If You Love Somebody Set Them
Sting & The Police/Sting Lyrics
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Free, free, set them free.
Free, free, set them free.
Free, free, set them free.
If you need somebody, call my name.
If you want someone, you can do the same.
If you want to keep something precious,
You want to hold on to your possessions, don't even think about me.
If you love somebody, if you love someone,
If you love somebody, if you love someone set them free.
(Free, free, set them free.)
Set them free.
(Free, free, set them free.)
Set them fee.
(Free, free, set them free.)
Set them free.
(Free, free, set them free.)
If it's a mirror you want just look into my eyes,
Or a whipping boy, someone to despise.
Or a pris'ner in the dark tied up in chains you just can't see
or a beast in a gilded cage; that's all some people ever want to be.
If you love somebody, if you love someone,
If you love somebody, if you love someone set them free.
(Free, free, set them free.)
Set them free.
(Free, free, set them free.)
Set them fee.
(Free, free, set them free.)
Set them free.
(Free, free, set them free.)
You can't control an independent heart,
(Can't love what you can't keep)
Can't tear the one you love apart.
(Can't love what you can't keep)
Forever conditioned to believe that we can't live,
We can't live here and be happy with less.
With so many riches, so many souls,
With ev'rything we see that we want to possess.
If you need somebody, call my name.
If you want someone, you can do the same.
If you want to keep something precious,
Got to lock it up and throw away the key.
You want to hold on to your possessions, don't even think about me.
If you love somebody, if you love someone,
If you love somebody, if you love someone set them free.
(Free, free, set them free.)
Set them free.
(Free, free, set them free.)
Set them fee.
(Free, free, set them free.)
Set them free.
(Free, free, set them free.)
(Free, free, set them free.)
Set them free.
(Free, free, set them free.)
Set them fee.
(Free, free, set them free.)
Set them free.
(Free, free, set them free.)
The song "If You Love Somebody Set Them Free" by Sting and The Police is a message about the importance of freedom, even in relationships. The opening lines of "Free, free, set them free" convey this idea that people need to be free to be themselves and make their own choices. The song emphasizes the importance of not holding on too tightly to those we love, and instead allowing them the space to grow and be themselves.
The song also warns against the dangers of possessiveness and the desire to control others. Sting sings that if we want to keep something precious, we need to lock it up and throw away the key. But this kind of possessiveness can ultimately lead to the loss of what we're trying to keep. The chorus emphasizes that if we truly love someone, we need to set them free, even if it's difficult or painful.
The lyrics also touch on the idea that material possessions and wealth can hold us back from true happiness. The line, "Forever conditioned to believe that we can't live, we can't live here and be happy with less" suggests that we've been conditioned to believe that we need more and more to be happy, when in fact true happiness is found in freedom and relationships, not material possessions.
Line by Line Meaning
Free, free, set them free.
Don't try to control or possess the people you love, let them be free.
If you need somebody, call my name.
If you need help or support, reach out to me and I'll be there for you.
If you want someone, you can do the same.
If you want to spend time with me or be close to me, just let me know and we can make it happen.
If you want to keep something precious, Got to lock it up and throw away the key.
You can't hold on to the people you love like possessions, or they will feel trapped and suffocated.
You want to hold on to your possessions, don't even think about me.
If you value material possessions more than our relationship, then we can't be together.
If it's a mirror you want just look into my eyes, Or a whipping boy, someone to despise.
If you need someone to reflect your own image back to you, or to blame for your problems, I'm not the one for you.
Or a pris'ner in the dark tied up in chains you just can't see or a beast in a gilded cage; that's all some people ever want to be.
Some people are content to be trapped in unhappy situations, like a prisoner or a caged animal, and don't want to be set free.
You can't control an independent heart, (Can't love what you can't keep) Can't tear the one you love apart. (Can't love what you can't keep)
Love cannot be forced or controlled, and trying to do so will only lead to heartbreak.
Forever conditioned to believe that we can't live, We can't live here and be happy with less. With so many riches, so many souls, With ev'rything we see that we want to possess.
We've been taught to always want more, to never be content with what we have, but true happiness comes from being grateful for what we already possess.
(Free, free, set them free.) Set them free.
Reiterating the main message of the song: let your loved ones be free.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: GORDON SUMNER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@PScooter63
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.
@terencebrownlee202
Oh my...
If you love somebody
If you love someone
If you love somebody
If you love someone set them free
(Free, free, set them free)
Set them free
(Free, free, set them free)
Set them free
(Free, free, set them free)
Set them free
(Free, free, set them free)
i haven't heard this song in over 25 years. My Dad loved this song. He played it over and over.
I have had this video/song on repeat for over 1 hour. I can't turn it off.
This I do believe has to be one of the best collaborated songs ever assembled.
I really can't describe this sound. It's Soulful, Jazzy, Bluesy, Rocky, It's an outstanding record. (That's what we called it back in the day). lol-lol-lol
Look at that Bass player....He thumb slappin them strings and walking the dog.
The keyboardist, Oh my, just listen at him. His sound hold's it all together.
Drummer is stank slappin them skins.
Please tell me yall hear them horns.
Even the cymbals make a really nice mark.
Then, then, then STING all on top of it. WHEW!!!
This record is so well put together.
Just watch the video. It's breathtaking!!!
@tbee1638
The backup singers are EVERYTHING ❤
@TimONeillCMH
2:48!
@freezing71
100 percent!
@user-sq4ex9wf5x
I thought so too!!!I can't keep from watching them !! EVERYTHING!!!
@deathbygrinning
Killer line-up that made beautiful music together! Amazing musicianship.
@empoweredselfishnesstv4102
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!🙏🏾❤
@220773
So soar you two! 😙
@TMANN-jo1ps
Sorry about both of your losses.
@azzz4708
@@TMANN-jo1psCondolences on such major losses. 🙏
@eulissbenoit816
May they rest in God my friend