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Fields of Gold
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Wikipedia article
{{Infobox song
| name = Fields of Gold
| cover = Fields-of-gold-sting.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Sting
| album = Ten Summoner's Tales
| released =
| recorded =
| studio =
| venue =
| genre =
| length = 3:42
| label = A&M
| writer = Sting
| producer =
| prev_title = Seven Days
| prev_year = 1993
| next_title = Shape of My Heart
| next_year = 1993
| misc =
}}
"'Fields of Gold'" is a song written and performed by English musician Sting. It first appeared on his fourth studio album, 'Ten Summoner's Tales' (1993). The song was released as a single on 7 June 1993, reaching 16 on the UK Singles Chart and 23 on the US 'Billboard' Hot 100. The song also reached 2 in Canada and 6 in Iceland.
Background
"Fields of Gold" and all the other tracks on the album were recorded at Lake House, Wiltshire, mixed at The Townhouse Studio, London, England and mastered at Masterdisk, New York City. The harmonica solo is played by Brendan Power, and the Northumbrian smallpipes are played by Kathryn Tickell. The music video was directed by Kevin Godley. The cover of the single was photographed at Wardour Old Castle in Wiltshire, as was the cover for the album 'Ten Summoner's Tales'.
In 'Lyrics By Sting', the singer described the view from his 16th-century Wiltshire manor house:
Critical reception
In a retrospective review, Stephen Thomas Erlewine from AllMusic called "Fields of Gold" a "peaceful ballad", noting that it ranks as a classic. Larry Flick from 'Billboard' described it as a "deeply alluring ballad with atmosphere to burn." He added, "Impeccably produced, it features a strong seductive vocal (and nice harmonica strains) from Sting, as well as lovely harplike acoustic guitar figures from band mate Dominic Miller. Among the most distinctive and beguiling songs the man has written, it's sure to earn a powerful multiformat reception, and thereby steal a few million hearts." Irish newspaper 'Bray People' viewed it as "moody but ultimately likeable".'Bray People'. 23 July 1993. p. 26. Retrieved 26 November 2020. The Daily Vault's David Bowling said that it is one of the "brilliant pop songs of the 1990s." He stated that it remains "the perfect ballad. It is a wistful love song looking back on love gained." Music writer James Masterton wrote in his weekly UK chart commentary, "For a man who is normally considered an albums artist this is an achievement indeed, a third hit in a row from his latest album, and all of them Top 20 hits." Alan Jones from 'Music Week' rated "Fields of Gold" four out of five, calling it a "lilting, haunting, soothing, almost folky song". He added that "the uncluttered arrangement and intimate vocals are excellent". Pop Rescue commented, "This song is so wonderfully mellow, and flows so perfectly, that its near impossible to find fault with it."
In an interview at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts Paul McCartney stated that "Fields of Gold" was a song he wished he'd written himself.Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211205/-gxdrjRqcZQ Ghostarchive] and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20180826175310/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gxdrjRqcZQ&gl=US&hl=en Wayback Machine]:
Music video
The music video for the song, directed by Kevin Godley, features a gold silhouette of Sting singing the song while walking through a dark village at night containing common features seen throughout the UK such as a red telephone box and a red pillar box. Scenes also feature Sting singing the song while bathed in blue and gold light. The silhouette of Sting is shown as such that the background inside him exactly matches the background of the surrounding village, only the version inside of him is bright and bustling with people, while the version outside is dark and dead. The video ends with the camera going into the silhouette and Sting's clothing disappearing, showing a final shot of the village at daylight and with various people. It was published on YouTube in September 2011. The video has amassed more than 66 million views as of September 2021.
Release
"Fields of Gold" was the second single released from the album after "If I Ever Lose My Faith in You". The single reached No. 16 on the UK Singles Chart, No. 23 on the 'Billboard' Hot 100 and No. 2 on the Canadian 'RPM' Top Singles chart. It was also a hit in Germany, Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Switzerland and many other countries.
The song was included in Sting's first compilations album issued under the title 'Fields of Gold: The Best of Sting 19841994' and released in 1994 and in a later compilation 'The Very Best of Sting & The Police' in 1997. It was re-recorded by Sting in 2006 as a bonus track for his classical album 'Songs from the Labyrinth', in which the song was accompanied entirely by a lute.
Cover versions
Many musical artists have covered the song. American singer and guitarist Eva Cassidy recorded a version that first appeared on her 1996 live album 'Live at Blues Alley', then later on her albums 'Songbird' (1998) and 'The Best of Eva Cassidy' (2012). Cassidy's version charted in Sweden and the Netherlands in 2008 and 2013, respectively. British-Georgian singer Katie Melua, a fan of Cassidy, recorded a version that was released as the BBC Children in Need single for 2017; her version peaked at No. 29 on the UK Singles Chart. In 2022, Drew and Ellie Holcomb recorded a version for their album 'Coming Home: A Collection of Songs'.
Track listings
'UK 4-track CD single'
# "Fields of Gold"
# "King of Pain" (live)
# "Fragile" (live)
# "Purple Haze" (live)
'UK limited edition 4-track gatefold CD single'
# "Fields of Gold"
# "Message in a Bottle" (live)
# "Fortress Around Your Heart" (live)
# "Roxanne" (live)
Charts and certifications
Weekly charts
'Sting version''Eva Cassidy version'
'Katie Melua version'
Year-end charts
'Sting version'Certifications
References
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