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Be Yourself Tonight

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Be Yourself Tonight
A photograph of Annie now wearing a jacket, seen with white hair. The name of the duo is seen in red scrolling vertically.
Studio album by
Eurythmics
Released29 April 1985
RecordedNovember 1984 – January 1985 in Paris, Detroit and Los Angeles
Genre
Length43:15
LabelRCA
ProducerDavid A. Stewart
Eurythmics chronology
1984 (For the Love of Big Brother)
(1984) 		Be Yourself Tonight
(1985) 		Revenge
(1986)
Singles from Be Yourself Tonight
  1. "Would I Lie to You?"
    Released: 9 April 1985
  2. "There Must Be an Angel (Playing with My Heart)"
    Released: 24 June 1985
  3. "Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves"
    Released: 1 October 1985
  4. "It's Alright (Baby's Coming Back)"
    Released: 30 December 1985
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music[4]
Record Mirror[5]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide[6]
Smash Hits71⁄2/10[7]
The Village VoiceB+[8]

Be Yourself Tonight is the fourth studio album by British pop duo Eurythmics, released on 29 April 1985 by RCA Records.[9] It spawned four singles – "Would I Lie to You?", "There Must Be an Angel (Playing with My Heart)", "Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves" (a duet with Aretha Franklin) and "It's Alright (Baby's Coming Back)". The album has been described as their most commercially successful album, and has been pitched as "one of the greatest pop and rock albums of the 1980s".[10] A notable departure from both the musical composition and image of their previous albums, Be Yourself Tonight was widely regarded as an example of their finest work due to their continued "innovation" of their music.[10]

It was a major commercial success for Eurythmics on international albums charts, reaching the top five in regions including Australia (where it reached number one), New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Canada, Finland and the United Kingdom.[11][12][13] Elsewhere, it reached the top ten in the United States, Switzerland and Germany.[14][15]

It was nominated for the Billboard Music Award for Top Billboard 200 Album and Top Compact Disk Award at the 1985 Billboard Music Awards[16] and the Brit Award for British Album of the Year at the 1986 Brit Awards. Two of the albums singles – "Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves" and "Would I Lie to You?" were nominated for two awards at the 28th Annual Grammy Awards in 1986 for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals and Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal respectively.

Background

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Largely recorded in Paris, with additional recording in Detroit and Los Angeles, this album saw Eurythmics move away from their previous more experimental, synthesizer-based songs, to a more commercial pop/rock sound. Songs, such as "Would I Lie To You?" were influenced by 1960s style music, as well as utilising American soul and British pop.[10] Combining elements of Motown and rock music, the album incorporates a more traditional band line-up/instrumentation. Nonetheless, the recordings still possessed an atmospheric and cutting edge sound, winning David A. Stewart awards for his production work on the album.

The release of the album coincided with a new look for singer Annie Lennox, who ditched the androgynous look of the previous albums and became, in biographer Lucy O'Brien's words, "a bleach-blonde rock 'n' roller". Be Yourself Tonight includes guest appearances by notable artists such as Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, and Elvis Costello. The album features a range of genres performed by the duo, many of which were performed by the band for the first time. It has been described as both a "masterpiece" and "one of the best pop/rock albums of the 1980s" largely in part a result of their "innovation and ability to not succumb to the machine”.[10]

Release and promotion

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No tour followed the album's release, due to Lennox's recuperation from vocal fold nodules (which also caused her to miss 1985's Live Aid concert). On 14 November 2005, Sony BMG repackaged and released Eurythmics' back catalogue as "2005 Deluxe Edition Reissues". Each of their eight studio albums' original track listings were supplemented with bonus tracks and remixes.

Chart performance

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Be Yourself Tonight reached the top 3 in the UK and top 10 in the US, as well as spawning several hit singles. The album includes the duo's first (and only) UK number-one "There Must Be an Angel (Playing with My Heart)". The first single released was "Would I Lie to You?". It would hit #5 on the Billboard Hot 100, #6 on the Cash Box Top 100 and also hit #1 in Australia. The album was certified double platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), indicating sales in excess of 600,000 copies,[17] and Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for sales in excess of one million copies.[18]

Track listing

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All tracks are written by Annie Lennox and David A. Stewart, except where noted

No.TitleLength
1."Would I Lie to You?"4:25
2."There Must Be an Angel (Playing with My Heart)"5:22
3."I Love You Like a Ball and Chain"4:04
4."Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves" (duet with Aretha Franklin)5:54
5."Conditioned Soul"4:30
6."Adrian" (duet with Elvis Costello)4:29
7."It's Alright (Baby's Coming Back)"3:45
8."Here Comes That Sinking Feeling"5:40
9."Better to Have Lost in Love (Than Never to Have Loved at All)"5:06
Total length:43:15
2005 special edition bonus tracks
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
10."Grown Up Girls" 4:12
11."Tous les garçons et les filles"
3:25
12."Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves" (duet with Aretha Franklin) (ET Mix) 7:48
13."Would I Lie to You?" (Extended Mix) 4:59
14."Conditioned Soul" (Live) 5:07
15."Hello I Love You"
2:50
Total length:71:36

Notes

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  • Track 9 is incorrectly labelled "Better to Have Lost in Love (Then Never to Have Loved at All)" on the 2005 remastered reissue.
  • Track 13 of the 2005 remastered reissue is listed as the "ET Mix", but it is actually the "Extended Mix" from the "Would I Lie to You?" 12-inch single.

