Sting — Fragile (live)
Album: All This TimeAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 283
Length: 4:18
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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If blood will flow when flesh and steel are one
Drying in the colour of the evening sun
Tomorrow's rain will wash the stains away
But something in our minds will always stay
Perhaps this final act was meant
To clinch a lifetime's argument
That nothing comes from violence
And nothing ever could
For all those born beneath an angry star
Lest we forget how fragile we are
On and on the rain will fall
Like tears from a star
Like tears from a star
On and on the rain will say
How fragile we are
How fragile we are
On and on the rain will fall
Like tears from a star
Like tears from a star
On and on the rain will say
How fragile we are
How fragile we are
How fragile we are
How fragile we are
Drying in the colour of the evening sun
Tomorrow's rain will wash the stains away
But something in our minds will always stay
Perhaps this final act was meant
To clinch a lifetime's argument
That nothing comes from violence
And nothing ever could
For all those born beneath an angry star
Lest we forget how fragile we are
On and on the rain will fall
Like tears from a star
Like tears from a star
On and on the rain will say
How fragile we are
How fragile we are
On and on the rain will fall
Like tears from a star
Like tears from a star
On and on the rain will say
How fragile we are
How fragile we are
How fragile we are
How fragile we are
Comments (84)add comment
zipper wrote:
It's a cover. I love Sting, but... 
It's not a cover, just not the (superior) original.
IIRC, this is a live album he did with some interesting-if-mellow re-arrangements of old stuff, and it was recorded on 9/11/01 in Europe.
TJ
jah_blessed wrote:
Jah Blessed Sting too, just as he has Franti.
It's a good tune, come on.
You got good taste, I usually agree w/ ya.
Peace brotha
Oh, I just realized that this is not the version from his "Nothing Like The Sun" album.
(I rated without hearing it here on RP actually 
)
Needed to correct my vote from 8 to 4.
)
Needed to correct my vote from 8 to 4.
The beginning of this song reminded me of Oi Va Voi's "Refugee". Then it got really boring.
jah_blessed wrote:
Delboy77 wrote:
never thought i'd say this, but it's time for sting to shut up and quit music.....useless bunch of crap!!!!
One day you'll wish you never said that..
Seen him a few times and Im not a fan of this either.
Kill it with FIRE!!!! 
Fruh-gee-lay. 
Must be italian! It's a major award!
Must be italian! It's a major award!what a smooth ride
who cares if he's got a big ego
i have one too
check out my blog https://rohnbayesjourney.typepad.com/
Big talent, fersher, unfortunately an ego to match.
His early punk/reggae stuff with Police is how I would rather remember him. This tune like most of his recent stuff is just lame.
How many times is the man going to remix this song? I can think of 3 versions off the top of my head.
Sting- Leave it. It's done.
never thought i'd say this, but it's time for sting to shut up and quit music.....useless bunch of crap!!!!
kerr wrote:
Well, I still like it although I'd probably prefer to hear the original.
agreed
yawn!
Well, I still like it although I'd probably prefer to hear the original.
wow. this is really bad.
Harpua wrote:
It's pretty rare when I'm really at odds with the bulk of the comments, but this version of this song still sends chills up my spine when I hear it. I saw the video for it shortly after 9/11 and it captured the way I felt perfectly.
If you've never seen the movie that goes with this, you really ought to just to catch the emotion of it. They follow the band and it's rehearsals for a show he's doing at his house on 9/11. Of course, they don't know it's going to happen but you do so it adds an odd tension to the movie. Slag it if you want, but I think he has the emotional pitch just about right.
Yup, right there with ya, Harpua.
I bought it based on some comments here. It's a moving production and well worth it.
It's pretty rare when I'm really at odds with the bulk of the comments, but this version of this song still sends chills up my spine when I hear it. I saw the video for it shortly after 9/11 and it captured the way I felt perfectly.
If you've never seen the movie that goes with this, you really ought to just to catch the emotion of it. They follow the band and it's rehearsals for a show he's doing at his house on 9/11. Of course, they don't know it's going to happen but you do so it adds an odd tension to the movie. Slag it if you want, but I think he has the emotional pitch just about right.
