The Very Best of Sting & the Police [compilation]
Sting & The Police
℗ 1997
In the summer of 1997, Puff Daddy took "I'll Be Missing You," a sappy reworking of "Every Breath You Take," to the top of the charts across the world; it became the biggest rap single in history. The success of "I'll Be Missing You" had the bizarre by-product of making the Police hip again among both rock and rap artists. So, what better to celebrate the occasion — as well as the 20th anniversary of the Police's first album — than the release of another compilation, this time combining highlights from the Police and Sting's solo career? The Very Best of Sting & the Police does just that, compiling 14 songs in a seemingly random chronological order. The Police cuts are generally classics, but there are several big hits left off, which should probably be expected for an integrated collection like this. There's plenty of good music on Sting's solo records, but the selection here emphasizes his MOR side instead of some of his more ambitious material. Obviously, that selection is designed to snag a mature, 30-something audience, which makes the inclusion of Puff Daddy's remix of "Roxanne" (included in both its original and remixed incarnations) a little puzzling, since that strives to appeal to a younger audience. Then again, you don't really expect coherence from a collection that simply wants to cash in at the right moment. While it's hard to ignore the fact that this disc isn't necessary, the music itself is good, and certain casual fans may find this useful. But anyone following Sting or the Police for any length of time will find The Very Best Of... superfluous. — Stephen Thomas Erlewine. |
- 1. Message In a Bottle [04:47]
- 2. Can't Stand Losing You [02:58]
- 3. Englishman in New York [04:25]
- 4. Every Breath You Take [04:09]
- 5. Seven Days [04:36]
- 6. Walking On the Moon [04:59]
- 7. Fields of Gold [03:36]
- 8. Fragile [03:51]
- 9. Every Little Thing She Does is Magic [04:18]
- 10. De do do do, De da da da [04:05]
- 11. If You Love Somebody Set Them Free [04:12]
- 12. Let Your Soul Be Your Pilot [edit] [04:26]
- 13. Russians [03:55]
- 14. If I Ever Lose My Faith In You [04:27]
- 15. When We Dance [edit] [04:18]
- 16. Don't Stand so Close to Me [04:01]
- 17. Roxanne [03:14]
- 18. Roxanne [Puff Daddy remix] [04:31]
Тексты:
Englishman in New York
I don't drink coffee I take tea my dear I like my toast done on the side And you can hear it in my accent when I talk I'm an Englishman in New York See me walking down Fifth Avenue A walking cane here at my side I take it everywhere I walk I'm an Englishman in New York I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien I'm an Englishman in New York I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien I'm an Englishman in New York If "manners maketh man" as someone said Then he's the hero of the day It takes a man to suffer ignorance and smile Be yourself no matter what they say I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien I'm an Englishman in New York I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien I'm an Englishman in New York Modesty, propriety can lead to notoriety You could end up as the only one Gentleness, sobriety are rare in this society At night a candle's brighter than the sun Takes more than combat gear to make a man Takes more than license for a gun Confront your enemies, avoid them when you can A gentleman will walk but never run If "manners maketh man" as someone said Then he's the hero of the day It takes a man to suffer ignorance and smile Be yourself no matter what they say I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien I'm an Englishman in New York I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien I'm an Englishman in New York
Fragile
If blood will flow when flesh and steel are one Drying in the color of the evening sun Tomorrow's rain will wash the stains away But something in our minds will always stay Perhaps this final act was meant To clinch a lifetime's argument That nothing comes from violence and nothing ever could For all those born beneath an angry star Lest we forget how fragile we are On and on the rain will fall Like tears from a star like tears from a star On and on the rain will say How fragile we are How fragile we are On and on the rain will fall Like tears from a star like tears from a star On and on the rain will say How fragile we are How fragile we are
If You Love Somebody Set Them Free
If you need somebody, call my name If you want someone, you can do the same If you want to keep something precious You got to lock it up and throw away the key If you want to hold onto your possession Don't even think about me If you love somebody, set them free If it's a mirror you want, just look into my eyes Or a whipping boy, someone to despise Or a prisoner in the dark Tied up in chains you just can't see Or a beast in a gilded cage That's all some people ever want to be If you love somebody, set them free You can't control an independent heart Can't tear the one you love apart Forever conditioned to believe that we can't live We can't live here and be happy with less So many riches, so many souls Everything we see we want to possess If you need somebody, call my name If you want someone, you can do the same If you want to keep something precious You got to lock it up and throw away the key If you want to hold onto your possession Don't even think about me If you love somebody, set them free
Russians
In Europe and America, there's a growing feeling of hysteria Conditioned to respond to all the threats In the rhetorical speeches of the Soviets Mr. Krushchev said we will bury you I don't subscribe to this point of view It would be such an ignorant thing to do If the Russians love their children too How can I save my little boy from Oppenheimer's deadly toy There is no monopoly of common sense On either side of the political fence We share the same biology Regardless of ideology Believe me when I say to you I hope the Russians love their children too There is no historical precedent To put words in the mouth of the president There's no such thing as a winnable war It's a lie we don't believe anymore Mr. Reagan says we will protect you I don't subscribe to this point of view Believe me when I say to you I hope the Russians love their children too We share the same biology Regardless of ideology What might save us me and you Is that the Russians love their children too