Personnel

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Credits adapted from the liner notes of Be Yourself Tonight.[19]

Eurythmics

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  • Annie Lennox – vocals (all tracks); keyboards (tracks 2–6, 8, 9); keyboard sequencers (track 7)
  • David A. Stewart – guitars (tracks 1, 3, 4, 6–9); sequencers (tracks 1, 5, 7); keyboards (tracks 2–5, 8, 9); bass sequencer, drum computer program (track 3); electric guitar, slide guitar (track 5); six-stringed octave guitar (track 6)

Additional musicians

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  • Nathan East – bass (tracks 1, 4)
  • Olle Romo – drums (tracks 1, 2, 5–9); wood stomping (track 3)
  • Benmont Tench – organ (tracks 1, 4)
  • Dave Plews – trumpet (tracks 1, 7)
  • Martin Dobson – saxophones (tracks 1, 7)
  • Dean Garcia – bass (tracks 2, 5–9); wood stomping (track 3)
  • Michael Kamen – strings (tracks 2, 9); celeste (track 6); brass arrangement idea (track 7); keyboard solo, string parts (track 8)
  • Stevie Wonder – harmonica (track 2)
  • Angel Cross – backing vocals (track 2)
  • The Charles Williams Singers – backing vocals (track 3); gospel choir (track 4)
  • Adam Williams – drum computer program (track 3)
  • Sadie (and other uncredited performers) – gravel stomping (track 3)
  • Aretha Franklin – "super" vocals (track 4)
  • Stan Lynch – drums (track 4)
  • Mike Campbell – lead guitar (tracks 4, 6)
  • Elvis Costello – harmony vocal (track 6)

Technical

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  • David A. Stewart – production, mixing
  • Adam Williams – mixing (tracks 1–3, 5, 7, 9); engineering (tracks 2, 4–9)
  • Don Smith – special help (track 1); engineering (tracks 2, 4); mixing (tracks 3, 4, 6, 8); additional engineering (track 6)
  • Jay Willis – engineering assistance (tracks 2–4)
  • Shelly Yakus – drum recording (track 4)
  • Stephen Marcussen – mastering