QualityPie wrote:
I hadn't heard this song in years, and when it came on,
I was busy at the stove, cooking.
The chorus doesn't come in for a while, so I thought for a bit,
"Wow, this sounds like a lame rip-off of 'Fragile'."
And then the chorus came in, and I thought,
"Oh, okay, I get it: it's a lame COVER of 'Fragile'."
Then I finally got to see the listing, and hey--it's the original.
Never realized it was this weak.
Stewart Copeland, go kick this man in the nerts.
It's a cover. I love Sting, but...
I hadn't heard this song in years, and when it came on,
I was busy at the stove, cooking.
The chorus doesn't come in for a while, so I thought for a bit,
"Wow, this sounds like a lame rip-off of 'Fragile'."
And then the chorus came in, and I thought,
"Oh, okay, I get it: it's a lame COVER of 'Fragile'."
Then I finally got to see the listing, and hey--it's the original.
Never realized it was this weak.
Stewart Copeland, go kick this man in the nerts.
Like the Greeks' Cronus and the Romans' Saturn, our Sting has eaten his own child.
vandal wrote:
I saw the Police years ago in Orlando, they were brilliant. After following the separate members over the following years I've grown increasingly bored with Sting. I really feel that his best and most creative years are well behind him. He has become a caricature of himself and his latest releases sound more and more like each other. This version adds nothing to the original and in fact actually dilutes its value (IMHO).
I perfectly agree, police were great.... sting's early solo years things good but then.... decline...but we can't pretend that a man could done masterpieces for a lifetime
agreed, this version doesn't even come close to the original. not his fault that he got older and his voice ain't the same. it's still a gorgeous song, always has been, from the very first day i heard it. 7.
I saw the Police years ago in Orlando, they were brilliant. After following the separate members over the following years I've grown increasingly bored with Sting. I really feel that his best and most creative years are well behind him. He has become a caricature of himself and his latest releases sound more and more like each other. This version adds nothing to the original and in fact actually dilutes its value (IMHO).
Abulafia wrote:
Now the ORIGINAL would get a 9 instead of a 5
Totally agree. The original is one of my fave songs ever. I wish I was hearing it right now instead of this version.
didn't really like the original much, I find this more tolerable. Yes, it is true it is pretty elevator-ish I guess (maybe sting's got a house with an elevator and needed some music for it?)
Reading the comments and reviewing the ratings many listeners feel the same as I about this song.I think that Sting has some talent,but his music does nothing for me...
its slow, mellow, even elevator-like, but its a brilliant song and i can ride along with it like a sailboat on a river's current.
Now the ORIGINAL would get a 9 instead of a 5
Uh, oh. Does this mean even the mighty Sting performed his own song wrong the first time? Must be if he felt the need to re-record it. All my illusions have been shattered.
I'm hoping the cable will snap on this long elevator ride and spare me from having to listen to the rest of this miserable song. End it now God!!!
Pantagruel wrote:
Latino-Fragile?
Yeah Bill, Play the portuguese version. This one is Ok but now as likable as when he redoes Police songs.
I like this!
Too many la la la las
I hold him up to a completely different standard, since I know what he's really capable of. Be that as it may, by any standards, this is just plain awful. Blech.
blah, forgettable version
Latino-Fragile?
rah wrote:
wow. way to cheese up your best song, man.
Really, leave well enough alone, Gordie!
Get me out of this elevator.
I always loved this song, why did he have to ruin it!!!!
kazuma wrote:
No kidding. This is awful. I think he really needs someone to tell him 'no, bad idea' once in a while.
He's needed to hear that over and over for the last 10-15 years, actually.
Soporific. Do not need that on RP. If I wanted to fall asleep, I'd-a stayed home! 
kazuma wrote:
This is by far the best thing he's written post-Police (that I've heard anyway) and it's a shame for him to mess it up like this.
Agreed..my initial reaction was postive, but it didn't take long to change my mind. The original was simple and beautiful; now it's just overworked.
rah wrote:
wow. way to cheese up your best song, man.
No kidding. This is awful. I think he really needs someone to tell him 'no, bad idea' once in a while.
