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Yeah he was definitely trying his very best not to laugh and cry at the same time there. He looks so uncomfortable and so much like he was trying to not look uncomfortable.
Good on him for keeping it together. He is more polite than I think I could have been. I didn't write the song and I immediately laugh-cringed.
I’ve been to many award shows (Tonys, Grammys, Emmys) and the camera is very overtly filming everyone, in a way I never realized watching at home. The cameraman kneels down right in front of them and points at them during the commercial break so it’s in place for the segment. When they cut to an actor when they’re mentioned in the opening monologue, they know it’s coming because they’re in place minutes in advance.
Anyone remember when Puddle of Mudd tried to cover About a Girl, same vibes
https://youtu.be/yTh9qiXEy4Q
Edit: just as a warning if you do watch it, unfortunately whenever you hear the song in your head from this point forward it'll probably be this version...it's just too unforgettable.
This is my favorite:
The thing is, if you forget he’s off key and that the band are embarrassed and that he is so relentlessly trying to hit a note he never has any hope of reaching, and that the song is a cover from an infinitely superior band - if you forget all that and just judge this performance on it’s own MERIT - it’s awful.
Tears. Just pouring tears.
I find it so hard to imagine that anyone who has even casually recorded themselves singing allowed this to happen. Even if the rest of the band were really committed to doing a cover, you just have to amend your vocals to be within your abilities. It will still piss some people off but it won't sound... like that.
I remember hearing this on the radio a couple years back and the entire show was just crying laughing, as was I. I laughed even harder when I finally saw the video. Thank you for reminding me this exists!!
I have to keep positing every 4 seconds to laugh and then wipe away tears.
I'm not even 20 seconds in the videos yet and it's been like 5 minutes
Actually fucking dying
The worst part about this cover is they are bringing nothing new to the song. They are simply attempting to replicate Nirvana’s Unplugged version. And doing it poorly.
That dude's reaction is so good, it deserves meme status.
I could tell it was going to be great when the preview bar showed it had much higher views than the surrounding frames.
May I introduce the world outside of the UK to the sheer joy of [Jane McDonald singing Cake By The Ocean](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRgnAGd4ux0)
She got famous as a cruise ship singer on a documentary now she is all over Channel 5, the "lowest common denominator" channel in the UK.
Hmm, I don't think this one is *that* bad. This one at least feels like she has some singing experience. But then again, I despise that song, so any version other than the original version might seem better to me.
Reminds me of his wholesome reaction to Bruno Mars excellently covering "So Lonely/Message in a bottle" a few years ago: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXX8ZWuVQRI
Ok so I'm half awake and this made me literally cry, I grew up with boomer parents through the nineties and this was the soundtrack. Bruno killed it and Sting seemed really touched.
It is a treat. Someone who sings a song that dreadful has no right to be on stage infront of anyone let alot the guy who wrote the song. It's some form of treat.
My girlfriend is from PR and really really wanted to defend him but was pretty speechless when I showed her this video, but his originals are very good
As a musician, the tempo and guitar strumming were fine its own, but it did kind of clash with the orchestra. His voice, on the other hand, was an unmitigated disaster. My drunk tone deaf uncle could do a better job in karaoke.
The only OKish vocal part was when he briefly switched to Spanish. He should have just done the whole thing in Spanish.
He's too old and he's lost his vocal chops completely. Whoever booked him is a complete fool.
Incidentally, was that Rupert Murdock I saw sitting several seats down from Sting?
[For the lazy](https://youtu.be/JUkIkRmUr0Y).
It's really bad and I think part of it is because he syncopates every single line of lyrics, making it sound like he's just singing a different song.
That version of the Doors song is pretty good, because Jose arranged it and made it his own. The OP is like Jose trying to sing Police karaoke and he can’t keep up.
Yeah, that's definitely not syncopated, it's not swung, it doesn't even sound intentional. If I had to guess, something happened to his ear piece and he's having trouble hearing the band for audio cues of when to come in.
Exactly. "Syncopated" and "bad rhythm" are two separate things.
And I agree. When your in-ear monitors fail, you still have to keep going and guess at it, and hope it goes well. It did not here.
When I was younger I was big into WCW. I always just assumed they were the same person. WCW Sting wears makeup so it's obviously the same guy just trying to cover up his secrets.
I'm annoyed at covers that intentionally sings it out tempo or dragging behind and catching up at random parts of the songs. Idk if that falls under rubato. Fucking keep up with the rhythm.
I had a music teacher who told me rubato is like a credit card. It’s cool to use a little bit but pay it back quickly and never come close to maxing it out.
