"When We Dance" is a song by English musician Sting. It was released as a single on 17 October 1994 by A&M Records and is one of two new tracks included on his first greatest hits album, Fields of Gold: The Best of Sting 1984–1994 (1994), alongside "This Cowboy Song". The song was co-produced by Sting with Hugh Padgham, and became his only solo top-10 hit in his native UK and reached the top 40 in five other countries. It was promoted with a music video directed by Howard Greenhalgh.
Background
Described by Sting as a "generic ballad", "When We Dance" was written specifically to be included as a new track for the Fields of Gold compilation. The song reportedly took a year to write: "I had the melody around for a whole year before I thought of what to do with it... Then it just fell in place. It wasn't one of those songs written in five minutes."
Upon its release, "When We Dance" was added to the playlists of radio stations across 12 European countries, with 50% of all radio stations in the United Kingdom adding the song. In the process, it became the most added song to European radio stations during the week of 29 October 1994, resulting in a debut of No. 22 on the European Hit Radio chart published by Music & Media. It later peaked at number 9 in the UK, becoming Sting's only top-10 solo single in his home country. "When We Dance" also reached the top 10 in Canada (number 10) and Ireland (number 9). The song was less successful in the US, peaking at number 38.
Critical reception
Larry Flick from Billboard magazine complimented the song as a "lovely pop ballad, which rides a wonderful contrast between poignance and romance. Sting has rarely sounded so warm and engaging, swirling around lilting keyboards and delicate acoustic strumming. Comfortably deep in the pocket of current radio trends without sounding contrived, richly produced single will likely meet with instant and ardent approval at several formats." Cashbox felt that the single "lacked the punch his earliest solo material had" and expressed disappointment over Sting's perceived pivot toward adult contemporary music. They also identified a "pleasant peacefulness" to the song they anticipated would become endearing to listeners.
Live performances In March 2026, Sting performed the song as part of a live concert titled "Sounds like Art" he gave at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.
Track listing
All tracks written by Sting.
CD1
"When We Dance" (Edit) – 4:55 "Fortress Around Your Heart" (Hugh Padgham Remix) – 4:10 "When We Dance" (Album Version) – 5:59 "If You Love Somebody Set Them Free" (Soulpower Mix) – 7:00
CD2
"When We Dance" (Edit) – 4:55 "If You Love Somebody Set Them Free" (Soulpower Radio Mix) – 4:34 "If You Love Somebody Set Them Free" (Soulpower Deep Dub) – 8:19 "If You Love Somebody Set Them Free" (Soulpower Hip Hop Mix) – 5:37
Maxi–single (Europe)
"When We Dance" (Edit) – 4:55 "Fortress Around Your Heart" (Hugh Padgham Remix) – 4:10 "If You Love Somebody Set Them Free" (Soulpower Mix) – 7:00 "If You Love Somebody Set Them Free" (Soulpower Deep Dub) – 8:19
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (1994)PeakpositionAustralia (ARIA) N.B. The High Point number in the NAT column represents the single's peak on the national chart. 110Europe (European AC Radio) 1Europe (European Hit Radio) 2Finland (Suomen virallinen lista) 9Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40) 12Israel (IBA) Search "Sting" for Israeli chart history.30Italy (Musica e dischi) Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Sting". 11UK Airplay (Music Week) 6
Year-end charts Chart (1994)PositionUK Singles (OCC) 139
Release history RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)United Kingdom17 October 1994A&MAustralia31 October 1994Japan2 November 1994Mini-CDA&M1 January 1995Maxi-CD
References