ANNE_MARIE wrote:he played this (with guitar and conga player only) in a benefit for the victim's families of the 9/11 attack...it was only a few days afterwards. he dedicated it to a friend lost in the attack. the song was flawless, beautiful and heartfelt...it was quite touching.
I remember that performance and I agree with your comments. This is by far the best thing he's written post-Police (that I've heard anyway) and it's a shame for him to mess it up like this.
wow. way to cheese up your best song, man.
Take a modern classic, mix in some Girl from Ipanema, hey presto a bucket of puke. Just yuck, make it stop!
MiMa wrote:
I have to concur.
The original would get a 7, maybe even an 8 if I was in the right mood.
The original would get a 7, maybe even an 8 if I was in the right mood.
Sting used to have taste. Now he does not. Re-doing his older songs, therefore, is a poor idea.
TampaPurple wrote:
I'd given it a 5 just for the background, unobtrusive nature of the song while working. Then, the na na nas hit, and down it went to a 4.
you guys are soo right. the soul of the song had already been sucked out, and then the na nas came in to fill the space with utter cheese (hm, that's almost a pun)... I'd give the original as high as an 8. This doesn't even make a 4 for me.
ginger wrote:
I'm usually just as adamantly opposed to soft jazzy stuff as many of those who have posted here. But for some reason I can't deny that Sting's music -- in all its forms -- simply makes me HOT! Sorry, but it just taps into some basic connection for me, and I can't help but swoon! 
No, its his lack of personal hygiene. Phew!!!!! That makes me swoon.
I'm usually just as adamantly opposed to soft jazzy stuff as many of those who have posted here. But for some reason I can't deny that Sting's music -- in all its forms -- simply makes me HOT! Sorry, but it just taps into some basic connection for me, and I can't help but swoon!
8O
Joyfulchristine wrote:
I was enjoying it, then came the "na na nas". Ick. Let's have the original version, please!
I'd given it a 5 just for the background, unobtrusive nature of the song while working. Then, the na na nas hit, and down it went to a 4.
Big Sting fan - like the song - just not this version - seems to draaaaaaaag.
ankhara99 wrote:
Great song. Sucko-Barfo rendition.
I agree 100%. This is the worst song on RP. Replace it with the original, please.
Why do guys like Sting seem to catch the "World Music Virus?" This is some sort of watered down Bossa Nova.
stevebeaver wrote:
Does anybody remember when Sting actually musically mattered? Seems like forever.
In Jaguar commercials.
Milk5Cents wrote:
Let's face it, sure the guy has an ego, he takes himself too seriously too often, and since being the face of one of the most popular bands in rock and roll, it's easy to throw stones at him now that things are different, just like we do to guys like Robert Plant and Phil Collins, etc. (Listen to Phil on some old Brand X tunes- talk about a "sell-out")
But give credit where credit is due- Sting is not only one of top songwriters of all time, but he has consistently pushed the boundaries of the pop/rock niche by experimenting with and successfully writing music with influences from all over the world AND he has been able to put together some REALLY incredible musicians- with the end result being some incredibly tasty stuff.
And yes, some of his work is less than superb and he does perhaps do some things that may be for reasons other than purely "for the music", but who's perfect? In my mind, he is one the best...
Great song. Sucko-Barfo rendition.
No more Stink please.
Should have never left the Police. Since then, music is brutal. Hurts my ears.
Joyfulchristine wrote:
I was enjoying it, then came the "na na nas". Ick. Let's have the original version, please!
Or better yet, the Portuguese version from "Nada Como el Sol." :-)
Wow, so few people I know have ever heard "Nada". Great CD. Pretty funny when he sings "We'll be together" in Portugese, and the chorus sings it in English. (Guess he just re-recorded the foreign language vocal tracks over the original songs.) Too funny. Still a great CD.
I enjoy this version of "Fragile".
I gave this a poor rating because the remake sucks. I love the original, though.
Agreed. This version is suckola though.
Mark1970 wrote:
I agree about the song..... but this version has an ick Vegas show girl feel to it.
This song has been one of my faves since I first heard it. Beautiful, powerful....Sting is a master of lyrics.
