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Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) (album)

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Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)
Inside the centre white area in between a grey border, a small image of a topless woman with short orange hair and black gloves holding a heart-shaped box. Above the image, text in a golden circle reads "D&A", referencing David Stewart and Annie Lennox. The band's name is seen on the top, with the album's title on the bottom.
Studio album by
Eurythmics
Released4 January 1983
Recorded1982
StudioEurythmics' 8-track studio and the Church, London
Genre
Length42:21
LabelRCA
Producer
Eurythmics chronology
In the Garden
(1981) 		Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)
(1983) 		Touch
(1983)
Singles from Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)
  1. "This Is the House"
    Released: 2 April 1982
  2. "The Walk"
    Released: 18 June 1982
  3. "Love Is a Stranger"
    Released: 8 November 1982
  4. "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)"
    Released: 21 January 1983

Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) is the second studio album by British pop duo Eurythmics, released on 4 January 1983 by RCA Records. Along with the title track, which reached number two on the UK Singles Chart and number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 that year, the album also features the singles "This Is the House", "The Walk", and "Love Is a Stranger".

Background and release

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Recording and production

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The album was assembled by Eurythmics mainly at two locations: a small project studio in the attic of an old warehouse in the Chalk Farm district of north London, where the duo spent seven months living and working, followed by a small room in the Church Studios in London.[2][3][4] The album was largely recorded onto an 8-track tape machine, apart from three songs: "The Walk" was transferred onto a friend's 16-track, and "Somebody Told Me" and "Wrap It Up" were both recorded onto 24-track (using only half the tracks) while the Church studio was being built.[5] Equipment-wise, the band had a basic recording setup consisting of a Tascam 80-8 8-track, a Soundcraft Series 2 mixer, two Beyerdynamic M201 TG microphones, a Roland Space Echo, a Furman compressor, a B.E.L. Electronics noise reduction unit, and a Klark Teknik DN50 spring reverb unit.[4][3] The instruments they used were mainly a Roland SH-09 synthesizer (later said to be an SH-101 instead), a CSQ-100 sequencer, a Gretsch slide guitar, a Movement drum computer, a Roland Juno-6, and a borrowed Oberheim synthesizer (later described as the OB-X model by Stewart).[4][3] Overall, the record cost around £5,000 to make, due to equipment costs.[4]

Release and popularity

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After a year and a half of initial commercial failure for Eurythmics, this album became a breakthrough for the duo on both sides of the Atlantic. The title track became particularly popular and remains one of Eurythmics' most recognisable songs. Its music video, popular on MTV in the United States, is memorable for Annie Lennox's gender-bending imagery. In the wake of this success, the single "Love Is a Stranger", previously a flop, was re-released and became a hit as well. It too was accompanied by a striking video that featured Lennox dressed both as a man and a woman.

The album was re-released in 2005 with the entire Eurythmics studio catalogue except the 1984 (For the Love of Big Brother) album, to which Virgin Records holds the rights. The recordings were remastered and several bonus tracks added to each of the eight albums. In this release, Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) acquired six bonus tracks.

Releases

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Early Australian, German, and US CD releases (printed in Japan) and the 2005 reissue version of this album have a slightly longer version of "This City Never Sleeps". The length of 6:40 is due to some mixed sound effects and a backmasked message by David A. Stewart saying, "I enjoyed making that there record. Very good, very good" that total 21 seconds. This message also appears on original UK vinyl pressings.

During 1982, Eurythmics recorded many tracks that ended up as B-sides of singles or as alternative versions of other songs. Tracks such as "Step on the Beast", "Invisible Hands", "Dr. Trash", or the alternative versions of "The Walk" have not yet been released on CD. However, these tracks can now be heard through YouTube.

Critical reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[6]
Christgau's Record GuideB[7]
PopMatters9/10[8]
Record Collector[9]
Rolling Stone[10]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide[11]
Slant Magazine[12]
Smash Hits6/10[13]
Spin Alternative Record Guide8/10[14]
Uncut[15]

Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) has generally received mixed-to-positive reviews from music critics. AllMusic praised some of the singles but felt that the album possessed a few dull moments.[6] Smash Hits noted that some of the lyrics detracted from the "otherwise pleasant LP", although they were complimentary of "Love Is a Stranger".[13] Robert Christgau found that the album was "starkly hooky" but called the duo pretentious.[7] The album was included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.[16]

Track listing

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All tracks are written by Annie Lennox and David A. Stewart, except "Wrap It Up", which is by Isaac Hayes and David Porter, and "Satellite of Love", by Lou Reed

