Customer Reviews

Eurythmics - Greatest Hits [Bonus Tracks]

5 star:		(52)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

If I had to name my favorite decade for music, it would have to be the '80s with all the new wave bands like Erasure, Depeche Mode, and the Eurythmics. Annie Lennox is definitely one of the greatest female vocalists I have ever heard. I was definitely offended when shock rocker Marilyn Manson massacred "Sweet Dreams (are made of this)". I absolutely loved Annie's androgynous look she had in her music videos like in "Sweet Dreams (are made of this)". Although I knew quite a few of the songs on this cd, there were quite a few songs that I wasn't really familiar like the guitar-driven "When Tomorrow Comes" which I immediately fell in love with, with both the melodies, guitar riffs, and the optimistic lyrics. "Thorn in My Side" is also another personal favorite track. That is one of those songs where I can't help but sing along to when I listen to the cd. I love the empowering lyrics of "Sisters Are Doin' It For Themselves", a timeless classic. Pairing Annie with another legendary singer Aretha Franklin was a brilliant idea. And of course I can't mention other faves such as "Here Comes the Rain Again" and "Missionary Man". There was not one song on this cd I did not skip over. This cd is simply a great collection of songs that made the '80s so great.

Although this collection does contain their major US hits, it does not necessarily contain all of Eurythmics' "greatest" hits. Evergreens from 80s pop such as "Sweet Dreams" (the extended mix is included here), "Here Comes The Rain Again", and "There Must Be Angel" are on this collection among others. However, replacing key singles that experimented with their current sound ("Right By Your Side" and "Sexcrime") are ommitted in favor of bland selection from their We Too Are One album--their least winning. If it's a starting point you're looking for to explore the superb and relevant history of this group, then I suggest purchasing each of their albums chronologically. Beginning with this collection merely suggests that this was a group who had some brilliant singles at first before becoming a bit less interesting--which is certainly not the case. David Stewart and Annie Lennox were two musicians who were able to allow technology to enhance their music rather than envelop it. From their first album album (In the Garden) to their latest you will never hear the novelty of machines win over genuine artistry. You will hear many points of timeless intrigue on every one of their releases, including (albiet less) on We Too Are One. By The way, the import pressing of this Greatest Hits does contain an expanded selection (complete with the two tracks that I mentioned were ommitted from the domestic pressing), however, I still highly recommend investing in their complete catalog. Intelligent and still innovative. Catchy and unforgettable without being gimmicky.

These 2 together as a group in the 80's rocked my world. These songs were hits and always being played on the radio or in my room, at my friends house. My favorites : Here comes the rain again, Would I lie to you, Angel, Whos that girl and There must be an angel. Another song that I loved so much was Walking on broken glass, which was not on this cd. The song that I never really cared for was Sweet Dreams.... something about it was spooky. Annie Lenox has the voice.

This is a good introduction to the Eurythmics, but definitely not a collection of their best music. While most of the familiar songs are here, it doesn't contain some of their greatest songs, like Revenge and Never Gonna Cry Again from In The Garden, The Walk from Sweet Dreams, No Fear No Pain No Hate No Broken Hearts from Touch, Julia and For The Love of Big Brother from 1984, It's Alright (Baby's Coming Back) from Be Yourself Tonight, The Last Time from Revenge, Beethoven, You Have Placed a Chill in My Heart, Shame, and Savage from Savage, or (My My) Baby's Gonna Cry, Revival, and We Two are One from We Too Are One. This should have been a 2-cd set. And the new Eurythmics cd, Peace, has many great songs too. Of the songs that are here, Angel and Don't Ask Me Why are the best songs. All of the songs, however, are great, and if you can't afford to buy all of the Eurythmics' wonderful cds, this is a good choice.

First, there are a couple versions of this Greatest Hits collection out there. The US version that Amazon is selling has 14 songs (including the addition of "King And Queen Of America"). The original European and Canadian release has 18 songs including songs not on the US release: "Right By Your Side", "It's Alright (Baby's Coming Back)", "You Have Placed A Chill In My Heart", "Miracle Of Love" and "Sex Crime (1984)". Thus, your hits collection is not complete with the US Version.

This is quite the compliation though and it is rare that a compliation is this thorough to not have a record company constantly release hits after hits versions. This is the definitive release and that is why it has been so successful.

The group was an essential part of 80s music and as the decade grew out of its reliance on synth and drum machine based music, so did the group. The absence or minimal use of synth by the Eurythmics at the end of the 80s (and thus at the end of their career) moved the focus away from Dave Stewart's electronic musings to the group's lyrics and interior thoughts and feelings about the world around them. As the synth and electronica of the 80s made way for a return of more real instrumentation, the Eurythmics' music fell flat, and the group folded at that time. This was also the reason for the failure of the group's return album in 1999. It didn't have the spark or excitement that their earlier 80s work did.

