Lyrics

by Sting

From the first Police album, Outlandos D'Amour, through Sacred Love, here are the collected lyrics written by Sting, along with his commentary.“Publishing my lyrics separately from their musical accompaniment is something that I’ve studiously avoided until now. The two, lyrics and music, have always been mutually dependent, in much the same way as a mannequin and a set of clothes are dependent on each other; separate them, and what remains is a naked dummy and a pile of cloth. Nevertheless, the exercise has been an interesting one, seeing perhaps for the first time how successfully the lyrics survive on their own, and inviting the question as to whether song lyrics are in fact poetry or something else entirely. And while I’ve never seriously described myself as a poet, the book in your hands, devoid as it is of any musical notation, looks suspiciously like a book of poems.   So it seems I am entering, with some trepidation, the unadorned realm of the poet. I have set out my compositions in the sequence they were written and provided a little background when I thought it might be illuminating. My wares have neither been sorted nor dressed in clothes that do not belong to them; indeed, they have been shorn of the very garments that gave them their shape in the first place. No doubt some of them will perish in the cold cruelty of this new environment, and yet others may prove more resilient and become perhaps more beautiful in their naked state. I can’t predict the outcome, but I have taken this risk knowingly and, while no one in their right mind should ever attempt to set “The Waste Land” to music, in the hopeful words of T. S. Eliot, These fragments I have shored against my ruins.” —Sting, from the Introduction

Genres: Music, Poetry, Nonfiction, Reference, Biography, Biography Memoir, Memoir

371 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 1991

About the author

Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner, CBE, universally known by his stage name Sting, is a Grammy Award-winning English musician from Wallsend in Newcastle upon Tyne. Prior to starting his solo career, he was the principal songwriter, lead singer and bass player of the rock band The Police. As a solo musician and member of The Police, Sting has sold over 105 million records, and received over sixteen Grammy Awards for his work.

Reviews

[yalayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's hard to say that I "read" this book. It's more a book to peruse and have music stream through your brain as you remember all of the reasons why Sting is one of your favorites. Especially since with a combination of the onset of adulthood and digital music I just don't sit around reading lyric sheets of cassettes like I did when I was a little younger. Sting is one of the artists whose work deserves to be known as poetry as well--especially the songs on The Soul Cages and Ten Summoner's Tales, which, in my opinion, were his most finished work. (By that, I mean no disparagement to Blue Turtles!)

A wonderful book to have and to run your memory through now and again.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a continuation of the debate over whether lyrics can stand on their own two feet besides poetry. I like how Sting says that they are "mutually dependent, in much the same way as a mannequin and a set of clothes are dependent on each other; separate them, and what remains is a naked dummy and a pile of cloth." So, with a little trepidation, he decided to publish his lyrics into a poetry book.

It's funny, but experiencing his work in this way, I find myself liking the poetic sound of his more obscure pieces and it seems true that the popular songs just can't be separated from the music. But what is poetry exactly? Is it anything more than this imaginary awareness of experience? Poetry is meant to be read aloud so there is a sort of sound that goes along with it in our voices. So why can't music be a part of it?

[Cami · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brilliant songwriter, Sting, compiles his lyrics a la poetry for the first time. This work covers everything from the first Police album, Outlandos d'Amour to his own Sacred Love. He writes a bit of commentary at the beginning of each chapter/album and comments on roughly half the songs and their background.
Who knew my favorite song was based on the story of David and Bathsheba?

A great book to flip through, but it was hard to separate, mentally, the lyrics from the music enough to simply read it as poetry.

[Kelly Weitekamp · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love Sting's songs, you will LOVE this book. It's an awesome look into what was behind many of his most beautiful lyrics.

[Kathleen Wheeler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always been moved by music with intelligent lyrics, and Sting never fails to deliver on this level. Lyrics by Sting confirms my belief that Sting is not only an extraordinary musician, but also an amazing songwriter and poet. This book proves the lyrics of his many songs hold up on their own without musical accompaniment and still convey his messages beautifully and brilliantly. Over the years his topics have naturally turned to deeper subjects as he has matured as a person and an artist, but all his lyrics speak deeply to me from his beginnings with The Police to his more recent work as a solo artist. I love having all these lyrics published in one book to cherish.

[adllto · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've Loved Sting's work for years and I've never really though of his songs as poetry yet that's what happens when you put them out their without the music. I think they, or at least the majority of them, stand the test and read beautifully and sensitively. You really don't read a book of poem rather you dip and taste often.

[Graceanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had to purchase this book since I am a huge Police fan. Sting's lyrics are poetic, political, and meaningful. Makes me admire and love their music even more. Sting...from one bassist to another...keep writing and making amazing basslines!

[Tory · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just fabulous. A compilation of lyrics written by Sting, organized by album. Sting introduces each of the lyrics with an explanation of where he was, what he was thinking when he wrote the words. There is depth to what he is saying, sometimes about socio-economic issues and sometimes just about life. I don't know if you are like me, but I frequently do not hear all of the words to songs, sometimes singing along with the wrong word or phrase, thinking that I have it right. So, I really appreciate reading the correct words!

