We'll Be Together (Sting song)

Last updated
"We'll Be Together"
STING WellbetogetherUKsingle.JPG
UK 12" single releases
Single by Sting
from the album ...Nothing Like the Sun
A-side "We'll Be Together"
B-side "Conversation with a Dog"
Released30 October 1987 (1987-10-30) [1]
RecordedSummer 1987
Genre
Length4:52
Label A&M
Songwriter(s) Sting
Producer(s)
Sting singles chronology
"We Work the Black Seam"
(1986)
"We'll Be Together"
(1987)
"Be Still My Beating Heart"
(1988)
Music video
"We'll Be Together" on YouTube

"We'll Be Together" is a song written and recorded by English singer-songwriter Sting. It was released in 1987 as the lead single from his second solo studio album, ...Nothing Like the Sun .

Contents

Background

Sting wrote the song for a beer commercial for Kirin Brewery Company. He said that they asked him for the word "together" to be included in the song. He wrote the song in a few minutes and said both the Japanese and the producers both liked the song, despite the short amount of time it took to come up with the song. The original recording included Eric Clapton on guitar, while other takes feature Bryan Loren instead. The version with Clapton would surface later on Sting's 1994 greatest hits album Fields of Gold: The Best of Sting 1984–1994 . [2]

Lyrics from Sting's 1985 song "If You Love Somebody Set Them Free" are featured near the end of the song.

Release

"We'll Be Together" was released as the first single from ...Nothing Like the Sun, backed with "Conversation with a Dog". The single achieved chart success, reaching number 7 on the US Billboard Hot 100. It was less successful in Sting's home country, where it peaked at #41 on the UK Singles Chart.

Cash Box called it "an upbeat, lightly funk-tinged number" with "strong vocal work." and an "unusual but hypnotic rhythm track" [3]

In 2004 during the North American dates of Sting's Sacred Love Tour, he was joined by Annie Lennox. During the tour, this was the only song that the two performed together. They then re-recorded a version of the song which later appeared on the soundtrack for Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (2004). The song was also included on Sting's compilation album Duets (2021).

Music video

The video was shot in black-and-white and was directed by Mary Lambert, based on the film Orpheus (1950), and includes an appearance by Sting's wife Trudie Styler. Sting wears a homemade jumper (sweater) in the video based on the Belgian cartoon The Adventures of Tintin.

The video opens with a pan shot that centers on Sting (as the poet Marias) in the jumper. The music starts to play as he looks in a mirror, holds up his hands. He starts when he touches the mirror, turns. Outside the French Café des Poètes, men are casting dice in the street. A mural painter begins work, and the men start to dance. The poet climbs over the back of a booth and sits on the back of the seat. He puts on glasses, starts to sing and to write in a journal. Female dancers join the men. Outside the cafe, a beautiful woman (Styler as Casares) arrives in a car. She gets out, followed by a man (Sting as Cègeste) who appears to be very drunk.

The poet looks at the woman face-to-face, has an encounter with the man following her. He passes on, sits with another group of people. Behind him, the drunken Cègeste picks up the poetry sheets and puts them in his pocket. He starts to dance with the men. He follows the woman, touches her intimately, and she hits him in the face. They exchange blows and spectators finally interfere. The cafe dissolves into a brawl. The police arrive and try to break up the fight. Some of the men get the drunken Cègeste into the car again and the woman follows him as the poet watches. He gets into the car, too, as the dancers continue behind him. He sings to the woman, tells her they'll be together tonight. The car leaves the cafe. Dancers in front of the cafe turn over their chairs and exit. The music video won the MTV Video Music Award for Best Cinematography at the 1988 MTV Video Music Awards.

Track listing

  1. "We'll Be Together (Extended Mix)" – 5:54
  2. "We'll Be Together (Instrumental Version)" – 4:10
  3. "We'll Be Together (Album Version)" – 4:50
  4. "Conversation with a Dog" – 3:24
  5. "We'll Be Together (Previous Version)" – 4:30
  1. "We'll Be Together" – 4:52
  2. "Conversation with a Dog" – 3:24

Personnel

Archived

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1987)Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report) [4] 13
Canada Top Singles ( RPM ) [5] 9
France (SNEP) [6] 46
Ireland (IRMA) [7] 14
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) [8] 33
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) [9] 22
UK Singles (OCC) [10] 41
US Billboard Hot 100 [11] 7
US Billboard Album Rock Tracks20

Year-end charts

Chart (1988)Position
Canada Top Singles (RPM) [12] 97
US Billboard Hot 100 [13] [14] 84

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eurythmics</span> British music duo

Eurythmics were a British pop duo formed in 1980, consisting of Scottish vocalist Annie Lennox and English musician and producer Dave Stewart. They were both previously in the Tourists, a band that broke up in 1980. They released their first studio album, In the Garden, in 1981 to little success, but achieved global acclaim with their second album, Sweet Dreams (1983). The title track became a worldwide hit, reaching number two in the UK Singles Chart, and number one in Canada and the US Billboard Hot 100. Eurythmics went on to release a string of hit singles and albums, including "Love Is a Stranger", "There Must Be an Angel " and "Here Comes the Rain Again", before splitting in 1990.