Gotta go with the flow here, great song, sappy rendition.
radiomao wrote:
I love this song, no matter what version...but it appears that the authentic Brasilian-style section in the middle is offensive to many RP listeners... who don't understand that kind of music and associate it directly with their parents' era, when Brasilian was first popularized.
Dude, this song sucks, and that kids-singing section is the worst. There are thousands and thousands of Brasilian and Brasilian-influenced songs that don't flitter along like "The Girl From Ipenima." As for my parents' era, my parents listened to a lot of stuff I scratch my head about, but they also listened to The Beatles, Richie Valens, The Beach Boys and The Grateful Dead. If my dad heard this version of "Fragile," he'd puke, scream out in pain, and change the channel, just like I did.
Sting? What the hell has happened to you? You used to be... well, not innovative, but at least edgy. I mean seriously. This??
Let's face it, sure the guy has an ego, he takes himself too seriously too often, and since being the face of one of the most popular bands in rock and roll, it's easy to throw stones at him now that things are different, just like we do to guys like Robert Plant and Phil Collins, etc. (Listen to Phil on some old Brand X tunes- talk about a "sell-out")
But give credit where credit is due- Sting is not only one of top songwriters of all time, but he has consistently pushed the boundaries of the pop/rock niche by experimenting with and successfully writing music with influences from all over the world AND he has been able to put together some REALLY incredible musicians- with the end result being some incredibly tasty stuff.
And yes, some of his work is less than superb and he does perhaps do some things that may be for reasons other than purely "for the music", but who's perfect? In my mind, he is one the best...
I love this song, no matter what version...but it appears that the authentic Brasilian-style section in the middle is offensive to many RP listeners... who don't understand that kind of music and associate it directly with their parents' era, when Brasilian was first popularized.
"oh we're never gonna survive unless... we get a little crazy..."
Would have been more interesting.
That easy listening stuff in the middle moved it down a few notches for me...
Used to be a big Sting fan, but seems like he has totally sold out and will put his music on anything for a buck.....
Mark1970 wrote:
I agree about the song..... but this version has an ick Vegas show girl feel to it.
Very nice song - horrendous version. I've seen Sting solo and with the Police. I'm solidly in the pro-Police camp.
Boosiewolf wrote:
This has to be one of the most beautiful songs in the history of music, let alone in Sting's portfolio. I like this version, too--although the original is best.
I agree about the song..... but this version has an ick Vegas show girl feel to it.
I will always love Sting and his music. He is a completely unique artist who puts his whole soul in his compositions and performances.
I was enjoying it, then came the "na na nas". Ick. Let's have the original version, please!
Or better yet, the Portuguese version from "Nada Como el Sol." :-)
I agree that Sting is a fabulous musician. But like so many other greats, being commercially successful as well means that a certain chunk of the public will automatically dismiss him. IMO, you've got to give him credit for exploring different musical directions, working with very diverse musicians, putting out a good range of material. Much preferred to artists that stay inside the "safe" box of expectations.
BTW, haven't heard Fragile in a LONG time, but just heard it last night in the soundtrack of a movie on the SciFi channel. WEIRD...
I'm conflicted between his ego and his talent. I recently picked up his DVD "All this time..." and enjoyed it. To appreciate his music, I think you have to accept that with talent often comes what appears to be ego. In Sting's case, he's decided to market his talent which will inevitably look self-centered.
Or you can just turn the volume down ; )
C.
IIRC there was some debate about whether or not to put something in about 9/11, given that this performance took place soon after that day, but instead they just did this song as the first track. I think I like the studio version better, and there's a live version on one of the Fields Of Gold singles that's excellent. One of the few times I saw him in concert he wrapped up with a solo version of Fragile as the last encore, which was appreciated.
I like Sting. I think he's a good musician.
I just don't happen to like this limp wristed vacant sort of pseudo-jazz lite icky stuff.
A lot of folks here don't like Sting. I'm afraid I can't join those ranks. I think he is an excellent musician who actually has a mind. Like politics, everyone has their favorite. I happne to LOVE Sting.
This has to be one of the most beautiful songs in the history of music, let alone in Sting's portfolio. I like this version, too--although the original is best.
Does anybody remember when Sting actually musically mattered? Seems like forever.