EURYTHMICS - LOVE IS A STRANGER

Estrenada: 8 de novembre de 1982

Llistes: EUA: #23   Regne Unit: #6

"Love Is a Stranger" és una cançó del duo de pop britànic Eurythmics. Llançada inicialment a finals de 1982, el senzill va afrontar-se a una decepció comercial. Va ser reeditat el 1983, acabant per arribar al top 10 del Regne Unit. Una altra reedició el 1991, va coincidir amb la promoció de l'àlbum "Greatest Hits" del duo.

"Love Is a Stranger" captura els matissos complexos de l'amor, retractant-lo com a enigmàtic, seductor i potencialment perillós. Lennox indaga en la noció d'"objectes d'amor", posant èmfasi en com les persones sovint projecten els seus desitjos sobre els altres, malgrat els riscos que això comporta. La cançó aprofundeix en les complexitats de l'obsessió, destacant la seducció de l'inconnex mentre alerta sobre els perills de l'obsessió. La intenció de Lennox era englobar aquests temes dins d'una cançó pop, oferint una reflexió emotiva sobre les paradoxes de l'amor.

La perspectiva de Dave Stewart aclareix l'essència temàtica de "Love Is a Stranger". En descriure-la com una cançó d'amor contemporània, subratlla la seva rellevància per a l'era moderna, on les actituds cap a l'amor i les relacions han evolucionat. Stewart suggereix que la cançó reflecteix la tendència societària actual de valorar la independència i la individualitat, fins i tot dins de les parelles romàntiques. Aquest sentiment contrasta amb les cançons d'amor més tradicionals del passat, que sovint retractaven l'amor com una força unificada i ferma.

El videoclip va mostrar el talent d'Annie Lennox per adoptar diferents personatges, una característica que es convertiria en una marca distintiva de l'estil visual d'Eurythmics. Dirigit per Mike Brady, el vídeo mostra Lennox interpretant diversos personatges, incloent-hi una prostituta de classe alta, mentre Dave Stewart fa de xofer. La transformació de Lennox d'una dona de cabell daurat a una de cabell roig cridaner va generar certa confusió entre els espectadors, especialment als Estats Units, on el seu cabell roig engominat va portar a suposicions equivocades sobre la seva identitat de gènere.

EURYTHMICS - LOVE IS A STRANGER

Released: November 8, 1982

Charted:  US: #23   UK: #6 

"Love Is a Stranger" is a song by the British pop duo Eurythmics. Initially released in late 1982, the single faced commercial disappointment. It was re-released in 1983, eventually reaching the UK top 10. Another re-release followed in 1991, coinciding with the promotion of Eurythmics' “Greatest Hits” album.

"Love Is a Stranger" captures the intricate nuances of love, portraying it as enigmatic, alluring yet potentially perilous. Lennox delves into the notion of "love objects," emphasizing how individuals often project their desires onto others, despite the risks involved. The song delves into the complexities of infatuation, highlighting the allure of the unknown while cautioning against the dangers of obsession. Lennox's intention was to encapsulate these themes within a pop song, offering a poignant reflection on the paradoxes of love.

Dave Stewart's perspective sheds light on the thematic essence of "Love Is a Stranger." By describing it as a contemporary love song, he underscores its relevance to the modern era, where attitudes towards love and relationships have evolved. Stewart suggests that the song reflects the current societal trend of valuing independence and individuality, even within romantic partnerships. This sentiment contrasts with the more traditional love songs of the past, which often portrayed love as a unified, steadfast force.

The music video showcased Annie Lennox's talent for adopting different personas, a characteristic that would become a hallmark of Eurythmics' visual style. Directed by Mike Brady, the video features Lennox portraying various characters, including a high-class prostitute, with Dave Stewart serving as her chauffeur. Lennox's transformation from a glamorous blonde to a striking redhead sparked some confusion among viewers, particularly in the United States, where her slicked-back red hair led to mistaken assumptions about her gender identity. 

ANNIE LENNOX - WALKING ON BROKEN GLASS

Released: August 10, 1992

Charted:  US: #14  UK: #8 

"Walking on Broken Glass," written and performed by Scottish singer Annie Lennox, is featured on her debut solo studio album, “Diva”. Released on August 1992, the single achieved commercial success, reaching number one in Canada, number eight in the United Kingdom and Ireland, and number 14 in the United States. Despite its lilting melody, the lyrics convey the anguish of a woman grappling with a breakup. The song metaphorically portrays the emotional pain inflicted by her former partner, likening it to walking on broken glass.

The opening piano line of "Walking on Broken Glass" infuses a Caribbean-inspired vibe into the song, recurring in the chorus and at the song's end. Throughout, pizzicato strings mirror the melody. Pitchfork noted the juxtaposition of the song's melancholic theme of romantic abandonment with its irresistibly danceable tune, a hallmark of Eurythmics' best records.

