one of the great masters, Branford Marsalis. Best I can tell, that water-drop sound is a talking drum, a type of percussion instrument. One of the percussionists on this track is also quite renowned; his name is Manu Katche. But I just can't find more information on that. Next stops: "Fortress Around Your Heart" "Fragile" "It's Probably Me"

Ive known of this beautiful song for year's and still absolutely love this song

The song is about Quinten Crisp who appears in the video. If you're interested there was a movie about his early life starring Sir John Hurt called The Naked Civil Servant, very good film. Keep up the great work. Thanks.

Sting was the lead singer of the Police! He went solo in the eighties! He had an extremely successful careers with both! That is the amazing Branford Marsalis in the video playing the soprano saxophone! I love this song! Sting could do no wrong!❤❤

Sting's songs just have a vibe. You can totally ignore what he's saying, and just listen to the sound of his voice and the instrumentation, and it's just such a feeling.

The older gentleman in the video is Quentin Crisp, and this song is about him. I was living in NYC, in the 1980s on St Mark's Place when Mr Crisp lived in NY. He was listed in the Manhattan phone book because he like when people called him up and invited him to lunch. I have 2 friends who did just that. I met him one time in front of St Mark's Book Store. He was all set up with a table, a chair, and a stein of beer. He was signing books of his and talking to anyone who stopped by for a chat. Lovely man. As for Sting give his songs, Fragile, and Russians, a listen, you won't be disappointed.

amber has a great understanding of the old school!

This is from the album "Nothing like the sun" wich also has the song "They dance alone" wich has both Eric Clapton and Mark Knopfler playing guitar on it, Branford Marsalis also plays saxophone on that song like in this song

Sting is indeed a top lyricist and this is a great song. Seven Days is a great quirky love song to explore and hear also Fortress Around Your Heart. The song you are reviewing is inspired by the old man in the video who is Quentin Crisp who dared to be openly gay in the 1950s and 60s. A film was made about him in 1977 called The Naked Civil Servant starring John Hurt. Crisp moved to New York in the 1970s hence an Englishman in New York.

The Police had several great songs, and Sting also as a solo artist. One of my favorites though is, Shape Of My Heart. It plays during the end credits of the movie, Léon: The Professional, and perfectly captures the mood of the movie at that point. It has Natalie Portman (Star Wars’ Queen Amidala) in her first big movie role as a young girl who befriends a professional hitman. I very highly recommend the movie.