One of the most underrated Sting songs, from an also underrated album. Maybe it's because "The Soul Cages" is more introspective and dense, not full of easy radio and dance hits. I loved it right away when it appeared and, 23 years later, I still do.
Sting is my all time favorite singer, and before Sting went solo The Police were/are my all time favorite band. Of all of the songs that Sting has recorded both with the Police and solo, this is, hands down, my absolute favorite. It is a masterpiece. And absolute masterpiece. I never tire of listening to it. God they just don't make them like this any more.
I'd be honored if some Sting fans would take a listen to my acoustic piano & vocal performances of ENGLISHMAN IN NEW YORK and WHY SHOULD I CRY FOR YOU on my YT channel in tribute to the master of lyricism and composition. Live acoustic with no digital editing. Thanks and peace.
This album was written at the time Sting was mourning the passing of his father. Some of the songs clearly deal with that and probably this one too. There's another song on the album where he talks about priests coming to his house to pray and how if he had his way, he'd "bury the old man at sea". Very powerful stuff. Sting is a brilliant artist, songwriter, singer, everything.
I'd be honored if some Sting fans would check out my acoustic piano & vocal cover of WHY SHOULD I CRY FOR YOU on my channel in tribute to the master. Real live acoustic with no autotune. Thanks and please pardon the promo.
The most spine tingling evening I have ever had was seeing Sting play live with the Orchestra in Melbourne in 2010. Thrilling beyond belief. The live DVD in Berlin is a decent substitute but nothing compares to the sound of the full orchestra up close. Truly the most amazing concert experience you will ever have.
What a beautiful song. It pulls a cover around your shoulders when you feel lost and gives you warmth and strength - if only to finally let the tears fall down. "Why should I cry?" - Because it releases
In all my life I have never felt so inspired by another song like this song - this is Sting's best and finest work of art, not to mention the entire "Soul Cages" album, which is perfect.
This music has no match. I grew up in the 90s and early 2000s, but from childhood to now (late 20s), I have found myself listening to Sting more than any other artist. I've tried finding similar artists and songs, but I haven't been successful. This song and "I Was Brought To My Senses" from Mercury Falling are my favorites.
I'd be honored if some Sting fans would give a quick listen to my acoustic piano & vocal performances of ENGLISHMAN IN NEW YORK and WHY SHOULD I CRY FOR YOU on my YT channel in tribute to the Master. Live acoustic with no digital editing. Thanks and peace.
right after my divorce in 2001 i sat in my car under a full moon in vegas at red rock canyon and listened to this over and over again until i had no more tears to cry. thank God for the healing power of music-Tony
This plucks the strings of my heart and rocks my soul each and every time... #Sting is a genius at songwriting.. and grasps the complexity of feelings.. "What would be true? Sometimes I see your face, The stars seem to lose their place".
I'm with you on your sentiment, this song still gets me as well. It was a defining song for me several years ago when my father and I were having problems. Thankfully we're both real close now.
I would always listen to this song before my track event...when the song gets light I took flight...got the school record for the 400m dash 1 of the beat moments of my life!!! Thank u Sting!!
Crying is catharsis... just as necessary as sleeping and eating. But we resist for various reasons. This song is so indicative of, and is such a well-expressed view of resisted emotional responses that are repressed in and masked by pride and willfully living in a shell. The difficulty of and growing through a life experience is represented.
My english teacher asked my class to make a book trailer of a book we really enjoyed, I read Sting´s autobiography, broken music. It is an excellent book. Since this proyect was assigned, I have been hearing to Sting´s music in order to decide which song will be the best to put in my trailer. I now know which song to choose. This is just beautiful
mountains of endless falling for all my days remaining...es posible tanta belleza, tanta poesia ?, tanta amargura casi anhelada y disfrutada !! oh gran señor sting, lord de lords, master de masters, cuando dios no tenia ya nada que crear creo a sting, sublime,portentoso, un hito y referencia obligada del legado musical, gracias eternas gran sting !!!desde minatitlan, veracruz mexico, usted señor es el mejor artista del mundo, loa al rey !!! sting eres unico !!!...
One of the best. As is the album. Love it. And I agree with the comment below that referenced still loving it after many years. I had The Soul Cages on cassette as a 12 or 13 year old (impeccable taste is inherent? Lol) and at 36 it still stirs me deeply. "Billy was born within sight of the shipyard; first son of a riveter's son..."
my father is a great man. he is everything..politician, has numerous doctorates, lawyer, man of world. i have never ever hugged the man. i am his splitting image in everything except i can express my feelings.
