Love Is the Seventh Wave

"Love Is the Seventh Wave" is a hit single from Sting's 1985 solo debut album The Dream of the Blue Turtles. It was released as the album's second single in the UK, and the third single in the US.

"Love Is the Seventh Wave"
Single by Sting
from the album The Dream of the Blue Turtles
B-side	Consider Me Gone (live) (Europe) Fortress Around Your Heart / Dream of the Blue Turtles (USA)
Released	9 August 1985 (UK)[1]
Genre	Pop rock ska
Length	3:30
Label	A&M
Songwriter(s)	Sting
Producer(s)	Sting and Peter Smith
Sting singles chronology
"If You Love Somebody Set Them Free" (1985) "Love Is the Seventh Wave" (1985) "Fortress Around Your Heart" (1985)
Music video
Love Is The Seventh Wave on YouTube

Song information

The song concludes with a brief, self-mocking reference to Sting's biggest hit song with The Police, "Every Breath You Take". "At the end I sing, 'Every cake you bake, every leg you break'. I quite like using the songs as a modular system where you can mix and match lines from different songs. It's a tradition now".^[2]

Reception

Cash Box said that "the lilting rhythmic push and tropical melodic line...recalls Police-like efforts, but Branford Marsalis’ soprano sax coloring and the overall blending of instruments make this another appealing Sting solo success."^[3] Billboard said that it integrates "reggae influence" with "jazz chops."^[4]

Music video

The music video portrays Sting as a primary school teacher (his day job prior to pursuing a music career), who performs amidst his students' artwork.

The artwork was supplied by students at Latchmere Junior School, Kingston-upon-Thames, in the United Kingdom.

Single release

The single contains a different mix of the song from the album. It also features a live version of "Consider Me Gone", which was recorded at the Mogador Theatre in Paris in May 1985.

Track listings

7" US single (AM-2787)

1. "Love Is the Seventh Wave" (Single Version) – 3:45
2. "The Dream of the Blue Turtles" – 1:15

12" UK single (AMY 272)

1. "Love Is the Seventh Wave" (New Mix) – 4:05
2. "Consider Me Gone" (Live) – 4:45

12" US single (SP-12153)

1. "Love Is the Seventh Wave" (New Mix) – 4:05
2. "Fortress Around your heart" (Album Version) – 4:48
3. "Dream of the blue turtles" – 1:15

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1985)	Peak position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[5]	57
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[6]	19
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[7]	38
France (SNEP)[8]	30
Ireland (IRMA)[9]	25
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[10]	7
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[11]	10
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[12]	17
UK Singles (OCC)[13]	41
US Billboard Hot 100[14]	17

Cover versions

The song was covered by Canadian band, The Duhks. It is a bonus track on their eponymous album, released in 2005.

References

1. "Music Week" (PDF). p. 16.
2. "Love Is The Seventh Wave, 7"". Sting.com. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
3. "Single Releases" (PDF). Cash Box. 2 November 1985. p. 15. Retrieved 2 August 2022.
4. "Reviews". Billboard. 2 November 1985. p. 73. Retrieved 2 August 2022.
5. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 295. ISBN 0-646-11917-6. N.B. The Kent Report chart was licensed by ARIA between mid-1983 and 12 June 1988.
6. "Sting – Love Is The Seventh Wave" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
7. Canada Top Singles RPM
8. "Sting – Love Is The Seventh Wave" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
9. "Chart Track: Week 30, 1985". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
10. "Nederlandse Top 40 – Sting" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
11. "Sting – Love Is The Seventh Wave" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
12. "Sting – Love Is The Seventh Wave". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
13. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
14. "Sting Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 8 December 2023.

• Love Is the Seventh Wave