Lennox had experienced intense relationships, including a short-lived marriage in 1984, but "Walking On Broken Glass" likely involved her taking on a role rather than drawing from personal experience. In later years, she identified tracks like "Why" and "Precious" from the “Diva” album as deeply personal, but this song didn't fall into that category. Describing how she got into character for the song, she told Q magazine in 1992: "I've always loved R&B, and I had that in mind when I was singing. In fact, I'd think of myself as a very old black man - and I know I've got no right to imagine I know what that is - but, in my way, I stepped into that persona."

The music video was inspired by the 1988 film “Dangerous Liaisons”, set in 18th-century France. Elaborate costumes and a baroque sound were used to capture the theme, with actors John Malkovich and Hugh Laurie appearing in the video. Lennox reflected on the video in a blog promoting her 2009 greatest hits album, describing it as a fun and tongue-in-cheek production. She noted the alternative title for the song could have been "Hell hath no more fury than a woman scorned."

Annie Lennox's character stands out in royal red amidst a predominantly white environment, drawing attention to her emotional turmoil. She wears a 'Turkish' headdress, contrasting with the period wigs worn by others. Throughout the video, Lennox's character displays a mix of jealousy, desire, and anger towards her former lover. She rejects the advances of the Prince Regent, indulges in champagne, and ultimately throws herself at her ex-lover, only to realize the folly of her actions and flee the party in embarrassment. At the foot of the stairs, she finds solace in the arms of Malkovich's character.

 

ANNIE LENNOX - LOVE SONG FOR A VAMPIRE

Released: February 1, 1993

Charted:  UK: #3 

"Love Song for a Vampire" was a hauntingly beautiful piece by Annie Lennox, fitting perfectly with the atmospheric mood of Francis Ford Coppola's "Bram Stoker's Dracula." Its release in February 1993 as a double A-side with "Little Bird" garnered significant success, reaching number three on both the UK and Irish Singles Charts. The song is often described as "a vulnerable ode to loss, capturing the enduring grief that seems never-ending."

Annie Lennox explained how reading Anne Rice's works, alongside Francis Ford Coppola's film plans, revealed a new dimension to vampire mythology. When approached to contribute vocals for the soundtrack, Lennox admitted she had "little interest in Bram Stoker’s book." Instead, she had developed a fondness for a new series of novels, including The Vampire Chronicles by Anne Rice. Rice's novels, particularly Interview With The Vampire (1976) and The Vampire Lestat (1985), captivated Lennox's imagination and influenced her creative approach to the song. Lennox was particularly captivated by the psychic and psychological aspects of vampires, aiming to infuse the song with the essence of their dark world. In her view, vampires symbolize compulsive and addictive behavior, portraying a co-dependent relationship between vampire and victim, destined for eternal doom.

The music video for "Love Song for a Vampire" was directed by British director Sophie Muller. It features Annie Lennox in a dark garden reminiscent of Lucy Westenra's setting in the film, wearing a similar white dress. As Lennox sings, several excerpts from the film are interspersed throughout the video. The video concludes with what appears to be holy light shining upon Lennox, reminiscent of Dracula's death at the end of the film. Rolling Stone's David Sinclair praised it as an "extraordinary video," noting Lennox's "striking display of sinister melancholia" intercut with scenes from the movie.

 QUEENSRŸCHE - SILENT LUCIDITY

Released: February 1991

Charted:  US: #9    UK: #18 

"Silent Lucidity" is a ballad by the band Queensrÿche from their 1990 album "Empire." Written by lead guitarist Chris DeGarmo, it became the band's biggest hit, reaching #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart. The song was nominated for two Grammy Awards in 1992: Best Rock Song and Best Rock Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group.

"Silent Lucidity" written by guitarist Chris DeGarmo, delves into the concept of lucid dreaming. Inspired by the book "Creative Dreaming," the song explores the idea of being aware within a dream and having control over it, similar to the premise of the movie "Inception." DeGarmo discussed the recurring nature of dreams and their therapeutic potential, noting that the average person spends a significant portion of their life in the vivid hallucinations of the subconscious mind.

Geoff Tate, Queensrÿche's lead singer, expressed his fondness for "Silent Lucidity," describing it as a beautiful piece that he had a significant role in shaping, despite not being its primary writer. He highlighted his contributions to the song's melody, vocal delivery, and mixing process. Tate revealed that the song's inception was unconventional, starting as a simple acoustic guitar and vocal composition. It wasn't until the final stages of the album's production, just a week before completion, that additional instrumentation was added. Despite the resistance from the album's producer, who was against including the song, the band members advocated for its inclusion, leading to its eventual release on the album.

"Silent Lucidity" remains Queensrÿche's sole entry on the Hot 100 chart in America, despite their extensive career. However, they found more success on the UK charts, with six songs reaching the Top 40.

