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Sting — Desert Rose
Album: Brand New Day
Avg rating:
7.1

Your rating:
Total ratings: 4222









Released: 1999
Length: 4:38
Plays (last 30 days): 2
I dream of rain
I dream of gardens in the desert sand
I wake in vain
I dream of love as time runs through my hand

I dream of fire
Those dreams that tie two hearts that will never die
And near the flames
The shadows play in the shape of the man's desire

This desert rose
Whose shadow bears the secret promise
This desert flower
No sweet perfume that would torture you more than this

And now she turns
This way she moves in the logic of all my dreams
This fire burns
I realize that nothing's as it seems

I dream of rain
I dream of gardens in the desert sand
I wake in vain
I dream of love as time runs through my hand

I dream of rain
I lift my gaze to empty skies above
I close my eyes
The rare perfume is the sweet intoxication of love

I dream of rain
I dream of gardens in the desert sand
I wake in vain
I dream of love as time runs through my hand

Sweet desert rose
Whose shadow bears the secret promise
This desert flower
No sweet perfume that would torture you more than this

Sweet desert rose
This memory of hidden hearts and souls
This desert flower
This rare perfurme is the sweet intoxication of love
Comments (383)add comment
Hi from Emine Özgüler Gürsu İmam Hatip middle school
 unclehud wrote:

Sting is a musical genius.  I also like Mozart's music, but I hear he was a jerk, too.

Maybe if he changed that middle Z to an S?
This song always reminds me of the early days of RP. First place I heard it.
Not the Sting that 'I'm' used to but superior nonetheless!

I don't want to offend anyone but this song, with this mix of sound, is a masterpiece

 Leslie wrote:

Well, I guess I don't watch enough TV because I have no idea what you guys are talking about. :D I happen to like this song quite a bit.




Me too. Never heard the song before, never saw the Jaguar commercial, I didn't even know the album.
This gets a 7 on first listen, love the cultural aspect.


greetings, so many wonderful words for this wonderful music by so many wonderful musicians from all parts of our beloved planet,
I love the music, and in deepest gratitude to Bill and Rebecca,
BUT, I am always blown away and love to watch the slideshow with each and every tune - incomparable visual candy . . .
how on this earth to you do this? Jedi mind tricks?

I highly recommend checking out the documentary, Under The Volcano. It's about AIR Studios in Montserrat during the 80's. Lot's of great interviews and insight into the Police (among many bands!).

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9...

RabbitEars wrote:

I'm not a big Sting fan, but I always find it rather curious when people as talented as he is (Bono being another) are vilified. It seems like there's some big envy shadow playing out when we see someone gifted in so many ways.


Anyhow, recently saw this Stewart Copeland intv in Washington Post...

Edgers: He's a super-nice guy, he's not pretentious.
Copeland: Yeah, not at all. 
Edgers: He's very down-to-earth.

Copeland: ...Sting was not the villain, he was the hero...........

Cheb Mami's voice is otherworldly. This song still really works but it's truly Mami's vocal that turns the whole thing into something transcendent. So ridiculously beautiful.
 xkolibuul wrote:

Mean ad hominem attack.  You can do better.

I can't abide Bono nor the noise he makes.  I don't imagine for a second that he would lose a nanosecond of sleep if he knew that some no-mark like me doesn't worship at his altar.
 Edweirdo wrote:

I'd certainly like to see or hear any evidence that Bono is talented.

The blind want to "see".  The deaf want to "hear".
I was fortunate to be at PNC Arts Center when he went on tour for this album, and he played this song TWICE while recording audience footage for the music video.