No.TitleLength
1."Love Is a Stranger"3:43
2."I've Got an Angel"2:44
3."Wrap It Up"3:33
4."I Could Give You (A Mirror)"3:51
5."The Walk"4:40
6."Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)"3:36
7."Jennifer"5:05
8."This Is the House"5:00
9."Somebody Told Me"3:29
10."This City Never Sleeps"6:40
Total length:42:21
2005 special edition bonus tracks
No.TitleLength
11."Home Is Where the Heart Is"3:01
12."Monkey Monkey"5:19
13."Baby's Gone Blue"4:17
14."Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" (Hot Remix)5:19
15."Love Is a Stranger" (Coldcut Remix)7:17
16."Satellite of Love"4:36
Total length:72:10

Personnel

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Credits adapted from the liner notes of Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This).[17]

  • Annie Lennox – vocals
  • David A. Stewart – production (all tracks); engineering
  • Adam Williams – production (tracks 1, 2, 5, 8); engineering
  • Robert Crash – production (tracks 3, 4, 9); engineering
  • Chris Ashbrook – video stills
  • Lewis Ziolek – cover photography
  • Laurence Stevens – design
  • Green Gartside – guest vocals (track 3)

Sweet Dreams: The Video Album

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Sweet Dreams: The Video Album
Video by
Eurythmics
Released1983
Recorded1982–1983
Length63 minutes
LabelBMG Video
DirectorDerek Burbidge
Producer
  • Kate Burbidge
  • Maurice Bacon
Eurythmics chronology
Sweet Dreams: The Video Album
(1983) 		Eurythmics Live
(1987)

Eurythmics also released a video album for Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This), featuring in-concert performances, promotional videos, and narrative animation highlighting the duo's singles "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)", "Love Is a Stranger", and other songs from the album.[citation needed]

The live concert performances, taped at the Heaven nightclub in London, feature a selection of songs from Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This), as well as two songs from their 1981 debut album, In the Garden, "Never Gonna Cry Again" and "Take Me to Your Heart".[citation needed]

The video album was directed by Derek Burbidge, with the exception of the promos for "Love Is a Stranger" (directed by Mike Brady), "Who's That Girl?" (directed by Duncan Gibbins), and "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" (directed by Chris Ashbrook).[citation needed]

Information

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  • Director: Derek Burbidge
  • Producers: Kate Burbidge, Maurice Bacon
  • Executive producer: Mickey Shapiro
  • Animation: Bura and Hardwick Animation
  • VHS release: 1983
  • DVD release: 1998

Track listing

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  1. "Prologue" (introduction montage) – 1:46
  2. "This Is the House" (live version) – 4:48
  3. "Never Gonna Cry Again" (live version) – 4:21
  4. "Take Me to Your Heart" (live version) – 4:08
  5. "I've Got an Angel" (live version) – 3:41
  6. "Satellite of Love" (live version) – 5:01
  7. "Love Is a Stranger" (promo) – 3:26
  8. "Who's That Girl?" (promo) – 3:40
  9. "This City Never Sleeps" (live version) – 5:12
  10. "Jennifer" (live version) – 4:39
  11. "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" (live version) – 3:36
  12. "I Could Give You (A Mirror)" (live version) – 3:47
  13. "Somebody Told Me" (live version) – 3:25
  14. "Wrap It Up" (live version) – 3:20
  15. "Tous les garçons et les filles" (live version) – 3:40
  16. "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" (promo) – 3:40

Charts

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Certifications

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Certifications for Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[38] 2× Platinum 200,000^
Germany (BVMI)[39] Gold 250,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[40] Platinum 300,000^
United States (RIAA)[41] Gold 500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

