MovieChat Forums > Sting Discussion > Is Sting a bad person?

Is Sting a bad person?

posted 7 years ago by Dsx2006 (188)
33 replies | jump to latest

I recently watched a TED TALK by Sting on YouTube and thought he came across as a bit pretentious and condescending about his birthplace and upbringing. He also used stories about this place for his musical. Someone said it was predatory. I also didn't like how he sang, he sounded unnatural to me.

I also read that he used to change his accent on purpose when he sang 'ethnic' songs. I have never cared to notice this before... but then I also found out about how he likes to exploit controversial subjects for his lyrics... he makes entire concerts about it!

I don't know what to think. You can read on Wikipedia that he didn't attend his parent's funerals... Did he hate them? Judging from the songs used in the musical, it seems that he was not in good terms with his dad when he left home.

I'm confused and somewhat disappointed about all this. What do you guys think? Is he a bad person or are all of these things pretty normal?

(I need some opinions, not just from fans. Any insight on his life would be greatly appreciated).

[–] [deleted] 7 years ago

I'm sure he wrote or produced a play about the shipyards near where he grew up, I thought he was proud of his roots.

I doubt he still drinks Newcastle Brown Ale anymore though, doesn't go with the tofu.

[–] Dsx2006 (188) 7 years ago

Do working class artists from the UK do this frequently? I mean, changing their habits drastically when they become successful? Do they usually become posh?

[–] [deleted] 7 years ago

Yep there's been a few that went before and since that way.

[–] [deleted] 4 years ago

I certainly would. I've been trying to distance myself from my working class "roots" for as long as I can remember.

[–] Dsx2006 (188) 4 years ago

Well he was an English teacher first, so I don't think he was as close as you'd think to his own working class roots.

[–] bigbadwolf666 (4707) 7 years ago

and gay as well.

[–] Dsx2006 (188) 7 years ago

Who comes to mind? xD

[–] bigbadwolf666 (4707) 6 years ago

bono.

[–] juviejay (456) 4 years ago

I've never heard about any of this. I can believe the pretentiousness, though. I remember him saying something like, "We're better at it than you." Meaning the Brits were better at Rock and Roll than the Yanks who invented it. I also remember reading him saying, "I'm the best song writer," to explain why most of the songs on Synchronicity were written by him. And, let's face it, he is a tremendous song writer. So a lot of this arrogance is justified, though, perhaps, not flattering.

I can't really speak to much else, other than to say no one is perfect. Stephen Colbert dropped is South Carolina accent and the pronunciation of the "t" at the end of his name. Does that make him a bad person? I don't think so. And I'm sure they both contribute millions of dollars to charity and speak out for causes they believe in.

[–] Dsx2006 (188) 4 years ago

Wow you are one of those people that buy into the charity bs. It cuts their taxes, friend, it's just another method they add to the mix to avoid them!

On another website someone replied to me with that old argument about people only obtaining that level of success if they basically abandon all of their roots (family, friends, spouses). It's understandable, but I think that there are lots of successful stars who just aren't as detached as this guy. Over the years, to me at least, he has come across as a bit of an arrogant psycho. No one should shine more than him on stage. It's always about him when he's around. I think he makes sure it stays that way.

I have always loved his music nonetheless, and I think I always will.

Also, I'm from another culture, I guess, so I don't validate him as a person just for being famous, successful or a good songwriter. That's for his obsessive fans or for people who worship celebrities just for existing, not for me.

[–] juviejay (456) 4 years ago

I didn't know I would be attacked for giving my opinion. Oh, wait, this is the internet.

I'm sure you know what's inside his heart, and that he only donates to charity to pay fewer taxes (you use "fewer" when can quantify something, not "less." It's a common error.)

And, since you are from another culture, you obviously know that I am enamored by fame and success. Wow, it's amazing how much you can glean from one chat room post! You truly are amazing! And there is no possible way you could be wrong! Bravo!

https://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/sting

[–] snepts (11123) 4 years ago

Why not give to a charity in order to pay less taxes? I'm not sure how this works in the big picture, but if you give $100 to a charity to save $20 in taxes, I guess that's a Win-Win.
But if you give $20 to Charity and then save $100 in taxes, then it's a bad system.

[–] Dsx2006 (188) 4 years ago

Wow, you took it so personally it's hilarious. Then the link you shared, so ironic... Are you sure you are not enamoured by fame? Or you just get wet when Sting rings in your ears?

Haha, well, just so you know, I enjoy his art very much, just like you do but I would never get this worked up by a celebrity I will never meet. They are just people, you know?

[–] juviejay (456) 4 years ago

Yeah, I tend to take it personally when people insult me. Silly me.

[–] Dsx2006 (188) 4 years ago

I didn't insult you, pal. I only said you buy into some bullshit the media uses to praise celebrities in general. Everyone knows how pissed some celebs get when they are forced to pay big taxes. Some of them will move from their country and be very vocal about taxes being the reason.

