Stepping into the ring for the next Montauk Madness battle are a couple of iconic figures from across the pond. Sting (but not The Police) vs. Sinead O’Connor.
Neither of these artists is a slam dunk favorite of mine, but both have put out music I absolutely adore. And both have trailed off later in their careers, making this more of a nostalgia pick.
I’m basically stacking up my three favorite Sting albums (Dream of the Blue Turtles, Nothing Like the Sun and Ten Summoner’s Tales) with my three favorite O’Connor albums (The Lion and the Cobra, I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got and Faith and Courage).
While I love all six of those records, O’Connor comes out ahead just slightly. The emotional intensity in her vocals and the rawness of her lyrics, along with the eclectic musical choices on Lion and Faith in particular, earn her my vote.
[Verse 1]
You’ll remember me when the west wind moves
Upon the fields of barley
You’ll forget the sun in his jealous sky
As we walk in fields of gold
[Verse 2]
So she took her love for to gaze awhile
Upon the fields of barley
In his arms she fell as her hair came down
Among the fields of gold
[Verse 3]
Will you stay with me? Will you be my love?
Upon the fields of barley
We’ll forget the sun in his jealous sky
As we lie in fields of gold
[Verse 4]
See the west wind move like a lover so
Upon the fields of barley
Feel her body rise when you kiss her mouth
Among the fields of gold
[Bridge]
I never made promises lightly
And there have been some that I’ve broken
But I swear in the days still left
We’ll walk in fields of gold
We’ll walk in fields of gold
[Verse 5]
Many years have passed since those summer days
Upon the fields of barley
See the children run as the sun goes down
Among the fields of gold
[Verse 6]
You’ll remember me when the west wind moves
Upon the fields of barley
You can tell the sun in his jealous sky
When we walked in fields of gold
When we walked in fields of gold
When we walked in fields of gold
Meet Me In Montauk 
Admittedly, I haven’t kept up with Sinead since “I Do Not Want…” Still, this one isn’t close for me. My vote goes to Sting and I suspect your posting of today’s song will firm up support for Sting for others as well.
No need to firm up my support. This is among my all time favorite songs, and Sting’s Dream of the Blue Turtles concert remains one of my fondest concert memories (as I recently reflected during the whole 9 I saw, 1 I didn’t nostalgia going round Facebook). Easy call.
Love this song Love Sting
Had to go with Sting on this one. Though I love Sinead O’ Connor’s beautiful and vulnerably lyrics, none of her songs resonate with me nearly as much as “Fields of Gold” or “Fragile”. I also got to give it up to my fellow bassist who is an inspiration in his ability to sing and play at the same time alone.
P.S. I noticed on a quick scan through of the competitions that there was no Childish Gambino and I was curious the reasoning behind that. Though that does make things a bit easier for me :P.
Alas, I don’t have enough affection for Childish Gambino for him to crack this list (I love his first album, mildly dislike his second and haven’t heard his third). I do love him as an actor, though!