| Let Your Soul Be Your Pilot | |
| Artist: | Sting |
| Album: | Mercury Falling |
| Type: | single |
| Cover: | Let_Your_Soul_Be_Your_Pilot.jpeg |
| Studio: | Lake House (Wiltshire) |
| Genre: | Adult contemporary[1] |
| Length: | 6:43 |
| Released: | 13 February 1996 |
| Label: | A&M |
| Prev Title: | This Cowboy Song |
| Prev Year: | 1995 |
| Year: | 1996 |
| Next Title: | You Still Touch Me |
| Next Year: | 1996 |
"Let Your Soul Be Your Pilot" is a song by the English musician Sting. It was released as the lead single from his fifth solo studio album Mercury Falling on 13 February 1996. The soul-influenced track was inspired by a friend suffering from AIDS, and the impact such an event can have on one's outlook on life.[2]
"Let Your Soul Be Your Pilot" reached the top 20 in Sting's native UK.[3] The song was nominated for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance at the 1997 Grammy Awards.[4]
"Let Your Soul Be Your Pilot" was inspired by a friend of Sting's who was suffering from AIDS. Sting described it as a "song about death, or dealing with death in a way that offers some sort of hope".[2]
Musically, the song was influenced by Stax artists such as Otis Redding; Percy Sledge and Aretha Franklin were also listed as significant influences.[5] Fitting in with this theme, Sting brought in the Memphis Horns to play on the track.[5]
"Let Your Soul Be Your Pilot" became a top 20 hit in the UK, peaking at number 15.[3] The single was less successful in the US, reaching number 86 on the Billboard Hot 100, although it did better on the Adult Alternative Airplay chart, peaking at number 3.[6] It found its greatest success in Canada, where it entered the top 10, reaching number 7.[6]
All tracks written by Sting, except "Someone to Watch Over Me" written by George and Ira Gershwin.
Standard CD single
CD maxi–single (US and Japan)
Remixes by A & G Division