[Beginner’s Guide] Start Here! A Collection of Sting’s Greatest Songs [2026]

Let Your Soul Be Your PilotSting

Sting – Let Your Soul Be Your Pilot

Amid Sting’s songs, which often question the world today or take a cynical view, this forward-looking, straightforward message song is included on his sixth album, Mercury Falling, released in 1996.

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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The Hounds of WinterSting

The Hounds Of Winter

Aren’t many of Sting’s love songs rich with thought-provoking, profound messages? The opening track of his March 1996 album Mercury Falling is no exception: it’s a haunting love song that captures the anguished cry of a man abandoned by his lover.

The loneliness and chill, expressed through the metaphor of a winter hunting dog, seep deeply into the listener’s heart.

This track is a key piece that even influenced the album’s title, characterized by icy synth tones and plaintive vocals.

Highly recommended if you enjoy authentic breakup songs that immerse you in the winter season.

When We DanceSting

Sting – When We Dance

Among Sting’s many classic songs, the one I’d like to recommend today is a beautiful ballad released in October 1994.

It was included as a new track on his first best-of album, “Fields of Gold: The Best of Sting 1984–1994.” The lyrics poignantly capture the frustration of a love triangle, where the person you love is gazing at someone else, and this is perfectly paired with a calm, romantic musical arrangement.

By weaving subtle dissonances into parts of the melody, the song deepens its bittersweet narrative and heightens its sentimental mood.

Sting’s only solo Top 10 hit in the UK, this track is a captivating work that exudes the bittersweet flavor of adult romance.

Why Should I Cry For You?Sting

Sting – Why Should I Cry For You? (Official Music Video)

Sting, the British artist who rose to worldwide fame as the frontman of The Police.

The piece introduced here is from his album “The Soul Cages,” released in January 1991.

The album centers on the profound sense of loss following his father’s death, unfolding an introspective world that is uniquely Sting’s.

Rather than expressing simple grief for his late father, it portrays a complex mix of regret and love, conveyed through motifs such as the sea and ships—an especially striking aspect.

Its calm, composed melodies feel as though they gently wrap around the listener.

It’s a perfect listen for a quiet night when you want to be alone with your thoughts.

Gotta Get Back My BabySting, Shaggy

Sting & Shaggy – Gotta Get Back My Baby

Sting is one of the musicians who best represent the UK.

Among his diverse career, the collaboration with Jamaican reggae singer Shaggy is a standout I especially recommend.

The sound is upbeat and breezy with a reggae vibe, but the lyrics portray the regret of losing a lover and a heartfelt resolve to win them back.

That contrast between the bright tone and the bittersweet theme is irresistible.

The track is included on their Grammy-winning album “44/876,” released in April 2018.

There’s also a comedic music video where the two play detectives, so be sure to check that out as well.

All This TimeSting

Sting – All This Time

Released by Sting in 1991, “All This Time” is a classic song he wrote for his late father.

The album it appears on, The Soul Cages, was created around the theme of his father, who passed away just before production.

The intro of “All This Time” features a mandolin, which creates its distinctive sound.

While the track has a pop feel overall, combined with the lyrics it carries a somewhat melancholy atmosphere, making it a touching and memorable masterpiece.

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Hamada Takuya

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EnglishmanSting

Sting – Englishman In New York

This is Sting’s “Englishman” with a soprano saxophone playing the obbligato.

Jazz often brings to mind alto or tenor sax, but pop-tinged, jazz-flavored tunes played on soprano sax like this are really great too.

By the way, where can you get sheet music for songs like this? It’s something we all wonder about.

It’s common to get inspired by an instrument and pick one up, only to find there’s no sheet music available.

If you’ve got a good ear, try transcribing by ear; otherwise, work with someone who can arrange and notate it for you.

Often only the lead melody is published, so for the saxophone solo sections, do your best to tackle them by ear.

At first you might not be able to identify any of the notes, but the thrill when you finally figure them out and can play them isn’t something everyone gets to experience.

A lot of jazz charts are learned by ear anyway, so listen repeatedly with patience and pick out the notes.

And once you can really play it, you’ll have something to brag about!

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sai-kisaragi

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