<i>No Jacket Required</i> 1985 studio album by Phil Collins

No Jacket Required is the third studio album by English drummer and singer-songwriter Phil Collins. It was released on 18 February 1985 by Virgin Records in the UK and by Atlantic and WEA internationally.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marcella Detroit</span> American singer, songwriter, and guitarist

Marcella Levy, known professionally as Marcy Levy and Marcella Detroit, is an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist. She co-wrote the 1977 Eric Clapton hit "Lay Down Sally" and released her debut studio album Marcella in 1982. She joined Shakespears Sister in 1988 with ex-Bananarama member Siobhan Fahey. Their first two studio albums, Sacred Heart (1989), and Hormonally Yours (1992), both reached the top 10 of the UK Albums Chart. Detroit sang the lead vocals on their biggest hit, "Stay", which spent eight consecutive weeks at number one on the UK Singles Chart in 1992. Detroit left the band in 1993 and had a UK top 20 hit with "I Believe" in 1994. She formed the Marcy Levy Band in 2002, and finished third in the 2010 ITV series Popstar to Operastar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Someday We'll Be Together</span> 1969 single by Diana Ross and the Supremes

"Someday We'll Be Together" is a song written by Johnny Bristol, Jackey Beavers, and Harvey Fuqua. It was the last of twelve American number-one pop singles for Diana Ross & the Supremes on the Motown label. Although it was released as the final Supremes song featuring Diana Ross, who left the group for a solo career in January 1970, it was recorded as Ross' first solo single and Supremes members Mary Wilson and Cindy Birdsong do not sing on the recording. Both appear on the B-side, "He's My Sunny Boy".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Knockin' on Heaven's Door</span> 1973 single by Bob Dylan

"Knockin' on Heaven's Door" is a song by American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan, written for the soundtrack of the 1973 film Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid. Released as a single two months after the film's premiere, it became a worldwide hit, reaching the Top 10 in several countries. The song became one of Dylan's most popular and most covered post-1960s compositions, spawning covers from Eric Clapton, Guns N' Roses, Randy Crawford, and more.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't Stand So Close to Me</span> 1980 single by the Police

"Don't Stand So Close to Me" is a hit song by the British rock band the Police, released in September 1980 as the lead single from their third studio album Zenyatta Mondatta. It concerns a teacher who has a sexual relationship with a student, which in turn is discovered.

<i>...Nothing Like the Sun</i> 1987 studio album by Sting

... Nothing Like the Sun is the second solo studio album by English musician Sting. The album was originally released on 5 October 1987 on A&M (worldwide) as a double LP and single CD. The album explores the genres of pop rock, soft rock, jazz, reggae, world, acoustic rock, dance-rock, and funk rock. The songs were recorded during March–August in 1987 in sessions that took place at Air Studios, in Montserrat, assisted by record producers Hugh Padgham, Bryan Loren, and Neil Dorfsman. It features a number of high-profile guest guitarists, including former Police member Andy Summers, Eric Clapton, Mark Knopfler, and Hiram Bullock, and is generally regarded as the culmination of the smoother, more adult-oriented sound of Sting's early work.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wonderful Tonight</span> 1977 single by Eric Clapton

"Wonderful Tonight" is a ballad written by Eric Clapton. It was included on Clapton's 1977 album Slowhand. Clapton wrote the song about Pattie Boyd. The female vocal harmonies on the song are provided by Marcella Detroit and Yvonne Elliman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Love Is a Stranger</span> 1982 single by Eurythmics

"Love Is a Stranger" is a song by the British pop duo Eurythmics. Originally released in late 1982, the single was commercially unsuccessful, but it was re-released in 1983, reaching the UK top 10. The single was re-released again in 1991, to promote Eurythmics' Greatest Hits album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chain Reaction (Diana Ross song)</span> 1985 single by Diana Ross

"Chain Reaction" is a song by American singer Diana Ross, released on November 12, 1985, as the second single from her sixteenth studio album, Eaten Alive (1985). The song was written by the Bee Gees and contains additional vocals from Barry Gibb. Sonically, "Chain Reaction" is an R&B and dance-pop song. According to the Gibbs' biography, the brothers had initial reservations about offering the song to Ross in case it was too Motown-like for her.

