Sting desert rose biography
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Desert Rose (Sting song)
single by Sting
"Desert Rose" is a song co-authored by British musician Sting and Algerian songwriter Cheb Rabah (Rabah Zarradine), featuring Algerianraï singer Cheb Mami, from Sting's sixth solo studio album, Brand New Day (). According to Sting, the lyrics have to do with "lost love and longing".[2] Riding a wave of pre-9/11 interest in Latin and Arabic cultures,[3][4][5] "Desert Rose" peaked at No. 2 in Canada, No. 3 in Switzerland, No. 4 in Italy, No. 15 in the United Kingdom, and No. 17 in the United States.
Background
[edit]In mid, Sting had been listening to one of Cheb Mami's albums, which prompted him to see one of his performances in Bercy with Khaled, Rachid Taha, and Steve Hillage. Following this experience, Sting decided to write "Desert Rose", which he based around raï music. Sting said that he wrote the instrumentation first, which later informed the direction of the lyrics.[6] • Alluring and sensual, Sting’s hit “Desert Rose” represents a high-water mark in the artist’s illustrious career. A global smash that undoubtedly contributed to the multi-platinum success of its parent album, Brand New Day, the song’s beguiling, yet stylistically elusive qualities were widely praised, though Sting himself was less comfortable with critics referring to it as his take on “world music.” Click to load video “I’d rather say that my ambition is to defy the titles that people make for you,” Sting reflected in a interview. “I don’t do world music or reggae, I do whatever I do. But it’s true that ‘Desert Rose’ has a definite Arabic, North African flavor.” The song’s backing track came from Sting and his band simply jamming ideas, which Sting described as “a song about longing, a kind of Sufi [Islam] idea – romantic love as an analog for the greater love of God.” Ultimately, thou • British musician (born ) "Gordon Sumner" redirects here. For the Australian rules footballer, see Gordon Sumner (footballer). Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner (born 2 October ), known as Sting, is an English musician, activist and actor. He was the frontman, principal songwriter and bassist for new wave band the Police from until their breakup in He launched a solo career in and has included elements of rock, jazz, reggae, classical, new-age, and worldbeat in his music.[4] Sting has sold a combined total of more than million records as a solo artist and as a member of the Police.[5][6] He has received three Brit Awards, including Best British Male Artist in and Outstanding Contribution to Music in ; a Golden Globe; an Emmy; and fyra Academy Award nominations.[7] As a solo musician and as a member of the Police, Sting has received 17 Grammy Awards.[8] He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a memb
‘Desert Rose’: The Story Behind Sting’s Genre-Defying Hit
Defying categorization
Sting (musician)