Great to flash back to that night.  
 sfuller wrote:

Last week, Rick Beato had a good interview with Sting on his YouTube channel. Worth the time to watch if you are a fan


Yes, it was a great interview, you could tell Sting appreciated Rick's well-informed-fan-questions to be sure!  I'll even go +1 to 7 on this track partially based on that interview.  LLRP!!
Strange to think that this is the same Sting that pioneered that gritty, high-energy post-punk sound in 1979.  There's a video of him on YouTube from those days singing "Reggatta de Blanc".. just amazing.
Nice!  
I vividly remember the first time I heard and saw the videoclip of this song on MTV. Hooked. 
 Edweirdo wrote:

I'd certainly like to see or hear any evidence that Bono is talented.

Mean ad hominem attack.  You can do better.
Last week, Rick Beato had a good interview with Sting on his YouTube channel. Worth the time to watch if you are a fan
GREAT TUNE!!
I have loved Stings music since he first started and I wont be swayed by the haters… This is a lovely tune and I really love his first album - Dream of the Blue Turtles - such a talent
would love to hear the Camel song now...
 Bultaco wrote:

To those, everywhere.......you, included, evidently......who don't have a brother, uncle, father, cousin, son named "Michael".....(almost unimaginable when you consider all those possibilities).........it's AE.......not EA.  {#Beat}

Thanks,
Michael Scott 
 
...of the Waterboys?! Life without touring getting to you?
 RabbitEars wrote:
I'm not a big Sting fan, but I always find it rather curious when people as talented as he is (Bono being another) are vilified. It seems like there's some big envy shadow playing out when we see someone gifted in so many ways.
 
I'd certainly like to see or hear any evidence that Bono is talented.
I'm not a big Sting fan, but I always find it rather curious when people as talented as he is (Bono being another) are vilified. It seems like there's some big envy shadow playing out when we see someone gifted in so many ways.

Anyhow, recently saw this Stewart Copeland intv in Washington Post...

Edgers: He's a super-nice guy, he's not pretentious.
Copeland: Yeah, not at all. 
Edgers: He's very down-to-earth.

Copeland: ...Sting was not the villain, he was the hero, because it became apparent on our third album that he knew exactly how to make a hit record himself. He didn’t need any input. He didn’t need any collaboration. He could hear the whole thing. He didn’t need us anymore. And it got to the point where he’d show up in the studio with his new song, with a platinum demo that’s already a hit.That’s when a younger version of myself started shouting and screaming. It was very frustrating because I wasn’t there to just be a session player. I’m the world’s worst session player. I can never remember the arrangement. So there was this conflict that he had something that in his mind was already kind of perfect and was, but I wasn’t about to mess it up in some way. So that became apparent on the “Zenyatta Mondatta” album — when the tension started to get in there, when he started to feel, “Wait a minute, my idea in my head is better than what I’m hearing coming out of the band.” Yet he stuck with us longer than we deserved.

... re: 2007 tour: we were having a tough time on tour. There was tension building. So the liberating Sting part was saying, “Dude, there’s not going to be another record. Relax, we got 20 more shows to play. Let’s enjoy those shows because this is kind of fun.”



 toomanyollys wrote:

"She" is this gentleman... {#Tongue-out}

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheb_Mami

I hope this doesn't affect your goose pimples!
 

When this song first came out I thought Mami was a female too. And yes it did affect my goose pimples. Go figure.
Yuck.
tantric
I loved The Police, but I can't help but feel that Sting alone loses their earthiness and spins off into his tendency to pretension that they kept in check.  This song is a good example.
So tempting to find fault with Sting  but the group broke up for artistic differences. He is often interesting, voice is fine, and man does he have a lot of energy - the SuperBowl halftime showed this.
I too, have an outstanding memory of driving through the desert between LA and Vegas (I'm an east coast guy so it was my first time).  This was in 2000 right after college and this song will always be tied to that incredible time my girlfriend and I had, experiencing desert landscape for the first time.  
 thewiseking wrote:
Sting. The Kanye of New Wave.
 
LOL. I grew up on The Police and like Sting in small doses, but this song really moves along. 
 zurcronium wrote:
RP is not playing right now. No audio. 
 Seven years later.  Ok now?

