Eurythmics
When considering the music and imagery of the 80s, you can’t ignore the importance and genius of UK pop-synth duo Eurythmics who were at the forefront of the ‘British Invasion’ of new, different and exciting artists and groups which conquered the world throughout this amazing decade. Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart formed Eurythmics after their previous group, The Tourists, split up in 1980.
Eurythmics released their first album In The Garden in 1981 however, it went largely unnoticed and was not a commercial success. As we all know though, that all changed in 1983 when they released their 2nd album Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This) as the title track became a global smash hit, topping charts around the world, reaching No.2 in the UK and No. 1 in the USA!
After that, Eurythmics never looked back as they scored hit after hit after hit through a combination of clever lyrics and song writing, strong vocals from Lennox and an extremely eye-catching and ever-evolving image which was perfect for music videos and the increasingly influential MTV! The suited, androgenous Annie Lennox with her orange crew-cut we were presented with in the video of that first major hit had such a startling impact that everyone had to sit up and take notice; there was no choice! Lennox became a music icon almost overnight and followed this up with numerous other image changes from blonde-chanteuse to Elvis Presley clone which suited the decade perfectly!
Eurythmics went on to have hits with such tracks as “Love Is A Stranger”, “Who’s that Girl”, “Here Comes The Rain Again”, “Would I Lie To You”, “There Must Be An Angel (Playing With My Heart)” (their only UK No.1), “Sisters Are Doin’ It For Themselves” (a duet with Aretha Franklin), “It’s Alright (Baby’s Coming Back)”, “Missionary Man” and many, many more!
The 80s would not have been the 80s without the genius that was Eurythmics and we shall be forever grateful to them for so much, not least their amazing back catalogue of music gold! Eurythmics sold over 75 million records! Check out the full list of chart successes below!
Discography:
SINGLES*
1981
“Never Gonna Cry Again” (UK No.63)
1983
“Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)” (UK No.2)
“Love Is A Stranger” (Re-issue: UK No.6)
“Who’s That Girl” (UK No.3)
“Right By Your Side” (UK No.10)
1984
“Here Comes The Rain Again” (UK No.8)
“Sexcrime (Nineteen Eighty-Four) (UK No.4)
1985
“Julia” (UK No.44)
“Would I Lie To You” (UK No.17)
“There Must Be An Angel (Playing With My Heart” (UK No.1)
“Sisters Are Doin’ It For Themselves” Duet with Aretha Franklin (UK No.9)
1986
“It’s Alright (Baby’s Coming Back)” (UK No.12)
“When Tomorrow Comes” (UK No.30)
“Thorn In My Side” (UK No.5)
“The Miracle Of Love” (UK No.23)
1987
“Missionary Man” (UK No.31)
“Beethoven (I Love To Listen To)” (UK No.25)
“Shame” (UK No.41)
1988
“I Need A Man” (UK No.26)
“You Have Placed A Chill In My Heart” (UK No.16)
1989
“Revival” (UK No.26)
“Don’t Ask Me Why” (UK No.25)
1990
“The King And Queen Of America” (UK No.29)
“Angel” (UK No.23)
1991
“Love Is A Stranger” (2nd Re-issue: UK No.46)
“Sweet Dreams ‘91” (Remix: UK No.48)
1999
“I Saved The World Today” (UK No.11)
2000
“17 Again” (UK No.27)
2005
“I’ve Got A Life” (UK No.14)
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ALBUMS*
In The Garden (1981)
Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This) (1983) - UK No.3
Touch (1983) - UK No.1
Touch Dance (1984) - UK No.31
1984 (For The Love of Big Brother) OST (1984) - No. 23
Be Yourself Tonight (1985) - UK No.3
Revenge (1986) - UK No.3
Savage (1987) - UK No.7
We Too Are One (1989) - UK No.1
Greatest Hits (1991) - UK No.1
Eurythmics Live 1983-1989 (1993) - UK No.22
Peace (1999) - UK No.4
Ultimate Collection (2005) - UK No.5
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*UK Chart Position (OCC Official Chart Company)