"Invisible Sun" is a song by British rock band the Police, released as a single in Europe in September 1981.Sutcliffe, Phil (1993). "A Police Discography". In ''Message in a Box: The Complete Recordings'' (pp.60–61) oxed set booklet A&M Records Ltd. It was the first single to be released in the United Kingdom from the album '' Ghost in the Machine'' and it reached on the official chart. The song also reached in Ireland and in the Netherlands. It was not released as a single in the U.S. In most other territories, " Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" was chosen as the lead single from the LP.

Background

Sting said of writing "Invisible Sun": The song's lyrics stem from songwriter Sting's pondering how people living in war-torn and/or impoverished countries find the will to go on living, and despite the dark music and often morbid lyrical statements, the song carries an uplifting and optimistic message. The song was deeply personal for drummer Stewart Copeland, whose hometown of Beirut was being heavily bombed at the time of the song's recording:

Bono Paul David Hewson (born 10 May 1960), known by his stage name Bono (), is an Irish singer-songwriter, activist, and philanthropist. He is the lead vocalist and primary lyricist of the rock band U2. Born and raised in Dublin, he attended M ...

performed duets of it with Sting when U2 and The Police appeared at the same concerts: the first such instance was in 1982 at a festival in

Gateshead Gateshead () is a large town in northern England. It is on the River Tyne's southern bank, opposite Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle to which it is joined by seven bridges. The town contains the Gateshead Millennium Bridge, Millennium Bridge, Sage ...

, England, and two subsequent instances occurred at the last two shows of

Amnesty International Amnesty International (also referred to as Amnesty or AI) is an international non-governmental organization focused on human rights, with its headquarters in the United Kingdom. The organization says it has more than ten million members and sup ...

A Conspiracy of Hope Tour A Conspiracy of Hope was a short tour of six benefit concerts on behalf of Amnesty International that took place in the United States during June 1986. The purpose of the tour was not to raise funds but rather to increase awareness of human rig ...

in 1986. The song is a departure from Police songs before it; "Invisible Sun" contains a dark, looping synthesizer beat, and powerful, haunting lyrics. Among other things, the lyrics refer to the ArmaLite rifle used by paramilitary organisations, but mainly by the Provisional Irish Republican Army. The music video for "Invisible Sun" features a collection of video clips taken from the conflict in Northern Ireland. Owing to its subject matter, it was banned by the BBC.Garbarini, Vic (Spring 2000)
"I think if we came back..."
, ''Revolver''. In 1998, Sting recorded a new version of "Invisible Sun" with the British reggae group

Aswad Aswad are a British reggae group, noted for adding strong R&B and soul influences to the reggae sound. They have been performing since the mid-1970s, having released a total of 21 albums. Their UK hit singles include the number one "Don't Tur ...

. The song was revised as a duet between Sting and vocalist Tony "Gad" Robinson with an upbeat tempo and a prominent horn section. The track was featured in '' The X-Files: The Album'', a promotional

soundtrack album A soundtrack album is any album that incorporates music directly recorded from the soundtrack of a particular feature film or television show. The first such album to be commercially released was Walt Disney's ''Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs'' ...

released to accompany the film '' The X-Files: Fight The Future''.

Composition

"Invisible Sun" is composed in the key of E-flat major/C minor with the verses alternating between these keys. The verses give off an ominous and desperate feeling. The chorus is in G major and is heavier and more bombastic.

Track listings

7": A&M / AMS 8164 (UK) # "Invisible Sun" – 3:35 # "Shambelle" – 5:42 7": A&M / AMS 8164 (NL) # "Invisible Sun" – 3:35 # "Flexible Strategies" – 3:42

Personnel

Sting Sting may refer to: * Stinger or sting, a structure of an animal to inject venom, or the injury produced by a stinger * Irritating hairs or prickles of a stinging plant, or the plant itself Fictional characters and entities * Sting (Middle-eart ...

– bass guitar, keyboards, lead and backing vocals * Andy Summers – guitars, effects * Stewart Copeland – drums

Charts

Certifications

References

{{authority control The Police songs 1981 singles The X-Files music Songs about the military Songs written by Sting (musician) Song recordings produced by Hugh Padgham Songs about The Troubles (Northern Ireland) A&M Records singles 1981 songs Anti-war songs Songs banned by the BBC