“The Soul Cages” by Sting

“The Soul Cages”, according to Sting, is based on an old British folklore. It’s about dead souls kept in lobster cages under the sea, who can only be saved by anyone who can drink better than their captor, a monster that is half man and half fish. 
The lore goes on to say that if the challenger of the monster loses, he will also be locked up forever.

The verses of the song talk about a boy locked up. It is believed this child is locked under the sea by the creature referred to in the song as the Fisherman and the Keeper. At the time of writing this song, Sting had actually lost his father and was in a dark place. The boy in the song could be him. At the end of the song, the lyrics talk about the child and his father sailing to a place where no one finds them.

Sting actually once mentioned that he and his late father were not very close. However, even though they were not in the best of relationships, the song’s end depicts that he’s hopeful they will meet and be together someday.

“The Soul Cages” features both writing and production from Sting and Hugh Padgham respectively.

This pop-rock track was released on February the First, 1991.

It appears on the third studio album of Sting’s solo career. Said album also shares the same name with the song. In all, 4 singles (including this track) were released from the project. The other 3 singles this album produced are as follows:

• “All This Time”
• “Mad About You”
• “Why Should I Cry for You”

It should be noted that Sting’s father’s death was what inspired the creation of this album. Hence most of the songs focus on that topic.

“The Soul Cages” makes History

In 1992, “The Soul Cages” made history by becoming the first song to win the newly created “Best Rock Song” category of the Grammys.