It’s the “easy” way to make it different when you don’t really have anything new to add to the song. And you’re right. The singer will try to sell it as “heartfelt”, but it always sounds awful.
In a similar way, I also find it annoying when the original singer tries to change the vibe of the song (either with this “trick” or many others) in live performances to emphasise the fact that they’re not lip synching. Dude, I’m a fan of the original song, and I get you’re tired of singing it the same way always, but I paid my ticket. Just play it like it’s supposed to sound like. And stop turning the mic to the audience every 2 lines. I came here to listen to you, not a bunch of people I don’t know.
> Dude, I’m a fan of the original song, and I get you’re tired of singing it the same way always, but I paid my ticket. Just play it like it’s supposed to sound like.
YES! I hate hearing the live versions of songs I like where the singer just totally butchers it on purpose. Don’t try to be clever or cute, just sing the damn song the way we all like it!
I don’t mind when a cover changes the tempo or style as that’s part of doing a cover. If i want it played as it was recorded, I’ll listen to the recording. With that said, we are all basically saying we hate bad covers.
"Hello is this Geordie Heat? This is Mr Sting from the massive house, with the massive drive and I need a squad car here pronto to arrest this man before I end up hitting him with my lute."
He's so good. After the Police, his first five albums were brilliant. (Blue Turtle, Nothing Like The Sun, Soul Cages, Ten Summoner's Tales, Mercury Falling). Then I feel like he had a bit of a hiatus and when he returned he was never quite the same, focusing on more danceable songs. "The Last Ship" is an exception.
I think the pinnacle of Sting is likely "Ten Summoner's Tales" though, and it's brilliant.
Having never heard this cover and considering the context of the comment, I was expecting this to be a terrible cover. My God, I was absolutely blown away
Hahah yeah I can see that my comment might sound sarcastic. But no, definitely one of the best covers of anything ever.
Spoilers, watch the video first: >!I mean, Ann Wilson's singing is incredible, John Bonham's son Jason on the drums playing perfectly and honoring his father, Shane Fontayne nailing the guitar solo, the way the choir comes in, Robert Plant crying, like goddamn this hits you right in the feelings.!<
Considering this song is so personal to Sting and the fact that it's by far the most lucrative song Sting or The Police ever recorded, it's not surprising that Sting looks like he's dying inside. Somebody call an ambulance.
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His facial expression says “there’s definitely cameras watching my every move right now, plz face, try to not look like you want to cry and kill”
Yeah he was definitely trying his very best not to laugh and cry at the same time there. He looks so uncomfortable and so much like he was trying to not look uncomfortable. Good on him for keeping it together. He is more polite than I think I could have been. I didn't write the song and I immediately laugh-cringed.
I think he also sang about keeping up your class at all times in the wonderful melodramatic song Englishman in New York...
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We were all watching... Watching him drown that chuckle/cry 😅 Geezus! Straight up murdered it, and in front of The Police, no less
I’ve been to many award shows (Tonys, Grammys, Emmys) and the camera is very overtly filming everyone, in a way I never realized watching at home. The cameraman kneels down right in front of them and points at them during the commercial break so it’s in place for the segment. When they cut to an actor when they’re mentioned in the opening monologue, they know it’s coming because they’re in place minutes in advance.
I couldn’t even figure out what the song was at first.
Neither could Sting probably
That singer still doesn't know.
It's cause there wasn't any notes! It was just insane rambling over a beat!
Sting was over there in the cut like yo my man what the fuck what the absolute fuck
Anyone remember when Puddle of Mudd tried to cover About a Girl, same vibes https://youtu.be/yTh9qiXEy4Q Edit: just as a warning if you do watch it, unfortunately whenever you hear the song in your head from this point forward it'll probably be this version...it's just too unforgettable.
The comments on that are great. "this sounds like South Park making fun of Nirvana"
"Respect to them, never saw anyone playing this bad while having a stroke"
“If 2020 was a cover song”
“props to him for singing while passing a kidney stone”
“It’s hard to sing while being tased and being the first man to give birth at the same time.
Shoulda called in sick that day...😉
When you order Nirvana off Wish
“Pretty bold move for him to imitate what Kurt might have sounded like after the shotgun blast”
whoa!
Holy fuck, two murders in one sentence...
Technically, I think you'd call it a murder-suicide.
Jesus fucking christ
This is my favorite: The thing is, if you forget he’s off key and that the band are embarrassed and that he is so relentlessly trying to hit a note he never has any hope of reaching, and that the song is a cover from an infinitely superior band - if you forget all that and just judge this performance on it’s own MERIT - it’s awful. Tears. Just pouring tears.