Well said Bill re: Cheb Mami.
always a good listen
 ziggytrix wrote:
I don't like much of what Sting did solo, but I gotta admit, this one is quite likeable.
 
This is a fantastic album.  
I never heard this song, and it's just fantastic! Thanks again RP!!
sting at his best west and east milk and hony
What do rock stars dream of?  Jaguar...
Sting. The Kanye of New Wave.
"I dream of rain LA,  e LA"
Two artists are featured on this song, not only Sting but also a well-known algerian singer named Mami.
For a man who takes himself far too seriously, he makes good music on occasions ...
The bridge in this song kicks ass.
I don't like much of what Sting did solo, but I gotta admit, this one is quite likeable.
so cool on a Sunday afternoon ..
Prior to my sisters passing back in 2002 she commented on what a beautiful song this was...it will always make me think of her {#Daisy}
 Webfoot wrote:
Cheb Mami:  {#Ass}

 
i love this song because of cheb. if you've seen the movie all this time, as news arrived of 9/11 the agonizing decisions that needed to be made before anyone formed any opinions - just WTF are we going to do?  

liked the song ever since.
Cheb Mami:  {#Ass}
{#Cheers} liked it then like it now / been awhile thanks bill
 toomanyollys wrote:

"She" is this gentleman... {#Tongue-out}

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheb_Mami

I hope this doesn't affect your goose pimples!


{#Lol}  If I had a dime for every time I've heard that phrase...
Every time I hear this song I remember our trip across Tunisian desert 10 years ago. We've been driving and listening to this song. Piercing vocal of Cheb Mami, boundless space ... perfect harmony! 
Not a Sting fan mostly... but I do have a big soft spot for this track. Thanks!
 fredriley wrote:

That's understandable - Sting is an awful pseudy ponce these days. However, I really like this number because of the woman (who she?) whose voice gives me goose pimples, and the mix of rock and Middle Eastern music. 9 from the swaying mesmerised Nottingham jury.

 
"She" is this gentleman... {#Tongue-out}

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheb_Mami

I hope this doesn't affect your goose pimples!
 h8rhater wrote:

The mirror might be the place to look for the self-important. {#Ask}

 
Caught a nerve there, did I Dearie? Oh no matter, I am sure Sting loves you too! {#Think}
 VH1 wrote:
{#Stop} Enough! I cant stand this self-impotant tantra guru!

 
That's understandable - Sting is an awful pseudy ponce these days. However, I really like this number because of the woman (who she?) whose voice gives me goose pimples, and the mix of rock and Middle Eastern music. 9 from the swaying mesmerised Nottingham jury.
 FluorideFreeMN wrote:
Sting's music/style never appealed much to me - but for some reason, this track works for me.

 
Same here. He's getting out of the mainstream and it works for me like when other talented musicians try it. Think Paul Simon, Peter Gabriel, Ry Cooder, David Byrne
 VH1 wrote:
{#Stop} Enough! I cant stand this self-impotant tantra guru!

 
The mirror might be the place to look for the self-important. {#Ask}
{#Stop} Enough! I cant stand this self-impotant tantra guru! And whats with the stupid yodeling? Geez! Give me Tamikrest any time!
beautiful...the king of rp. 
The matter of fact he don't mind when the  desert rose thorns gets in the way.
Not bad. What's next Rock the Casbah by The Clash?
I can't decide if this a rocking groove, or a overly repetitive forcing of a weak hook
It's actually not awful 
But Sting ... .
The jerk in him gets in the way 😃 
along with many RP users 

Athyrius wrote:
Sting sends his regards.

Haters.

 


Sting sends his regards.

Haters.
 FluorideFreeMN wrote:
Sting's music/style never appealed much to me - but for some reason, this track works for me.

 
Interesting — I was just thinking the inverse of that.  
Sting's music/style never appealed much to me - but for some reason, this track works for me.
 unclehud wrote:

Sting is a musical genius.  I also like Mozart's music, but I hear he was a jerk, too.

