The magic of Sting's melodic and lyrical prowess, Andy Summer's sparse guitar and Steward Coupland's intricate drum work all reach new heights on this textured tune.
From the lighting of the first candle, the video had always entranced me.
The obscure literary references in the verses made me flip through the encyclopedias as Sting found a creative way to weave in such words as apprentice, Charibdes, Mephistopholes, tuition, fruition, and from the iconic bridge, alabaster.
And what a bridge! It never fails to give goosebumps. Both lyrically and musically, the tune picks up the tempo when the tables are turned on the master and servant relationship dynamics in question as "You'll be wrapped around my finger". Captivating stuff.
The simple "I'll be wrapped around your finger" chorus shimmered. The synths are hauntingly beautiful.
Decades later, I still dream of knocking all those candles down at the end of the video like Sting did when he channeled the 'boy inside the man'.
Decades later, I still dream of knocking all those candles down at the end of the video like Sting did when he channeled the 'boy inside the man'.
Fave lyric: "Devil and the deep blue sea behind me".
Other favourites from 1983:
"Major Tom (Coming Home)" – Peter Schilling
"Blue Monday" – New Order
"In A Big Country" - Big Country
"Blue Monday" – New Order
"In A Big Country" - Big Country
saw Sting in concert in the 1980's, I was young and foolish
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