Sting is probably a better collaborator than Prince. But Prince is a much more interesting instrumentalist/composer I think.

Prince is by far a more talented, diverse, genius musician than Sting imo Sting in no way compares to Prince

I have seen Sting in live concerts twice and Prince about 11 times.

Sure it´s about musical taste and as much as i dig Sting´s music

i think Prince plays in another league when it comes to live concerts.

And Prince is much better at improvisations compared to Sting imo.

[Edited 2/27/13 4:06am]

Nah. He's nowhere near P.

Sting came on stage with Ron Wood for 'Miss You' on the 14th August '86. Wembley Parade tour. Played a bit of bass. Nothing special but that's Sting, nothing special.

Sting is more of a composer than an electricfiying performer. He sings very well, his bass and guitar playing are so-so.

Sting has Prince beat by a mile when it comes to lyrical abilities. Go listen to Soul Cages, (album or song) and tell me Prince can eat that. He can't.

Of course it apples and oranges anyway. They don't try to do the same thing. As silly as Sting would sound trying to sing something like Erotic City, Prince would sound equally goofy trying to sing just about any Sting song.

My two cents.

Love the Police and Sting, but that is a preposterous claim.

Ohh lawrd..............

steakfinger said:

Sting is more of a composer than an electricfiying performer. He sings very well, his bass and guitar playing are so-so.

Sting has Prince beat by a mile when it comes to lyrical abilities. Go listen to Soul Cages, (album or song) and tell me Prince can eat that. He can't.

Of course it apples and oranges anyway. They don't try to do the same thing. As silly as Sting would sound trying to sing something like Erotic City, Prince would sound equally goofy trying to sing just about any Sting song.

My two cents.

For my two cents, of which I don't mean to be adversarial, but it's amazing to me how so many people want to take their erotic/exotic fantasy of Prince and make him be/remain only that. Yet, when we check his lyrical history, Prince has been just as socio-political as most: "Baby," "Party Up," "Uptown," "Controversy," "Sexuality," "Ronnie Talk to Russia," "Anne Christian," "1999," "Free," "Around the World in a Day," "Paisley Park," "Condition of the Heart," "Christopher Tracy's Parade," "Mountains," "Sign 'O' the Times," "Play in the Sunshine," "Starfish and Coffee," "The Ballad of Dorothy Parker," "The Cross," "Eye No," "Lovesexy," "Dance On," "New Power Generation," "Graffiti Bridge," "Still Would Stand all Time," "Thunder," "Live 4 Love," "Walk Don't Walk," "Money Don't Matter 2night," "Push," "Sacrifice of Victor," "The Exodus Has Begun," "Don't Play Me," most of The Rainbow Children, and "Colonized Mind." The problem is that if we don't agree with the message, then we call it a bullshit message, but I'll put Prince's engagement of socio-political issues against almost anyone, as well as his imagery and symbolism. Of course, most miss Prince's messages because he has been as much about individual liberation as he has been about group, racial, or communal liberation, and most do not realize that his songs about sex and romantic relationships, such as "Little Red Corvette" and "Strange Relationship," often have deeper figurative messages than most comprehend. Additionally, Prince, like Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder, is more diverse than most because his imagery and symbolism are just as powerful articulating the sexual as well as the socio-political. So, while Sting is a quality lyricist, I'd have to give Prince the edge just on the range and diversity of imagery and symbolism.

1725topp said:

steakfinger said:

Sting is more of a composer than an electricfiying performer. He sings very well, his bass and guitar playing are so-so.

Sting has Prince beat by a mile when it comes to lyrical abilities. Go listen to Soul Cages, (album or song) and tell me Prince can eat that. He can't.

Of course it apples and oranges anyway. They don't try to do the same thing. As silly as Sting would sound trying to sing something like Erotic City, Prince would sound equally goofy trying to sing just about any Sting song.

My two cents.

