Sting Performs “Russians” in Plea to Help Ukraine

Sting makes an appeal to help Ukraine, revisiting his 1985 song “Russians.”

Making an appeal to help the people in Ukraine, Sting recently posted on Instagram a video of him singing his song, “Russians,” originally released in the 1980s. In the song, he pleads, “We share the same biology, regardless of ideology;/ But what might save us, me and you,/ Is if the Russians love their children too.”

“Russians” first appeared on Sting’s debut solo album, The Dream of the Blue Turtles (1985). At the time, the song, mentioning both “Mr. Krushchev” and “Mr. Reagan,” highlighted the idiocy of cold war policy that was fueling a nuclear arms race.

Sting made the new recording as a world power’s aggression is causing great tragedies in Ukraine. He notes in the video that he has rarely sung “Russians” since it was written because he thought it would not be relevant again.

“But,” he explains, “in the light of one man’s bloody and woefully misguided decision to invade a peaceful, unthreatening neighbor, the song is, once again, a plea for our common humanity. For the brave Ukrainians fighting against this brutal tyranny and also the many Russians who are protesting this outrage despite the threat of arrest and imprisonment – We, all of us, love our children. Stop the war.”

[March 20, 2022 Update: Unfortunately, the recently posted video no longer seems to be available for embedding, so below is the original video for “Russians.” You may also check Sting’s Instagram account for the video.]

With the posted video, Sting provides a way to help: “Supplies shipped to this warehouse in Poland are delivered in coordination with the Armed Forces of Ukraine and are guaranteed to go to people most in need. Wherehouse address:
Pol-Cel; Ramos Breska 63, 22-100 Chelm, Poland. Every box should be labeled “HELP UKRAINE” and indicate the contents: “Medicines,” “Clothes,” “Food,” “Humanitarian Aid.” For more info, contact: UK +44 1353 885152; USA +1 855 725 1152. helpukraine.center.

Leave your two cents in the comments.

Sting Debuts New Song Inspired By Recent Deaths

Sting 57TH & 9TH

Sting recently debuted a new song on Later… With Jools Holland.  The song “50,000” was inspired by the recent deaths performers like David Bowie, Prince, Lemmy, and Glenn Frey.

Sting recently explained that “50,000” reflects on mortality even though it does not mention any of the deceased stars by name.  The number in the title refers to fans singing and raising their hands, while the performer recognizes that the adulation cannot change the fact that he is mortal.

Check out Sting’s “50,000.”

“50,000” will appear on Sting’s upcoming album 57TH & 9THwhich hits stores and the Internet on November 11, 2016. As Rolling Stone reports, the album will be Sting’s first “rock” album since 2003 when Sting released Sacred Love.

What do you think of “50,000”? Leave your two cents in the comments.

  • Sting Performs “Russians” in Plea to Help Ukraine
  • Sting Sings With Robert Downey Jr.? (and it’s pretty awesome)
  • Hurricane Sandy Concert Ends With Springsteen’s Hope
  • Remembering Johnny Cash During “September When It Comes”
  • Punk Prayer Leads to Two Years in Russian Prison
  • This Week in Pop Culture Roundup (Nov. 20, 2011)
  • (Some related Chimesfreedom posts.)

    Sting Sings With Robert Downey Jr.? (and it’s pretty awesome)

    Sting Robert Downey Jr.

    In October 2011, Robert Downey Jr. joined Sting at the latter’s 60th birthday concert and career celebration at the Beacon Theatre in New York City. The two men sang The Police song “Driven To Tears,” and it was surprisingly good. Recently, a professional video of the performance started circulating the interwebs, so now you can check it out.

    “Driven to Tears” first appeared on the 1980 Police album Zenyatta Mondatta.

    Who would you like to see Sting sing with? Leave your two cents in the comments.

  • Sting Performs “Russians” in Plea to Help Ukraine
  • Sting Debuts New Song Inspired By Recent Deaths
  • Hurricane Sandy Concert Ends With Springsteen’s Hope
  • Punk Prayer Leads to Two Years in Russian Prison
  • This Week in Pop Culture Roundup (Nov. 20, 2011)
  • (Some related Chimesfreedom posts.)

