Desert Rose (Sting song)

2000 single by Sting

"Desert Rose"

Single by Sting featuring Cheb Mami
from the album  Brand New Day
Released| 17 January 2000 (2000-01-17)
Genre| Worldbeat
Length|

* 4:45 (album version)
* 3:55 (radio edit)

Label| A&M
Songwriter(s)|

* Sting (English)
* Cheb Rabah (Rabah Zerradine) (Arabic)[1]

Producer(s)|

* Sting
* Kipper

Sting singles chronology
| "Brand New Day"
(1999)  | "Desert Rose"
(2000)  | "After the Rain Has Fallen"
(2000)

|
|

Music video
"Desert Rose" on YouTube

"Desert Rose" is a song co-authored by British musician Sting and Algerian songwriter Cheb Rabah (Rabah Zarradine), featuring Algerian raï singer Cheb Mami, from Sting's sixth solo studio album, Brand New Day (1999). According to Sting, the lyrics have to do with "lost love and longing".[2] Riding a wave of pre-9/11 interest in Latin and Arabic cultures,[3][4][5] "Desert Rose" peaked at No. 2 in Canada, No. 3 in Switzerland, No. 4 in Italy, No. 15 in the United Kingdom, and No. 17 in the United States.

## Background

[edit]

In 1998, Sting had listened to one of Cheb Mami's albums, which prompted him to see Mami perform live in Bercy with Khaled, Rachid Taha, and Steve Hillage. After his experience at the concert, Sting wrote the instrumentation to "Desert Rose", which later informed the direction of the lyrics.[6] He then asked Mami to improvise some Arabic words over the his melody. Mami returned with some lyrics in Arabic script for the song's raï descant, which he developed without knowing what Sting had written for the lyrics. Sting was unable to understand what Mami was singing, so he inquired about the lyrical content. Mami explained that his lyrics were about longing, which also aligned with the lyrics that Sting had created.[7]

Sting said that the two sets of lyrics pertained to "the same subject, although not line for line." He further stated that the "I dream of rain/I dream of gardens in the desert sand" lyric related to romantic longing, lustful longing, and longing for a divine deity. Sting referred to the song "an interesting experiment" and noted how the song "dovetails too, almost as if he sings something and I translate it."[7] Dominic Miller, who played guitars on "Desert Rose", said that his contributions to the song amounted to a composite of layered guitar parts that were assembled and rearranged by various producers. He believed that his guitar overdubs were not central to "Desert Rose" and instead described the song as "production driven".[8]

Upon the song's release as the second single from Brand New Day, radio programmers were initially hesitant to play "Desert Rose".[9] A representative from A&M Records had previously been unsuccessful in lobbying Sting to remove the song's Arabic intro on the grounds that it might alienate American audiences.[10] The car company Jaguar noticed that the music video for "Desert Rose" featured Sting in a Jaguar S and offered to air portions of the music video in some of its commercials.[9][11] Following an $18.5 million investment into these commercials, radio programmers began to play the song more frequently, which also bolstered the sales of its parent album.[9]

Sting was initially reluctant to support the use of "Desert Rose" in the adverts as he feared that the Jaguar partnership would run contrary to his support for environmentalism. "Luckily, I had just planted 50,000 trees; I'm told that balances my carbon debt for any Jaguars I might have been responsible for selling."[9] Sting told Saga magazine in 2002 that he was "happy and surprised that the song did so well. For starters, it begins in Arabic - and there aren't many pop songs in the Western world that do so." He also believed that the Arabic intro was a "calculated risk" and thought that its inclusion elicited further interest in the song.[10]

## Reception

[edit]

Brand New Day received moderate to positive reviews,[12][13][14] with one critic calling it "world-beat".[13] Sting took issue with the classification of Brand New Day as "world music", although he acknowledged the North African feel of "Desert Rose".[15] Reviewers noted that the "exotic"[16] song differed from the rest of the album,[12] and cited it as one of Brand New Day's highlights.[16]

## Music video

[edit]

