On October 2, we celebrate the 75th birthday of Sting, one of music’s most distinctive voices and songwriters.
Born Gordon Matthew Sumner in Wallsend, England, Sting first rose to international fame as the frontman, bassist, and primary songwriter of the Police, blending rock, new wave, reggae, and jazz into a sound all their own. He launched his solo career in 1985 and has continued making music and performing around the world ever since.
A few Sting facts:
Before becoming a full-time musician, Sting worked as a teacher, bus conductor, construction worker, and tax official.
His famous nickname came from a black-and-yellow striped sweater he used to wear while performing. A fellow musician thought he looked like a bee and started calling him “Sting.”
Across his career, Sting has earned 17 Grammy Awards, and the Police were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2003.
I saw him perform a couple of years ago at Massey Hall in Toronto, and it was one of the best concerts I have been to.
Bring Sting to the bike with some of our favorite hits!
Message in a Bottle, The Police, 4:50, 150 bpm
Written by Sting and released in 1979, “Message in a Bottle” became the Police’s first UK No. 1 and remains one of their signature songs. Ride the driving beat at 76 rpm for a fast climb, adding resistance with each chorus and taking the option to stand at 0:50–1:08 (18s), 1:49–2:08 (19s), and 2:49–3:08 (19s).
Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic, The Police, 4:20, 82 bpm
Written by Sting and released in 1981, this upbeat Police classic became a No. 1 hit in both the UK and Canada. Ride a flat road, adding resistance and taking the option to stand or to surge the legs +5 rpm for each chorus at 0:35–0:50 (15s), 1:17–1:32 (15s), 2:00–2:30 (30s), and 3:22–3:50 (28s), then return to the saddle.
Every Breath You Take, The Police, 4:14, 117 bpm
Written by Sting and released in 1983, “Every Breath You Take” became one of the Police’s biggest hits and won the Grammy for Song of the Year. Sting wrote the song in Jamaica, and despite it often being interpreted as a romantic love song, he has explained that it’s actually about possessiveness, jealousy, and surveillance, making the lyrics considerably darker than the music sounds.
Start moderate at 59 rpm and progressively build the hill, adding resistance at 1:00, 2:00, and 3:00, then make the final 3:00–4:14 your heaviest effort.
Roxanne, The Police, 3:12, 134 bpm
Written by Sting and inspired by the red-light district near the band’s hotel in Paris, “Roxanne” went nowhere when it was first released in 1978. After the Police began gaining attention in America, it was re-released and became one of the songs that helped establish them internationally.
Use it as a climb at 67 rpm, adding resistance with the option to stand for two stronger efforts at 1:00–1:20 (20s) and 2:15–2:57 (42s), returning to the saddle between efforts.
If You Love Somebody Set Them Free, Sting, 4:14, 125 bpm
Released in 1985 as the lead single from Sting’s debut solo album, The Dream of the Blue Turtles, the song marked the beginning of his career beyond the Police. Rather than re-creating the Police’s sound, Sting deliberately went in a different direction, assembling a band of accomplished jazz musicians and bringing those influences into his new solo sound.
Ride at 63 rpm for a progressive climb, starting with lighter resistance and adding to the hill at 1:00, 2:00, and 3:00, finishing with your heaviest resistance.
Desert Rose, Sting feat. Cheb Mami, 4:45, 112 bpm
Released in 1999, “Desert Rose” blends Sting’s pop sound with Algerian raï, a North African style known for its distinctive rhythms and vocal traditions, through his collaboration with singer Cheb Mami, and became one of his most recognizable solo hits. Start below the beat around 90–100 rpm, then use periodic leg surges to chase the 112 rpm beat, returning below the beat between each surge.
Whether you feature a Police classic, a Sting solo favorite, or build an entire Sting-inspired ride, there are decades of music to choose from.
What’s your favorite Sting or Police song to ride to? Share your pick in the comments and add it to your next ride in honor of Sting’s birthday! 🎶🚴♀️
Happy 75th Birthday, Sting!