Sting - Spread A Little Happiness

This song was featured over the closing credits of the movie "Brimstone and Treacle". If you've seen the film, the irony of this song is devastating. Sting actually does a pretty decent soft-shoe in this video (though as a dancer, he's no Kate Bush).
Update: Now with subtitled lyrics. You can select to have them translated into any language.

[@TomatoSoupful]

The angel Aziraphale's favourite song according to Neil Gaiman. What a splendid song! (Though I was SURE his favourite would have been Favourite Things from The Sound of Music)

[@rippingoffmyface]

😄

[@janelane1657]

No, the sound of music was recognized by both Crowley and Aziraphale as boring, they discussed it somewhere at the beginning of the book

[@lureed]

That’s Sandalphon’s favorite probably. Everyone knows all angels are suckers for musical theater.

[@cobblvpot]

THATS WHY IM HERE

[@mjirvineselby]

He doesn't like the sound of music, remember? 😁

[@cookiecat7759]

This is aziraphale’s fav song I love this

[@postingoldtapes]

It's a song by Vivian Ellis (b. 1904, d. 1996) who wrote for the English theater in from the 1920s to the 1950s, gaining the most popularity in the 1940s. He wasn't recorded very much, so his songs were rarely played on the radio. There's loads of amazing music from every era.

[@ralphsmith3529]

Sting did a brilliant job in Brimstone and Treacle, and his music in that show, was even more memorable than the movie itself. Although he didn't write this track, it just sits so well in that film.

[@fatbaby73]

Sting has one of the most unique and yet beautiful voices of all time. There could never be a voice that could even come close to copying his. Love this song, it is one of his hidden treasures

[@gordonmiles8155]

Wonderful Stings the best.🤗

[@napomania]

Ok. It's a cover from a 1920 musical..

[@WeaselKing1000]

@@napomania Indeed it is. Doesn't stop his particular vocals being a hidden treasure. @fatbaby73 never said anything about Sting writing the song.

[@Alienpubes]

Gotye but yeah I get your point

[@gnomely1]

You can't be most unique. You can only be unique.

[@gan_edhen]

Brimstone & Treacle is fantastic, I love how they played this over the credits just after you sicked up into your lap.

[@paisleybabee]

I just sat there in shock tapping along ha ha!

[@MsUrsulaHitler]

Aw, man. Sting, back when he was Sting, and before he became... you know... Sting.

[@scrappersm.2679]

MsUrsulaHitler. Odd username ya got there😯

[@robertofraser101]

MsUrsulaHitler true

[@capturedlondon]

MsUrsulaHitler you mean tantric sex Sting ?🤔

[@SuperWolsey]

So, he became John Constantine and not the other way around

[@manuelab1055]

Sting was sting until 2000. From brand new day, for me, is no more sting.

[@florencegaye1391]

Absolutely fabulous! Oh, this brought back so many happy memories of hearing this song and seeing the video on Top of the Pops for the first time. I was young, lovely, full of hope and optimism, and still had my loved ones who since have passed away. Also, I don't remember Sting as being so beautiful (too young to notice or just too in love with David Bowie?) Thanks so much for uploading, I can't find the song to buy anywhere.

[@kevanbrown7620]

Great performance. My late mother lived this song (and Sting), back in 1982. It's from Dennis Potter's Brimstone and Treacle. My father was a fan of Potter, that's how I came across this years ago. The Singing Detective was really weird, but strangely hypnotic. I meant to say my late mother loved this song.

[@happy2listen1]

No one has mentioned Vivian Ellis who composed this GEM.

[@pipmcg1]

They did. 17 years ago.

[@essexpeter6116]

Indeed they did, has KZbin been around that long! Vivian Ellis also wrote the light classic Coronation Scott.

[@clivestanley66]

This is Stings first solo single though the 'Brimstone and Treacle' soundtrack features the Police. Good song.

[@edwardhannaby]

Absolutely brill. Sting sings it just like a 30s singer .. Fantastic talent and fantasic song. I love The Police. I love Sting . And i love jazz Swing and old dance band music.. And im drinking a beer listening... What could be better? :)

[@s.laurenava7540]

Yes

[@rickstalentedtongue910]

Servicing sting while doing it?

[@ah1701]

Bloody hell - I haven't heard THIS song probably since about 1983!!!! But what a stomping tune! I see that it was made in to the UK charts in the top 40, but didn't do that well. Sting does a half-decent job of the dancing and he's voice is perfect for the song. Ah! Where have the years gone...

