Love Is Stronger Than Justice (The Munificent Seven) is the second track of the album Ten Summoner’s Tales (1993) by Sting, with the great Vinnie Colaiuta on drums. The interesting stuff of the song are the two different time signatures, during the verse/intro and the chorus section.
The verse/intro groove is in 7/8, the snare is played on the third and the seventh-eighth, the bass drum part changes, on the verse is played on the first eighth and on the upbeat of the fourth and sixth eighth. “Saint Augustine in Hell” from the same album has a similar groove (but with a difference regarding the cymbal pattern).
During the chorus, Vinnie Colaiuta plays a very light shuffle in 4/4 that gives the song a country vibe.
Here’s the download link for the full drum sheet music:
I have thought about this song’s bizarre rhythm for years. I am learning how to play the drums and happened to hear it tonight and was sort of trying to follow along with it, and I thought, “I wonder if anyone has ever written about this song?” Your post was the first (and only, I think) one that came up that talked about it. I just seem to have a blind spot when it comes to following the tempo. Thanks for your article!
LikeLiked by 1 person