<i>Fields of Gold: The Best of Sting 1984–1994</i> 1994 greatest hits album by Sting

Fields of Gold: The Best of Sting 1984–1994 is the first greatest hits album by English musician Sting. It features hit singles from his first four studio albums The Dream of the Blue Turtles, ...Nothing Like the Sun, The Soul Cages, and Ten Summoner's Tales. A companion music video compilation was released on LaserDisc and VHS.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nothing's Gonna Change My Love for You</span> Song by Michael Masser and Gerry Goffin

"Nothing's Gonna Change My Love for You" is a song written by composers Michael Masser and Gerry Goffin. It was originally recorded by American singer and guitarist George Benson for his 1985 studio album 20/20, released by Warner Bros. Records. This original version was produced by co-writer Masser, and was released as a single in Europe only in 1985. In 1987, Hawaiian singer Glenn Medeiros sang his version of the song; which became a worldwide success.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Why Can't I Wake Up with You</span> 1993 single by Take That

"Why Can't I Wake Up with You" is a song by English boy band Take That. Written by Gary Barlow, the song was released on 8 February 1993 as the lead single from their second album, Everything Changes (1993). The song reached number two on the UK Singles Chart and number seven in Ireland

<span class="mw-page-title-main">If You Love Somebody Set Them Free</span> 1985 single by Sting

"If You Love Somebody Set Them Free" is the first single by English musician Sting from his solo debut album, The Dream of the Blue Turtles (1985). It is also the opening track of the album, and is featured on Fields of Gold: The Best of Sting 1984–1994 as well as The Very Best of Sting & The Police.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">It's Probably Me</span> 1992 single by Sting and Eric Clapton

"It's Probably Me" is a song originally released in 1992 as a collaboration by Sting featuring Eric Clapton, Michael Kamen, and David Sanborn. Released from the soundtrack to the action comedy film Lethal Weapon 3 in June 1992, the song reached number 20 on the US Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart and number 12 on Canada's RPM 100 Hit Tracks chart. It was more successful in Europe, peaking at number one in Italy, number four in France, and number six in the Netherlands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No More "I Love You's"</span> 1986 single by the Lover Speaks

"No More 'I Love You's'" is a song written by British musicians David Freeman and Joseph Hughes and originally recorded by them as the Lover Speaks. It was released in June 1986 as the lead single from their self-titled debut album. The song was covered by the Scottish singer Annie Lennox and became a commercial success for her in 1995, reaching number two on the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bad Love (Eric Clapton song)</span> 1990 single by Eric Clapton

"Bad Love" is a song recorded by English singer and guitarist Eric Clapton, who co-wrote it with Foreigner's lead guitarist Mick Jones. The track was released in the UK in January 1990 as the first single from Clapton's 1989 studio album Journeyman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hello Again (The Cars song)</span> 1984 single by the Cars

"Hello Again" is a song by American rock band the Cars from their album Heartbeat City (1984). It was released on October 15, 1984 as the album's fourth single. The song was the fourth top-20 entry from the album, reaching number 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart; it also reached number eight on the Hot Dance/Disco chart and number 22 on the Top Rock Tracks chart. Ric Ocasek sings lead vocals on the track.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Behind the Mask (song)</span> 1980 single by Yellow Magic Orchestra

"Behind the Mask" is a 1979 song by the Japanese synth-pop group Yellow Magic Orchestra. The composer, Ryuichi Sakamoto, wrote the first version for a television commercial. This was expanded with the band and the British lyricist Chris Mosdell for inclusion on the 1979 Yellow Magic Orchestra album Solid State Survivor. In the US and the UK, "Behind the Mask" was released as a single from the album X∞Multiplies in 1980.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Let It Rain (Eric Clapton song)</span> 1972 single by Eric Clapton

"Let It Rain" is a song and single written and released by the British rock musician Eric Clapton and Bonnie Bramlett; it appears on his 1970 debut studio album Eric Clapton. In 1972 it was released as a single as part of the promotion for his compilation album Eric Clapton at His Best

References

  1. "Sting singles".
  2. "We'll Be Together".
  3. "Single Releases" (PDF). Cash Box. October 3, 1987. p. 8. Retrieved 2022-11-06.
  4. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (Illustrated ed.). St. Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 295. ISBN   0-646-11917-6. N.B. the Kent Report chart was licensed by ARIA between mid 1983 and 19 June 1988.
  5. Canadian Top Singles RPM
  6. "Sting – We'll Be Together" (in French). Les classement single.
  7. "The Irish Charts (search by artist: Sting)". irishcharts.ie. Retrieved 26 April 2010.
  8. "Nederlandse Top 40 – Sting" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  9. "Sting – We'll Be Together". Top 40 Singles.
  10. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  11. Allmusic.com
  12. Canadian Top Singles Year-End RPM
  13. "1988 The Year in Music & Video: Top Pop Singles". Billboard. Vol. 100, no. 52. December 24, 1988. p. Y-20.
  14. "Billboard Top 100 – 1988" . Retrieved October 3, 2016.