Artwork

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Charts

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Certifications and sales

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Certifications and sales for Be Yourself Tonight
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia — 150,000[50]
Brazil — 56,000[51]
Canada (Music Canada)[52] 2× Platinum 200,000^
Finland (Musiikkituottajat)[53] Gold 27,170[53]
France (SNEP)[54] Gold 100,000*
Germany (BVMI)[55] Gold 250,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[56] Platinum 15,000^
Sweden (GLF)[57] 2× Platinum 200,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[58] 2× Platinum 600,000^
United States (RIAA)[59] Platinum 1,000,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Promis, Jose F. "Be Yourself Tonight – Eurythmics". AllMusic. Retrieved 12 August 2011.
  2. ^ Gerard, Chris (15 April 2024). "The 100 Best Alternative Songs of the 1980s". PopMatters. Retrieved 23 December 2024. They branched out for a more pop/rock sound on their albums Be Yourself Tonight and Revenge, and both were hugely successful.
  3. ^ Weisbard, Eric; Marks, Craig, eds. (1995). "Eurythmics". Spin Alternative Record Guide. New York: Vintage Books. pp. 135–136. ISBN 0-679-75574-8.
  4. ^ Larkin, Colin (2011). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music (5th concise ed.). Omnibus Press. ISBN 978-0-85712-595-8.
  5. ^ Page, Betty (4 May 1985). "Albums". Record Mirror. p. 18. ISSN 0144-5804.
  6. ^ Considine, J. D. (2004). "Eurythmics". In Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian (eds.). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide (4th ed.). New York: Simon & Schuster. pp. 283–84. ISBN 0-7432-0169-8.
  7. ^ Rice, Maureen (8–21 May 1985). "Eurythmics: Be Yourself Tonight". Smash Hits. p. 20. ISSN 0260-3004.
  8. ^ Christgau, Robert (27 August 1985). "Christgau's Consumer Guide". The Village Voice. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
  9. ^ Robin Smith, ed. (4 May 1985). "News". Record Mirror. p. 8. ISSN 0144-5804.
  10. ^ a b c d "Revisiting Eurythmics' 'Be Yourself Tonight' (1985) | Tribute". Albumism. 28 April 2020. Retrieved 4 January 2025.
  11. ^ "Official Albums Chart on 12/5/1985". Official Charts. Retrieved 4 January 2025.
  12. ^ "NZ Charts". charts.nz. Retrieved 4 January 2025.
  13. ^ "Chartifacts". web.archive.org. 14 January 2015. Retrieved 4 January 2025.
  14. ^ "Offizielle Deutsche Charts". www.offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved 4 January 2025.
  15. ^ "Eurythmics | Biography, Music & News". Billboard. Retrieved 4 January 2025.
  16. ^ "Billboard". Nielsen Business Media. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 28 December 1985. Retrieved 4 January 2025.
  17. ^ "Be Yourself Tonight, Album". BPI. Retrieved 4 January 2025.
  18. ^ "Gold & Platinum". RIAA. Retrieved 4 January 2025.
  19. ^ Eurythmics (1985). Be Yourself Tonight (liner notes). RCA Records. PD 70711.
  20. ^ "Chartifacts". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on 14 January 2015. Retrieved 1 October 2012.
  21. ^ "Austriancharts.at – Eurythmics – Be Yourself Tonight" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 15 January 2012.
  22. ^ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 0544". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  23. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Eurythmics – Be Yourself Tonight" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 15 January 2012.
  24. ^ "European Top 100 Albums" (PDF). Eurotipsheet. Vol. 2, no. 24. 17 June 1985. p. 16. OCLC 29800226 – via World Radio History.
  25. ^ Pennanen, Timo (2006). Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. ISBN 978-951-1-21053-5.
  26. ^ "Le Détail des Albums de chaque Artiste". InfoDisc (in French). Retrieved 19 April 2020. Select "EURYTHMICS" from the drop-down menu and click "OK".
  27. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Eurythmics – Be Yourself Tonight" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  28. ^ "Classifiche". Musica e dischi (in Italian). Retrieved 29 May 2022. Select "Album" in the "Tipo" field, type "Be yourself tonight" in the "Titolo" field and press "cerca".
  29. ^ Okamoto, Satoshi (2006). Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005 (in Japanese). Roppongi, Tokyo: Oricon Entertainment. ISBN 4-87131-077-9.
  30. ^ "Charts.nz – Eurythmics – Be Yourself Tonight". Hung Medien. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
  31. ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – Eurythmics – Be Yourself Tonight". Hung Medien. Retrieved 15 January 2012.
  32. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Eurythmics – Be Yourself Tonight". Hung Medien. Retrieved 15 January 2012.
  33. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Eurythmics – Be Yourself Tonight". Hung Medien. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  34. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  35. ^ "Eurythmics Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  36. ^ Kent 1993, p. 437.
  37. ^ "RPM's Top 100 Albums of 1985". RPM. Vol. 43, no. 16. 25 December 1985. p. 14. ISSN 0033-7064 – via Library and Archives Canada.
  38. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Album 1985" (in Dutch). Dutch Charts. Retrieved 2 April 2014.
  39. ^ Bakker, Machgiel; Inglis, Cathy (23 December 1985). "Pan-European Awards 1985" (PDF). Eurotipsheet. Vol. 2, no. 51/52. p. 7. OCLC 29800226 – via World Radio History.
  40. ^ "Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts – 1985" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  41. ^ "Top Selling Albums of 1985". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  42. ^ "Topp 40 Album Høst 1985" (in Norwegian). VG-lista. Archived from the original on 9 September 2017. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  43. ^ "Topp 40 Album Sommer 1985" (in Norwegian). VG-lista. Archived from the original on 9 March 2017. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  44. ^ "Top 100 Albums (January 5–December 28, 1985)" (PDF). Music Week. 18 January 1986. p. 11. ISSN 0265-1548 – via World Radio History.
  45. ^ "Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1985". Billboard. Archived from the original on 30 July 2018. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  46. ^ Kent 1993, p. 438.
  47. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Album 1986" (in Dutch). Dutch Charts. Retrieved 2 April 2014.
  48. ^ "European Hot 100 Albums – Hot 100 of the Year 1986" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 3, no. 51/52. 27 December 1986. p. 35. OCLC 29800226 – via World Radio History.
  49. ^ "Top 100 Albums (January to December 1986)" (PDF). Music Week. 24 January 1987. p. 25. ISSN 0265-1548 – via World Radio History.
  50. ^ Barker, Glenn A. (9 November 1985). "Majors". Billboard. Vol. 97, no. 45. p. A-26. ISSN 0006-2510 – via Google Books.
  51. ^ Serpa, Paulo Ernesto (2 January 1990). "A parada de sucessos do Hollywood Rock". Jornal do Brasil (in Portuguese). p. 28 – via National Library of Brazil.
  52. ^ "Canadian album certifications – Eurythmics – Be Yourself Tonight". Music Canada. 15 October 1985.
  53. ^ a b "Eurythmics" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland.
  54. ^ "French album certifications – Eurythmics – Be Yourself Tonight" (in French). InfoDisc. Retrieved 4 August 2021. Select EURYTHMICS and click OK. 
  55. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Eurythmics; 'Be Yourself Tonight')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
  56. ^ "New Zealand album certifications – Eurythmics – Be Yourself Tonight". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
  57. ^ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 1987−1998" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. 7 September 1987. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 May 2011.
  58. ^ "British album certifications – Eurythmics – Be Yourself Tonight". British Phonographic Industry. 18 February 1986.
  59. ^ "American album certifications – Eurythmics – Be Yourself Tonight". Recording Industry Association of America. 13 September 1985.

Bibliography

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Further reading

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