The backup singers are EVERYTHING ❤

Still listening in 2023. I just lost my dad and my sister eight months apart. This song is timely for me. I set my dad and sister free to soar!🙏🏾❤

I am 54 now and still remember this jam from the summer of 1985 good times America was different back then

I remember when this came out in the 80s, I was FLOORED. I was a Big Police lover ; and I love Jazz. So this was a game changer ❤❤

Went to my Mother's funeral yesterday, and this song miraculously pops up, it's just what I needed. Music is healing, it's helped me so much.

The police were a legendary band. Sting the solo artist was pure genius.

77 years old...broke my hip...still rocking out to this...sending my grandson classic rock songs...YES...IM JUST A ROCKSTAR GRANDMA...

Being a kid in the 80's and watching MTV when they actually played music videos like this classic. Good times.

Sting: Fucking genius songwriter.

The brilliance of this song is that it reached #3 on the Billboard charts, #1 on the Rock charts, #17 on the Black/Urban charts, and top 10 on the dance charts. This was an accomplishment for an artist to be embraced by so many outlets. This is probably one of the few times in charts history.

Love the keys, love the drums, the tambourine, the sax, the choir, Sting's voice, the chorus.

I CANNOT believe this song is 40!!!! It still sounds so FRESH. One of my first concerts was with this lineup, and I feel so incredibly fortunate to experience this brilliance from these master musicians.

What a blessing it was to grow up in the 80's, turn on Mtv, and listen to great music like this, there is no one as talented as Sting these days, the man is a pure genius songwriter

Omar Hakim is Killing it!!!

IF YOU'RE STILL LISTENING TO THIS MASTERPIECE IN 2022, YOU'RE A LEGEND 💌

Music has no color, So what difference it makes who's in this music video...! Good job guys love you all.

This was a super band..Omar Hakim on drums, Branford Marsalis and the late great Kenny Kirkland on keys!

Song has special meaning at my house. We set each other free and went our separate ways. 6 years later, after a month of reunion, we walked the aisle. That was 38 years ago. I'd rather be lucky than good.

2021 and who's still loving this? this video is in my opinion, one of the coolest artful and creative videos every made. Somebody came with a concept and executed perfectly.

It was incredible for the time, and it still is today. The back vocals were incredible... Sting's talent and charm are truly unique.

Anybody gettin' it in 2019? Love this vid.

This song marked a turning point in my life and it still impacts me to this day, let me explain. When sting released the “Dream of the blue turtles” album I was already angry because it signaled the official end of The Police, but when I HEARD the album, including this brilliant song along with the mesmerizing “Fortress around your heart” I was somewhat saddened because I now knew and had to accept that the decadent but innocent “MTV Golden Age” from 1981-1985, which featured Pat Benetar, The Police, Cyndi Lauper, Madonna, Culture Club, Huey Lewis and the news, Men At Work, Genesis/Phil Collins, Def Leppard, Bruce Springsteen, Duran Duran, Lionel Richie, Hall & Oates, Prince, The Eurythmics, Michael Jackson, Wham, and so many others, was now officially over and music was moving into a brave new frontier, but I will forever cherish and long for that time and that music........bittersweet indeed........

Juxtaposing black,white, and everything in between is what made American music so great and influential in the first place! Were all complicit in it.

I'm still rocking with this classic in 2024 and beyond. What about you? ✊

Branford Marsalis on tenor Sax This man was ahead of his time!!! Jesus...I can't believe this is 30 years old..sure doesn't feel that long ago...I'm old.

I don't understand why people find fault with this video. This video was intended to be this way. I actually think it was pretty neat the way they did it. It also looked like they had a fun time making it, Great song and video !

I love this song, Because Father God has set me free this year 2021...

Wish more people would understand this song

love this video...everyone jamming, having a good time. makes me smile.

Amazing song and video. Unfortunately they dont make music like this anymore.

i'm 18 years old. listened to before my math exam. danced, brought a good result.

Still cool after around 40 years.

Killer line-up that made beautiful music together! Amazing musicianship.

A True Genius at Work. The whole Ensemble is amazing, especially the backup singers. Beautiful Jazz Vibe with top notch musicians, including the great Winston Marsalis. ❤

If You Love Somebody Set Them Free by Sting is an outstanding 80s music classic. The meaningful theme of how true love symbolizes letting someone soar in life regardless if being frequently joined at their hip andor frequently able to keep tabs on them (metaphorically speaking) becomes more of a distant memory andor ancient history is performed with music brilliance.

The gal with black clothes has awesome dance moves ♫ you go girl!!!!!

One of my favorite memories of this song is being on the beach at Seaside Heights NJ, in 1985 and this song came on the radio and suddenly everyone changed their station to hear it. It was awsome. No one brings their radio to beach anymore!

I Love The Police, and Sting, They were Brilliant musicians, saw them Break the barriers with music! to set place changing music. for today

My name is Butch Weatherly from Kihei, Maui, Hawaii and I am very Happy to be listening to this song very, very loud on Friday, January 26th 2024. I sincerely wish nothing but Peace, Happiness, Awesome Health and Prosperity to all who read this. Take Care and I genuinely Love you all! Respectfully, Butch Weatherly

Simply one of the coldest songs ever.... still remember the chills this gave me and how much I appreciated this masterpiece as a teen

What I love most about this video - the ladies. They're having so much fun. Feels like I'm jamming with them.