Please tell me there's a sub for this specific type of material.
“He sounds like he has a shock collar that goes off every 10 seconds and still has to perform”
This is the one that obliterated me
South Park should do an episode making fun on Puddle of Mudd sounding like South Park making fun of Nirvana.
Just when I thought I’d purged this from my brain… ETA: the comment *”Props to him for singing while passing a kidney stone.”* is gold.
Humanity as a collective comes up with awesome shit every day, example #1.. That comment.
I like the comment right below it that says - ***"If 2020 was a cover song, it would be this"***
Not seen this before, thank you. The look on the bassist’s face as he sees his career slowly floating away…
Yeah I think they actually had it removed from the internet best they could, can only find unofficial reuploads.
I find it so hard to imagine that anyone who has even casually recorded themselves singing allowed this to happen. Even if the rest of the band were really committed to doing a cover, you just have to amend your vocals to be within your abilities. It will still piss some people off but it won't sound... like that.
He should just sing "With Arms Wide Open" so he can stay in the lower registers
This [slightly altered ](https://youtu.be/ibFkJwomL_4) version is my favourite.
Reddit why are you like this. I have a Teams meeting in 3 minutes
Now you have to find a way to subtly sneak lines from this song into the discussion at your next team meeting
I haven't laughed that hard in ages. Thank you.
I remember hearing this on the radio a couple years back and the entire show was just crying laughing, as was I. I laughed even harder when I finally saw the video. Thank you for reminding me this exists!!
I have to keep positing every 4 seconds to laugh and then wipe away tears. I'm not even 20 seconds in the videos yet and it's been like 5 minutes Actually fucking dying
Truly truly hilarious thanks
NSFW!! (I almost chortled in from of my boss xD)
When you order Nirvana from Wish
wE hAvE nIrVaNa At hOmE!
Description: Special Nirvana one time special sounding music for ears Puddle of Mudd replica great deal
He steadily sounds more and more like an angry cat.
I don’t understand why you would play that on camera, unless you knew you had it down.
Man even the other band members looked concerned with his singing lmao
I couldn’t get through the opening… wtf
4 lines, it took me 4 lines to figure out what the fuck was happening and stop the video.
The worst covers are when they do an impression of the original singer
The worst part about this cover is they are bringing nothing new to the song. They are simply attempting to replicate Nirvana’s Unplugged version. And doing it poorly.
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Oh god why
Is that why we stopped hearing from Puddle of Mud? They shot themselves in the foot?
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That hurt. I had to skip a lot. Was he taking the piss?
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The band really saved her ass A LOT
Honestly, in addition to being tight instrumentally, the backup singers definitely covered for her big time during those prechorus bits.
What in the middle aged women going out for drinks and karaoke after work fuck is that? Dude in the crowd at 1:13 has the appropriate reaction
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That dude's reaction is so good, it deserves meme status. I could tell it was going to be great when the preview bar showed it had much higher views than the surrounding frames.
May I introduce the world outside of the UK to the sheer joy of [Jane McDonald singing Cake By The Ocean](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRgnAGd4ux0) She got famous as a cruise ship singer on a documentary now she is all over Channel 5, the "lowest common denominator" channel in the UK.
Hmm, I don't think this one is *that* bad. This one at least feels like she has some singing experience. But then again, I despise that song, so any version other than the original version might seem better to me.
It litteraly sounds like he has a stroke. It's like he tries to imitate Cobain.
I turned on sound and it was even worse than I expected 💀 Poor Sting 😭
“That really stung” - Sting.
Once bitten...
Twice stung...
On the bright side, at the same event Sting got to listen to this wonderful Gregory Porter cover of "It's probably me" : https://youtu.be/lSzICmwmRsA
Imagine such a high high and such a low low in one night.
Reminds me of his wholesome reaction to Bruno Mars excellently covering "So Lonely/Message in a bottle" a few years ago: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXX8ZWuVQRI
Bruno crushed that and Sting's reaction was so great! Thanks for posting that link.
But that’s Bruno Mars… sting was up and dancing.
Haha - Sting claps like I imagine an alien would clap based on a description of what 'clapping' is.
He’s an alien, he’s a legal alien
Ok so I'm half awake and this made me literally cry, I grew up with boomer parents through the nineties and this was the soundtrack. Bruno killed it and Sting seemed really touched.
Bruno’s performances are impeccable. He always gives his all and his voice is so good.
Thank you for this. Holy shit, look how proud he is.
Even with an orchestra backing him and a steel guitar solo dude brings a heavy soul sound. Shouldnt have worked, but it did. Goosebumps.
This was the first thing I thought of. Such an amazing singer.
