Sting sang the line " I Want My MTV " on " Money for Nothing " , a 1985 hit by Dire Straits . In November 1984 , he was part of Band Aid 's " Do They Know It 's Christmas ? " , which raised money for famine victims in Ethiopia . In July 1985 , Sting performed Police hits at the Live Aid concert at Wembley Stadium in London . He also joined Dire Straits in " Money for Nothing " , and he sang two duets with Phil Collins . In 1985 , Sting provided spoken vocals for the Miles Davis album '' You 're Under Arrest '' , taking the role of a French-speaking police officer . He also sang backing vocals on Arcadia 's single " The Promise " , on two songs from Phil Collins ' album '' No Jacket Required '' , and contributed " Mack the Knife " to the Hal Willner-produced tribute album '' Lost in the Stars : The Music of Kurt Weill '' . In September 1985 , he performed " If You Love Somebody Set Them Free " at the 1985 MTV Video Music Awards at the Radio City Music Hall in New York . The 1985 film '' Bring on the Night '' , directed by Michael Apted , documented the formation of his solo band and its first concert in France
1985 MTV Video Music Awards
1985 MTV Video Music Awards
Sting (musician)