"Let Your Soul Be Your Pilot" | ||||
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Single by Sting | ||||
from the album Mercury Falling | ||||
Released | 13 February 1996 | |||
Studio | Lake House (Wiltshire) | |||
Genre | Adult contemporary [1] | |||
Length | 6:43 | |||
Label | A&M | |||
Songwriter(s) | Sting | |||
Producer(s) | ||||
Sting singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Sting - Let Your Soul Be Your Pilot" on YouTube |
"Let Your Soul Be Your Pilot" is a song by the English musician Sting. It was released as the lead single from his fifth solo studio album Mercury Falling on 13 February 1996. The soul-influenced track was inspired by a friend suffering from AIDS, and the impact such an event can have on one's outlook on life. [2]
"Let Your Soul Be Your Pilot" reached the top 20 in Sting's native UK. [3] The song was nominated for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance at the 1997 Grammy Awards. [4]
"Let Your Soul Be Your Pilot" was inspired by a friend of Sting's who was suffering from AIDS. Sting described it as a "song about death, or dealing with death in a way that offers some sort of hope". [2]
Musically, the song was influenced by Stax artists such as Otis Redding; Percy Sledge and Aretha Franklin were also listed as significant influences. [5] Fitting in with this theme, Sting brought in the Memphis Horns to play on the track. [5]
"Let Your Soul Be Your Pilot" became a top 20 hit in the UK, peaking at number 15. [3] The single was less successful in the US, reaching number 86 on the Billboard Hot 100, although it did better on the Adult Alternative Airplay chart, peaking at number 3. [6] It found its greatest success in Canada, where it entered the top 10, reaching number 7. [6]
All tracks written by Sting, except " Someone to Watch Over Me" written by George and Ira Gershwin.
Standard CD single
CD maxi–single (US and Japan)
Remixes by A & G Division
Chart (1996) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australia ( ARIA) [7] | 65 |
Canada ( Canadian Hot 100) [8] | 7 |
Germany ( Official German Charts) [9] | 58 |
Italy ( FIMI) [10] | 20 |
Netherlands ( Single Top 100) [11] | 43 |
UK Singles ( OCC) [12] | 15 |
US Billboard Hot 100 [13] | 86 |
US Adult Alternative Songs ( Billboard) [14] | 3 |