He’s a very nice man”: Sting reveals about his upcoming collaboration with Snoop Dogg

Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner professionally known as Sting has collaborated with Snoop Dogg for a remix of the hit song Message In A Bottle.

The former member of the popular band, the Police, disclosed this information to BBC Radio 2 on September 7, 2024, before he headlined Preston’s Moor Park stage where he performed Message In A Bottle amongst other songs.

The 72-year-old music icon explained that the reworked version of the hit track featuring Snoop Dogg would be released in November 2024. Sting also added:

"Me and Snoop made a recording of 'Message In A Bottle', which he’s called something else. I played the guitar and I sang on it, but Snoop also sings on this, which is quite a revelation to me."

He also described Snoop Dogg and said:

“He’s a very nice man."

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Sting on his collaboration with Snoop Dogg and his thoughts about his music

The music legend shared that he was surprised by Snoop Dogg's vocals on the remix of Message In A Bottle and spoke very fondly of the Gin and Juice hitmaker. The British singer also shared his thoughts on the remix of his old hit song and his lasting passion for his work. He said:

"I like playing hits, I really do, but you know, it's my job to sing a song I might have written 40 years ago with the same passion, the same curiosity, the same energy as if I'd written it this afternoon, that's my job.''

He further explained how he found new ways to improve his music:

''I always manage to find some little incremental change that I haven't explored before, discovered before that keeps me interested. That's my quest, so you might hear something tonight, might be a mistake.''

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Message In A Bottle song by the Police

The British Rock band, the Police, which consisted of Sting, Andy Summers, and Stewart Copeland released Message In A Bottle in September 1979.

The reggae rock song was released as the lead single from the band’s sophomore studio album, Reggatta de Blanc. The song was written by Sting and explores themes of longing and despair.

The song’s lyrics tell the story of a man trapped on an island who sends out a message in a bottle to seek love. After a year of no response, he despairs and resolves that he is destined to be alone. He later finds a hundred billion bottles on the shore and realizes that others are as lonely as he is.

The first verse begins the story:

"Just a castaway, an island lost at sea, oh/ Another lonely day with no one here but me, oh/ More loneliness than any man could bear/ Rescue me before I fall into despair, oh,"

The second verse continues:

"A year has passed since I wrote my note/ I should have known this right from the start/ Only hope can keep me together/ Love can mend your life, but love can break your heart,"

Message In A Bottle became the first number-one single of the rock band and is ranked by Rolling Stone on the list of the 100 Greatest Guitar Songs of All Time.

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Message In A Bottle remix set to be released in November 2024, will add to Snoop Dogg's impressive resume of collaborations with other artists. He had previously collaborated with Dr. Dre, Pharrell Williams, Wiz Khalifa and Katy Perry, amongst others.