The music video was directed by Paul Boyd in October 1999[17] and features Sting taking a trip through the Mojave Desert in a Jaguar S-Type driven by a masked female chauffeur while recording himself on a JVC GR-DVX4 video camera, and then going to a nightclub in Las Vegas to perform the song with Cheb Mami, a violinist and two DJs in front of a dancing crowd. Scenes also feature Sting walking alone in the desert holding the camera up and shots of the various patrons of the nightclub. It ends with a shot of Sting with his eyes shut (possibly asleep) in the back seat of the Jaguar, which is then seen driving off into the distance. After shooting the video, Sting's manager Miles Copeland III approached a music licensing maven, Lloyd Simon,[citation needed] to work with Jaguar on a collaboration, and the auto company featured the video in their prominent television advertisements during the year 2000.[9]

## Remixes

[edit]

Also included on the single releases were club remixes by Victor Calderone. One remixed version of the song was used in an alternative edit of the video, which included more sexually explicit footage.[citation needed] The song was later re-released on Sting's later album Duets.[18]

## Track listings

[edit]

UK CD1 (497 240-2)

1. "Desert Rose (radio edit)" – 3:55
2. "If You Love Somebody Set Them Free" (live at the Universal Amphitheatre, Los Angeles) – 4:27
3. "Fragile" (live at the Universal Amphitheatre, Los Angeles) – 4:10
4. "Desert Rose" video (CD-ROM)

UK CD2 (497 241-2)

1. "Desert Rose (Melodic Club Mix radio edit)" – 4:47
2. "Desert Rose (Melodic Club Mix)" – 9:21
3. "Desert Rose (Filter Dub Mix)" – 5:21
4. "Desert Rose (Melodic Club Mix)" video (CD-ROM)

UK 12-inch (497 241-1)

1. "Desert Rose (Melodic Club Mix)"
2. "Desert Rose (Filter Dub Mix)"
3. "Desert Rose" (original)

US CD (0694973212)

1. "Desert Rose (radio edit)" – 3:54
2. "Desert Rose (Melodic Club Mix radio edit)" – 4:44
3. "Brand New Day (Murlyn Extended Mix)" – 5:01
4. "Brand New Day (Murlyn Radio Mix)" – 3:54

Europe CD (497 233-2)

1. "Desert Rose (radio edit)" – 3:54
2. "Desert Rose (Melodic Club Mix)" – 9:20
3. "Desert Rose (Melodic Club Mix radio edit)" – 4:44
4. "Brand New Day (Murlyn Mix)" – 5:01
5. "Brand New Day" video (CD-ROM)

## Charts

[edit]

### Weekly charts

[edit]

Weekly chart performance for "Desert Rose"  | Chart (2000)  | Peak
position

|

Australia (ARIA)[19] | 67
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[20] | 6
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[21] | 11
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[22] | 7
Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)[23] | 2
Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)[24] | 23
Czech Republic (IFPI)[25] | 8
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[26] | 3
France (SNEP)[27] | 6
Germany (GfK)[28] | 7
Greece (IFPI)[29] | 1
Hungary (Mahasz)[30] | 7
Ireland (IRMA)[31] | 27
Italy (FIMI)[32] | 4
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[33] | 29
Portugal (AFP)[34] | 1
Scotland (OCC)[35] | 19
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[36] | 3
UK Singles (OCC)[37] | 15
US Billboard Hot 100[38] | 17
US Adult Alternative Songs (Billboard)[39] | 1
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[40] | 22
US Adult Pop Airplay (Billboard)[41] | 3
US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[42] | 5
US Dance Singles Sales (Billboard)[43]
Victor Calderone remix | 1
US Pop Airplay (Billboard)[44] | 19
2025 weekly chart performance for "Desert Rose"  Chart (2025)  | Peak
position

|

Romania Airplay (TopHit)[45] | 86

### Year-end charts

[edit]