For my two cents, of which I don't mean to be adversarial, but it's amazing to me how so many people want to take their erotic/exotic fantasy of Prince and make him be/remain only that. Yet, when we check his lyrical history, Prince has been just as socio-political as most: "Baby," "Party Up," "Uptown," "Controversy," "Sexuality," "Ronnie Talk to Russia," "Anne Christian," "1999," "Free," "Around the World in a Day," "Paisley Park," "Condition of the Heart," "Christopher Tracy's Parade," "Mountains," "Sign 'O' the Times," "Play in the Sunshine," "Starfish and Coffee," "The Ballad of Dorothy Parker," "The Cross," "Eye No," "Lovesexy," "Dance On," "New Power Generation," "Graffiti Bridge," "Still Would Stand all Time," "Thunder," "Live 4 Love," "Walk Don't Walk," "Money Don't Matter 2night," "Push," "Sacrifice of Victor," "The Exodus Has Begun," "Don't Play Me," most of The Rainbow Children, and "Colonized Mind." The problem is that if we don't agree with the message, then we call it a bullshit message, but I'll put Prince's engagement of socio-political issues against almost anyone, as well as his imagery and symbolism. Of course, most miss Prince's messages because he has been as much about individual liberation as he has been about group, racial, or communal liberation, and most do not realize that his songs about sex and romantic relationships, such as "Little Red Corvette" and "Strange Relationship," often have deeper figurative messages than most comprehend. Additionally, Prince, like Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder, is more diverse than most because his imagery and symbolism are just as powerful articulating the sexual as well as the socio-political. So, while Sting is a quality lyricist, I'd have to give Prince the edge just on the range and diversity of imagery and symbolism.

Who was talking about socio-political or sexual subjects? The Soul Cages was inspired by the death of Sting's father and is more sophisticated and personal that most of Prince's own lyrics.

prince is superior but they do have something in common! they are both old & they are still HOT!

TwiliteKid said:

1725topp said:

For my two cents, of which I don't mean to be adversarial, but it's amazing to me how so many people want to take their erotic/exotic fantasy of Prince and make him be/remain only that. Yet, when we check his lyrical history, Prince has been just as socio-political as most: "Baby," "Party Up," "Uptown," "Controversy," "Sexuality," "Ronnie Talk to Russia," "Anne Christian," "1999," "Free," "Around the World in a Day," "Paisley Park," "Condition of the Heart," "Christopher Tracy's Parade," "Mountains," "Sign 'O' the Times," "Play in the Sunshine," "Starfish and Coffee," "The Ballad of Dorothy Parker," "The Cross," "Eye No," "Lovesexy," "Dance On," "New Power Generation," "Graffiti Bridge," "Still Would Stand all Time," "Thunder," "Live 4 Love," "Walk Don't Walk," "Money Don't Matter 2night," "Push," "Sacrifice of Victor," "The Exodus Has Begun," "Don't Play Me," most of The Rainbow Children, and "Colonized Mind." The problem is that if we don't agree with the message, then we call it a bullshit message, but I'll put Prince's engagement of socio-political issues against almost anyone, as well as his imagery and symbolism. Of course, most miss Prince's messages because he has been as much about individual liberation as he has been about group, racial, or communal liberation, and most do not realize that his songs about sex and romantic relationships, such as "Little Red Corvette" and "Strange Relationship," often have deeper figurative messages than most comprehend. Additionally, Prince, like Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder, is more diverse than most because his imagery and symbolism are just as powerful articulating the sexual as well as the socio-political. So, while Sting is a quality lyricist, I'd have to give Prince the edge just on the range and diversity of imagery and symbolism.

Who was talking about socio-political or sexual subjects? The Soul Cages was inspired by the death of Sting's father and is more sophisticated and personal that most of Prince's own lyrics.

I'm willing to match/provide lyric for lyric to show that Sting's imagery and symbolism are not more sophisticated than Prince’s, if we are basing it on masterful/effective use of imagery and symbolism. And as for personal, discussing personal subject matter doesn't make an image or symbol effective or creative. People write terrible poems about their dear grandmother all the time. So, something being personal is subjective (that is we can't prove what is more personal to Sting or Prince), and a lyric being personal doesn't make it well crafted. Just because Sting writing about his father moves you for whatever reason doesn't mean that his mastery of literary device is greater than Prince's. Thus, the works that I submitted seem to refute your notion that Prince can only be erotic or address sexual subjects, making his lyrics less personal and sophisticated, which is what your first post seems to infer. And, when we add songs, such as "Old Friends 4 Sale," "Strange Relationship," "Dont' Play Me," and "Reflection," Prince seems to be able to be both personal and creative with imagery.