[–] TrentnQuarantino (9218) 4 years ago

British Rock and Roll was indeed much better in most ways than American R&R. Even Canada had better groups that most Americans groups ... Americans were self-destructive music of egotistical indulgence. Not that there were or are not good American groups, there are, but there are just, or were just more British groups because that is what they did after WWII ... and the irony is that as usual, all the stuff that other countries do better than us - WE DID FIRST. Ha ... when will be learn.

[–] juviejay (456) 4 years ago

I'm not sure about self destructiveness, but it does seem like most of the bands that are deemed the best in rock and roll history are British: The Beatles, The Stones, The Who, The Kinks, The Police, Elton John, Siouxsie and the Banshees (a personal favorite), etc.

Though America does have some stand outs, too: Elvis, Bob Dylan, The Eagles, Aerosmith, Bruce Springsteen, Simon and Garfunkel, Liz Phair (another personal favorite), etc.

I don't know. I think the British educate their people better leading to better artists.

[–] TrentnQuarantino (9218) 4 years ago

The British educate their citizens - period. In America we educate people to be proud of their ignorance. Rich people are the ones who ignore all the chatter in the media that everyone else is trained to watch and think is so important.

[–] BourbonKing (5778) 4 years ago

I'd say British Music and its roots-based music scenes kinda died out after the rise of digital compression and Social Media. The British pop culture scene looks and acts like the retarded stepchild of American pop culture which is itself a vapid cesspool.

Sure there are the current batch of inspiration Brit Pop and Rock bands but it's just not the same with the rise of Narcissistic Celebrity Culture.

[–] juviejay (456) 4 years ago

"American pop culture which is itself a vapid cesspool."

Really?

You mean the culture that just landed the most sophisticated probe on Mars? The culture that has more Nobel Prize winners than any other? The culture with the most Olympic Medals? The culture that invented the very internet which we are using? The culture which donates more money to world wide crises than any other? The country that spends more defending itself and its allies than any other? The country which still draws in tens of thousands of people every year seeking a better life?

[–] BourbonKing (5778) 4 years ago

JFC.

Learn how to read before making yourself look MORE ignorant.

You just equated American celebrity pop culture to a list of unrelated subject matter.

[–] juviejay (456) 4 years ago

Yeah, I did kinda miss the mark on that one. Read over the word "pop."

Let me try again. The culture that continues to fight against racism, police brutality and disenfranchisement? The culture that fights for the preservation the environment, women's sexual liberation and the acceptance of transexuals? The culture that created a world wide billion dollar industry, lifted millions out of poverty, gave rise to some of our greatest lyricists and musicians and was in part responsible for the fall of communism and the distribution of free ideas, free markets and democratic ideals? The culture that provides entertainment, a commonality of experiences and thought provoking ideas for billions?

I'm not saying it's all good, but not all that bad, either.

[–] Dsx2006 (188) a year ago

That was hilarious. It was an really butthurt comment indeed. LOL!

[–] Kowalski (76240) 4 years ago

I HATE HIM.🤔

[–] snepts (11123) 4 years ago

I saw a PBS special where they were honoring James Taylor and Sting was one of the performers.
When he was given the opportunity to talk before his song, he came off - to me - like he wanted to remind everyone he had his own successful band.
Something like, "I couldn't finger-pick guitar parts and sing so well, another performer had done this already. (James Taylor)
So I decided to start a Punk Band !"
Everyone applauds like it's Mackerel to a Seal. smh

[–] juviejay (456) 4 years ago

Sounds to me like he was showing some humility.

[–] Dsx2006 (188) 4 years ago

Wow, you really are rooting for the guy here. You are his # 1 Fan Hahaha.
We don't hate him, pal. We just think he's kind of an asshole sometimes. He has been like that for decades. Haven't you noticed?

[–] snepts (11123) 4 years ago

Seemed like False Humility, which is a Deadly Sin, as we all know.

[–] BourbonKing (5778) 4 years ago

I dunno. I remember reading an interview with Sting (I think it was Rolling Stone magazine) back in the early 90s and he described being at his father's bedside when he was dying, and he pointed out how he noticed his own hands being very similar to his father's who was a shipyard worker. So I found it rather touching but he never mentioned intentionally skipping his funeral unless he was touring and just couldn't make it back in time.

He did mention in the interview that his parents didn't support his pursuit of music as they didn't think it would pan out, so there was an early resentment or disconnect due to that, but I don't recall him citing deep seeded animosity

[–] snepts (11123) 4 years ago

I think Sting is a thoughtful person but doesn't have a folksy appeal. He takes himself seriously, which isn't necessarily a bad thing but it bogs one down when trying to relate to the rest of us.

I have the same problem, since I'm so much smarter than everyone else here. (Cocks head, waits for response.)

[–] AndyKing1967 (38411) 4 years ago

Pompous - Yes
Pretentious - Yes
Bad - No

[–] TimMC (9143) 4 years ago

Years ago, (1980s) he was interviewed on the Tonight Show(I think) and he came off as a huge prick. Never liked him since.

I do kind of like the song, Don't Stand So Close To Me.