Under the dog-star sail Over the reefs of moonshine Under the skies of fall North-north-west, the stones of Faroe Under the Arctic fire Over the seas of silence Hauling on frozen ropes For all my days remaining Would north be true? All colours bleed to red Asleep on the ocean's bed Drifting in empty seas For all my days remaining Would north be true? Why should I, why should I cry for you? Dark angels follow me Over a godless sea Mountains of endless falling For all my days remaining What would be true? Sometimes I see your face, The stars seem to lose their place Why must I think of you? Why must I? Why should I? Why should I cry for you? Why would you want me to? And what would it mean to say, 'I loved you in my fashion?' What would be true? Why should I, why should I cry for you? Why should I cry?
vlado bozinoski the dog-star sail I'm unfamiliar with this term, not being from a nautical background myself; don't suppose you've any ideas as to what this is exactly, vlado. Much obliged for the lyrics, in any event
Absolutely Sting is a brilliant songwriter and singer. This song always gets me, you can feel the sadness in his voice! My top 10 favorite Sting songs: 1. Why Should I Cry For You? 2. Sister Moon 3. The Russians 4. Shape Of My Heart 5. Moon Over Bourbon Street 6. They Dance Alone 7.Fragile 8. We'll Be Together 9. When We Dance 10. Desert Rose
This entire album is brilliant. It is one of those rare albums that really is cohesive in its mood: Every song contributes to the entire lovely albeit sad atmosphere. I agree about the "Sometimes I see your face..." line; it is lovely. I also love "mountains of endless falling, for all my days remaining". The man is such a poet.
if i'd had to select ONE sting song, the ultimate favourite, and god that's a tough one, but it would still be "why should i cry for you". moves me everytime anytime.
The guitar is so simple and still so haunting. And the way the song wraps itself is enthralling. Love Sting's early solo work. He and Peter Gabriel and their grasp on melodies and they touch one some of the tribal beats and vocalizations.
This is such a beautiful song and great black and white video. I love all the black and with videos. It really adds so much more drama to it and sets a mood.
Again, this song reminds me of my grandfather, telling me stories of traveling through the north Atlantic at the turn of last century without any help of modern technology. He was oh a ship ahead of the Titanic, they didn't believe the SOS calls, and went forward. He was nearly twenty at the time, got drunk in Brooklyn, and stayed, figured if the Titanic sunk, how long would he make it on Norse fishing boats? Still, it was part of his youth, and I am sure he embellished the stories.
This song is about Sting's father and written not long after his death. Apparently they had a complex relationship and that is reflected in the song, particularly the ambivalence found in the lyrics. The "Soul Cages" album is largely about his father and the aftermath of emotions Sting went through. Fast forward almost 10 years later and listen to "Ghost Story" from the "Brand New Day" album. It serves as a wonderful sequel of sorts to this song.
Artie Compoccia Beautiful song. I first heard this on Behind The Music and I had chills. My dad and I had a complicated relationship too but we made our peace right before he passed. The best songs usually are underrated.
I had some issues with my dad too, but mainly when I was a younger man. By the time he passed, just when I was turning 40, we had a very good relationship and any kind of issues were long buried. Sadly, I can't say the same for my brother and my dad.
.."Dark angels follow me...over a godless sea".. My God... this man takes me to the darkest, most painful places within my own heart. And the soul cages was his rebellion against the teachings of the catholic church, in memory of his parents - his father in particular.
i played this song about a hundred times a certain night alone on my balcony over a stiff drink, i was lonely,never new the lyrics but the rhythm appealed to my loneliness,the year was 1999.
I recently attended one of Stings's concerts and before he sang this song he said that every single one of his father's relatives was a fisherman. His father was the only one to break tradition and be a milkman. He said that his father encouraged him not to be a fisherman and to go out and explore life. He said he wrote this song in his father's memory.
to minty 4287 total and utter respect to you for sharing with us all a true beautiful story and i hope you will never forget the part your husband played in such a great song i always play this song and have a good cry to remember my dad thanks once again you seem a lovely person total respect minty thanks a bunch xxx
When I heard this live at a show a few years back with my late sister, we both started to cry when the first few notes were played. I think at first we were so surprised that he was even doing it, it being an older song, and not a huge hit like others. Also because it was always a favorite of both of us, so beautiful and haunting. RIP Ellen
A good friend's mother died recently. As has one friend, and an acquaintance from college. Unrelated events. Remembering my father, who died some years ago. I still dream about him sometimes, and think of this song.
I am sorry that your sister is dead. She loved this song because she was compassionate and loved poetry. She must have been a wonderful woman. I found this song when I was with my former wife. She was violent and dangerous. I loved her. After I locked her out, I listened to this song hour after hour. Why? Because I have a heart and it was broken. I do not no how your sister died, be with her while you are alive. John Cord UK.
For as long as I've heard this song, the lines that connect with me more than anything else are the lines: "Dark Angles follow me, over a Godless sea, mountains of endless fog, for all my days remaining' I couldn’t have stated my life any better than these four lines…….
What is really incredible is that in 1999, he answered the question in "Ghost Story" with the confession "I must have loved you". That's quite a public confession that he only realized when it was too late that he loved his father.
The Soul Cages remains to this day one of the greatest albums ever cut. Why should I cry for you? Because we are human. All of us. Such a simple life...
The part where he sings "Sometimes I see your face, the stars seem to lose their place. Why must I think of you?" for me is one of the strongest lines in the history of music.
There are some great comments on this video-so nice not to have the usual negativity.This album (soul cages) meant a lot to me during a bereavement- where the album was about losing his mom & dad within a year of each other.I've always loved this song,It's nice to know it means a lot to many other people too.