Sting might be a better poet/lyricist.

But he'd be the first to tell you he's no match for Prince as a musician (on bass right?). Now, Stewert Copeland on the other hand...

who

is

STING

???

??

?

hahahha ur italian friend seems like a funny guy

correction,

let me fix that statement because you are mentioning the wrong guy:

Sting is a better musician than Michael Jackson.

Sting is great, but Prince is better, he is brilliant..

I am not so sure about the dancer Michael Jackson, he was lost without Quincy Jones wasn't he..

MJ rip.

thedance said:

correction,

let me fix that statement because you are mentioning the wrong guy:

Sting is a better musician than Michael Jackson.

The only thing Sting may have over Prince is, as he has aged, his ability to put out mature and coherent albums. Sting would never put Wedding Feast or No More Candy on an album!

Dandroppedadime said:

Roxanne is still the dopest non-Prince/non-Bruno Mars Sting song ever. The other 5 (maybe) songs of his I know are pretty good too . One of them was in The Professional, I think and the other (maybe the same) was sampled on a classic Nas album of my choosing.

in case you like Sting (I do, he is great),

then check out "The Best Of 25 Years",

his hit songs: re-mastered, plus some re-recorded in a way..

much better - and much clearer sound than the old versions.

The bass is much better.

Sting is cool, but he can't touch Prince when it comes to originality..

1725topp said:

TwiliteKid said:

Who was talking about socio-political or sexual subjects? The Soul Cages was inspired by the death of Sting's father and is more sophisticated and personal that most of Prince's own lyrics.

I'm willing to match/provide lyric for lyric to show that Sting's imagery and symbolism are not more sophisticated than Prince’s, if we are basing it on masterful/effective use of imagery and symbolism. And as for personal, discussing personal subject matter doesn't make an image or symbol effective or creative. People write terrible poems about their dear grandmother all the time. So, something being personal is subjective (that is we can't prove what is more personal to Sting or Prince), and a lyric being personal doesn't make it well crafted. Just because Sting writing about his father moves you for whatever reason doesn't mean that his mastery of literary device is greater than Prince's. Thus, the works that I submitted seem to refute your notion that Prince can only be erotic or address sexual subjects, making his lyrics less personal and sophisticated, which is what your first post seems to infer. And, when we add songs, such as "Old Friends 4 Sale," "Strange Relationship," "Dont' Play Me," and "Reflection," Prince seems to be able to be both personal and creative with imagery.

1725topp, I love your posts about Prince's lyrics, but I have to disagree with you on this one. In my opinion, the lyrics on "The Soul Cages" are superior to anything Prince has written, and not because they are "more personal", which is something subjective, as you say. They are deep and touching in a way I can't find in Prince. The images are powerful and moving, the songs are lyrically very well connected with each other (it really is a conceptual album) and the music is also coherent with the lyric's tone.

But appreciation of lyrics is something strongly subjective as well, isn't it? Anyway, I agree with you in that Prince's lyrics are far richer than what many people, even his fans, think.

[Edited 2/28/13 1:06am]

Both are the two best pop songwriters of their eras. Sting is an incredible musician and does things Prince can't do. Prince is a better individual instrumentalist and does things Sting can't do. Sting's bands, generally (including his current line-up), are the best bands of their type at any given time --the level of musicianship is astonishing. Prince hasn't had a really devastating, unique group in some time, and these new kids ain't cuttin' it, sorry.

But these kinds of head-to-heads are lame and for kids, really. Art doesn't work this way, as a straight competition. Enjoy them both, as I do.