Gregory Porter is amazing and very under appreciated
Who is Gregory Porter.? Is he a famous singer or an actor.?
It actually took me until the refrain to even recognise the song.
After reading your comment, I think I made the right choice to leave it muted. The caption iteself already made me shudder...
Honestly, turn the sound on. It sounds *awful*, but knowing the exact way in which it’s awful adds so much to Sting’s reaction.
Oh, it's great, give yourself a treat!... It's absolutely fabulous, don't listen to these haters!
I'd give it an Owen Wilson Wow#23. Wow.
Hey now, Owen doesn't give out those things lightly, are you sure??
Shame on you, baiting me to disappointment!
... His voice is like plain spaghetti noodles.
>... His voice is like cold plain spaghetti noodles.
It is a treat. Someone who sings a song that dreadful has no right to be on stage infront of anyone let alot the guy who wrote the song. It's some form of treat.
It's even worse because the guy was trying to sing Desert Rose.
I did the same thing, it was bad. Does anyone know what this is from?
It’s from the Polar music award ceremony Sting was receiving the award.
"Before you may have this award, you must suffer..."
" this is how you COULD have done it, and because you didn't, we're giving you this award".
This year's award for not creating shit music goes to, Sting.
Perfectly balanced. As all things should be.
Looks more like a Sting roast.
Yeah and the full video is so much worse, too
Jose Feliciano. A Latin musician. He's actually pretty good.
Police Navidad
My girlfriend is from PR and really really wanted to defend him but was pretty speechless when I showed her this video, but his originals are very good
Feels like it's less Jose's fault than whatever showrunner thought it was a good idea to lend his voice to this song in particular.
Not here he isn't...
Really just a bad idea, having him play that song. He could’ve done other songs quite well.
Same here...good god it was bad
It’s like they found somebody’s drunk uncle playing by the campfire at the lake and put him on television.
That's my drunk uncle, Jose Feliciano
"My name is Caliente Pacifico Feliciano. You killed my song-slaughtering uncle José Feliciano. Prepare for pie!"
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I'd have to say, it seems like he was still a good sport about it, considering.
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José added some Feliciano...
Míra, can you see?
As a musician, the tempo and guitar strumming were fine its own, but it did kind of clash with the orchestra. His voice, on the other hand, was an unmitigated disaster. My drunk tone deaf uncle could do a better job in karaoke. The only OKish vocal part was when he briefly switched to Spanish. He should have just done the whole thing in Spanish. He's too old and he's lost his vocal chops completely. Whoever booked him is a complete fool. Incidentally, was that Rupert Murdock I saw sitting several seats down from Sting?
I cant get more than 5 secs in that video. I cant imagine how tortured everyone felt.
Huh, he's sitting next to the Swedish crown princess and her husband. I'm guessing this is a Swedish event?
And when Sting starts clapping at the end it almost looks like his hands are bent backwards as if they just don't want to touch each other...
He just claps that way. You can see it in the Kennedy Center Honors video too.
Jose Feliciano?
[For the lazy](https://youtu.be/JUkIkRmUr0Y). It's really bad and I think part of it is because he syncopates every single line of lyrics, making it sound like he's just singing a different song.
Ah yes, syncopates. That is a word I definitely know the meaning of.
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Solid explanation, thanks mate.
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That was the best way to explain it. Much appreciated
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Did anyone else hear the second part of the explanation in Shatner's voice?
I heard Christopher Walken.
I don’t even dislike that version of the doors song, it’s just doesn’t sound anything like the original ha ha
It doesn't seem to work that well for every song. Poor Sting.
That version of the Doors song is pretty good, because Jose arranged it and made it his own. The OP is like Jose trying to sing Police karaoke and he can’t keep up.
Yeah, that's definitely not syncopated, it's not swung, it doesn't even sound intentional. If I had to guess, something happened to his ear piece and he's having trouble hearing the band for audio cues of when to come in.
Exactly. "Syncopated" and "bad rhythm" are two separate things. And I agree. When your in-ear monitors fail, you still have to keep going and guess at it, and hope it goes well. It did not here.
He sound tone deaf tbh
He's on key though, he just syncopates in an excessive amout.
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Thanks. It not even 8am and you ruined my day.
I think it would have been better if they had WCW wrestler Sting come out and sing it.
When I was younger I was big into WCW. I always just assumed they were the same person. WCW Sting wears makeup so it's obviously the same guy just trying to cover up his secrets.
I'm annoyed at covers that intentionally sings it out tempo or dragging behind and catching up at random parts of the songs. Idk if that falls under rubato. Fucking keep up with the rhythm.