    Hurricane Sandy Concert Ends With Springsteen’s Hope

    Springsteen Sandy Telethon When I heard that several stars like Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, Christina Aguilera and Sting were going to appear last Friday on a one-hour “Coming Together” TV concert on NBC, I could not help thinking of the similar benefit that had aired on the four major broadcast networks September 21, 2001 after the 9/11 attacks. There were similarities to that benefit because both marked sad times with performances by many of the same artists in a darkened studio. There were some differences this time, though, such as the fact that the Fox network tried to stir up some controversy about NBC’s Sandy fundraiser.

    Also, on Friday’s show, some of the performers were able to touch on some hopeful notes while still acknowledging the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy. For example, Jimmy Fallon and Stephen Tyler remembered better times and looked to the rebuilding when they sang “Under the Boardwalk,” accompanied by some of the other artists.

    As the show went on, I tried to anticipate what Bruce Springsteen might sing. After reasoning that “4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)” probably would not fit with the night’s theme, I had suspected that Bruce Springsteen might perform the somber “My City of Ruins,” which he wrote about Asbury Park and which he performed after 9/11 and had performed at another show in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.

    Instead, though, when Springsteen and the E Street Band took the stage for the final song, they reached into their catalog for one of Springsteen’s more hopeful songs, “Land of Hope and Dreams.”

    For an explanation of the legacy, history and optimism of “Land of Hope and Dreams,” check out our previous Chimesfreedom post on the song, including how the song connects to Springsteen’s ending reference here to “People Get Ready.”

    Finally, remember that organizations still need your help even after Hurricane Sandy is no longer on the front pages. Visit Red Cross’s website or some of the other organizations offering help to volunteer or donate. Or text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10.00 to help those hit by the hurricane.

  • Hurricane Sandy Is Rising Behind Us
  • Land of Hope & Dreams, This Train, and People Get Ready
  • Bruce and Patti at Home in the “Land of Hope and Dreams”
  • Shelter from the Storm
  • Watch New Digital Film Interview With Bruce Springsteen
  • Billy Joel is Turning the Lights Back On After The Longest Time
  • (Some related Chimesfreedom posts.)

    Punk Prayer Leads to Two Years in Russian Prison

    Although I rarely write about Russian punk bands on this blog, we cannot ignore the news about three members of the band Pussy Riot being sentenced to two years in prison in Russia. Below is a video taken during their actions that are at issue. On February 21, they staged a protest at Moscow’s Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, where they gave their “Punk Prayer” of “Mother Mary, please drive Putin away.”

    Band members Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, Yekaterina Samutsevich and Maria Alyokhina appeared in their usual tights and face-covering balaclavas at the sacred place to protest President Vladimir Putin and the Russian Orthodox church’s close ties to the leader. The three women, who have already been behind bars for six months, were sentenced today to “two years deprivation of liberty in a penal colony” after they were found guilty of the crime of hooliganism.

    Pussy Riot Protest As the feminist punk rockers were being taken from the courtroom, Tolokonnikova said, “We are happy because we brought the revolution closer.” A number of prominent people have voiced support for the women, including the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Madonna, Bjork, Sting, chess champion Gary Kasparov, and Paul McCartney. Amnesty International plans to send a truckload of colorful balaclavas to Putin in protest, while there is a “Free Pussy Riot” webpage too. Others have argued that the issue is more complicated and that most Russians do not support the band. As people around the world protest, though, only time will reveal whether the band’s case has lasting impact.

    What do you think of the sentence for the band members? Leave your two cents in the comments. If you are unfamiliar with the band, check out this interview with band members a few days before they were arrested.

  • The Latest and Last Beatles Song: “Now and Then”
  • The Song Paul McCartney Wrote for Rod Stewart
  • Sting Performs “Russians” in Plea to Help Ukraine
  • Ringo Starr Records a John Lennon Song (with a little help from Paul McCartney)
  • “MTV Unplugged” Begins
  • Paul McCartney & Bruce Springsteen: “I Saw Her Standing There”
  • (Some related Chimesfreedom posts.)