From 1981 to 1987, the Eurythmics could do no wrong and all of their music in that time frame is simply a joy to listen to. Though some consider "Sweet Dreams" their seminal song, you also have to consider "Would I Lie To You?", the song that full established them as a rock act; "Missionary Man", which gave them a Grammy; and "It's Alright (Baby's Coming Back)" a nice little propulsive pop song that builds from a whisper to a crescendo. "Sisters Are Doin' It For Themselves" also shows the great Aretha Franklin in fine form.

Annie Lennox always had and will always have a great voice. It's clear alto mixed with Dave Stewart's synth on their earlier work and with his guitar driven mid-80s rock groove is perfect. This was a stellar group with rock solid material. A fine addition to your collection.

In 1991, just two years after their eighth album, We Too Are One, Eurythmics released their ninth album entitled simply, GREATEST HITS, their first greatest hits compilation, but their ninth album overall. This album features nothing, but the best from Eurythmics, although, it is missing at least one or two other greatest hits. This album proves how amazing Eurythmics were in the 80s, and they are giving us a second chance to relive our memories. I was only a newborn when they released BE YOURSELF TONIGHT, back in 1985, but when I was old enough to know what kind of music there was, I would remember hearing most of Eurythmics biggest hits on the radio. So, this album takes me down memory lane of when I was just a rambunctious little brat, listening to these classic 80s hits.

SWEET DREAMS (ARE MADE OF THIS)

Original version from the album Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This) (1982). The album/single version, which can obviously be found on the album of the same name, is shorter than what is included here. The album/single version runs to 3 minutes & 30 seconds, while the extended version runs to 4 minutes & 50 seconds. If they included the album/single version or the extended version, it wouldn't have matter because this song is an undestroyable classic.

WHEN TOMORROW COMES

From the album Revenge (1986). This is one of their greatest songs. Just like the album it came from, this song features an even heavier 80s synthesizing Pop & Rock sound, with the addition of the beautifully arranged acoustic guitars.

HERE COMES THE RAIN AGAIN

Original version from the album Touch (1983). The album/single version, which was included on the album, "Touch", runs close to the extended version. The album/single version runs to 4 minutes & 54 seconds. The extended version runs to 5 minutes & 3 seconds, just nine seconds longer than the album/single version. This song is another of Eurythmics' greatest songs.

WHO'S THAT GIRL

Original version from the album Touch (1983). The origianl album version runs to 4 minutes & 45 seconds, while the single version runs to 3 minutes & 47 seconds. Still an unbelievable song, revealing Annie's jealousy.

WOULD I LIE TO YOU?

From the album Be Yourself Tonight (1985). The very beginning is the best part of the song. When the jazz sound comes rolling in and plays throughout the rest of the song, I then turn off the song.

SISTERS ARE DOIN' IT FOR THEMSELVES (Duet with Aretha Franklin)

From the album Be Yourself Tonight (1985). This is one hell of a diva duet. Although, this is not the first diva duet to be the best duet in the history of music. Back in 1979, you had Barbra Streisand & Donna Summer team up for their #1 hit diva duet entitled, "No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)". In 1997, Celine Dion & Barbra Streisand teamed up for their power ballad diva duet entitled, "Tell Him". In 2001, Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, Mya, & Pink joined forces for the diva duet entitled, "Lady Marmalade". In 2002, Christina Aguilera & Lil' Kim teamed up for their diva duet entitled, "Can't Hold Us Down". In 2003, Britney Spears & Madonna teamed up for their diva duet entitled, "Me Against The Music". "Sisters Are Doin' It For Themselves" runs along those lines and will remain a classic, just like the rest.

THERE MUST BE AN ANGEL (PLAYING WITH MY HEART)

From the album Be Yourself Tonight (1985). Another song where Annie displays her beautiful voice and her talented ability to harmonize. An incredible song that is not to be skipped by anybody.

MISSIONARY MAN

Original version from the album Revenge (1986). This is just like the album version, only part of the beginning portion is cut out. The beginning portion is supposed to be a weird sort of sound that fades in all the way to the first verse. Still a great song.

DON'T ASK ME WHY

From the album We Too Are One (1989). Not bad.

I NEED A MAN

From the album Savage (1987). Another incredible song. This is a song that nobody should skip, or even think about skipping it. You gotta love this song's hard rock beat and Annie's incredibly powerful voice.

LOVE IS A STRANGER

From the album Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This) (1982). Another great song, but does not quite match up with the rest.

