BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1985
“If You Love Somebody Set Them Free” is the first single released from Sting’s solo debut album The Dream of the Blue Turtles. 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.
Like much of the album, the song has heavy jazz influences, and was a major hit, peaking at number one on the US Album Rock Tracks chart for three weeks. On the US pop chart, it peaked at number three on the US Billboard Hot 100, number 17 on the US R&B chart, number 26 on the UK Singles Chart, and number 18 on the Australian Kent Music Report singles chart.
A portion of the song was later used for Sting’s 1987 hit “We’ll Be Together” from …Nothing Like the Sun.
The single launched a long string of singles(stretching over three albums) where Sting collaborated with New Orleans saxophonist and one-time Tonight Show bandleader Branford Marsalis.
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 was also backed by a 100-strong Gospel Choir at the Earls Court Arena during the annual music awards show.
Sting said that he wrote the song as an “antidote” to the Police’s 1983 song, “Every Breath You Take”, which he also wrote. The song was also lampooned by The Dead Milkmen in the song “If You Love Somebody, Set Them on Fire,” from their 1990 album Metaphysical Graffiti.
The single B-side consists of a studio recording of the song “Another Day” which would appear the following year in a live version on Sting’s live album Bring On the Night.
SIDE A:
If You Love Somebody Set Them Free (“Jellybean” Dance Mix) 8:00
Percussion – Paulinho da Costa
Engineer [Remix] – Michael Hutchinson
Producer – Pete Smith
Remix – John “Jellybean” Benitez
If You Love Somebody Set Them Free (Album Version) 4:13
Producer – Pete Smith
SIDE B
If You Love Somebody Set Them Free (Torch Song Mix) 4:52
Producer – William Orbit
Remix – Rico Conning
Another Day 3:58
Producer – Pete Smith
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
U.S. CHART HISTORY:
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | If You Love Somebody Set Them Free | U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | #3 |
| 1985 | If You Love Somebody Set Them Free | U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks | #1 |
| 1985 | If You Love Somebody Set Them Free | U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles | #17 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: A&M Records – SP-12132
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, B
Country: US
Released: 1985
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop
CREDITS:
Backing Vocals – Dolette McDonald, Janice Pendarvis
Bass – Darryl Jones
Drums – Omar Hakim
Keyboards – Kenny Kirkland
Photography By – Max Vadukul
Producer – Pete Smith (tracks: A1, A2, B2), Sting (tracks: A1, A2, B2)
Saxophone, Percussion [Miscellaneous] – Branford Marsalis
Written-By, Vocals, Guitar – Sting
NOTES:
“If You Love Somebody Set Them Free” from the LP “The Dream of the Blue Turtles”
Find the 12″ at DISCOGS
VINYL RESTORATION BY:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net
EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (DC)
Cartridge: Ortofon 2M
Stylus: Ortofon 2M Bronze
Isolation: Auralex Acoustics ISO-Tone Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Bellari VP130 Tube Phono Preamp
Tube: Tung-Sol 12AX7 TubeGold Pins
Soundcard: Novation Audiohub 2×4 Audio Interface
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner
SOFTWARE USED:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling: iZotope RX Advanced 2, ocenaudio
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator
RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
MP3 (320kbps)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