[@MIO_816]

This is rare footage of Sting actually being really cool.

[@anne40hillpiggott30]

Come on you're just another jealous old fool😂😂😂😂😂

[@koleberdinoch926]

You think this is cool? 🤣

[@dj_grim]

Song originally from 1929, from the musical Mr Cinders. Binnie Hale sang it (soprano). Somewhat different arrangment. She starts with the "I have a creed" section while Sting puts that in the middle of the song.

[@ChristineFisher123]

Only a rock star like Sting can get away with making a video like this...

[@dannycostello1978]

Wonderful. People forget what a one off talent we have with Sting.

[@skelznap]

Fantastic video & song. Sting at his best here.

[@monkey1poison]

My Granddad and I used to listen to the original version from Mr. Cinders, I'm really happy Sting did't kill it. lol It's really true to the original, little different but still good. :) Happy I found it.

[@simonwarner6594]

It's a well presented and sung video. It does bring you back somehow to the golden age of the 30's. Sting is the only person who could do a vid like this. This song never gets played whenever anything to do with Sting is shown on TV. Lovely song. It gives you a warm feeling inside when you hear it.

[@maddieb2763]

Very appropriate on these Covid-19 days. Be positive.

[@monkeytrousers]

I've heard about this strange little clip for years. Thank you for posting it!

[@BillGates999]

I don't know why but in this vid Sting reminds me of Malcolm McDowell in Clockwork Orange. Great!

[@ulfdanielsen6009]

The same undertone of having fun with pretending to be the good guy when you are in fact very sinister.

[@stevenq3840]

Ah yes, it does .

[@stephaniecouderc2010]

Totally. Only cutest.

[@paisleybabee]

Did you see the movie it's from? He very much seems to emulate Macdowell in it

[@fluorosco]

@@ulfdanielsen6009 Spot on . Bad guy singing an upbeat song... singin' in the rain

[@sastal]

Nothing like the creepy movie from which the song comes --Brimstone and Treacle. For some reason, when I was young they always played this song at Christmas time. I have associated it with the holidays ever since. A beautiful tune that I finally found on CD after 25 years!

[@st.patrickskilsythcontact6341]

This song has to be the Coronavirus uplifting song!!!

[@BettinaBalser]

Pretty much the hottest man alive, back in 1982-1984. He is so beautiful in Brimstone and Treacle, it's almost a little distracting. I mean, he is *beautiful* to look at.

[@admiralackbar9307]

Wonderful song, Sting really did a great version of this, sadly I've heard that Sting himself hates this video, I love the hateful look Sting gives the camera right at the end, showing the true nature of the Martin character he is playing.

[@SlawomirWitrowy]

fantastic song - spectacular event of Sting - probably one of the best

[@timothyj1966]

this song is quite old… late twenties early thirties… as usual Sting does it justice.

[@barbaraannecortina7899]

Actually, it's from 1929 and it was written by musical comedy composer Vivian Ellis and writer Clifford Grey from their 1929 musical Mr. Cinders, to quote Wikipedia.

[@mal1gosia1]

Thanks, good to know, it's always nice to learn more ;))

[@GuitarandMusicInstitute]

Old is quite subjective…

[@rickstalentedtongue910]

@@GuitarandMusicInstitute It needs to be, with fossils like us.

[@postingoldtapes]

Well, this is a long time ago, before even "Syncronicity", an before he started taking himself so seriously.

[@TheSnowballEarth]

Ah, some cheerful words of encouragement from the na-baron Feyd Rautha himself. If I had had to cast a musical version of "A Clockwork Orange" back in the 80s, guess who I would've cast in the lead? (And anyone who said "Rod Stewart" knows what they can go do with themselves.)

[@one2nd1]

As a police fan in the 80s I remember alot of fans became shy of this song, mind we still ran out and bought Brimstone & Treacle because there was additional Police material on it that we couldn't get anywhere else.

[@paisleybabee]

I was excited about it but more so about I Burn For You. I heard it would be heavy but saw the film when it came out 😳

[@deanronson6331]

First popularized by Binney Hale. She was all the rage in the 20's and 30's, but probably nobody outside of Britain knows about her by now.

[@korystephens3318]

Mr Cinders

[@GerD444]

Don't know what made me look for this, glad I did! Put a smile on my face. Thanks for posting.

[@sting8209]

I just bought this movie on DVD - and watching the closing credits and listening to the song - brings this vid to mind. It is a great video and I like Sting's last look at the end - reminds me of the movie.

