Song Lyric Sunday (17 November 2019) – Do

Last week, Jim (NewEpicAuthor, A Unique Title For Me) set the subject of modal verbs (my choice). This week he gives us the subject of the verb, do.

What can I say? UK? General Election? A bit fed up with it all?

So despite several maybes this week, one song stood out. It’s kind of in-your-face obvious to me, but that’s the beauty of SLS – my choice is obvious to me, yet we all tend to pick different songs.

This song, written by Sting and performed by The Police, was released towards the end of 1980, and in Sting’s own words, the lyrics are about “banality, about the use of words”.

As politicians here of all colours make ever more ludicrous promises, which they have no chance of keeping, I hope you can spot the link. Those of you who are good at math might note that the song is coming up for its fortieth anniversary next year, and (even those who aren’t good at math) you could be forgiven for wondering just how much has improved.

A bit of a cringeworthy video – the main reason I chose it was because it actually shows the band “performing” the song – but the tune itself is second to none.

Just over three weeks to go.

Don’t think me unkind
Words are hard to find
They’re only cheques I’ve left unsigned
From the banks of chaos in my mind

And when their eloquence escapes me
Their logic ties me up and rapes me

De do do do de da da da
Is all I want to say to you
De do do do de da da da
Their innocence will pull me through
De do do do de da da da
Is all I want to say to you
De do do do de da da da
They’re meaningless and all that’s true

Poets priests and politicians
Have words to thank for their positions
Words that scream for your submission
And no-one’s jamming their transmission

‘Cause when their eloquence escapes you
Their logic ties you up and rapes you

De do do do de da da da
Is all I want to say to you
De do do do de da da da
Their innocence will pull me through
De do do do de da da da
Is all I want to say to you
De do do do de da da da
They’re meaningless and all that’s true

De do do do de da da da
Is all I want to say to you
De do do do de da da da
Their innocence will pull me through
De do do do de da da da
Is all I want to say to you
De do do do de da da da
They’re meaningless and all that’s true

Sting

Author: Mister Bump UK

Formerly Stroke Survivor UK. Designed/developed IT systems for banks, but had a stroke in 2016, aged 48. Returned to developing from home, plus do some voluntary work. Married, with a grown-up, left-home daughter.

30 thoughts on “Song Lyric Sunday (17 November 2019) – Do”

  1. I am not fed up of the election yet, Stroke Survivor.

    Nor even of the debates and Question Time.

    1979, yes?

    Love the way Sting really excised and examined words with a surgical precision.

    “Poets priests and politicians
    Have words to thank for their positions
    Words that scream for your submission
    And no-one’s jamming their transmission”

    Oh yes!

    And pre- and non-verbal signals and symbols become all the more important in such circumstances.

    Very big issue this freedom of speech.

    And the whole summery / industrial dance feel. [silly me, that’s the Carbon Como ad – who would have thought clear back in 1979 that English; Welsh; Irish and Scottish would be WHITENING THEIR TEETH?!]

    Liked by 2 people

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  2. Do do do da da da … Sting is the coolest bass player! I once saw him live, he’s a talented man. Words can be so inspiring and meaningless, they can be all or nothing. I love words, the sound, the rythm, the possibilities. It is about the intention though, with kindness even do do do and da da da can be the sweetest words you’ve ever heard.
    Thank you for the song, I really enjoy the musical tips every week!

    Liked by 2 people

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    1. I always liked The Police – that kind-of post punk era is like punk itself, but with added music! I’m glad you liked my choice, I’ve been doing this for a few months now and I like it to be something people will remember, even if just vaguely. When I have posted obscure songs, the reaction is more of polite clapping that of cheering.

      On a totally unrelated subject, I have a request for you! I would be interested to hear (i.e. to see a post on) how your mental health has varied with time. By that, I mean the times of life, youth, young adult etc. I’m just wondering whether this is something you ever thought about. One for your to-do list, perhaps?

      Liked by 1 person

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      1. That is an interesting one. I have written about it in my ‘winding road of therapy’-series. It starts in from youth (16 y/o). It describes how I felt an what I did through my studies, when I started working etc. I’m not sure if it is something like that that you mean. You can find it under the tab ‘my story’. If I misunderstood, feel free to let me know and I’ll write a post! Thank you for my first request!

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  8. Pingback: Song Lyric Sunday – Part II – Stroke Survivor

  10. Excellent choice! Obvious in hindsight to me ;). Thanks for a lovely blast from the past. Ninth grade Jilly is pogoing around the dance floor with her high school chums. Sting in a sound va-va-vroom. Hottie hot stuff.

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  12. Pingback: Song Lyric Sunday (24 November 2010) – Thanksgiving – Stroke Survivor

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