[David Horton · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not 100% certain that I finished reading this book because I chose to flip between chapters/albums with no intention of following the passages chronologically. I am a longtime fan of The Police but not so much of Sting. I read his book"Broken Music" and loved it enough to seek out this book which seems like a logical and clever follow-up. His explanations of his Police writing satisfied me enough because of the context of his previous book. I like the concept of a collected volume of liner notes. I wish other bands and singers would do the same. How about it Fleetwood Mac? I wish Sting would have spent a bit more time thinking about all of his songs not just the odd hit. I realize he didn't write all the Police songs and, given his tumultuous relationship with Copland and Summers, wisely left alone those songs he did not pen. What we're left with is, while a complete catalogue of songs (even the B-sides get a page of their own), a sense of expectations not met. Think of this book as a great reference for any die hard fan of The Police and Sting. Otherwise, it's merely a library rental intended to be browsed through casually.

[Connie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picked it up in book store in Austin, TX while I was there for a professional conference. (Book People if any of you are familiar with it. GREAT book store!) I was looking for a good "traveling" book. As a fan of Sting, I enjoyed hearing his take and the back story to some of my favorite songs.

[Kyrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, it isn't really biographical, except for the insights he chooses to share while explaining some, but by no means all of his lyrics. It is nice to be able to read them - they're weirdly poetic.

[Onka · Rating 5 out of 5]

How can I write any kind of review on book of lyrics? Well... I enjoyed most of the lyrics - Sting is an excellent song writer, I also liked those comments he wrote on the most of his songs. And graphically it's just adorable! You should see the cover of real thing (not this picture on GR) :)

[Karena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worthwhile catching up on some of the albums I missed. I wish there were more explanations, which were illuminating. If you like this I very highly recommend Sting's multimedia 60th birthday app, which has the star-studded concert, videos, and much more.

[Osen Akkemik · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish he gave more background to each song. Having read the book second time gave me more pleasure and also made me realise his progress in writing lyrics since his Police days. If you enjoy listening to his songs you would enjoy reading his lyrics.

[Msi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always loved Sting. He's a great story teller and if you really listent to the lyrics, you'll hear more thank just a pop song.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

love sting, love his music. it's interesting to read the words without music and how he came about writing each one.

[Rob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book. Sting is very well read and has a unique personality. I loved the stories behind the lyrics of the songs he wrote for The Police and his solo career.

[Keri · Rating 4 out of 5]

For any fan of Sting and The Police, this book of lyrics really strengthens the beauty of his music.

[Josh Trombley · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love Sting and the Police this is a great book for you. A view into some songs, others you find out you've been singing wrong for years.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you aren't a fan, you'll better understand the process of lyric writing. If you are a fan, you'll love to learn the history and genesis of many of Sting's songs.

[Evelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Christmas gift, I love this book. Sting's song lyrics are poetry in their own right. Quite beautiful to have them all together in one book.

[James Biser · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sting is a master of words. I loved reading his explanations of what was in his mind and what inspired him to write many of lyrics. It became clear, by the end, that the man puts words together beautifully; whether he remembers his inspiration is inconsequential.
One story I enjoyed was when a movie director or some other contact approached Sting at a party to ask if he would ever write a poem or song about dolphins. He said No. That would never occur to him.
He then walked around the room during the party. Without thinking of it directly, a lyric about dolphins had formed in his mind.

[Rudy Gutierrez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've listed to every album and I've sang along to the records CD and at concerts but reading the lyrics to the songs took on a new meaning. Very enjoyable and getting some background history as to the origins was very insightful. Can't wait for Vol 2 as this only covers till 2003.

[Elinor · Rating 5 out of 5]

These words say more to me than Shakespeare and every single one resonates with the events of my life. I guess that’s the skill of writing a killer verse. Thank you.

[Min · Rating 3 out of 5]

A friend recommended this book as a means to learn more about Sting's intended meaning to his lyrics. There are some back stories, and there are a few notes, but overall, I would say I didn't learn too much about it. Most of the notes are less than a paragraph of context such as where he was living, and perhaps, a life event that coincided with writing the song.
As it becomes later in his career, the entries become longer for the obvious reason that his songs have deeper meanings, and that they are closer in time to when they happened. Being rather short on commentary, this is an extremely fast read. If one wants to treat this as a book of poetry, one certainly can do that.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reads like poetry

[Robert Petkovic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sting is a great storyteller and everyone who tried to listen to the lyrics of his songs knows that. His short stories are powerful even without his great musical background and I may say they are maybe even more powerful this way. Try to browse through these lyrics and you will probably never look at his songs the same way again.

[Marcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

most beautiful!

[Ash · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned some meanings to my favorite songs,basic background about the songs, and you have the lryics to your favorite songs. It's a great book.

[Kristine · Rating 3 out of 5]

He's a brilliant songwriter and briefly shares some of his inspiration along with the song lyrics.