 
Many musical geniuses are/were jerks. Beethoven from what I can tell went through life like a clenched fist. 

But Mozart was funny! He was apparently a fetishitist, if you will:  

From Wikipedia's article "Mozart and Scatology":

handwritten score of Mozart's musical piece,
Reproduction of the original manuscript of Mozart's canon "Difficile Lectu". The words "lectu mihi mars" were intended to be heard as "Leck du mich im Arsch", for which a relatively polite English rendering is "kiss my arse".

PDQ Bach would have been jealous!  Apparently Wolfie wrote to friends and family about shit and shitting and farts and ass-licking a fair amount. According to this piece with the link below, Mozart's mother did the same when writing Mozart's father. 

Definitely worth reading: 

https://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2014/05/mozart-wrote-song-called-lick-arse-right-well-clean/ 
 
The most commercial cut from his worst album

ho hum 
 Byronape wrote:

Ironically, his song Rock and Roll Part 2 is played at sporting events all over the US.  Even at junior high and high school events.  To me, that's like playing Micheal Jackson's Thriller at a little kids Halloween parade.  

 
To those, everywhere.......you, included, evidently......who don't have a brother, uncle, father, cousin, son named "Michael".....(almost unimaginable when you consider all those possibilities).........it's AE.......not EA.  {#Beat}

Thanks,
Michael Scott 
 :+:_DL wrote:
You know you don't have any real friends when you make music like this. 
Nobody around him had the balls to tell him it's just shit. 

 
or maybe no one has had the balls to tell you to go and wash your ears ? 
those two voices are a perfect match and the lyrics are beautiful. This is, to me, one of Sting's best songs, and the album itself was a great success, I love it !  That's a very well deserved 10 from me :)
 pamorama wrote:

Wish he would do more songs like this one. Love the middle eastern influence.

 
Agreed on the "middle eastern" feel.

If you REALLY want to explore that vibe a little more.....visit Gabriel's "Last Temptation of Christ".....it's loaded with it. You'll be belly dancing or becoming a snake charmer in no time! :-) 
 Proclivities wrote:

I'm not sure I've ever seen Sting and Mozart mentioned in adjoining sentences.

 

Sting and Mozart are good drinking buddies
 unclehud wrote:

Sting is a musical genius.  I also like Mozart's music, but I hear he was a jerk, too.

 
I'm not sure I've ever seen Sting and Mozart mentioned in adjoining sentences.
 annieb63 wrote:
Still think Sting is a genius even though I hear he's a jerk.

 
compared to his co-vocalist, he's a sweetheart.
I want to belly dance to this cool beat.
No explanation or analysis attached. I just appreciate and love this effort.
I want to vote 11! {#Angel}
Meh.

Sting without The Police is like Roger Waters without Pink Floyd. Self-indulgent and mediocre.

 
 annieb63 wrote:
Still think Sting is a genius even though I hear he's a jerk.
 
Sting is a musical genius.  I also like Mozart's music, but I hear he was a jerk, too.
 DaidyBoy wrote:
Judging by some of the comments, we are all supposed to hate this guy.  I don't think it matters whether we like or dislike a particular song, as long we get personal pleasure from something in life.  I love this song, but I don't necessarily know what it is about it that appeals to me.  It just does.  It is also fine to dislike something, but I see no need for such spite.

 
{#Clap}  so much of it is pure snobbery.
 DaidyBoy wrote:
Judging by some of the comments, we are all supposed to hate this guy.  I don't think it matters whether we like or dislike a particular song, as long we get personal pleasure from something in life.  I love this song, but I don't necessarily know what it is about it that appeals to me.  It just does.  It is also fine to dislike something, but I see no need for such spite.

 
Sting & The Police have made a bunch of great songs that sound good to my ears. Like this one.  That's what counts to me.
Judging by some of the comments, we are all supposed to hate this guy.  I don't think it matters whether we like or dislike a particular song, as long we get personal pleasure from something in life.  I love this song, but I don't necessarily know what it is about it that appeals to me.  It just does.  It is also fine to dislike something, but I see no need for such spite.
 annieb63 wrote:
Still think Sting is a genius even though I hear he's a jerk.

