The Geopolitical Relevance Of Misheard Sting Lyrics

As a child, I learned English by listening to Sting’s songs and translating them. I remember being mesmerized by his voice and I also loved how clearly he would pronounce the words, which made it easy for me to understand.

That’s why I was amazed, to say the least, when Stefano told me:

“Dottoré, have I told you that I’m studying English and I learned to sing a Sting song?”

“Really?! What song did you learn?”

“That anti-war song about Napoli!”

“And what song is that? I don't think I know it!”

“What do you mean you don’t know it? The one that says that Russians love their children!!!”

“You mean “Russians”? But it doesn’t mention Naples!”

“Yes it does, I wrote it down! It says: There is no Napoli on common sense.”

“No, no! The right lyrics are: There is no monopoly on common sense / On either side of the political fence.”

"Well I liked my own version better. It was a little more poetic.”

“Meaning what?”

“Meaning that, unfortunately, common sense among politicians is not like in Naples. We can make war between adults, but the kids should not be touched — whether they’re Neapolitan, Russian or American.”

“Stefano, what can I tell you. It may well be that deep down, you are right. Maybe we’ll find that when Sting wrote What might save us me and you. Is if the Russians love their children too, he was thinking of Mario Merola’s famous E figli so piezz'e core… (‘Children are pieces of your heart’).”

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