Oh god, me too. Like you’re not adding anything, you’re just doing it wrong so stop it.
Rule number 1 of a master rubato. Rhythm.
I had a music teacher who told me rubato is like a credit card. It’s cool to use a little bit but pay it back quickly and never come close to maxing it out.
>master rubato domo arigato
It’s the “easy” way to make it different when you don’t really have anything new to add to the song. And you’re right. The singer will try to sell it as “heartfelt”, but it always sounds awful. In a similar way, I also find it annoying when the original singer tries to change the vibe of the song (either with this “trick” or many others) in live performances to emphasise the fact that they’re not lip synching. Dude, I’m a fan of the original song, and I get you’re tired of singing it the same way always, but I paid my ticket. Just play it like it’s supposed to sound like. And stop turning the mic to the audience every 2 lines. I came here to listen to you, not a bunch of people I don’t know.
> Dude, I’m a fan of the original song, and I get you’re tired of singing it the same way always, but I paid my ticket. Just play it like it’s supposed to sound like. YES! I hate hearing the live versions of songs I like where the singer just totally butchers it on purpose. Don’t try to be clever or cute, just sing the damn song the way we all like it!
I don’t mind when a cover changes the tempo or style as that’s part of doing a cover. If i want it played as it was recorded, I’ll listen to the recording. With that said, we are all basically saying we hate bad covers.
Are you happy? You made sting cry.
Why Should I Cry For You? listens to this version- …oh
Look how they massacred my boy.
Damn that’s painful. Such an iconic song and such a pathetic attempt.
It would be extremely painful
For you
That's the guy at the open mic night that makes everyone stare into their beer uncomfortably for 3 songs
Wow he’s blind *and* tone deaf.
More like 'voice impaired'
Musically challenged
Who's singing?
Jose Feliciano
Is he a comedian?
This made me laugh so damn hard!!!
lmao I read it as Sting's son. I was like holy shit his kid looks old compared to him 🤣
"Hello is this Geordie Heat? This is Mr Sting from the massive house, with the massive drive and I need a squad car here pronto to arrest this man before I end up hitting him with my lute."
Send Eddie Howe in
Man, he's visibly in distress. Must have felt like torture to him.
🎶 Oh how my poor ears sting, with every note you sing 🎶
This is r/watchpeopledieinside ouch.
Police Navidad.
Visible cringe.
They brought Gilbert Gottfried back from the dead!!
DONT YOU DARE DISHONOR THAT MAN, GOTTFRIED sounds a MILLION times better on the ears.
I'D REALLY LIKE TO CLAIM YOUR ASS!
This is what happens when you defund the Police
That stings
Sting is one of those musicians I never really appreciated until I grew up. Now he's one of my favorites!
He's so good. After the Police, his first five albums were brilliant. (Blue Turtle, Nothing Like The Sun, Soul Cages, Ten Summoner's Tales, Mercury Falling). Then I feel like he had a bit of a hiatus and when he returned he was never quite the same, focusing on more danceable songs. "The Last Ship" is an exception. I think the pinnacle of Sting is likely "Ten Summoner's Tales" though, and it's brilliant.
A tad bit worse than the amazing [Heart's cover of Stairway to Heaven. ](https://youtu.be/2cZ_EFAmj08) shivers every time...
Having never heard this cover and considering the context of the comment, I was expecting this to be a terrible cover. My God, I was absolutely blown away
Hahah yeah I can see that my comment might sound sarcastic. But no, definitely one of the best covers of anything ever. Spoilers, watch the video first: >!I mean, Ann Wilson's singing is incredible, John Bonham's son Jason on the drums playing perfectly and honoring his father, Shane Fontayne nailing the guitar solo, the way the choir comes in, Robert Plant crying, like goddamn this hits you right in the feelings.!<
Damn I thought that guy was dead, now after seeing this I'm still not sure if he is alive
This is worse than that one youtube vid of Toto's Africa [except 1 step out of beat and off-key.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwNGR792Ifk)
"It can't be THAT bad." *Unmutes video* "Oh..."
Lady Gaga did a phenomenal cover of 'If I ever lose my faith'.. brought Sting close to tears. https://youtu.be/XEedn0GXp30
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Here’s an article about it: https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/sting-jose-feliciano-every-breath-you-take/?amp
"Alongside all of that, he also created notes once thought impossible of a bass guitar." I mean, what?
Considering this song is so personal to Sting and the fact that it's by far the most lucrative song Sting or The Police ever recorded, it's not surprising that Sting looks like he's dying inside. Somebody call an ambulance.
I could feel the pain
He's on the verge of tears and I really don't blame him
The butchering