Year-end chart performance for "Desert Rose"  | Chart (2000)  | Position

|

Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[46] | 27
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[47] | 33
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[48] | 19
France (SNEP)[49] | 27
Germany (Official German Charts)[50] | 32
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[51] | 17
US Billboard Hot 100[52] | 50
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[53] | 44
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[54] | 8
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[55] | 68
US Maxi-Singles Sales (Billboard)[56] | 2
US Triple-A (Billboard)[57] | 1
Chart (2001)  | Position

|

US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[58] | 54
US Maxi-Singles Sales (Billboard)[59] | 14
Chart (2002)  | Position

|

Brazil (Crowley)[60] | 93
US Maxi-Singles Sales (Billboard)[61] | 22
Year-end chart performance for "Desert Rose" / "Brand New Day"  Chart (2001)  | Position

|

Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)[62] | 36
Chart (2002)  | Position

|

Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)[63] | 91

## Release history

[edit]

Release dates and formats for "Desert Rose"  Region  | Date  | Format(s)  | Label(s)  | Ref(s).

|
|
|
|

United Kingdom  | 17 January 2000  |

* CD
* cassette

| A&M | [2][64]
Japan  | 9 February 2000  | CD  | [65]
United States  | 6 March 2000  | Hot adult contemporary radio  | [66][67]
Japan  | 1 May 2000  | CD  | [68]
United States  | 2 May 2000  | Contemporary hit radio | [69]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Rai star Cheb Mami fined 200,000 euros for plagiarism". 13 July 2015. Archived from the original on 31 March 2024. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
2. ^ a b "Sting Discography: Desert Rose, CD". sting.com. Archived from the original on 8 August 2013. Retrieved 12 June 2014.
3. ^ Irwin, Dan (31 August 2008). "Sultan Rules: Internationally known artist entertains crowd at Syrian picnic". New Castle News. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 27 November 2014. "Sultan cited the success of Sting's "Desert Rose," a 1999 song that climbed to No. 17 on the U.S. charts, as evidence that Western music was ready not only for a Latin influence, but also an Arabic one."
4. ^ Benshoff, Harry (26 August 2011). America on Film: Representing Race, Class, Gender, and Sexuality at the Movies. John Wiley & Sons. p. 159\. ISBN 9781444357592.
5. ^ Karam, Nicoletta (2012). The 9/11 Backlash: A Decade of U.S. Hate Crimes Targeting the Innocent. Beatitude Press. p. 166\. ISBN 9781478230953. "Prior to 9/11, Egyptian pop star Hakim and rai singer Khaled had been contracted to perform in the Desert Roses and Aravian Rhythms Festival [...] In the weeks before the terrorist strikes, the tour had been enjoying good ticket sales as a result of Sting's and Cheb Mami's 1999 hit song, 'Desert Rose,' which brought rai music to American audiences. After 9/11, the musicians decided to discontinue the tour."
6. ^ Konigson, Marc-Emmanuel (8 September 1999). "Sting: The reason for happiness..." Music Up!. Archived from the original on 21 September 2023. Retrieved 9 February 2025 - via Sting.com.
7. ^ a b White, Timothy (18 September 1999). "Sting's French Sojourn Yields 'Brand New Day'" (PDF). Billboard. pp. 5, 127–128 - via World Radio History.
8. ^ "Songs and Albums". dominicmiller.com. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
9. ^ a b c d e Kot, Greg (3 October 2003). "Sting rides again". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on 13 December 2024. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
10. ^ a b Simonart, Serge (January 2002). "In His Tale". Saga. Retrieved 9 February 2025 - via Internet Archive.
11. ^ Rosier, Ben (23 March 2000). "Jaguar teams up with Sting". Campaign. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
12. ^ a b Kot, Greg (10 October 1999). "Recordings: Sting Brand New Day (A&M)". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on 16 November 2018. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
13. ^ a b Willman, Chris (1 October 1999). "Brand New Day Review". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on 5 December 2014. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
14. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Brand New Day". Allmusic. Archived from the original on 11 September 2022. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
15. ^ Peacock, Tim (17 January 2021). "'Desert Rose': The Story Behind Sting's Genre-Defying Hit". udiscovermusic.com. Archived from the original on 16 July 2019. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
16. ^ a b Hilburn, Robert (26 September 1999). "Record Rack: Sting Keeps His Faith in Style". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 9 March 2018. Retrieved 4 February 2012.
17. ^ "Music Director Paul Boyd Gives Us a Few Pointers to Shoot With". talenthouse.com. 19 February 2015. Archived from the original on 7 September 2022. Retrieved 3 October 2020.
18. ^ Brodsky, Rachel (18 March 2021). "Sting review, Duets: Compilation album is a generous reminder of The Police star's incalculable range". The Independent. Archived from the original on 18 March 2021. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
19. ^ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 268.
20. ^ "Sting feat. Cheb Mami – Desert Rose" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
21. ^ "Sting feat. Cheb Mami – Desert Rose" (in Dutch). Ultratip.
22. ^ "Sting feat. Cheb Mami – Desert Rose" (in French). Ultratop 50.
23. ^ "Sting Awards". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 14 January 2016. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