 
Wish he would do more songs like this one. Love the middle eastern influence.
I'm not a huge Sting/Police fan, but i do love this song. I like when Sting (Paul Simon, Peter Gabriel, David Byrne, etc.) work with "World Music" sounds.
Still think Sting is a genius even though I hear he's a jerk.
I have always liked this tune.  It was almost a forgotten track off a well put together album, until it was used in a car commercial which gave it the airplay and attention it needed to rise through the airwaves. 
You know you don't have any real friends when you make music like this. 
Nobody around him had the balls to tell him it's just shit. 
Could this BE more monotonous?
 Smoove_D wrote:
I took a break from RP for a few years (mainly because I stopped working a desk job), but now I've returned. And, just like a few years ago, Bill's playing this song every day—or what seems like every day, anyway. Just a suggestion, but maybe it's time to give it a rest?
 
"Plays in last 30 days: 3"
I took a break from RP for a few years (mainly because I stopped working a desk job), but now I've returned. And, just like a few years ago, Bill's playing this song every day—or what seems like every day, anyway. Just a suggestion, but maybe it's time to give it a rest?
I love this track!!
Holy crap, this is horrible.

 

Oh no!!!!!    It's STINK.  Must be a childhood thing for me.  Sucko Barfo.  Almost as bad as Mick Jagger.

 


 Byronape wrote:

Ironically, his song Rock and Roll Part 2 is played at sporting events all over the US.  Even at junior high and high school events.  To me, that's like playing Micheal Jackson's Thriller at a little kids Halloween parade.  
 
I think Rock and Roll Part 2 isn't played anymore at sporting events in the US. Certainly the big-time professional leagues like the NFL and NBA stopped using it because of Glitter's crimes. 

If it's used in schools, that's likely down to a lack of awareness more than cynical acceptance. Most of the kids would like to hear something much more contemporary, I'm sure. 
Feel the sudden urge to purchase a Jaguar...
 LizK wrote:
This is so original.  Wonderful. Thank you sting.
 
Original in a sense ... I hear this song as a Western interpretation of a Middle Eastern sound.
I actually like this. Sorry if I let everyone down with that, it's fun to dislike Sting, but there you go. We all like something. 
I've always enjoyed the transatlantic indian influence of this tune. Without it...it would be just another post Police Sting tune.
 mthomaspdx wrote:
 for the love of science make it stop!

*jams knitting needles in ears; smiles*


*then...clicks PSD sheepishly*
 


 for the love of science make it stop!

*jams knitting needles in ears; smiles*

I feel like I'm supposed to hate this song but I can't resist it. It's an enthrallingly guilty pleasure.
This is so original.  Wonderful. Thank you sting.
 fredriley wrote:

As are comments from folk whining about other posters. This board is for all RP listeners, not just happy-clappy positivists. If someone wants to slag off a song/artist, that's their right as long as they stay within board acceptable behaviour.

 

Right on fredriley!
 fredriley wrote:

As are comments from folk whining about other posters. This board is for all RP listeners, not just happy-clappy positivists. If someone wants to slag off a song/artist, that's their right as long as they stay within board acceptable behaviour.

 
And, oh, how you do slag.  Strangely, you also whine (as above).  I will say, though, that you are no happy-clappy positivist.  So there is that.

I find it not the least bit interesting or apropos that the jag-off who sang backing vocals on this 15 year old Sting track happens to be a criminal scumbag.  Now... whether or not it it monotonous is up for debate to be sure. 

Personally, I'm of the opinion that this is not one of the better tracks from the album.  I prefer the title track.


