“Russians” by Sting

"Russians" sits on The Dream of the Blue Turtles, the 1985 debut solo album from Sting, and went out as a single that November. It's a grave plea against the Cold War standoff and the doctrine of mutual assured destruction, and it came from an unlikely place: late nights at Columbia University watching Soviet children's television through a satellite receiver rigged up by inventor Ken Schaffer, which left Sting struck by how much care the other side put into shows for its kids.

Sting sings lead and plays guitar, with Branford Marsalis on saxophone, Kenny Kirkland on keyboards, Darryl Jones on bass, Omar Hakim on drums, Danny Quatrochi adding Synclavier, and Dolette McDonald and Janice Pendarvis singing backup. He co-produced it with Pete Smith, and he brought it to the stage of the 1986 Grammys.

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