Rhiannon Hendricks
Fields of Gold is a song written and performed by English musician Sting. It first appeared on his fourth studio album, Ten Summoner's Tales (1993). The song is about the journey of commitment, from courtship, to marriage, to death. Sting wrote the song after purchasing a house near a barley field, inspired by the sunsets and colours of the field, as well as his love for his wife, Trudie Styler. The song has been interpreted as a testament to the primacy and endurance of love, with the fields of gold symbolising the deep and transcendent love between the couple in the song. With its peaceful and alluring ballad-like quality, Fields of Gold has become one of Sting's most famous songs, and its popularity has been further enhanced by covers by artists such as Eva Cassidy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Genre | Ballad, Pop, Folk |
| Theme | Love, Courtship, Marriage, Death |
| Mood | Peaceful, Alluring, Mellow, Soothing, Spiritual |
| Interpretations | Love over time, Nature's bounty, Commitment, Soulmates |
| Lyrics | "You'll remember me when the west wind moves upon the fields of barley", "You can tell the sun in his jealous sky when we walked in fields of gold" |
| Inspiration | The countryside near Sting's English estate, His love for his wife Trudie Styler |
| Awards | BMI's Pop Songs Award (1994) |
| Peak Positions | UK Singles Chart (No.16), US Billboard Hot 100 (No.23), Canadian RPM Top Singles Chart (No.2) |
| Covers | Eva Cassidy, Katie Melua, Celtic Woman |
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What You'll Learn
Sting wrote the song about his wife, Trudie Styler
"Fields of Gold" is a song written and performed by English musician Sting. It first appeared on his fourth studio album, Ten Summoner's Tales, in 1993. The song is a peaceful and deeply alluring ballad with a lilting, haunting, and soothing quality. It is considered one of Sting's signature songs and has been widely recognised and celebrated.
The inspiration for "Fields of Gold" came from Sting's purchase of a house near a barley field. The sunsets, the shimmering surface of the fields, and the movement of the wind all contributed to the imagery and atmosphere of the song. Additionally, Sting's love for his wife, Trudie Styler, whom he married in 1992, played a significant role in inspiring the song's themes.
The song tells a chronological story of courtship, marriage, and eventual death. It begins with two people meeting, courting, and falling in love. The lyrics "So she took her love to gaze awhile upon the fields of barley" capture the depth of their connection, suggesting that their love is timeless and enduring. The song then explores the idea of commitment and the strength of their bond, with the line "I never made promises lightly" indicating the seriousness of their relationship.
As the song progresses, it addresses the passage of time and the impact of memories. The line "You'll remember me when the west wind moves upon the fields of barley" expresses the speaker's desire to be remembered by their loved one, even after death. The image of walking in fields of gold or barley represents their enduring love, transcending time and mortality.
Sting's personal life and relationship with Trudie Styler influenced the song's themes of love, commitment, and the passage of time. Their marriage, which has lasted over thirty years, has been described as a "long and loving" partnership. Trudie's favourite Sting song is "End of the Game," which she interprets as a reflection of their relationship, showcasing the depth of their connection and the inspiration she has provided for his music.
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Eva Cassidy's version is popular
Eva Cassidy's version of "Fields of Gold" is one of her most popular recordings. Her rendition has been posthumously embraced by millions of fans, immortalizing the song with her own artistry.
Cassidy's version of the song was performed in the mid-1990s, and it took on a life of its own after her untimely death from cancer at the age of 33 in 1996. Her unique interpretation of the song has touched the hearts of many, with one listener commenting that they want to dance to it at their wedding with their father.
The song itself is about courtship, marriage, and eventual death, with the "fields of gold" representing the deep and enduring love between two soulmates. The imagery of golden barley fields captures the timeless and transcendent nature of their bond, making it a perfect choice for a wedding song.
Cassidy's version has clearly resonated with audiences, with one listener commenting on the beauty and thought-provoking nature of her interpretation. The original songwriter, Sting, also has a popular version, but Cassidy's unique style adds a poignant and heartbreaking quality to the song, showcasing her remarkable talent as a musician and interpreter of songs.
