I was born from original sin
And if I had a dollar bill for all the things I've done
There'd be a mountain of money piled up to my chin
My mother told me good, my mother told me strong
She said, be true to yourself and you can't go wrong
But there's just one thing that you must understand
You can fool with your brother
But don't mess with a missionary man
Don't mess with a missionary man
Don't mess with a missionary man
Don't mess with a missionary man
Oh, the missionary man, he's got God on his side
He's got the saints and apostles backing up from behind
Black eyed looks from those Bible books
He's a man with a mission, got a serious mind
There was a woman in the jungle and a monkey on a tree
The missionary man, he was following me
He said, stop what you're doing, get down upon your knees
I've a message for you that you better believe
Well I was born an original sinner
I was borne from original sin
And if I had a dollar bill for all the things I've done
There'd be a mountain of money
Don't mess with a missionary man
Missionary man
Missionary man
Missionary man
Don't mess with a missionary man
Missionary man
Eurythmics were a British pop duo formed in 1980, consisting of Scottish vocalist Annie Lennox and English musician and producer Dave Stewart. They were both previously in the Tourists, a band that broke up in 1980. They released their first studio album, In the Garden, in 1981 to little success, but achieved global acclaim with their second album, Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) (1983). The title track became a worldwide hit, reaching number two in the UK Singles Chart, and number one in Canada and the US Billboard Hot 100. Eurythmics went on to release a string of hit singles and albums, including "Love Is a Stranger", "There Must Be an Angel (Playing with My Heart)" and "Here Comes the Rain Again", before splitting in 1990.
Stewart became 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 1999. They reunited again in 2005 to release the single "I've Got a Life", as part of a new compilation album, Ultimate Collection.
Eurythmics have sold an estimated 75 million records worldwide. Their awards include the 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, and the Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music in 1999. They were inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame in 2005, the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2020, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022.
This song perfectly illustrates what I am saying - it is all sung on two or three notes which are in her strong range - probably written specifically for her by David Stewart who knows her strengths and weaknesses.
I still like listening to Annie but if you ever hear her singing something not specifically written for her then it unfortunately exposes this limitation in her vocal abilities.
But when she really belts our her strong notes she is very powerful and moving.
Not hating - just giving my thoughts that y'all can comment on...
If you are trying to insinuate that Annie Lennox does not sing Mariah Carey / Withney Houston style, then you are correct.
Its STILL too soon....
Your comment implies that MTV once played music. That's just silly.
Its STILL too soon....
Sometimes songs are popular because they're good
If you are trying to insinuate that Annie Lennox does not sing Mariah Carey / Withney Houston style, then you are correct.
Annie Lennox wrote this and a lot of the other Eurythmics' songs. Jeez, we're in 2020 and people still think the man must be the talented one.
I used to think Annie Lennox was a great singer - now I am not so sure. The more I listen very carefully to her songs she definitely has a powerful voice but it is only on a very limited vocal range. To exceed her limited mid-range voice she has to resort to 'head singing' or falsetto with quite a noticeable 'step change' between the two. When she goes below her range she get very 'breathy' - more air movement than singing.
This song perfectly illustrates what I am saying - it is all sung on two or three notes which are in her strong range - probably written specifically for her by David Stewart who knows her strengths and weaknesses.
I still like listening to Annie but if you ever hear her singing something not specifically written for her then it unfortunately exposes this limitation in her vocal abilities.
But when she really belts our her strong notes she is very powerful and moving.
Not hating - just giving my thoughts that y'all can comment on...
This particular song may illustrate your assertion because structurally it is essentially a blues song - a genre which historically uses a pentatonic (5-note) scale for its melodies. Maybe it's just press-kit publicity, but according to what I've read of her, she has a three-octave, contralto range.
Absolute peak.
I used to think Annie Lennox was a great singer - now I am not so sure. The more I listen very carefully to her songs she definitely has a powerful voice but it is only on a very limited vocal range. To exceed her limited mid-range voice she has to resort to 'head singing' or falsetto with quite a noticeable 'step change' between the two. When she goes below her range she get very 'breathy' - more air movement than singing.
This song perfectly illustrates what I am saying - it is all sung on two or three notes which are in her strong range - probably written specifically for her by David Stewart who knows her strengths and weaknesses.
I still like listening to Annie but if you ever hear her singing something not specifically written for her then it unfortunately exposes this limitation in her vocal abilities.
But when she really belts our her strong notes she is very powerful and moving.
Not hating - just giving my thoughts that y'all can comment on...
OK. What a stupid comment.
I used to think Annie Lennox was a great singer - now I am not so sure. The more I listen very carefully to her songs she definitely has a powerful voice but it is only on a very limited vocal range. To exceed her limited mid-range voice she has to resort to 'head singing' or falsetto with quite a noticeable 'step change' between the two. When she goes below her range she get very 'breathy' - more air movement than singing.
This song perfectly illustrates what I am saying - it is all sung on two or three notes which are in her strong range - probably written specifically for her by David Stewart who knows her strengths and weaknesses.
I still like listening to Annie but if you ever hear her singing something not specifically written for her then it unfortunately exposes this limitation in her vocal abilities.
But when she really belts our her strong notes she is very powerful and moving.
Not hating - just giving my thoughts that y'all can comment on...
I heard her cover of A Whiter Shade of Pale and it brought shivers...
mdnlsn wrote:
Joniece Jamison with background vocals
She shared the stage with Ms Lennox pretty well, from what I remember. And rightly so too. Stunning stuff.
Harmonica guy was scarily talented too.
She shared the stage with Ms Lennox pretty well, from what I remember. And rightly so too. Stunning stuff.
Harmonica guy was scarily talented too.
Who was playing harmonica? Likely a Hohner Blues Harp. I had the full collection, one in every key. Sounded best when the reeds were slightly damp. Just run one under the tap in cool water for a few seconds and let air dry for a while.
Dan Aykroyd, as "Elwood Blues", carried his blues harmonicas in a briefcase that he kept handcuffed to his wrist, in the manner of a CIA courier; Belushi originally carried the key to those handcuffs.
I used to think Annie Lennox was a great singer - now I am not so sure. The more I listen very carefully to her songs she definitely has a powerful voice but it is only on a very limited vocal range. To exceed her limited mid-range voice she has to resort to 'head singing' or falsetto with quite a noticeable 'step change' between the two. When she goes below her range she get very 'breathy' - more air movement than singing.
This song perfectly illustrates what I am saying - it is all sung on two or three notes which are in her strong range - probably written specifically for her by David Stewart who knows her strengths and weaknesses.
I still like listening to Annie but if you ever hear her singing something not specifically written for her then it unfortunately exposes this limitation in her vocal abilities.
But when she really belts our her strong notes she is very powerful and moving.
Not hating - just giving my thoughts that y'all can comment on...
Hard to enjoy the music while dissecting it.
Jimmy Zavala
OMG that bass line is heavy and driving!!! Good stuff!
yes, we heard this a lot on the radio in the 80's, maybe too much, but it's so good!
I agree. It is even better now in FLAC w/ great studio phones, amp & DAC! Thanx RP!