Sting, born Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner, is an English singer, songwriter, bassist, and actor. He first became famous as the lead singer, bassist, and principal songwriter of The Police, then built a major solo career from the mid-1980s onward. His music blends rock, pop, new wave, jazz, reggae, classical, world music, and adult contemporary influences.
His most important solo albums include The Dream of the Blue Turtles, …Nothing Like the Sun, The Soul Cages, Ten Summoner’s Tales, Mercury Falling, Brand New Day, Sacred Love, The Last Ship, and The Bridge. Key songs include “If You Love Somebody Set Them Free,” “Englishman in New York,” “Fragile,” “Fields of Gold,” “Shape of My Heart,” “If I Ever Lose My Faith in You,” “Desert Rose,” and “Brand New Day.” Apple Music lists several of these among his top songs and albums.
He is known for his distinctive voice, melodic bass playing, literate songwriting, and ability to combine sophisticated pop with jazz and world-music influences. With The Police he helped define late-1970s and early-1980s new wave rock, while his solo career made him one of the most recognizable international singer-songwriters of his generation.