Fortress Around Your Heart

Sting

About Fortress Around Your Heart

"Fortress Around Your Heart" is one of four hit singles released from Sting's 1985 solo debut album The Dream of the Blue Turtles. The song was later included on the U. S. release of the Fields of Gold: The Best of Sting 1984–1994 compilation album.


Year:
1986
124 
#1

 Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!

Under the ruins of a walled city
Crumbling towers and beams of yellow light
No flags of truce, no cries of pity
The siege guns had been pounding all through the night
It took a day to build the city
We walked through its streets in the afternoon
As I returned across the field's I'd known
I recognized the walls that I once made
I had to stop in my tracks for fear
Of walking on the mines I'd laid

And if I built this fortress around your heart
Encircled you in trenches and barbed wire
Then let me build a bridge
For I cannot fill the chasm
And let me set the battlements on fire

Then I went off to fight some battle
That I'd invented inside my head
Away so long for years and years
You probably thought or even wished that I was dead
While the armies are all sleeping
Beneath the tattered flag we'd made
I had to stop in my track for fear
Of walking on the mines I'd laid

And if I built this fortress around your heart
Encircled you in trenches and barbed wire
Then let me build a bridge
For I cannot fill the chasm
And let me set the battlements on fire

This prison has now become your home
A sentence you seem prepared to pay
It took a day to build the city
We walked through its streets in the afternoon
As I returned across the fields where I'd once played
I had to stop in my tracks for fear
Of walking on the mines I'd laid

And if I built this fortress around your heart
Encircled you in trenches and barbed wire
Then let me build a bridge
For I cannot fill the chasm
And let me set the battlements on fire

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer


Sting

Gordon Matthew Thomas SumnerCBE (born 2 October 1951), known by his stage name Sting, is an English musician, singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, activist, actor and philanthropist. Prior to starting his solo career, he was the principal songwriter, lead singer and bassist for the rock band The Police. more »

21 fans

Written by: Gordon Sumner

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Song Production
"Fortress Around Your Heart" was released in 1985 as part of Sting's debut solo album, "The Dream of the Blue Turtles."
Song Composition
The melody of this song is unique, featuring unconventional chord progressions and unexpected turns, showcasing Sting's ability as a skilled composer.
Album's Success
The album "The Dream of the Blue Turtles" was extremely successful, achieving multi-platinum status.
Song's Success
"Fortress Around Your Heart" peaked at number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1985.
Lyrical Interpretation
The lyrics of the song reflect on Sting's feelings of guilt about the breakup of his first marriage to Frances Tomelty. The "fortress" is symbolic of the protective barriers one puts up emotionally.
Music Video
The song's music video, directed by Howard Greenhalgh, is distinct, as it features Sting performing on a war-ravaged landscapes, symbolizing the emotional trauma described in the song.
Cover Versions
The song was covered by Australian singer Sia for the 2004 movie "50 First Dates."
Sting's Musical Journey
After leaving the band The Police, Sting pursued a solo career, and "Fortress Around Your Heart" was one of his earliest and most successful solo hits.
Song's Influence
Despite its age, the song remains popular and continues to receive significant radio airplay.
Songwriting Perspective
In regard to songwriting, Sting once said about "Fortress Around Your Heart", that "...'Fortress' was the first one I got, which was kind of about trying to escape from that negativity."

Discuss the Fortress Around Your Heart Lyrics with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "Fortress Around Your Heart Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 30 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/15299624/Sting/Fortress+Around+Your+Heart>.

    Missing lyrics by Sting?

    Know any other songs by Sting? Don't keep it to yourself!

    Watch the song video

    Fortress Around Your Heart

    5M
    16,861     706

    Top Hot 100 Songs 1985

    Billboard #8


    Browse Lyrics.com

    Quiz

    Are you a music master?

    »
    What year did The Beatles break up?
    A 1972
    B 1970
    C 1971
    D 1968

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant explanation for any lyrics that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant explanation for any acronym or abbreviation that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Don't miss Sting's

    Upcoming Events

    »
    • Thu • May 09 • 8:00 PM
      Mahaffey Theater, Saint Petersburg, FL
    • Thu • Jun 06 • 6:00 PM
      ERGO ARENA, Gdańsk/Sopot
    • Fri • Jun 07 • 6:00 PM
      Atlas Arena, Łódź
    • Tue • Jun 18 • 5:00 PM
      Virgin Media Park, Tramore Rd Cork
    • Wed • Jun 19 • 6:00 PM
      Ormeau Park, Belfast
    Sting tracks

    On Radio Right Now

    Loading...

    Powered by OnRad.io


    Think you know music? Test your MusicIQ here!