24. ^ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 7193." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
25. ^ "Oficiální Česká Hitparáda – Pro týden" (in Czech). IFPI ČR. Archived from the original on 3 March 2000. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
26. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 17, no. 18\. 29 April 2000. p. 7\. Archived (PDF) from the original on 21 April 2021. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
27. ^ "Sting feat. Cheb Mami – Desert Rose" (in French). Les classement single.
28. ^ "Sting feat. Cheb Mami – Desert Rose" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
29. ^ "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 17, no. 13\. 25 March 2000. p. 13\. Archived (PDF) from the original on 19 June 2020. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
30. ^ "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 17, no. 20\. 13 May 2000. p. 13\. Archived (PDF) from the original on 17 June 2020. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
31. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Desert Rose". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
32. ^ "Sting feat. Cheb Mami – Desert Rose". Top Digital Download.
33. ^ "Sting feat. Cheb Mami – Desert Rose" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
34. ^ "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 17, no. 29\. 15 July 2000. p. 9\. Archived (PDF) from the original on 9 June 2020. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
35. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
36. ^ "Sting feat. Cheb Mami – Desert Rose". Swiss Singles Chart.
37. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
38. ^ "Sting Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
39. ^ "Sting Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
40. ^ "Sting Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
41. ^ "Sting Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
42. ^ "Sting Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
43. ^ "Sting Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
44. ^ "Sting Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
45. ^ "Top Radio Hits Romania Weekly Chart: Apr 3, 2025". TopHit. Retrieved 4 April 2025.
46. ^ "Jahreshitparade Singles 2000". austriancharts.at (in German). Archived from the original on 7 January 2019. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
47. ^ "Rapports annuels 2000" (in French). Ultratop. Archived from the original on 19 October 2019. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
48. ^ "Year in Focus – Eurochart Hot 100 Singles 2000" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 17, no. 52\. 23 December 2000. p. 9\. Archived (PDF) from the original on 15 June 2020. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
49. ^ "Tops de L'année | Top Singles 2000" (in French). SNEP. Archived from the original on 7 February 2021. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
50. ^ "Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts 2000" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Archived from the original on 9 May 2015. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
51. ^ "Swiss Year-End Charts 2000" (in German). Archived from the original on 4 July 2019. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
52. ^ "Billboard Top 100 – 2000". Archived from the original on 4 March 2009. Retrieved 31 August 2010.
53. ^ "The Best of 2000: Most Played Adult Contemporary Songs". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 8, no. 51\. 22 December 2000. p. 50.
54. ^ "The Year in Music 2000: Hot Adult Top 40 Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 112, no. 53\. 30 December 2000. p. YE-99.
55. ^ "Most Played Mainstream Top 40 Songs of 2000". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 8, no. 51\. 22 December 2000. p. 54.
56. ^ "The Year in Music 2000: Hot Dance Maxi-Singles Sales". Billboard. Vol. 112, no. 53\. 30 December 2000. p. YE-60.
57. ^ "The Best of 2000: Most Played Triple-A Songs". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 8, no. 51\. 22 December 2000. p. 44.
58. ^ "Most-Played Adult Top 40 Songs of 2001". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 9, no. 51\. 21 December 2001. p. 54.
59. ^ "The Year in Music 2001: Hot Dance Maxi-Singles Sales". Billboard. Vol. 113, no. 52\. 29 December 2001. p. YE-49.
60. ^ "Brazilian Top 100 Year-End 2002". Crowley Broadcast Analysis. 3 April 2018. Archived from the original on 6 January 2024. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
61. ^ "The Year in Music 2002: Hot Dance Maxi-Singles Sales". Billboard. Vol. 114, no. 52\. 28 December 2002. p. YE-53.
62. ^ "Canada's Top 200 Singles of 2001". Jam!. Archived from the original on 26 January 2003. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
63. ^ "Canada's Top 200 Singles of 2002". Jam!. 14 January 2003. Archived from the original on 6 September 2004. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
64. ^ "New Releases – For Week Starting 17 January, 2000: Singles". Music Week. 15 January 2000. p. 19.
65. ^ "デザート・ローズ | スティング" [Desert Rose | Sting] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on 29 August 2023. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
66. ^ "Going for Adds". Radio & Records. No. 1340\. 3 March 2000. p. 115.
67. ^ "Gavin AC/Hot AC: Impact Dates". Gavin Report. No. 2293\. 25 February 2000. p. 21.
68. ^ "新譜情報" [New Information] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on 16 April 2000. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
69. ^ "Gavin Top 40/Rhythm Crossover: Impact Dates". Gavin Report. No. 2302\. 28 April 2000. p. 15.

