Mary Burris is a passionate lover of music. We’re very excited to share her informative and fun posts about music on Midlife Boulevard. To read more from Mary, check out her blog, Jingle Jangle Jungle.
Eurythmics are a British music duo consisting of members Annie Lennox and David A. Stewart. They are associated with the MTV-driven Second British Invasion of the US.
Stewart and Lennox were both previously in the band The Tourists (originally known as The Catch), who split up in 1980; Eurythmics were formed that year. The duo released their first album, In the Garden, in 1981 to little fanfare, but went on to achieve global success with their second album Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This), released in 1983. The title track was a worldwide hit, topping the chart in various countries including the US. The duo went on to release a string of hit singles and albums before they split up in 1990. By this time Stewart was a sought-after record producer, while Lennox began a solo recording career in 1992 with her debut album Diva. After almost a decade apart, Eurythmics reunited to record their ninth album, Peace, released in late 1999. They reunited again in 2005 to release the single “I’ve Got a Life”, as part of a new Eurythmics compilation album, Ultimate Collection.
The duo have won a number of awards, including an MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist in 1984, the Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal in 1987, the Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music in 1999, and in 2005 were inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame. Eurythmics have sold an estimated 75 million records worldwide.
“Missionary Man” was taken from their sixth album, Revenge, and continued the band’s rock/R&B musical style of the time and featured Jimmy Zavala on harmonica.
In the band’s native UK, it was the fourth single to be taken from the album and peaked at number 31. It was more successful in the United States, where it was the first single to be taken from the album and peaked at number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 (becoming their last main US Top 20 hit to date). It also made the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot Dance/Club Play chart, and it received extensive airplay on American rock radio, reaching number 1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks, Eurythmics‘ only song to top this chart. The single was also a top ten hit in Australia.
“Missionary Man” earned Eurythmics a Grammy Award for “Best Rock Vocal Performance – Group”.
Mary Burris
Hi! I'm Mary. I am a cancer survivor and am doing my best to live life to the fullest. One of the things that I enjoy in life is music. My personal blog is about music, artists, and the stories behind them. I love all genres of music, and am having a great time learning about the different artists and their music. Won't you come on this adventure with me? Instagram: knottymarie
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Ali Davies
Tuesday 14th of April 2015
This took me right back to my teenage years. I am from the UK (although now living in Vancouver, Canada) and their music was a big part of my younger days in the UK and brings back many memories. Isn't it interesting how music can just transport you straight back to certain times in your life?
Dee Morales
Thursday 9th of April 2015
there is an awesome documentary about how Alzheimer's patients become animated when they hear music of their era. Just imagine what songs have shaped your life.i did a post on thus on my blog called the music of my life
Carol Cassara
Thursday 9th of April 2015
They are responsible for many fun memories for me!