Charly García & Sting “In the city”

The long-awaited crossroads of two musical legends has finally become a song. Charly García, the emblematic figure of Argentine rock, and Sting, the iconic voice of British pop-rock, today released their new single “In the City.” It is a powerful and unexpected collaboration that has been slowly developing for exactly 37 years.

The story begins in 1988, when the two artists first shared the stage at Buenos Aires’ Estadio River Plate during the historic Human Rights Now! concert organized by Amnesty International. That encounter was brief but unforgettable. Since then, the idea of a collaboration lingered quietly, maturing over time until it finally became reality in 2025, with a song that brings their voices and musical styles together in a performance that feels both emotional and universal.

The idea gained momentum earlier this year, when Charly and Sting reconnected backstage at the Movistar Arena in Buenos Aires, just before Sting’s concert. In that spontaneous moment, they revived their original connection and agreed to bring the project to life.

“This collaboration came about naturally when we met backstage before his show,” said García. “I’ve always been a great admirer of Sting’s sound and songwriting. This was a song I had already written in English, and I felt the chorus was perfect for his voice. Hearing him sing on my track moved me deeply.”

“In the City” is an original composition by García. It is one of the few songs he has written in English and was conceived from the start as a duet with Sting. The track features the two artists’ voices woven together with guitar work by Dominic Miller, a longtime member of Sting’s band and Argentine by birth, along with drums by Diego López de Arcaute.

“It’s an honor to sing a song with Charly García,” said Sting.

The recording was engineered by Matías Sznaider, García’s trusted studio collaborator, who recorded Charly’s vocals in Buenos Aires. Sting and Miller recorded their parts at Permanent Waves Studios under the direction of Tony Lake.

The track was mastered by Ted Jensen at Sterling Sound. Jensen is the same engineer behind Clics Modernos and most of García’s solo catalog, which brings a sense of continuity and exceptional sound quality to the project.

Every visual and artistic element of the release was carefully overseen by García himself, who placed his personal creative stamp on every decision. The official music video, directed by Belén Asad, was filmed in Buenos Aires and New York City. Sting’s scenes were directed by Maximilian Stafford. In the video, both artists are seen separately, riding through the city at night in taxis, while Miller performs on a subway platform.

Share this:

Related