 

GUNS N‘ ROSES - DON’T CRY

Estrenada: setembre de 1991

Llistes: EUA: #10  Regne Unit: #8

"Don't Cry" dels Guns N' Roses mostra la versatilitat i la creativitat de la banda amb les seves múltiples versions publicades en diferents àlbums. La versió original de la cançó, inclosa a "Use Your Illusion I", es presenta com la quarta pista del disc. Mentrestant, la versió alternativa, la trobem a "Use Your Illusion II", i ofereix una interpretació amb una lletra diferent i un arranjament musical lleugerament alterat. A més, una tercera versió enregistrada durant les sessions de "Appetite for Destruction" el 1986 proporciona als fans una visió de l'evolució de la cançó al llarg del temps.

Axl Rose va revelar en una entrevista amb Geffen Records que "Don't Cry" va originar-se abans que els Guns N' Roses es reunissin. La cançó va ser escrita per Rose i el guitarrista Izzy Stradlin després que tots dos desenvolupessin sentiments per la mateixa dona. Davant de la seva indecisió, ella va pronunciar les paraules memorables a Rose: "No ploris, Bill", inspirant el títol de la cançó i el sentiment subjacent.

Els Guns N' Roses van fer intents per enregistrar "Don't Cry" per al seu àlbum debut, "Appetite for Destruction" de 1987, però van allargar la recerca per capturar el so desitjat, i es van veure obstaculitzats pels pressupostos limitats en aquell moment. Malgrat els seus primers esforços, la cançó no va aparèixer en cap àlbum fins al 1991. Tot i que la banda va interpretar-la en directe durant els seus primers anys, van deixar de tocar-la després de completar "Appetite for Destruction". No obstant, les gravacions pirata de la cançó van circular, amb Shannon Hoon, conegut pel seu paper a Blind Melon, fins i tot incorporant-la al repertori de la seva banda de versions.

El vídeo musical de "Don't Cry" és una producció amb una història elaborada per Axl Rose i Josh Richman, dirigida per Andy Morahan, que també va dirigir el vídeo de "November Rain". El vídeo té una durada de 5:14 i consta de diverses escenes diferents. Comença amb un nadó i passa a un entorn nevat on un Axl congelat sosté una pistola, representant l'escena del "Home Congelat" que simbolitza quedar atrapat en el temps. El vídeo després explora imatges conceptuals, incloent escenes d'un funeral, ofegament i desfogament domèstic, intercalades amb imatges de la banda actuant en un terrat. Entre els elements destacats s’inclou un cartell que pregunta "On és Izzy", referint-se a la sortida d'Izzy Stradlin de la banda, i escenes on Slash és agredit físicament per una dona en un cotxe. Slash ha mencionat que aquestes escenes van ser intenses, amb l'actriu colpejant-lo de veritat mentre ell intentava mantenir el focus conduint.

GUNS N‘ ROSES - DON’T CRY

Released: September 1991

Charted:  US: #10   UK: #8 

"Don't Cry" by Guns N' Roses showcases the band's versatility and creativity with its multiple versions released on different albums. The song's original version, featured on “Use Your Illusion I”, presents the fourth track with its distinctive lyrics and melody. Meanwhile, the alternate version, found on “Use Your Illusion II”, offers a unique interpretation with different lyrics and a slightly altered musical arrangement. Additionally, a third version recorded during the “Appetite for Destruction” sessions in 1986 provides fans with an intriguing glimpse into the song's evolution over time.

Axl Rose revealed in an interview with Geffen Records that "Don't Cry" originated before Guns N' Roses came together. The song was written by Rose and guitarist Izzy Stradlin after both developed feelings for the same woman. Faced with her indecision, she uttered the memorable words to Rose: "Don't Cry Bill," inspiring the song's title and underlying sentiment. 

Guns N' Roses made attempts to record "Don't Cry" for their debut album, 1987's "Appetite for Destruction," but struggled to capture the desired sound, hindered by limited budgets at the time. Despite their early efforts, the song didn't make it onto an album until 1991. Although the band performed the song live during their formative years, they ceased playing it after completing "Appetite for Destruction." Nonetheless, bootleg recordings of the song circulated, with Shannon Hoon, known for his role in Blind Melon, even incorporating it into his cover band's repertoire. 

The "Don't Cry" music video is an elaborate production featuring a storyline crafted by Axl Rose and Josh Richman, directed by Andy Morahan, who also helmed the "November Rain" video. The video spans 5:14 and comprises several distinct scenes. It begins with a baby and transitions to a snowy setting where a frozen Axl holds a gun, depicting the "Frozen Man" scene symbolizing being trapped in time. The video then delves into conceptual imagery, including scenes of a funeral, drowning, and domestic unrest, interspersed with footage of the band performing on a rooftop. Notable elements include a sign asking "Where's Izzy," referencing Izzy Stradlin's departure from the band, and scenes where Slash is physically assaulted by a woman in a car. Slash has mentioned that these scenes were intense, with the actress hitting him for real as he tried to maintain focus on driving.