STING

If You Love Somebody Set Them Free 

Never the biggest 'Police' fan (one album purchased I think well that and a bootleg) 
and yet this song coincided with some of my own reading, Gurdjeff and so, on that had lead me to certain interesting aspects about giving emotions away to find you get them back. In order to love someone they must be free. They are not possessions. You do not own somebody else. But more importantly if you use processes like Rogerian unconditional positive regard or core conditions as he would have it, the outcome of any relationship therapeutic and otherwise, is always beneficial. Exploring that ancient (pre-Christian for sure) tenet of do as you would be done by. Do unto others . . . . That love freely given comes back to you. The way to find out if someone loves you is to set them free . . . . . I bought this and I think 'Englishman In New York' and probably gave it a rest there . . . . . .still an interesting single

On this day in music history: June 21, 1985 - “The Dream Of The Blue Turtles”, the debut solo album by Sting is released. Produced by Sting and Pete Smith, it is recorded at Blue Wave Studios in St. Philip, Barbados and Le Studio in Morin Heights, Montreal, Quebec, Canada from Late 1984 - Early 1985. Without making an official announcement, The Police part company in the Spring of 1984 after the highly successful “Synchronicity” album and world tour. Looking to stretch musically beyond the confines of his former band, Sting puts together a band featuring jazz musicians. The band features Branford Marsalis (saxophones), Darryl Jones (bass), Kenny Kirkland (keyboards), Omar Hakim (drums), Dolette McDonald and Janice Pendarvis (background vocals). Recording mostly at musician Eddy Grant’s recording studio in Barbados, the title of the album is inspired by a dream that Sting has about “giant blue turtles” invading the garden of his Hampstead home. When word about the project becomes public knowledge, many critics and fans are skeptical about the album prior its release, especially Sting’s record label, A&M Records feeling that he is taking a big risk by moving away from his tried and true musical formula. That skepticism disappears once the public hears it. A seamless blend of jazz and pop, the songs are inspired by a number of subjects including concerns over the looming threat of nuclear war (“Russians” #16 Pop), the destruction of youth from war and drug addiction (“Children’s Crusade”), to healing relationships after they end acrimoniously (“Fortress Around Your Heart” #8 Pop). The album is a major critical and commercial success, spinning off four singles (five in the UK). The first single “If You Love Somebody, Set Them Free” (#3 Pop), is written a thematic sequel to The Police classic “Every Breath You Take”. Many people misconstrue “Every Breath” as a love song, when it actually is the complete opposite, being about obsession, jealousy and control. “If You Love Somebody” is written as “an antidote” to the previous song. “Blue Turtles” also receives four Grammy nominations including Album Of The Year" in 1986. Out of print on vinyl since the late 80’s, it is reissued by Simply Vinyl in 1999, as part of Universal’s “Back To Black” series in 2008. A new vinyl remastering pressed on 180 gram vinyl is reissued in 2016. “The Dream Of The Blue Turtles” peaks at number three on the UK album chart, spending six weeks at number two (behind Dire Straits’ “Brothers In Arms”) on the Billboard Top 200, and is certified 3x Platinum in the US by the RIAA.

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