Watch Sting Accept The American Music Award Of Merit From Robert Downey Jr.

Less than two weeks since the release of his new album, 57th and 9th, Sting took to the 2016 American Music Awards on Sunday (November 20) for a celebratory night of music as the recipient of the American Music Award of Merit.

Before he ventured into a medley of hits from the past and the cut off his new LP, the English-born vet was presented with the honorary title from Robert Downey Jr. "Sting is more than a man or his music," he told the crowd "He is one of the most talented and gifted human beings to have walked the face of the Earth."

2016 American Music Award viewers can attest to just that when the 65-year-old rock star took to the stage for a medley of songs, including his new single, "I Can’t Stop Thinking About You," "Message In A Bottle" and, of course, signature hit, "Every Breath You Take."

Immediately afterwards, Sting was met with the coveted trophy of the evening and went on to tell the crowd just how vital American music has been to his life and soul. "It's important for me as a musical migrant to acknowledge the very real debt that I owe to American music because after all American music lit the musical spark in my young mind," he explained. "This uniquely American experience, perhaps America's greatest and most influential export, rock n' roll, a giant musical jam session, where our doors were always open to all comers in the support of welcome and inclusion, a mixing of culture, rhythm and person is what made this country the greatest country in the world. I thank you again for this extraordinary honor and promise you that while I may be an English man in New York, my musical soul is all American."

Previous recipients of the award include Prince, Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Whitney Houston, Johnny Cash and many more. Take a look at a clip from Sting's acceptance speech below!

Photo: Getty Images