When We Dance


"When We Dance" is a song by English musician Sting. It was released as a single on 17 October 1994 by A&M Records and is one of two new tracks included on his first greatest hits album, Fields of Gold: The Best of Sting 1984–1994, alongside "This Cowboy Song". The song was co-produced by Sting with Hugh Padgham, and became his only solo top 10 hit in his native UK and reached the top 40 in five other countries. It was promoted with a music video directed by Howard Greenhalgh.

Background

Described by Sting as a "generic ballad", "When We Dance" was written specifically to be included as a new track for the Fields of Gold compilation. The song reportedly took a year to write: "I had the melody around for a whole year before I thought of what to do with it... Then it just fell in place. It wasn't one of those songs written in five minutes."
Upon its release, "When We Dance" peaked at number 9 in the UK, becoming Sting's only top ten solo single in his home country. It also reached the top ten in Canada and Ireland. The song was less successful in the US, peaking at number 38.

Critical reception

from Billboard magazine complimented the song as a "lovely pop ballad, which rides a wonderful contrast between poignance and romance. Sting has rarely sounded so warm and engaging, swirling around lilting keyboards and delicate acoustic strumming. Comfortably deep in the pocket of current radio trends without sounding contrived, richly produced single will likely meet with instant and ardent approval at several formats." Cashbox felt that the single "lacked the punch his earliest solo material had" and expressed disappointment over Sting's perceived pivot toward adult contemporary music. They also identified a "pleasant peacefulness" to the song they anticipated would become endearing to listeners.

Track listing

All tracks written by Sting.
  • CD1
  1. "When We Dance" – 4:55
  2. "Fortress Around Your Heart" – 4:10
  3. "When We Dance" – 5:59
  4. "If You Love Somebody Set Them Free" – 7:00
  • CD2
  1. "When We Dance" – 4:55
  2. "If You Love Somebody Set Them Free" – 4:34
  3. "If You Love Somebody Set Them Free" – 8:19
  4. "If You Love Somebody Set Them Free" – 5:37
  • Maxi–single
  1. "When We Dance" – 4:55
  2. "Fortress Around Your Heart" – 4:10
  3. "If You Love Somebody Set Them Free" – 7:00
  4. "If You Love Somebody Set Them Free" – 8:19

    Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Release history