"If You Love Somebody Set Them Free" is the first single by the English musician Sting from his debut solo studio 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 (1994) as well as The Very Best of Sting & The Police (1997).
Background Sting said that the song was written as a foil to the Police 1983 song, "Every Breath You Take", explaining that the latter's themes of surveillance, ownership, and possession were diametrically opposed to "If You Love Somebody Set Them Free".
A demo version of this song was recorded with Phil Collins as session musician.Phil Collins official forum Q&A
Release and other appearances A&M Records released "If You Love Somebody Set Them Free" in May 1985 with "Another Day" as the B-side. UK, US and French 12" singles also contain two remixes of "If You Love Somebody Set Them Free": the "Jellybean Mix" by John "Jellybean" Benitez and the "Torch Mix" by William Orbit of Torch Song.
The single peaked at number three on the US Billboard Hot 100, number 1 on the US R&B chart, number one on the US Album Rock Tracks chart for three weeks, number 26 on the UK Singles Chart,Sting in the UK Charts , The Official Charts. and number 18 on the Australian Kent Music Report singles chart. N.B. the Kent Report chart was licensed by ARIA between mid 1983 and 19 June 1988. The song was also performed at The Brits in February 1995 with M People. He duetted on the song with the band's lead singer, Heather Small and this track was given the dance treatment by the band who were also backed by a 100-strong Gospel Choir at the Earls Court Arena during the annual music awards show.
Live performances of the song are featured on the DVD edition of Bring On the Night and on the CD and DVD editions of ...All This Time.
In 2019, Sting rerecorded a new Dance-centric version of the single, one of six songs produced by Dave Aude for Sting's My Songs set, which was remixed by Tom Stephan, among others."Gorgon City & Kaskade 'Go' to No. 1 on Dance Club Songs Chart" from Billboard (10 September 2019)
Reception Cash Box called the song "a satisfying jazz/R&B/R&R exercise" with "sophisticated production and poignant lyric."
Music video The music video was directed by Godley and Creme in 1985. It was shot in Paris on a soundstage, with each of the musicians performing separately and the footage then overlaid onto the final version.
Track listings 7" US and Canada single (AM-2738) "If You Love Somebody Set Them Free" – 4:14 "Another Day" – 3:59
12" US single (SP-12132) "If You Love Somebody Set Them Free" (Extended Remix by John "Jellybean" Benitez) – 8:00 "If You Love Somebody Set Them Free" – 4:14 "If You Love Somebody Set Them Free" (Torch Song Mix, Produced by William Orbit) – 4:52 "Another Day" – 3:59
12" US promotional single (SP-17324) "If You Love Somebody Set Them Free" – 4:14 "If You Love Somebody Set Them Free" – 4:14
12" France single (392 018-1) "If You Love Somebody Set Them Free" (Torch Song Mix, Produced by William Orbit) – 4:52 "If You Love Somebody Set Them Free" (Remix by John "Jellybean" Benitez) – 8:00 "If You Love Somebody Set Them Free" – 4:14 "Another Day" – 3:59
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (1985) Peakposition Australia (Kent Music Report) 18 Canada Top Singles (RPM) 5Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)21Israel (IBA) Search "Sting" for Israeli chart history.2Italy (Musica e dischi) Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Sting".3UK Airplay (Music & Media)5 Chart (1994–1995) Peakposition UK Club Chart (Music Week) 57 UK Pop Tip Club Chart (Music Week) 2 + "If You Love Somebody Set Them Free 2019" Chart (2019) Peakposition
Year-end charts Chart (1985) Position US Top Pop Singles (Billboard) 55 + "If You Love Somebody Set Them Free 2019" Chart (2019) Position US Dance Club Songs (Billboard) 38
Certifications
See also List of Billboard number-one dance songs of 2019
References