## External links

[edit]

* Sting – "Desert Rose" on YouTube

* v
* t
* e

Sting

Studio albums|

* The Dream of the Blue Turtles
* ...Nothing Like the Sun
* The Soul Cages
* Ten Summoner's Tales
* Mercury Falling
* Brand New Day
* Sacred Love
* Songs from the Labyrinth
* If on a Winter's Night...
* Symphonicities
* The Last Ship
* 57th & 9th
* 44/876
* My Songs
* The Bridge

Live albums|

* Bring On the Night
* Acoustic Live in Newcastle
* ...All This Time
* The Journey and the Labyrinth
* Live in Berlin

Compilations|

* Fields of Gold: The Best of Sting 1984–1994
* The Very Best of Sting & The Police
* The Best of 25 Years
* Duets

Extended plays|

* Nada como el sol
* Demolition Man
* Still Be Love in the World

Singles|

* "If You Love Somebody Set Them Free"
* "Love Is the Seventh Wave"
* "Fortress Around Your Heart"
* "Russians"
* "We Work the Black Seam"
* "We'll Be Together"
* "Be Still My Beating Heart"
* "Englishman in New York"
* "Fragile"
* "They Dance Alone (Cueca Solo)"
* "All This Time"
* "Mad About You"
* "It's Probably Me"
* "If I Ever Lose My Faith in You"
* "Seven Days"
* "Fields of Gold"
* "Shape of My Heart"
* "Demolition Man"
* "All for Love"
* "Nothing 'Bout Me"
* "When We Dance"
* "This Cowboy Song"
* "Let Your Soul Be Your Pilot"
* "You Still Touch Me"
* "I Was Brought to My Senses"
* "I'm So Happy I Can't Stop Crying"
* "Brand New Day"
* "Desert Rose"
* "Send Your Love"
* "Whenever I Say Your Name"
* "Stolen Car (Take Me Dancing)"
* "I Can't Stop Thinking About You"
* "The Empty Chair"

Guest singles|

* "Money for Nothing"
* "Take Me Home"
* "On Silent Wings"
* "Rise & Fall"
* "Always on Your Side"
* "Stolen Car"
* "Reste"

Tours|

* Symphonicity Tour
* Back to Bass Tour
* On Stage Together Tour
* Summer 2015 Tour
* Summer 2016 Tour
* 57th & 9th Tour
* My Songs Tour

Theatre|

* The Threepenny Opera
* The Last Ship (musical)

Related articles|

* Discography
* The Police
* Last Exit
* Bring On the Night (film)
* The Living Sea: Soundtrack from the IMAX Film
* Dolphins
* "Until..."
* Dendropsophus stingi
* Feyd-Rautha
* Super Bowl XXXVII halftime show

Family|

* Frances Tomelty (ex-wife)
* Trudie Styler (wife)
* Joe Sumner (son)
* Mickey Sumner (daughter)
* Eliot Sumner (son)

* Category

Authority control databases |

* MusicBrainz work
* MusicBrainz release group

|

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