There was some doubt in my mind upon buying this 12" single, whether it would contain an extended version of 'Who's that girl', as it wasn't described as such on the label. Strange, because the extended version of 'Who's that girl' would be something to brag about as it's actually quite good.
'Sisters are doin' it for themselves' was written by Eurythmics members Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart. It was intended as a feminist anthem. They recorded the track together with American soul/R&B musician Aretha Franklin and released as a single by RCA Records in October 1985. It was featured on both Eurythmics' 'Be yourself tonight' and Franklin's 'Who's zoomin' who?' albums.
'Thorn in my side' was released as a single from the Eurythmics' album 'Revenge' in the summer of 1986. Written by band members Annie Lennox and David A. Stewart, the song is a cast-off to an unfaithful lover.
'Revival' was written by Eurythmics members Annie Lennox and David A. Stewart together with guest keyboardist Pat Seymour. The lyric is a call for renewal and encouragement. Lennox sings the song to a subject who is facing hardships and feeling low, or perhaps is feeling bitter after much struggle in life.
In 1991, the Eurythmics decided to take a break from working together to concentrate on solo efforts. Annie Lennox recorded the awardwinning album 'Diva', David A. Stewart formed the Spiritual Cowboys, releasing two albums with the group.
'Angel' was written by Eurythmics band members Annie Lennox and David A. Stewart. It was the fourth single taken from their album 'We too are one'.
Released as the third single from their album 'We too are one', the Eurythmics' 'The king and queen of America' was written by band members Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart. The song's music video showed Lennox and Stewart in a variety of costumes and settings which parodied various aspects of American pop culture, including a game show host and hostess, singing cowboy and cowgirl à la Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, and Ronald and Nancy Reagan.
Not to be confused with the Madonna track that was released four years later, 'Who's that girl' was released by the Eurythmics in 1983. The music video featured Annie Lennox appearing in a male and female version. She appeared as a nightclub singer performing the song and also as a man who is a member of the audience. The video features cameo appearances by Bananarama, Cheryl Baker and Jay Aston of Bucks Fizz, Kiki Dee, Hazel O'Connor, Kate Garner of Haysi Fantayzee, Thereza Bazar of Dollar and Marilyn. In the end of the clip, the female-Lennox is shown kissing the male-Lennox.
'Don't ask me why' was written by Annie Lennox and David Stewart. The lyric of the song describes the ending of a relationship. The lyric can also be interpreted as a personal message from Lennox to her ex-husband, from whom she split acrimoniously in 1985, although some think the lyric is directed towards ex-lover and band partner Stewart.
'You have placed a chill in my heart' was written by Eurythmics members Annie Lennox and David A. Stewart, and appears on the duo's album 'Savage'. It was released as the fourth single from the album.
'Here comes the rain again' was performed by the Eurythmics on their 1983 album 'Touch' and written by its members, Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart. Dave Stewart commented: 'The whole song was about that undecided thing, like here comes depression, or here comes that downward spiral. But then it goes, 'so talk to me like lovers do.' It's the wandering in and out of melancholy, a dark beauty that sort of is like the rose that's when it's darkest unfolding and bloodred just before the garden, dies. And capturing that in kind of oblique statements and sentiments.' He also revealed that the lyric to the song came into being after an argument between himself and Lennox while they were doing some songwriting in New York City's Columbus Hotel. The basic melody had already been written and Lennox looked out the window after their fight and noticed it was starting to rain. She announced, 'Here comes the rain again'.
'The miracle of love' was recorded by the Eurythmics in 1986 on their sixth album 'Revenge'. It was subsequently released as the third single from the album, although the single was not released in the United States.
I remember the feeling of disillusionment when I first heard 'When tomorrow comes' by the Eurythmics. They were always known for their synthpop tracks, but on this song, there was literally no synthesizer in sight. And weren't there already too many guitar bands?
'It's alright (Baby's coming back)' was a slight return by Eurythmics to the electronic-based sounds of their earlier albums. Driven by a subtle drum machine track, Lennox sings a straightforward ode to a lover returning to her after a long absence. The instrumental passages feature some elaborate multitracked harmony guitar parts from Stewart.
One of the most successful collaborations in Eighties pop is the Eurythmics. Dave Stewart and Annie Lennox were continually changing their sound, releasing one hit single after another. 'Right by your side' was lyrically and sonically different from past single releases from the band. The track is an uptempo love song featuring calypso music, synthesized steel drum and marimba sounds as well as a horn section.
'Julia' was a track on the soundtrack of the movie '1984', which was composed and recorded entirely by the Eurythmics. It was subsequently released as the second and final single from the album. The song is a ballad with very sparse electronic instrumentation and an almost a cappella performance by Lennox. Her vocals are accentuated by vocoder effects in the background. The title and lyrics of the song are based upon the novel's heroine and love interest, Julia.
'Love is a stranger' was originally released in November 1982, but it failed to chart. When 'Sweet dreams (are made of this)' became a hit single, this single was re-released in March 1983. On that occasion, it peaked at number 6 in the UK singles chart, number 13 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 23 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.
I bought two different copies of this single: at the time of its re-release, I bought the Dutch pressing. Sixteen years later, I found a UK pressing with a totally different sleeve: the original 1982 version.
