Sting composed Cold War ballad RUSSIANS after checking out Soviet kids' TV via an illegal satellite feed.
The rocker grew up in the shadow of the conflict between Russia and the West, but realised the Soviets were just like Brits and Americans after checking out what their kids watched.
He explains, "I had a friend at university who invented a way to steal the satellite signal from Russian TV. We'd have a few beers and climb this tiny staircase to watch Russian television.
"At that time of night we'd only get children's Russian television, like their Sesame Street. I was impressed with the care and attention they gave to their children's programmes. I regret our current enemies haven't got the same ethics."