Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner; CBE (born October 2; 1951); better known by his stage name Sting; is an Academy Award-nominated sixteen time Grammy-winning English musician from Wallsend in North Tyneside. Prior to starting his solo career; he was the principal songwriter.lead singer and bass guitar player of the rock band The Police. As a solo musician and member of The Police; Sting has sold over 100 million records; and received over sixteen Grammy Awards for his work; receiving his first Grammy for Best Rock Instrumental Performance in 1981; and receiving an Oscar nomination for best song. "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. The song's title refers to an aphorism by Richard Bach.[citation needed]
Like much of the album, the song has heavy jazz influences, and was a major hit, peaking at #3 on the US Billboard Hot 100, #1 on the US Mainstream Rock Tracks for three weeks, and #26 on the UK Singles Chart.
Live.