Favorite Albums: S artists

Singles soundtrack- The soundtrack of a generation

Born in the USA- Bruce Springsteen-Favorite album from JHS

Born to Run- Bruce Springsteen-The Album that saved rock

Darkness on the Edge of Town- Bruce Springsteen-A worthy followup to Born to Run

Greetings from Asbury Park- Bruce Springsteen-Just love it

Magic- Bruce Springsteen- This could be one of the last great rock albums

Nebraska- Bruce Springsteen-Raw

The Rising- Bruce Springsteen- A much needed album during a trying time.

The River- Bruce Springsteen- Childhood

Star Trek II soundtrack- This really pulls on the heartstrings

Star Trek III soundtrack- Ditto

Star Trek: First Contact- A coda to college

Dream of the Blue Turtles- Sting- Loved this one

Ten Summoner's Tales- Sting- Once again, awesome

Core- STP- Just a great rock record

Purple- STP-Ditto

Sting: Soul Cages (1991)

Sting worked through his father's death by developing The Soul Cages album. The concept album dealt with Sting's faith, his father's passing, and mortality. The album eventually influenced Sting's musical The Last Ship which premiered in 2014.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIGtjCcdtr0

Top 40 songs of 1991: #21-30

My favorites.

21. Into the Great Wide Open- Tom Petty
22. Once- Pearl Jam
23. Mysterious Ways- U2
24. The Show Must Go On- Queen
25. Losing My Religion- REM
26. Get a Leg Up- John Mellencamp
27. Why Go- Pearl Jam
28. Live and Let Die- Guns n Roses
29. Soul Cages- Sting
30. Don't Cry- Guns n Roses

Top 40 songs of 1991 (#31-40)

My favorites....

31. Top of the World- Van Halen
32. The Dream is Over- Van Halen
33. I Can't Dance- Genesis
34. Mad About You- Sting
35. All This Time- Sting
36. Radio Song- REM
37. The Fire Inside- Bob Seger
38. Highwire- The Rolling Stones
39. These Are The Days of Our Lives- Queen
40. Judgement Day- Van Halen

Johnny Cash: I Hung My Head (2002)

Sting wrote and recorded "I Hung My Head." A young boy kills a man by accident and ends up at the gallows. Cash's version added an amazing emotional resonance to the song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42D6bUta1gs

Sting:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgPTVIrR9NA

Top 40 songs of 1992 (#31-40)

My favorites.

31. Even Flow- Pearl Jam
32. Closer- NIN
33. Even Better Than The Real Thing- U2
34. Bohemian Rhapsody- Queen
35. November Rain- Guns n Roses
36. Got Me Wrong- Alice in Chains
37. Angry Chair- Alice in Chains
38. Sword of Damocles- Lou Reed
39. It's Probably Me- Sting and Eric Clapton
40. Remedy- The Black Crowes

Sting: Fortress Around Your Heart (1985)

Using Medieval imagery, Sting translates his personal pain emanating from a divorce to a pop hit. He said the song is about "appeasement" and "trying to build a bridge between individuals."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qcVtEy6G1Q

Sting: Russians (1985)

Sting attacks the Cold War in "Russians." He criticizes both American and Soviet leadership in the anti-war piece. At the same time, Sting seems to lay more of the blame on the Soviets. At the time, people had grown more worried about the threat of nuclear annihilation as American rhetoric and Soviet military action heated up worldwide.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHylQRVN2Qs

Top 35 songs of 1993 (#11-20)

11. Nightswimming- REM
12. She's Too Tough- Def Leppard
13. St. Augustine in Hell- Sting
14. Rape Me- Nirvana
15. Elderly Woman Behind a Counter in a Small Town- Pearl Jam
16. The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonight- REM
17. Find the River- REM
18. Desert Song- Def Leppard
19. River of Dreams- Billy Joel
20. Don't Tear Me Up- Mick Jagger

Top 35 songs of 1993: #21-30

My favorites.