 Alastair wrote:
This song went through my head for the entire 20 hours my wife and I spent in the labour ward waiting for our son to make his mind up whether to be born or not. I didn't even know the words.We avoided the temptation to call him Sting 
 
Well, you could have been listening to the Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band. I'd have been tempted to cal my son Bonzo.
 cubaninlondon wrote:
I hope the 6.4 rating is because of Mami's crime and not because of the song's quality. This tune is proof that Sting is one of the most enterprising and risk-taking musicians out there today. Whether it be jazz or lute, he's not afraid to tackle any genre. I dislike his preaching and hypocritical stand on the rainforests as anyone else (what with Trudie raking in the airmiles jetting everywhere) but when it comes to music he's rarely put a foot wrong. Top tune by a top artist. In my book this is a proper 10.

Thanks,

A Cuban In London.
 
Thanks for sharing: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/5734107/Cheb-Mami-sentenced-to-five-years-in-forced-abortion-case.html
 philbertr wrote:
Are you people here to listen to music or to pontificate on the personal lives of the artists?   What does the latter have to do with the former?

Why don't you take all your negativism somewhere else and allow the rest of us to enjoy the music without having to endure your whining?  Your comments are  annoying and more than slightly boring.
 
One can enjoy the music (or not) without reading the comment pages.
 oldslabsides wrote:
could this BE more monotonous?
 
No. 
 skyguy wrote:
" Guys I want you to call me Sting from now on.Not Stinging not Stung, Sting."
 
hahaha!!!!! too funny
 
zurcronium wrote:
RP is not playing right now. No audio. 
 

Now it's July and we can hear the sting.
RP is not playing right now. No audio. 
 oldslabsides wrote:
could this BE more monotonous?
 

SURE it could be Dylan, Neil Young or Jerry Garcia...
Oh, man ... right after that "Kula Shaker" song where Ginger Baker makes a taco, you play the song with "I dream of rain, and Lady Elaine".  Remember, she lived in the museum?
could this BE more monotonous?
 fredriley wrote:

It's not always so easy to treat artist and works separate, the obvious case being Wagner and his virulent anti-semitism such that, even now, Israeli orchestras don't perform his work. Or to take a more recent example, Gary Glitter - it would be social death to play "Do you wanna be in my gang" publicly these days, whereas it used to be a disco staple. However, if we took the view that criminal artists can't be listened to then there'd be an awful lot of music out of bounds. It's not something that's easy to be consistent about.



 
Ironically, his song Rock and Roll Part 2 is played at sporting events all over the US.  Even at junior high and high school events.  To me, that's like playing Micheal Jackson's Thriller at a little kids Halloween parade.  
 horstman wrote:

Oh the things you learn about Artists, their supporting musicians, on this wonderful little community! Liked this song both before and after finding out about Cheb Mami, but I will not put bias on a song, or Sting based on one man's stupid actions. Like others have said, we need to separate the music from the maker. Or at least I do as a general practice. 


It's not always so easy to treat artist and works separate, the obvious case being Wagner and his virulent anti-semitism such that, even now, Israeli orchestras don't perform his work. Or to take a more recent example, Gary Glitter - it would be social death to play "Do you wanna be in my gang" publicly these days, whereas it used to be a disco staple. However, if we took the view that criminal artists can't be listened to then there'd be an awful lot of music out of bounds. It's not something that's easy to be consistent about.

This song went through my head for the entire 20 hours my wife and I spent in the labour ward waiting for our son to make his mind up whether to be born or not. I didn't even know the words.We avoided the temptation to call him Sting 
 cubaninlondon wrote:
I hope the 6.4 rating is because of Mami's crime and not because of the song's quality. This tune is proof that Sting is one of the most enterprising and risk-taking musicians out there today. Whether it be jazz or lute, he's not afraid to tackle any genre. I dislike his preaching and hypocritical stand on the rainforests as anyone else (what with Trudie raking in the airmiles jetting everywhere) but when it comes to music he's rarely put a foot wrong. Top tune by a top artist. In my book this is a proper 10.

Thanks,

A Cuban In London.
 
Well said, Cuban in London.