[@timothyj1966]

haaaaaahaaaaa LOVE this song... sounds like an old War song....well done as usual Mr.Sting!

[@silverpottedplant]

Aaaaaaaaaah!!! Finally I found it! I listened to this song years and years ago as a baby and I just couldn’t find it anymore; thank you for sharing this video!

[@yaronco5]

Simple and wonderful. sweet memory. I heard it on the radio today and I had to hear it again.

[@lavoxii]

Even when the darkest clouds are in the sky You mustn't sigh and you mustn't cry Spread a little happiness as you go by Please try What's the use of worrying and feeling blue? When days are long keep on smiling through Spread a little happiness 'til dreams come true Surely you'll be wise to make the best of every blues day Don't you realize you'll find next Monday or next Tuesday Your golden shoes day Even when the darkest clouds are in the sky You mustn't sigh and you mustn't cry Spread a little happiness as you go by I've got a creed for every need So easy that it must succeed I'll set it down for you to read So please, take heed Keep out the gloom, let in the sun That's my advice for everyone It's only once we pass this way So day by day Even when the darkest clouds are in the sky You mustn't sigh and you mustn't cry Spread a little happiness as you go by Please try What's the use of worrying and feeling blue? When days are long keep on smiling through Spread a little happiness till dreams come true Surely you'll be wise to make the best of every blues day Don't you realize you'll find next Monday or next Tuesday Your golden shoes day Even when the darkest clouds are in the sky You mustn't sigh and you mustn't cry Spread a little happiness as you go by Surely you'll be wise to make the best of every blues day Don't you realize you'll find next Monday or next Tuesday Your golden shoes day Even when the darkest clouds are in the sky You mustn't sigh and you mustn't cry Spread a little happiness as you go by...

[@dkelly8005]

Loved watching this film back in good old 1982 great song

[@skelznap]

Great song, well sung & a brilliant video. Takes me back. I hadn't seen this since it aired on TOTP

[@martlad1]

Thanks for sharing...this song never fails to brighten me up!!..neat lyrics too!! :)

[@jonathan_wasilewski]

I know I'm very late, but this is just so wholesome to listen to! Nice job, Sting!

[@adrianboyddodd8007]

who would ever have thought that sting would be perfect for such an old classic.

[@davidbspamboy]

When I saw the police on the "Ghost" tour they played this song over the PA after the band did their final encore. I could tell it was Sting, but I had no idea where it was from until I later saw the movie and the promo clip.

[@YeshuaKingsKid]

Marvelous! And thanks all your posters who have provided deeper insight into this vid...it is cool!

[@scarletohara6263]

Mmmm dreamy...he was very good looking back in the day.

[@rickstalentedtongue910]

TY

[@rhianjones1319]

“Spread a little happiness is one my favourite song by Sting “

[@postingoldtapes]

He really was quite good in the film. His acting career never really took off though.

[@twilightolga8958]

I always thought that sting’s a great actor. He also liked acting. But he just kept on being a singer.

[@snifferdog]

Thanks for posting this. I'd vague memories of Sting singing this

[@sting8209]

I agree - I think Sting was great in the role of devil/angel. I believe he was in a number of films, but probably not his main passion.

[@napomania]

I remember of his little role in Quadrophenia

[@UmHumano11]

NÃO IREI CANSAR DE FALAR QUE AZIRAPHALE TEM BELOS GOSTOS MUSICAIS!!!!

[@rustykuntz94]

Reminds me of Freddie Mercury's period (mid 80s) when he began to tap dance & sing opera on Broadway (The Great Pretender).

[@steffanhoffmann1906]

Shut up about Mercury ffs

[@brianwilson8596]

Fantastic we should all spread a little happiness make you feel great Brian

[@samuelreid6030]

Sting is so cheesy he's emetic ...made his casting so absolutely perfect for this role in Brimstone and Treacle, genius on the part of Dennis Potter

[@lisalynnemaloney]

Finally! I've waited to see this video for a long, long time. Thank You!!!

[@genebh1]

A great movie & a greater number. Sting is just a great Presence. I had this sounstrack on vinyl, not anymore.

[@dumdumboy7796]

Great, as usual. I recommend the movie "Brimstone and Treacle" to those who love stories with a bit of weirdness...and not even mentioning the fantastic duet Sting / Denholm Elliott.

[@jkgcproductions7589]

ever caught leolo?

[@postingoldtapes]

Glad to have made it available.

[@Konsker]

love the song

[@andrewholt3849]

1982. My uncle has a Bang & Olufsen music centre and used to buy several singles and keep spares, which we found after he died. He also likes Typically Tropical ‘Going to Barbados’ 1975 and the Lowry 1978 song.