The popularity of Cassidy's version of "Fields of Gold" is a testament to her ability to connect with listeners and convey the emotions and themes of the song in a powerful and memorable way. Her rendition has become a classic in its own right, standing out even among the many other interpretations of this well-loved song.
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The song is about the journey of commitment
"Fields of Gold" is a song written and performed by English musician Sting. The song first appeared on his fourth studio album, Ten Summoner's Tales, in 1993. Sting wrote the song after purchasing a house near a barley field. The sunsets and colours of the field, as well as his love for his wife, Trudie Styler, inspired the lyrics.
The song's music video, directed by Kevin Godley, features Sting as a gold silhouette walking through a dark village at night, with scenes of him singing bathed in blue and gold light. The video has garnered over 100 million views on YouTube as of November 2023.
"Fields of Gold" has become one of Sting's most famous songs, known for its peaceful and hauntingly beautiful melody and lyrics. It has been covered by various artists, including Eva Cassidy, whose version gained popularity after her untimely death in 1996. The song's timeless quality and emotional depth have made it a beloved choice for weddings and other special occasions.
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It features in The Office (US)
"Fields of Gold", written and performed by English musician Sting, features in the US version of the popular TV show, The Office. The song, which was initially released in 1993, appeared in the episode "Phyllis' Wedding", which aired in 2007. In the episode, the song is performed by Brian Baumgartner, who also plays Kevin, the drummer and lead singer of the in-show band, Scrantonicity.
Scrantonicity is a Police cover band, and "Fields of Gold" was one of several songs by The Police that the band performed in the episode. Other songs by the group included Roxanne, Message in a Bottle, and Every Breath You Take. The band also performed "You Were Meant for Me" by Jewel.
"Fields of Gold" is a peaceful and alluring ballad about courtship, marriage, and death. The song's lyrics were inspired by the sunsets and colours of the barley fields surrounding Sting's 16th-century Wiltshire manor house. The song's music video, directed by Kevin Godley, features Sting as a gold silhouette walking through a dark village at night. The video has received over 100 million views on YouTube.
The song has been widely praised by critics, with Larry Flick from Billboard describing it as a "deeply alluring ballad with atmosphere to burn". Alan Jones from Music Week gave the song four out of five stars, calling it a "lilting, haunting, soothing, almost folky song".
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The music video features Sting as a gold silhouette
The music video for "Fields of Gold" features Sting as a gold silhouette walking through a dark, empty village at night. The video was directed by British singer, songwriter, musician, and music video director Kevin Godley. It was released on YouTube in 2011 and has since garnered over 100 million views as of November 2023.
In the video, Sting is shown as a silhouette with the background inside him matching the village backdrop. However, the version inside the silhouette is bright and full of people, contrasting the dark and deserted outside village. This creative visual effect adds a layer of depth to the song's interpretation, suggesting that the narrator is reflecting on happier times or imagining a different reality.
The choice to feature Sting as a gold silhouette is particularly fitting for the song, as the lyrics evoke imagery of golden fields and the warmth of the sun. The silhouette also allows Sting to blend seamlessly with the golden backdrop, emphasizing the song's theme of love and commitment. The video's aesthetic and symbolism enhance the song's emotional impact, contributing to its enduring popularity.
"Fields of Gold" is a song written and performed by English musician Sting. It was released as a single in 1993 and reached notable chart positions in several countries. The song is considered one of Sting's most famous tracks and has been included in various compilation albums. It has also been re-recorded and covered by multiple artists, showcasing its enduring appeal and impact on the music industry.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Fields of Gold is a wedding song. The song is about courtship, marriage, and eventual death. Sting wrote the song for his wife, Trudie Styler, and it is included in his compilation album under the title Fields of Gold: The Best of Sting 1984–1994.
Fields of Gold was written and performed by English musician Sting.
Fields of Gold is about the journey of commitment. The story is chronological and is about two young lovers who meet, court, and fall in love. The song traces a couple's bond from courtship, to children, to a final parting.
Sting wrote the track after he bought a house near a barley field. The sunsets and colours of the field, along with his love for his wife, Trudie Styler, inspired the lyrics.
Yes, the music video for Fields of Gold was directed by British singer, songwriter, musician, and music video director Kevin Godley. It features Sting as a gold silhouette walking through a dark village at night.
