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Reviewer Patrick Douglas

Patrick Douglas is a Library Technician at the University of Central Oklahoma.

Title

Lyrics

Sting

Review

Gordon Matthew Sumner, a.k.a. Sting, the front man for the Police was also the band's chief songwriter. Some of his music defined the 1980s. From the well-known to the obscure, Lyrics by Sting collects his one hundred ten songs from twelve albums (five with the Police, seven solo).

The collection of "poems" is organized chronologically by album. Each section has an introduction describing the circumstances around the writing and recording of each album. Most of the songs are introduced with some insight into the inspiration behind the lyrics. Sienna-toned photographs chronicle the many looks of the artist himself through the decades.

If you've ever wondered what line in a Police song truly meant or never quite understood the words to begin with, here's a chance to find out. While far from biographical, Lyrics by Sting is an interesting look into the mind of a modern poet. And you may find yourself singing the songs in your head as you read.

Review Date

Reviewed October 2009