Javi said:

1725topp said:

I'm willing to match/provide lyric for lyric to show that Sting's imagery and symbolism are not more sophisticated than Prince’s, if we are basing it on masterful/effective use of imagery and symbolism. And as for personal, discussing personal subject matter doesn't make an image or symbol effective or creative. People write terrible poems about their dear grandmother all the time. So, something being personal is subjective (that is we can't prove what is more personal to Sting or Prince), and a lyric being personal doesn't make it well crafted. Just because Sting writing about his father moves you for whatever reason doesn't mean that his mastery of literary device is greater than Prince's. Thus, the works that I submitted seem to refute your notion that Prince can only be erotic or address sexual subjects, making his lyrics less personal and sophisticated, which is what your first post seems to infer. And, when we add songs, such as "Old Friends 4 Sale," "Strange Relationship," "Dont' Play Me," and "Reflection," Prince seems to be able to be both personal and creative with imagery.

1725topp, I love your posts about Prince's lyrics, but I have to disagree with you on this one. In my opinion, the lyrics on "The Soul Cages" are superior to anything Prince has written, and not because they are "more personal", which is something subjective, as you say. They are deep and touching in a way I can't find in Prince. The images are powerful and moving, the songs are lyrically very well connected with each other (it really is a conceptual album) and the music is also coherent with the lyric's tone.

But appreciation of lyrics is something strongly subjective as well, isn't it? Anyway, I agree with you in that Prince's lyrics are far richer than what many people, even his fans, think.

[Edited 2/28/13 1:06am]

I'm cool with us agreeing "that Prince's lyrics are far richer than what many people, even his fans, think." As for our disagreement on Prince's lyrics vs. Sting's lyrics, we both seem to agree that, in the final analysis, the "appreciation of lyrics is something strongly subjective" because Prince's lyrics seem more "deep and touching" to me "in a way I can't find in" Sting, and I love Sting's music and lyrics, especially "Russians." I love the manner in which Prince navigates and blends his exploration of the metaphysical and the physical, as in SOTT, Lovesexy, and The Rainbow Children, in a way that not many dare to do or do as well as Prince. But I recognize that one may not be interested in that navigation. Ultimately, Prince and Sting are great, and, again, I'm just glad that we can agree that Prince’s lyrics have much more depth than many realize.

GTFOOHWTBS

1725topp said:

TwiliteKid said:

Who was talking about socio-political or sexual subjects? The Soul Cages was inspired by the death of Sting's father and is more sophisticated and personal that most of Prince's own lyrics.

I'm willing to match/provide lyric for lyric to show that Sting's imagery and symbolism are not more sophisticated than Prince’s, if we are basing it on masterful/effective use of imagery and symbolism. And as for personal, discussing personal subject matter doesn't make an image or symbol effective or creative. People write terrible poems about their dear grandmother all the time. So, something being personal is subjective (that is we can't prove what is more personal to Sting or Prince), and a lyric being personal doesn't make it well crafted. Just because Sting writing about his father moves you for whatever reason doesn't mean that his mastery of literary device is greater than Prince's. Thus, the works that I submitted seem to refute your notion that Prince can only be erotic or address sexual subjects, making his lyrics less personal and sophisticated, which is what your first post seems to infer. And, when we add songs, such as "Old Friends 4 Sale," "Strange Relationship," "Dont' Play Me," and "Reflection," Prince seems to be able to be both personal and creative with imagery.

English is not my natural language and it's not very easy for me to get the lyrics from listening, I have to look for them written. I do not know Sting's work, except for the obvious hits, to state an opinion. Prince's lyrics I look out from time to time would show some lyrical genius (Raspberry Beret, Little Red Corvette, When Doves Cry), of great metaphors and imagery, as 1725topp has argued, but I also found some very poor lyrics like Slow Love, Hot Thing, Compassion and all that God Is Love/I know there's heaven and hell bullshit on the LoveSexy album.

So I dont know this subject well enough, but I intend to soon, Im intrigued by it. I just wanted to say... what I just saw that 1725topp has already said. Although I do not know Sting's work on that song, a personal/Lyric poetry is only a GENRE in literature. Just the fact that one could achieve great success in Lyric Poetry, doesn't mean other lyrics on other genres cant be just as great. Its a matter of genre.

[Edited 3/4/13 19:02pm]