- British new wave duo formed in London England in 1980. The duo was Annie Lennox (vocals, piano) and David Stewart (vocals, guitar, bass guitar, keyboards).
- Lennox and Stewart met in 1975 at a restaurant where Lennox worked. They played together in a punk rock band named The Catch in 1976, which evolved into The Tourists the following year. There were tensions in the group, and Lennox and Stewart wanted to take their career to a different direction. They decided to split and form their own group. The name Eurythmics is derived from a musical teaching methodology of the same name.
- They decided to use session musicians to back them up, so that they were the only permanent members of the group. They signed with a record label, and released their debut album, In the Garden, in 1981. The record was psychedelic and electronic pop – it did not sell well.
- Their breakthrough album was released in 1983 – Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This). The first 3 singles from the album were not popular. However, when they released the title track as a single, they had a smash hit, hitting #1 in the U.S. Its success was enhanced by constant play of the video on MTV. Lennox quickly became a pop music queen.
- Their follow up album, Touch, was released later that same year. It was their highest charting album, hitting #7 in the U.S. and #1 in the UK. The single Here Comes the Rain Again peaked at #4, and it continued their unique new wave, synthpop sound.
- They continued to release successful albums. 1985’s Be Yourself Tonight hit #9 in the U.S. and #3 in the UK, and 1986’s Revenge peaked at #12 in the U.S. and #3 in the UK. The big hit during this time was Would I Lie To You?, as well as a collaboration with Aretha Franklin (and Stevie Wonder on harmonica), Sisters Are Doin’ It For Themselves.
- Eurythmics final album in the 80s was We Too Are One. After 10 years together, Lennox and Stewart split and they worked on solo projects. In 1999, they reunited for their final studio album – Peace.
- Eurythmics was awarded a Grammy Award in 1987 for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal, for the song Missionary Man.
- Lennox and Stewart continue to be active in the industry, but there are no indications that Eurythmics will form again. Lennox has released 6 solo albums, winning 3 Grammy Awards, and an Academy Award for co-writing the song Into the West from the film The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King. Stewart has been involved as a producer for other artists, including Tom Petty, Mick Jagger, and Bon Jovi. He is involved in film and television soundtracks, musical theater, comic books and a business book.
- Eurythmics was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2022.
- Eurythmics was a force in the 80s – a classic new wave band. My favorite was Here Comes the Rain Again – give it a listen.