21. Love Is Stronger Than Justice- Sting
22. Daughter-Pearl Jam
23. Today- Smashing Pumpkins
24. Fields of Gold- Sting
25. Wired All Night- Mick Jagger
26. I'll Sleep When I'm Dead- Bon Jovi
27. Stay (Faraway So Close)- U2
28. Down in a Hole- Alice in Chains
29. Hey Jealousy- Gin Blossoms
30. Ordinary World- Duran Duran

The Police: Wrapped Around Your Finger (1984)

Sting claims "Wrapped Around Your Finger" is about his life. Essentially, the protanganist turns the tables on person who believes they are in charge. The Police incorporate mythological images and Faust into the song. The music video is nearly ethereal and sets a mood.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svWINSRhQU0

Top 15 songs of 1999 (part 2)

My favorites...hope I did not forget one.

1. Whiskey in a Jar- Metallica

2. Mas Tequila- Sammy Hagar

3. Sleep Now in the Fire- RATM

4. Maria- Blondie

5. Smooth- Santana w/Rob Thomas

6. Learn to Fly- Foo Fighters

7. Back to Good- Matchbox 20

8. The Great Beyond- R.E.M.

9. Desert Rose- Sting

10. Bawitdaba- Kid Rock

Jeff Beck: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2009 part 2

1980-90

The Final Peace (1980): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2UscnUthNQ

Space Boogie (1980): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPc819ryy0g

I Shall Be Released with Sting, Phil Collins, Donovan, and Bob Geldof (1982): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mo1GRM4FhcI

People Get Ready w/Rod Stewart (1986): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yC_j_dzkaVE



After some time off..Guitar Shop

Guitar Shop (1989): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J21JU6jckls

Day in the House (1989): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QAGrKe2eOQ

Jeff Beck w/Rod Stewart: People Get Ready (1985)

Curtis Mayfield wrote this spiritual in the wake of the Civil Rights Movement He employed Gospel and religious themes to create a social and political awareness. Jeff Beck released an amazing cover version in 1985 with Rod Stewart on vocals. Beck played the song with Sting on vocals at the 2009 Rock n Roll Hall of Fame concert.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yC_j_dzka

With Sting:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOnz2056RGQ

Curtis Mayfield:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nH3fKH10oM

 

The Police: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2003

Rock Hall Bio: http://rockhall.com/inductees/the-police/bio/

Official Site: http://www.thepolice.com/

Sting’s Official Site: http://www.sting.com/

Stewart Copeland’s Site: http://www.stewartcopeland.net/

Andy Summer’s Site: http://andysummers.com/

The Police formed in 1977 out of the ashes of Stewart Copeland’s Prog rock band Curved Air. Copeland hooked up with teacher and ditch digger Sting, and guitarist Henry Padovani. Copeland and Sting dispatched Padovani in favor of Andy Summers that summer. The Police originated in the punk scene, but evolved into something much more. Copeland’s brother, Miles, took their single, “Roxanne”, to A&M and got the band signed.

Outlandos d’Amour

Roxanne (1978): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3T1c7GkzRQQ

Can’t Stand Losing You (1978): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nH0vjLwMyc4

So Lonely (1978): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaNt9-QkiHI

Reggata de Blanc

Message in a Bottle (1979): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbXWrmQW-OE

Walking on the Moon (1979): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dk4WRhPQuyo

Zenyatta Mondatta

Don’t Stand So Close to Me (1980): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNIZofPB8ZM

De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da (1980): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7v2GDbEmjGE

The band branched out with their fourth album for a multi-textured sound and darker lyrics.

Ghost in the Machine

Invisible Sun (1981): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIylUcGDi-Y

Every Little Thing She Does is Magic (1981): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aENX1Sf3fgQ

Spirits in a Material World (1981): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4KtVSCzw7c

Synchronicity

By the summer of 1983, The Police were the biggest band in the known universe.

Every Breath You Take (1983): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMOGaugKpzs

Wrapped Around Your Finger (1983): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svWINSRhQU0

Synchronicity II (1983): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TUK0glcRz4

King of Pain (1984): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3l0kpl5tA4

Internal frictions led to a hiatus. The band released a greatest hits album in 1986.