THORN IN MY SIDE

From the album Revenge (1986). This is my favorite song from the album, "Revenge". That acoustic guitar in the very beginning is pure classic. An incredible break-up song all the way.

THE KING AND QUEEN OF AMERICA

From the album We Too Are One (1989). Basically the best song from the album, "We Too Are One". I order everybody not to skip this song. This is one hell of a song. It is too good to miss.

ANGEL

From the album We Too Are One (1989). This is the perfect song to close out this album: a beautiful relaxing ballad. The harmonies are amazingly beautiful.

Although, most of the major hits have been included here, there are some hits that should have been included as well, such as, "It's Alright (Baby's Coming Back)", "You Have Placed A Chill In My Heart", "Shame", "Beethoven (I Love To Listen To)", etc. But this greatest hits compilation is worth the money. You'll see that I am right.

Whatever happened to melody, creativity, individuality and good old beats? Somewhere along the line it has been replace by singers who can't sing, write or play an instrument, songs without melodies and beats as monotonous as a flywheel. Fortunately the Eurythmics are of the former school - turning out original, quality hits that showed a spark of genius at times. ("Sweet Things" is perhaps the most famous song of the decade - deservedly so.) The haunting voice, odd instrumentation and artistic approach to every track makes this one a winner. My grade: A

I live in Sweden which is a great country. But about Eurythmics Greatest Hits, there is a strange thing between the version you can find in Sweden and the one you can find in the U.K., and it's the tracklisting. Here it is:

1. Sweet dreams

2. Love is a stranger

3. Who's that girl?

4. Right by your side

5. Here comes the rain again

6. Sexcrime (1984)

7. Julia

8. Would i lie to you?

9. There must be an angel (Playing with my heart)

10. Sisters are doin' it for themselves

11. It's alright (Baby's coming back)

12. When tomorrow comes

13. Miracle of love

14. Thorn in my side

15. Missionary Man

16. Beethoven (I love to listen to)

17. I need a man

18. You have placed a chill in my heart

19. Don't ask me why

20. King and queen of America

21. Angel

I give three stars to the U.S. version since it includes many of the best. If I had to review the Swedish version, I would give that five stars. As you may see, 7 songs are missing in the U.S. version, compared to the swedish version. Oh well, I'm not going to talk anymore about all the versions. This is an essential anyhow, since Eurythmics are the best!!!

Eurythmics were popular in the US in their 80s heyday but even bigger in Europe, especially their native UK. Hence the differences in the hits gathered on the US and international editions of Greatest Hits. The US version leaves out several terrific tracks that were European hits - It's Alright (Baby's Coming Back), You Have Placed A Chill in My Heart, Sexcrime (1984), Miracle of Love and Right By Your Side. It does include King and Queen of America, which was left off the international edition. The difference in the song selections was obviously a commercial marketing strategy by Arista records - and not a real good one in my opinion. For one thing, the choices for the American edition were sometimes inexplicable. The straightforward rock numbers When Tomorrow Comes and King and Queen of America did not even chart in America, yet they are included here. These songs are weak compared to the stunning soul-electronic fusion of It's Alright and You Have Placed A Chill in My Heart, featuring powerfully soulful vocals by Annie Lennox set against an electronic backdrop. Those songs did in fact chart (albeit lowly) in the States but were left off. Sexcrime, a sinister piece of German-influenced electronica (from the soundtrack of the movie 1984) would have been a worthier inclusion on this collection than cliched AOR dribble like Don't Ask Me Why from the dull We Too Are One album. The blame must surely rest with Clive Davis, Arista (now J Records) chief and his misguided marketing of Eurythmics as a popular radio band when hardcore Eurythmics loyalists will generally tell you that their electronic albums like Savage were their best and most interesting work. I am extremely ambivalent about the US release of Greatest hits as it represented an overly commercial side of this otherwise innovative duo. Get the UK import instead, but even this does not do justice to the best music of Eurythmics. It would have been much more satsifying for fans had the duo released a "Best of" as opposed to "Greatest Hits" that collected their best work, both successful and obscure alike, e.g. stuff from their first album In The Garden, the 1984 soundtrack (an electronic masterpiece in its own right), and more selections from the amazing Savage.

The Eurythmics sound strangely timeless and enchanting - thanks to Annie Lennox.

I have the 1991 UK edition of this and it has 18 tracks vs. the 14 listed here...but it still looks like a great album, so get it if u must.

Mine has You Have Placed A Chill In My Heart (fantastic); Sex Crime (1984) (funky!); Miracle of Love; It's Alright - (Baby's Coming Back)...later editions have King and Queen of America.