Sting kicked off his Tampa show by performing The Police’s classic hit “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic.” Joel later surprised audiences by joining Sting for an unexpected duet performance of this song.
Tom Teicholz’s new book offers an overview of Billy Joel & Sting’s collaborations. While not offering any new information, it provides an informative read.
1. Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic
Darkly comic family drama about Tarot cards and 1980s hits.
Sting’s performance felt like that of a headliner, even with Shane Sager serving as his opening act and providing vocals and harmonica solos in imitation of Stevie Wonder’s harmonica parts on “Brand New Day.”
They began their co-headlining tour this year with a sold-out show at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. Piano Man will join Stevie Nicks and Rod Stewart for One Night Only events before concluding his long-running monthly residency at Madison Square Garden in July.
2. The Lion Sleeps Tonight
Petco Park sang along to Joel’s anthems as Sting joined them for a jazzy rendition of “Big Man on Mulberry Street,” wearing his trademark hat like Frank Sinatra himself.
“Wimoweh,” recorded by Solomon Linda’s family, became a massive success, yet its story behind “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” offers an interesting example of copyright law’s complex yet opaque world. According to a report from Radio Society (RS), Linda’s descendants generated respectable income from “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.”
3. The Downeaster “Alexa”
Billy Joel has always had an ability to fill any disruption during his shows with music; at his show in Tampa he sang “The Downeaster Alexa,” his tribute to Long Island fishermen.
This song has touched listeners for decades. Though not receiving as many accolades as other Joel songs, this timeless nautical tale remains powerfully emotive. Watch this video.
4. Fields of Gold
Sting and Billy Joel made an unforgettable appearance at Tampa on Saturday, kicking off their co-headlining tour with a memorable duet featuring reggae-fusion star Shaggy for an original song inspired by Scotland’s barley fields.
As The Piano Man danced his acoustic tune, his audience sang along and looked on in amazement. Even as light rain turned into torrential downpour, they didn’t allow it to dampen their spirits; their hearts warmed as the music soothed like an embrace from an old friend.
5. Every Breath You Take
It’s an iconic song and one of the biggest in pop history. This timeless tune has been played repeatedly on radio stations around the globe for an astounding number of years – and counting!
Sting and The Piano Man will co-headline a series of stadium shows this spring and summer featuring Stevie Nicks, Rod Stewart and more. Additionally, Joel will conclude his decade-long Madison Square Garden residency when this tour concludes this July.
Fans had expected Joel to join Sting onstage for “Englishman in New York,” but reggae star Shaggy unexpectedly came onto the stage instead.
6. Big Man on Mulberry Street
Sting’s set at Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium began with an excellent rendition of Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic and, though many expected to see Joel return for Englishman in New York, reggae-fusion artist Shaggy instead took the stage instead.
As soon as the Piano Man took to Petco Park’s stage, a slight drizzle began, turning the crowd into a sea of waterproof ponchos – though no amount of rainfall could dampen their spirits or cover up their smiles! This sold-out crowd was nothing but excited and enthusiastic.
7. New York State of Mind
Petco Park hosted an impressively sold-out audience to witness The Piano Man and Sting for their one-night-only concert, even with raindrops falling. But even that couldn’t dampen spirits or stop people from dancing in the aisles!
Few veteran artists can excite audiences with new material like Joel did with “Turn the Lights Back On.” The melancholic piano ballad earned cheers at every mention of New York. Edelman worked with NYCNext, a nonprofit volunteer organization, to drive earned media attention to the lyric video for “Turn the Lights Back On.”
8. The Entertainer
“The Entertainer” is the 41st level in Piano Tiles 2. When I first played it, I felt overwhelmed by how difficult it was, but eventually through practice and determination I managed to complete it all!
Joel kicked off his set in typical New York fashion, inviting Sting onstage for an energetic performance of “Big Man on Mulberry Street”. Together these rock and roll hall of famers made Tampa proud!