Sting And Shaggy: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

Watch Sting And Shaggy play "Englishman in New York", "Don't Make Me Wait" and "Shape of My Heart/Lucid Dreams" at the Tiny Desk.

Follow NPR Music:

July 10, 2019 | Josh Rogosin -- Sting and Shaggy might not be the most likely musical pairing. But one thing is certain, they love playing each other's music. On a bright autumn morning, the legends arrived at the NPR Music office bleary-eyed yet excited to play for the diverse staff of Shaggy and Sting fans. What surprised many of my NPR colleagues is just how well the collaboration works.

Their success as a duo shouldn't come as a total shock. After all, pulsing through many Police songs (Sting's famed band of the '70s and '80s) is a Reggae backbeat. It's impossible not to hear the influence in classics like "Walking On The Moon" and "So Lonely."

Shaggy (zoinks! - his nom de guerre comes from the Scooby-Doo cartoon character) was born in Kingston, Jamaica. He moved to New York when he was 18 and his music evokes only good vibes. The positive energy he brought to their opening song, "Englishman [and Jamaican] In New York," had everyone in the room grinning ear to ear, "early morning Reggae style," as he put it. After the tune, Sting announced "I never sang that song before 8 PM... Ever!"

Sting's familiar, raspy voice was accompanied by his battered 1957 Fender Precision bass he's plucked for over 25 years. His long-time guitarist and collaborator, Dominic Miller, strummed Reggae offbeats on acoustic guitar and co-wrote the hauntingly beautiful "Shape Of My Heart." That song is mashed-up with Juice Wrld's "Lucid Dream," sung by Gene Noble, offering a refreshing counter to Sting's nuanced melody.

Shaggy affectionately refers to his collaborator as "Stingy," putting his arm around him mid-performance. It's easy to see the comradery that being on the road together affords these veteran musicians, to say nothing of the breath of fresh air they bring to each other's music.

SET LIST
"Englishman in New York"
"Don't Make Me Wait"
"Shape of My Heart/Lucid Dreams"

MUSICIANS
Sting: vocals, bass, guitar; Shaggy: vocals; Dominic Miller: guitar; Gene Noble: vocals; Melissa Musique: vocals

CREDITS
Producers: Abby O'Neill, Morgan Noelle Smith; Creative Director: Bob Boilen; Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin; Videographers: Morgan Noelle Smith, CJ Riculan, Maia Stern, Beck Harlan; Editor: Kaylee Domzalski; Associate Producer: Bobby Carter; Photo: Cameron Pollack/NPR

[nprmusic]

WIN A TRIP TO SEE A TINY DESK CONCERT!
(enter before 3/28/24 at 11:59pm PT!)

Now the fun fine print stuff...
No purchase or donation required for entry. Void where otherwise restricted or prohibited by law. Must be 18 years or older and a resident of the 50 us states, D.C. or Canada (excluding Quebec)) to enter. Entry deadline is March 28, 2024 at 11:59:59pm pt. Odds depend on the number of entries received. ARV of total prize: $2, 300. Max. 10, 000 entries per person. Official rules, including an alternative free method of entry, can be found at

[Savagefred]

Sting and shaggy is the collaboration that no one asked for, but we are all glad happened

[Hamshrocks]

Whoever paired Sting and Shaggy together is a genius.

[Tvuvtctojfck]

Clear as a studio album. Technician is a true craftsman.

[bensay]

Shaggy’s rhythm is impeccable. Sting’s voice and groove on that bass are butter. Dominic’s playing is perfectly in pocket and his dynamics are unbelievable. The backup singers are a beautiful base for everything else and contribute so much without overtaking anything. The mixing is perfect and the recording engineer is a genius. This is the perfect storm!

[christopheaglaee]

it sounds like two friends singing in a bar, having fun, drinking beers talking about good old time... smooth and natural! thanks NPR!

[dancebnine]

Man this version of “English Man In New York” is the best version I’ve heard. I love this stuff… good job Sting

[LD__]

Englishman in New York done acoustically with stings just sheer brilliance and shaggy added, just incredible didn’t think the song could get any better

[MsAabbo]

Sting stole o my heart back on the 80’s when he was with The Police. All these years later he still takes my breath away❤

[alejandrocelin]

I think this comment is on every Tiny Desk but NPR’s sound mixer is a beast. One hell of a job mixing that bass, not too loud but not too quiet either. Blends in really good with the voices. Love your work whoever you are.

[jefblomme]

I used to be a fan, but after this masterpiece I'm a whole air conditioner

[BAYoungblood]

Shaggy holding down the bass harmony on shape of my heart was great. This was an amazing combo.

[Jdoe]

Listened to all Tiny Desk and this is the best by a mile. Listened to this hundreds of times over the years. Brilliant pairing

[nocuh]

Unexpected and appreciated, like Sting's voice continuing to age like wine

[SoyeboIbukun]

Man, the backup vocalists are so incredible

[sj]

This is the duo we never knew we needed.

[iamtomkills]

I think my mind just turned to jam. Do you ever watch a live performance and cry for no reason ? Astonishing.

[MidnightEscapist]

0:00 Englishman/Jamaican in New York
4:25 Don't make me wait
8:35 Shape of My Heart/Lucid Dreams
The result: Best NPR concert ever!

[gomezmatienzosantiago]

As soon as Shaggy said: "Stinga, singa"
I knew this was the best NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert ever produced.

[cesar_]

I just never ever get tired of listening to this mini concert with Sting, Shaggy and the guy singing back vocals and his solo.