Where did this kind of music gone to

Reminds me of my first trip to US with my then GF now wife in the mid-80s, sunbathing by the pool all day and watching MTV all night in our $20 motel room in Kissimmee. Wonderful memories.

This music video is like a strange but groovy dream.

Sting's music is just timeless....

As my Mom used to say... if you love someone, set them free. If they don't return, set them on fire.

One of the greatest artists in his time and still today...nobody can be like this...no one has that mystical magic he has in his music...the diversity ,the voice,..he is the best musical artist in my book.....

There is no greater talent than Sting. Amazing career. 🔥❤️🦋

The highest form of love.

" Forever conditioned to believe that we can't live We can't live here and be happy with less So many riches, so many souls Everything we see we want to possess"

The man was a Visionary pure and simple.

I love this video because it’s multi cultural and the song is absolutely fabulous

This classic still feels like a breath of fresh cool air!

I love Sting's soulful side:)

Man these lyrics are forever true.. Sting is and will always be GREAT!

My favorite song from Sting🎶🎶🎸 so funky and jazz influenced

Gordon Is my man...I have just loved him since 1986!!!

An older post mentioned overlays. This was a pretty intricate video production, if you scrutinize it carefully. Think about it... everyone had to be filmed separately, against a green screen (except for the Kenny Kirkland, the keyboardist, who appears to be the only one on the real set). The others were uniquely composited into each shot: * Sting - radiates "heat waves" whenever he sings, they fade when he takes a breath. Notice the ripples alter the view of whomever/whatever is behind him. * Brandford Marsalis (sax) - transparent when not playing. * Daryl Jones (bass) - monochromatic while playing (starting about 0:16). * Dolette McDonald and Janice Pendarvis (vocals/tambourine) - varying frame rates, time-freezes and time-jumps. * Omar Hakim (drums) - aggessively green-screened (so that the chrome of his set "bleeds" into the background unnaturally, along with the rug tassels), and there's a subtle vibration applied to the camera shooting him. Every time they changed camera angles, the video's director had to plan the spatial arrangement... who is in front of/behind who? Not to mention continuity between shots. Really eye-catching at the time.

This song has a personal meaning for many people. When we realized it was the only thing to do when the greatest love of our lives could never return our affection

Can listen to this endlessly, the Vibes, the Vocals, the Chocolate Nukky it’s a Masterpiece.

As a parent and husband, I can assure you that this song is more accurate when the lyrics are modified to "Sleep, sleep, let them sleep."

Roxanne and If you l Love Someone Set Then Free are my favorite songs. Sting knows how to rock out! He is an 80's classic, one of my favorite singers, and whether in a band or singing solo, his music still rocks!

Is that EASY? Set them free

This performance that Sting played was the best of his ages.

This man was ahead of his time!!!

Jesus...I can't believe this is 30 years old..sure doesn't feel that long ago...I'm old.

sTING IS ONE OF THE GREATEST MUSICIANS

This is my jam! Who is still bumping this jam in 2021?? I loved the collaboration between the multitalented Sting and this incredible band of amazing vocalists and musicians! 😁

Still my fave post-Police Sting outing, complete with some nifty keyboards and vocals as impassioned as you'll ever hear from him. Bravo for this gem!

Classic Sting! His 1st solo hit from 1985!

Saw Sting on this tour from the front row at Radio City. Had a friend who slept out for days to be at the head of the line when tickets went on sale. Those were the days!

I swear...85 was the best year for music!

I love this song it has a powerful message if they don't want you around set em free

"Dream of the Blue Turtles" great album.

I find that saxophone player the most fascinating character here. The way he fades out unless he's playing, like some kind of ghost or something.

The charts needed this song when it came out circa ‘85-86. Tremendous musical substance. Nice to see people of color coming together after all music is colorless but imbued with sonic beauty. Enjoy this music if you are young. This music is a treasure.

The summer of ‘85....I was 14 years old and getting into a lot of great music. Dream of the Blue Turtles was probably the top of that year’s best albums. I was so impressed with Sting’s jazz rock groove. I remember driving through Canada that summer. This album was played full time!

Classic soul music from the man Sting, himself

Judge musicians by the musicians they hire.

I can't stop looking at the lady playing the tambourine like she's in church

I Performed this at my spring assembly at school as an intermission act. Sang and played guitar while I wore my shades, open dress shirt, and my Johnny Bravo shirt.

I love this song!

Most Iconic Song Ever! Still Banging in 2022 ✨🔥🎶🔥✨ 👍🏾👍🏾

I still absolutely love this song……

One off the coolest men from Newcastle upon Tyne.

👉 Still such an *innovative video* even today. Perfect!

You're not alone this is music.

The girls are absolutely feeling the jam. Couldn’t have made a better video.

This was the jam!!!!

This song STILL ROCKS. REAL MUSIC

This just popped into my head today so had to youtube it.

If you love somebody ... set them free ... you cant control an independent heart

Back in the day when MTV was first starting out entertainers didn't try to make superfly music videos. It was just about being seen by the fans and we didn't give a damn. We were happy to see them on a TV screen instead of in a magazine

It's like this kind of music has been outlawed now.

1 of the many All Time Greats..

The bass player is the only reason I watch this video. Sting is awesome, but the bass player brings the song to life.

Everybody's so into it. Yea!

there is no one better than Sting even better in concert lov lov lov

No legend just Older than dirt.

Happy 70th Birthday Sting! Have a wonderful day!