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  1. ^ Mitchell, Matt (21 July 2023). "The 50 Greatest Synth-Pop Albums of All Time". Paste. Archived from the original on 26 July 2023. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  2. ^ Bell, Adam Patrick (2018). Dawn of the DAW: The Studio as Musical Instrument. Oxford University Press. p. 23. ISBN 9780190296629. Archived from the original on 5 September 2023. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
  3. ^ a b c Doyle, Tom (July 2018). "Classic Tracks: Eurythmics' 'Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)'". Sound On Sound.
  4. ^ a b c d Crane, Susan (December 1983). "Producing Sweet Dreams". Modern Recording & Music. pp. 23–31.
  5. ^ Deevoy, Adrian (July 1983). "Tales from the Crypt". International Musician And Recording World. pp. 40–43.
  6. ^ a b Gallucci, Michael. "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) – Eurythmics". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 10 May 2020. Retrieved 12 August 2011.
  7. ^ a b Christgau, Robert (1990). "Eurythmics: Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)". Christgau's Record Guide: The '80s. Pantheon Books. p. 140. ISBN 0-679-73015-X. Archived from the original on 5 September 2023. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
  8. ^ Besenyodi, Adam (5 December 2005). "This Is What the Future Sounded Like". PopMatters. Archived from the original on 7 December 2005. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
  9. ^ McIver, Joel (January 2006). "Eurythmics: In the Garden / Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) / Touch / Be Yourself Tonight / Revenge / Savage / We Too Are One / Peace". Record Collector. No. 319. p. 90. ISSN 0261-250X.
  10. ^ Fricke, David (23 June 1983). "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)". Rolling Stone. ISSN 0035-791X. Archived from the original on 19 October 2020. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
  11. ^ Considine, J. D. (2004). "Eurythmics". In Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian (eds.). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide (4th ed.). Simon & Schuster. pp. 283–284. ISBN 0-7432-0169-8.
  12. ^ Cinquemani, Sal (5 January 2008). "Review: Eurythmics, Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)". Slant Magazine. Archived from the original on 8 August 2021. Retrieved 7 August 2021.
  13. ^ a b Hepworth, David (20 January – 2 February 1983). "Eurythmics: Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)". Smash Hits. Vol. 5, no. 2. p. 17. ISSN 0260-3004 – via Ultimate Eurythmics Archives.
  14. ^ Walters, Barry (1995). "Eurythmics". In Weisbard, Eric; Marks, Craig (eds.). Spin Alternative Record Guide. Vintage Books. pp. 135–136. ISBN 0-679-75574-8.
  15. ^ Martin, Piers (January 2006). "The hitman and her". Uncut. No. 104. p. 124. ISSN 1368-0722.
  16. ^ Sugrue, Louise (2006). "Eurythmics: Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)". In Dimery, Robert (ed.). 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die. Universe Publishing. p. 512. ISBN 978-0-7893-1371-3.
  17. ^ Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) (liner notes). Eurythmics. RCA Records. 1983. RCD 25447.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  18. ^ "Chartifacts". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on 14 January 2015. Retrieved 1 October 2012.
  19. ^ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 4334a". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  20. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Eurythmics – Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 February 2013.
  21. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Eurythmics – Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  22. ^ "Official IFPI Charts — Top-75 Albums Sales Chart (Combined) — Week: 51/2022". IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on 28 December 2022. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  23. ^ Okamoto, Satoshi (2006). Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005 (in Japanese). Roppongi, Tokyo: Oricon Entertainment. ISBN 4-87131-077-9.
  24. ^ "Charts.nz – Eurythmics – Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)". Hung Medien. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
  25. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Eurythmics – Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 February 2013.
  26. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  27. ^ "Eurythmics Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  28. ^ "Rock Albums" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 95, no. 31. 30 July 1983. p. 22. ISSN 0006-2510 – via World Radio History.
  29. ^ "Eurythmics Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  30. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 435. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  31. ^ "The Top Albums of 1983". RPM. Vol. 39, no. 17. 24 December 1983. p. 15. ISSN 0033-7064 – via Library and Archives Canada.
  32. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Album 1983" (in Dutch). Dutch Charts. Archived from the original on 4 January 2022. Retrieved 2 April 2014.
  33. ^ "Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts – 1983" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Archived from the original on 9 May 2015. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  34. ^ "Top Selling Albums of 1983". Recorded Music NZ. Archived from the original on 17 February 2022. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  35. ^ Scaping, Peter, ed. (1984). "Top 100 LPs: 1983". BPI Year Book 1984. British Phonographic Industry. pp. 44–45. ISBN 0-906154-04-9.
  36. ^ "Top Pop Albums of 1983". Billboard. 31 December 1983. Archived from the original on 5 September 2012. Retrieved 3 March 2012.
  37. ^ "Top Pop Albums of 1984". Billboard. 31 December 1984. Archived from the original on 31 December 2012. Retrieved 3 March 2012.
  38. ^ "Canadian album certifications – Eurythmics – Sweet Dreams". Music Canada. 9 December 1986.
  39. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Eurythmics; 'Sweet Dreams')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
  40. ^ "British album certifications – Eurythmics – Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)". British Phonographic Industry. 16 January 1984. Retrieved 7 August 2021.
  41. ^ "American album certifications – Eurythmics – Sweet Dreams". Recording Industry Association of America. 8 November 1983.
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