[@jilligain3409]

I love this so much!

[@byheavenlyhosts]

I love this...it is delightful!!!

[@doctone]

Awesome! Thanks for posting this:)

[@ElvenArtistsForest]

This may very well be the very best video ever!

[@AlexaOrchid]

Something truly unique to me. Thank you!

[@troypage5994]

Love this song!

[@Bestman3007]

Endlich habe ich diesen Titel wiedergefunden. Ich habe ihn 25 Jahre nicht gehört, weil ich ihn nur aus dem Radio kannte und den Titel nicht wußte. Aber Gurgel sei Dank bin ich jetzt hier.

[@Missmjf87]

LOL! Who is he and what has he done with Sting? That actually made me smile!

[@geoffjoffy]

Haven't heard this for years and years. But it was played on Boom Radio yesterday. So I came here to revisit the video.

[@btecbusiness6834]

My late 1/2 sister (Lola Gosling) make a short appearance as a dancer in this video. She's the one who appears from the pews dancing her socks off in a rather exaggerated fashion behind and to the left of Sting from 1.45 to 2.04. Daft Lass !!!

[@matthewfranklin1827]

She’s dancing in heaven you’re beautiful sister Lola☘️🌹🥂👍🇬🇧✝️

[@KRAZEEIZATION]

This is the first time I've ever seen this! It's both corny and cool at the same time!

[@helenwalsh4507]

Sting is brilliant and gorgeous.

[@Jolar70]

11 years later, does ANYone else have a higher res version of this? It was a hit single! Did only one person save it on VHS, 6-hour-speed?!!!

[@chokispokis]

Awn i love this video, how i wish it could be on a better resolution!

[@darienhigh]

I used to hate every time this video came on MTV. Now I searched for it. And I like it.

[@sastal]

I looked for it for over a decade. I finally found it. From this standpoint, thank goodness for the internet age.

[@Tokikev]

Starting to realize sting would of been a great big band singer

[@thenagoyan]

i was browsin' 20's songs and nice to see somebody familiar.

[@lisalynnemaloney]

Thank You!

[@ShockwaveBeethoven]

amazing!

[@robertofraser101]

Love it

[@r.grantham9945]

Brimstone and Treacle 1982, Good Film.

[@MrSandalwood]

fabulous

[@GrannySea]

this lovely song could have been my late father's signature tune, if he'd had one!

[@andeemart]

I didn't realise "Brimstone and Treacle" was such a dark film, that is until I watched it this afternoon.

[@paisleybabee]

I saw it when it came out...there went a bit of my innocence

[@AngelKisses]

@@paisleybabee I am STILL traumatized by it....and I saw it more than a couple of decades ago!!! 😭

[@paisleybabee]

@@AngelKisses I hear you! I keep wondering if I might watch it again as it's on here and my husband has never seen it but....welll

[@AngelKisses]

@@paisleybabee DON'T DO IT!!!😵 I remember seeing it on VHS... wow, I couldn't get it out of my house quick enough after seeing it !!! My then unquenchable thirst for Sting was well quenched for a long time...lol. That'll teach me.

[@RCs-fd3hh]

I Love this Song Amo esta cancion 😘🌸Robert New York

[@JohnnyBeane]

This is from the Brimstone & Treacle movie soundtrack. 1982. Very cool to see this! JB

[@joniroxanne96]

*Baby!Bee* is *so adorable* and *cute* in this music video! 😄 🤗 😙 🐝

[@JaimeNegron-hd3ev]

Such great memories ❤😊🎉

[@andreaedwards2961]

I was told this is Aziraphale’s favorite song according to Neil Gaiman.

[@michaelmccloud2376]

Great song xxx

[@trishdiggins]

I both love and am deeply disturbed by this performance.

[@ramadhyaru8373]

Hope Mr Sumner had a lot of happiness on his birthday

[@robduffy9879]

Like a fine wine, Sting gets better with time! Yo!

[@larrybliss8330]

A lovely song, performed with verve.

[@karlblanch3898]

Love Stings version of Spread A Little Happiness from the summer of 1982 and even had the single. Do any out there know where I can buy a cd with this classic song Please help or should that be Police help.

[@r1madbrit]

This song is a life philosophy.

[@paisleybabee]

Who here when to the film a little wide eyed teeny bopper and emerged let's say verrrrrry wide eyed? 😳

[@grecosgreecedaz6026]

Good song