The story of the hit that makes you believe in sweet dreams: 'Sweet Dreams' by the duo Eurythmics

"Sweet Dreams" is not only the name of the song, but also the story of two musicians who made their dreams come true. Annie Lennox и David A. Stewart were friends and band mates The TouristsBut they were not satisfied with its success and wanted to create their own style. They split up with the rest of the band and founded duo Eurythmics.

Their first album "In the Garden" didn't bring them the popularity they'd hoped for, so they decided to radically modify their sound using synthesisers and drum machines. This is how the song "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" was born, which became hymn of the new wave and a symbol of the 1980s era.

Annie Lennox's new look

One day Annie Lennox and David Stewart decided to record a song about their feelings to each other. They were not only musical partners, but also loved each other, even though their relationship was complex and contradictory. They wanted to express their pain, passion, jealousy, tenderness, anger. So "Sweet Dreams" was born, a song that emphasised with its title that their dreams consisted of these things mix of emotion.

When the song was ready (we'll tell you exactly how they worked on it a little later), they decided to film to it video clipthat would reflect their unusual duo. They approached the director Chris Ashbrookwho was known for his experimental work. He asked them to film in an old abandoned warehousewhere they'll be playing synthesisers and guitars, and around them will be scattered different objects: chairs, books, suitcases, toys. He told them that it would symbolise their inner world, full of memories, fantasies and desires.

But Ashbrook didn't stop there. He decided to add another element to the clip: cow with stains. He explained that it would be a contrast to the grey and cold background of the warehouse, as well as the metaphor for their relationship: the cow is an animal that gives milk and cheese, that is nourishment and pleasure, but can also be dangerous and unpredictable. Ashbrook said that he was inspired by the work of the artists-surrealistslike Salvador Dali and René Magritte. Well, they would certainly appreciate a painting like this.

Annie Lennox and David Stewart agreed to the idea, even though it seemed to them to be bizarre. They thought it would be a fun experiment that wouldn't get much attention. But when the clip came out on the channel MTVit immediately provoked a strong reaction from the audience. They were surprised to see Annie Lennox with the orange hair, and next to her, not only David Stewart, but a cow with spots.

Truth born in strife.....

Yes, we promised you the story of the creation of the audio track itself. One day, Annie and David were sitting in their studio at the Paris and they were trying to record a new song. They had just quarrelled over some nonsense and not talking to each other. Dave started playing the bass part of one of his old songs on the synthesiser on the contrary. It sounded weird, but interesting.

Annie heard this and began to sing along to it:

"Sweet dreams are made of this
Who am I to disagree?
I travel the world and the seven seas
Everybody's looking for something
Sweet dreams are made of this.
Who am I to disagree?
I've travelled the world and all the seas,
And everybody's looking for something."

They were words she had thought of long ago, when she was in hospital after a operations on her throat. She didn't know what they meant, but she felt they had something to do with her life.

Dave and Annie looked at each other and smiled. They forgot about their problems and quarrels and focused on the music - refining their song by adding a few more lines and a chorus.

Everyone enjoyed it

"Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" was named in honour of their second album and was released as a single in early 1983. It was the song that came second in the UK Singles Chartand then she took the lead Billboard Hot 100. It made the list of the 500 best songs of all time according to the readers of the magazine Rolling Stone. The composition is there in 365th place.

This song was played at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games 2012 in London.

Who's tried re-singing?

Of course, there was a lot of covers. Different artists from many different genres, from many different countries decided to re-sing their song in their own way. They decided to add their own styleyour attitude, your sense of purpose.

One of the most famous and unexpected is a dark and gloomy interpretation of the Marilyn Manson. He admitted that the idea slow down the song and make it harder came to him when he first tried substances. He wanted to show that sweet dreams could be nightmarishthat man can be hostage to his desires, that the world can be cruel and ruthless. You can't help but recognise that he did it.

But Manson wasn't the only one who decided to experiments with a song. My own versions recorded by Thomas Anders, Tori Amos, The Lama Band, Crystal Meyers, Judith Hildebrandt, Tomoyasu Hotei, Allison Crowe, Kitty Brooknell and many others. They showed that sweet dreams can be different: tender and affectionate, sad and nostalgic, fun and playful, energetic and dynamic. In 2015, the band "Safe." released a Russian-language version of the song for her album "The Safe".

In addition to the covers, there were various remixes. Among DJswho attempted it - Steve Angello, Benny Benassi, Avicii and others.