Don’t Stand So Close to Me ’86 (1986): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1hVOz_NwXI

Sting’s solo career exploded and the band broke up for 20 years. They reunited in 2007 for a spectacular reunion tour. Rumors swirled about another album, but it never happened. .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TasAjuT-A6k

 

Dire Straits: Money for Nothing (1985)

“Money for Nothing” is an iconic song from 1985. It contains a classic guitar riff, the line “I want my MTV”, and backing vocals from Sting.  Mark Knopfler overheard some guys in a store complaining about rock musicians not actually working and wrote the song from that perspective. In fact, Knopfler used some of the real words from the appliance store worker. Dire Straits was criticized for homophobic lyrics, but they were just parroting the blue collar worker. It continued to stir controversy as late as 2011, when people were much more lame.  The video employed groundbreaking computer effects and is considered one of the great productions of all time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAD6Obi7Cag

Sting: All This Time (1991)

Sting reacted to his father’s death by writing music. “All This Time” is an examination of his father’s passing and his own feelings. The song’s character wants to bury his dad at sea rather than deal with religious ceremony. There is a hard questioning of religion in the song to go along with death. The upbeat music counters the sadness and confusion Sting feels.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LdUme7QZLY

Sting: Saint Augustine in Hell (1993)

This is an album track from Ten Summoner's Tales. The album title is a play on Sting's real name. The album spawned two smash hits including "Fields of Gold" and "If I Ever Lose My Faith In You."
I was partial to "Saint Augustine in Hell" because it is a good song and I found the lyrics amusing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JdpXp6qJRI

Sting: Desert Rose (2000)

"Desert Rose" was inspired by the novel, Dune. Sting starred in the 1984 film adaptation and includes arabic and features Cheb Mami. The song later appeared in a Jaguar commercial. In the old days, this would have been considered selling out. In the last decade and a half, it is now viewed as a way to get music to the public.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3lWwBslWqg

Rod Stewart: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1994

Official Site:

http://www.rodstewart.com/us/home

Rock Hall Bio:

http://rockhall.com/inductees/rod-stewart/bio/

Stewart left school at 15 to play soccer. He failed and moved to music. As a result, he ended up working odd jobs while trying to make it in rock n roll. He received his big break when he joined the Jeff Beck Group. In 1969, he went solo and worked with the Faces.

Morning Dew (Jeff Beck Group) 1968:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvVpdS-AIYs

He worked with The Faces until 1975:

Stay With Me (1971):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtqF0qBqzZo

Solo:

Reason to Believe (1971):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQ-zvISzY3Q

Maggie May (1971):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fD_6KqP7K0g&feature=related

You Wear It Well (1972):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtq6NEGXu24

Sailing (1975):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53LnC9MDU6I&feature=related

This Old Heart of Mine (1975):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=819RoBdTzsg

Tonight’s the Night (1976):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNcbh3CSdT4

The Killing of Georgie (1976):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uixc025fZRE

The First Cut is the Deepest (1977):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0x9TuaFZHI

You’re in My Heart (1977):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HfEJG_qwj4

Disco entered his repertoire.

Hot Legs (1978):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHcjjxYbgNM&ob=av2e

Do Ya Think I’m Sexy (1978):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hphwfq1wLJs&ob=av2e

Disco never really died, but he moved away from it…

Tonight I’m Yours (1980):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMKlQGDqD1A

Young Turks (1981):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgczlrYM4eI

Baby Jane (1983):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5aSJZWgnaz8

Infatuation w/Jeff Beck (1984):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VaazQfxGso

People Get Ready w/Jeff Beck (1985):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ervf7hIxZ3Y

Every Beat of My Heart (1986):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSjdHvChbP8

Forever Young (1988):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGEe_zpddNI

This Old Heart of Mine w/Ronald Isley (1989):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9eQShsxkj4

Downtown Train (1989):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHqB3v5rNCc

Rhythm of My Heart (1991):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCccPGtjaCU&feature=related

The Motown Song (1991):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Fc8CP2VFuw

Broken Arrow (1991):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUgQpUNDHcg

Rod did MTV Unplugged in 1993

Have I Told You Lately (1993):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQ4NAZPi2js

All For Love w/Sting and Bryan Adams (1993):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofA3URC1wyk

Ooh La La (1998):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnEQ6CNvPSg

I Can’t Deny It (2001):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1Iedzd-yGs

Baby, It’s Cold Outside w/Dolly Parton (2004):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9frFggnz4P0

Have You Ever Seen the Rain? (2006):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oX2FSv4Rys&ob=av2e

Beyond the Sea (2010):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8WLwlTifuU