"Let Your Soul Be Your Pilot" | ||||
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Single by Sting | ||||
from the album Mercury Falling | ||||
Released | 19 February 1996 [1] | |||
Studio | Lake House (Wiltshire) | |||
Genre | Adult contemporary [2] | |||
Length | 6:43 | |||
Label | A&M | |||
Songwriter(s) | Sting | |||
Producer(s) | ||||
Sting singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Sting - Let Your Soul Be Your Pilot" on YouTube |
"Let Your Soul Be Your Pilot" is a song by the English musician Sting. It was released as the lead single from his fifth solo studio album Mercury Falling on 19 February 1996. The soul-influenced track was inspired by a friend suffering from AIDS, and the impact such an event can have on one's outlook on life. [3]
"Let Your Soul Be Your Pilot" reached the top 20 in Sting's native UK. [4] The song was nominated for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance at the 1997 Grammy Awards. [5]
"Let Your Soul Be Your Pilot" was inspired by a friend of Sting's who was suffering from AIDS. Sting described it as a "song about death, or dealing with death in a way that offers some sort of hope". [3]
Musically, the song was influenced by Stax artists such as Otis Redding; Percy Sledge and Aretha Franklin were also listed as significant influences. [6] Fitting in with this theme, Sting brought in the Memphis Horns to play on the track. [6]
"Let Your Soul Be Your Pilot" became a top 20 hit in the UK, peaking at number 15. [4] The single was less successful in the US, reaching number 86 on the Billboard Hot 100, although it did better on the Adult Alternative Airplay chart, peaking at number 3. [7] It found its greatest success in Canada, where it entered the top 10, reaching number 7. [7]
All tracks written by Sting, except "Someone to Watch Over Me" written by George and Ira Gershwin.
Standard CD single
CD maxi–single (US and Japan)
Remixes by A & G Division
Chart (1996) | Peak position |
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Australia (ARIA) [8] | 65 |
Canada (Canadian Hot 100) [9] | 7 |
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista) [10] | 14 |
Germany (GfK) [11] | 58 |
Italy ( Musica e dischi ) [12] | 17 |
Italy Airplay ( Music & Media ) [13] | 4 |
Netherlands (Single Top 100) [14] | 43 |
UK Singles (OCC) [15] | 15 |
US Billboard Hot 100 [16] | 86 |
US Adult Alternative Songs ( Billboard ) [17] | 3 |
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