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Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
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Pop Rescue commented, "This song is so wonderfully mellow, and flows so perfectly, that it’s near impossible to find fault with it." He added that "the uncluttered arrangement and intimate vocals are excellent". It is a wistful love song looking back on love gained." Music writer James Masterton wrote in his weekly UK chart commentary, "For a man who is normally considered an albums artist this is an achievement indeed, a third hit in a row from his latest album, and all of them Top 20 hits." Alan Jones from Music Week rated "Fields of Gold" four out of five, calling it a "lilting, haunting, soothing, almost folky song". The Daily Vault's David Bowling said that it is one of the "brilliant pop songs of the 1990s." He stated that it remains "the perfect ballad. Among the most distinctive and beguiling songs the man has written, it's sure to earn a powerful multiformat reception, and thereby steal a few million hearts." Irish newspaper Bray People viewed it as "moody but ultimately likeable". Larry Flick from Billboard described it as a "deeply alluring ballad with atmosphere to burn." He added, "Impeccably produced, it features a strong seductive vocal (and nice harmonica strains) from Sting, as well as lovely harplike acoustic guitar figures from band mate Dominic Miller. In a retrospective review, Stephen Thomas Erlewine from AllMusic called "Fields of Gold" a "peaceful ballad", noting that it ranks as a classic. Lovers have made promises here, I'm sure, their bonds strengthened by the comforting cycle of the seasons. There's something inherently sexy about the sight, something primal, as if the wind were making love to the barley. In England, our house is surrounded by barley fields, and in the summer it's fascinating to watch the wind moving over the shimmering surface, like waves on an ocean of gold. In Lyrics By Sting, the singer described the view from his 16th-century Wiltshire manor house:
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The cover of the single was photographed at Wardour Old Castle in Wiltshire, as was the cover for the album Ten Summoner's Tales. The music video was directed by Kevin Godley. The harmonica solo is played by Brendan Power, and the Northumbrian smallpipes are played by Kathryn Tickell. "Fields of Gold" and all the other tracks on the album were recorded at Lake House, Wiltshire, mixed at The Townhouse Studio, London, England and mastered at Masterdisk, New York City.
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