Studio Album · No. 1

The Dream of the Blue Turtles Songwriting Credits by Sting

1985 A&M Records 10 tracks 42 min

Produced by Sting, Pete Smith  ·  Engineered by Pete Smith, Jim Scott

A&M Records Pop RockJazz rock
100%
Authorship
Complete Artist

Holds writing credit on 10 of 10 tracks

Authorship Breakdown 10 / 10 documented

Who wrote the songs?

Scored across the 10 tracks with documented writers, by whether Sting carries a lyricist or composer credit.

100%
10 trackswritten by Sting 0 tracksoutside writers
Sting's roles on this album

Share of the 10 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.

Lyricist90%
Composer100%
Producer100%
Performer100%

By the Numbers

10
Tracks
1
Lyricists
2
Producers
1985
Released

Awards & Recognition 1

Grammy Award for Album of the Year (1986, Nominated)
Data Insight

The Dream of the Blue Turtles is Sting's debut solo album, written by him after leaving the Police and backed by a band of jazz musicians. Nine of the ten tracks are his alone; 'Russians' shares its music credit with Sergei Prokofiev, whose melody it borrows. The songs span the hits 'If You Love Somebody Set Them Free' and 'Fortress Around Your Heart' alongside the Cold War meditation 'Russians,' and the instrumental title track was nominated for Best Jazz Instrumental Performance.

Sting's first solo album came out on A&M on 17 June 1985, recorded over seven weeks at Eddy Grant's Blue Wave Studio in Barbados with a band of young jazz players he auditioned in New York: Branford Marsalis, Kenny Kirkland, Darryl Jones and Omar Hakim. It reached number two on the Billboard 200 and number three in the UK, and five singles came off it, led by 'If You Love Somebody Set Them Free' at number three in America. Sting wrote every track, sharing 'Russians' with Sergei Prokofiev. The album is 3x platinum in the US and was nominated for Album of the Year at the 1986 Grammy Awards.

Track Listing & Credits 10 tracks

Written by the artist Written by outside writers
#TitleLyricist(s)Composer(s)Producer(s)Performers
1
If You Love Somebody Set Them Free #3
Sting Sting StingPete Smith Sting (Lead Vocals)
2
Love Is the Seventh Wave
Sting Sting StingPete Smith Sting (Lead Vocals)
3
Russians #16
Sting StingSergei Prokofiev StingPete Smith Sting (Lead Vocals)
4
Children's Crusade
Sting Sting StingPete Smith Sting (Lead Vocals)
5
Shadows in the Rain
Sting Sting StingPete Smith Sting (Lead Vocals)
6
We Work the Black Seam
Sting Sting StingPete Smith Sting (Lead Vocals)
7
Consider Me Gone
Sting Sting StingPete Smith Sting (Lead Vocals)
8
The Dream of the Blue Turtles
Not documented Sting StingPete Smith -
9
Moon Over Bourbon Street
Sting Sting StingPete Smith Sting (Lead Vocals)
10
Fortress Around Your Heart #8
Sting Sting StingPete Smith Sting (Lead Vocals)

Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 3 contributors

S
Sting
Writer · Producer · Vocals
On this album10 written
SP
Sergei Prokofiev
Writer
On this album1 written
PS
Pete Smith
Producer
On this album10 produced

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Frequently Asked Questions The Dream of the Blue Turtles

Did Sting write The Dream of the Blue Turtles himself?
Yes. The Dream of the Blue Turtles is fully self-written, with every song an original Sting composition. It was his first solo album after leaving the Police.
Who wrote "Russians" by Sting?
"Russians" was written by Sting, who built its melody around a theme from Prokofiev. The Cold War-themed single reached number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Who wrote "If You Love Somebody Set Them Free" by Sting?
"If You Love Somebody Set Them Free" was written by Sting. It was his debut solo single and reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100.
Was The Dream of the Blue Turtles nominated for a Grammy?
Yes. The album earned several Grammy nominations, including Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male. It established Sting as a major solo artist.
What genre is The Dream of the Blue Turtles by Sting?
The Dream of the Blue Turtles is a pop rock album with strong jazz rock influences. Sting recorded it with a band of young jazz musicians, giving it a sophisticated, improvisational feel.
How well did The Dream of the Blue Turtles by Sting sell?
The Dream of the Blue Turtles was certified 3x Platinum in the United States and multi-Platinum internationally. It was a major commercial success for Sting's solo debut.

Sources

Wikipedia: The Dream of the Blue Turtles MusicBrainz: The Dream of the Blue Turtles release group (Sting) Cover Art Archive: The Dream of the Blue Turtles front cover Cover Art Archive: The Dream of the Blue Turtles by Sting