Eurythmics Be Yourself Tonight released

Be Yourself Tonight Eurythmics

Released: April 29, 1985 Peak: 9 US, 3 UK, 3 CN, 14 AU, 4 DF Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): 1.0 US, 0.6 UK, 1.6 world (includes US + UK) Genre: new wave

Tracks: Click on a song title for more details. Would I Lie to You? There Must Be an Angel Playing with My Heart (with Stevie Wonder) I Love You Like a Ball and Chain Sisters Are Doin’ It for Themselves (with Aretha Franklin) Conditioned Soul Adrian (with Elvis Costello) It’s Alright (Baby’s Coming Back) Here Comes That Sinking Feeling Better to Have Lost in Love Than Never to Have Loved at All Total Running Time: 43:16 The Players: Annie Lennox (vocals, keyboards) Dave Stewart (guitar, bass sequencer, drum computer program)

Rating: 4.114 out of 5.00 (average of 18 ratings) Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

Most Successful Album Be Yourself Tonight was the Eurythmics’ second top-ten, platinum-selling album in America. It reached #1 in Australia. It ended up being the duo’s “most commercially successful and hit-laden album” AM Four singles “kept them a mainstay on MTV’s play lists during the channel’s heyday.” AM The Album’s Sound On the album, “the duo meticulously blended the new wave electronic elements that dominated their previous sets with the harder straight-edged rock and soul that would dominate later sets.” AM Dave Stewart said, “It was a conscious decision, at least on my part.” RL-76 “It proved they could hold their own across an array of contrasting genres, that they were chameleon-like, ever changing and expanding, not to mention ahead of the game and ahead of their time.” RL-76 Famous Guest Appearances The duo famously collaborated with ‘some of the biggest music legends the world has seen, from Aretha Franklin and Elvis Costello to Stevie Wonder, all of which paid off and added to the allure and respect that ultimately shrouded the album.” RL-76 The End Result This disc is, without a doubt, one of the best rock/pop albums from the 1980s and one of the grandest, most creative albums delivered by the ever-appealing and innovative duo of Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart. A true classic.” AM “This is arguably the duo’s finest moment” AM and “a near-perfect pop album.” AM The Album Cover Rolling Stone said that the album’s original artwork, which featured Annie and Dave wearing bird masks, was intended as “an ironic play on the title Be Yourself Tonight…[but] the result looked more like the invitation to a satanic masquerade ball.” RL-77 Stewart said, “They were so S&M horror, a bit like a rapist’s mask. The record company president almost had a heart attack.” RL-77 When Stewart saw a freeze frame from the video for “Would I Like to You?” he thought it would be “the perfect representation of the title and feel of the album” RL-77 so the original artwork was replaced with “a pixelated close up of an all new bleach blonde Lennox on the cover.” RL-76 The Songs “From the soulful electronic beats (a rarity) in ‘It’s Alright (Baby’s Coming Back)’ to the beauty of the Elvis Costello duet ‘Adrian’ to the pain and longing of the sorrowful rocker ‘Better to Have Lost in Love (Than Never to Have Loved at All),’ this album runs a wide array of musical styles, each song standing tall on its own two feet.” AM “Virtually every track could have provided a potential hit record.” RL-86 Here’s a breakdown of each of the individual songs.

Would I Lie to You? Eurythmics

Writer(s): Annie Lennox, Dave Stewart Released: 4/9/85 (single), Be Yourself Tonight (1985), Greatest Hits, Live 1983-1989, Ultimate Collection B Side: “Here Comes That Sinking Feeling” Peak: 5 BB, 6 CB, 8 GR, 7 RR, 2 AR, 2 CO, 17 UK, 5 CN, 12 AU, 2 DF Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 23.08 streaming

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

About the Song: The Eurythmics landed yet another top-10 hit in the U.S. with “Would I Lie to You?,” giving them three straight studio albums (not including the 1984 soundtrack) to produce a top-10 hit. The song is “an unashamed, sassy rock anthem full of gusto,” RL-77 “great guitar licks, a soulful horn section, and Annie Lennox sounding as vicious and vivacious as ever.” AM “It is a song that instantly grabs listeners by the throat and demands attention.” RL-77 “It’s an all out raging party even prior to Lennox opening her mouth.” RL-78

There Must Be an Angel Playing with My Heart Eurythmics with Stevie Wonder

Writer(s): Annie Lennox, Dave Stewart Released: 6/24/85 (single), Be Yourself Tonight (1985), Greatest Hits, Live 1983-1989, Ultimate Collection B Side: “Grown Up Girls” Peak: 22 BB, 23 CB, 19 GR, 25 RR, 5 CO, 11 UK, 12 CN, 3 AU, 17 DF Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- US, 0.20 UK Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 9.58 streaming About the Song: “There Must Be an Angel” “is almost the antithesis of ‘Would I Lie to You?,” RL-79 the album’s lead track. It “is nothing short of shimmering beauty, with Lennox providing truly angelic vocals and Stevie Wonder lending an enchanting harmonica solo.” AM He reportedly recorded it in one take, “which gave Lennox and Stewart goosebumps.” RL-80 Lennox, however, said they weren’t sure he was going to show up. “The song was dedicated to him and everyone said it would be great to have him playing harmonical solo. He said he’d love to, but we waited in the studio for him from midday to midnight and gave up. We’d just got home and the studio engineer rang and said, ‘Get back over here, he’s just turned up.’” RL-80

I Love You Like a Ball and Chain Eurythmics

Writer(s): Annie Lennox, Dave Stewart Released: 10/13/85 (B side of “Sisters Are Doin’ It for Themselves”), Be Yourself Tonight (1985), Live 1983-1989 Charted: 7/13/85 Peak: 36 AR, 31 CO, 22 DF Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 1.30 streaming About the Song: This was “a little like the single that never was.” RL-81 It was released as a promo single, receiving “a fair amount of club play at the time, as well as some radio play in the USA.” RL-81 It reached #36 on the Billboard rock chart. The song is “a mid tempo blend of guitars and electronics” RL-81 “as well as Lennox at the forefront sounding as bluesy as ever.” RL-81 It also “features prominent backing vocals by the Charles Williams Singers, who also appear on ‘Sisters.’” RL-81

Sisters Are Doin’ It for Themselves Eurythmics with Aretha Franklin

Writer(s): Annie Lennox, Dave Stewart Released: 10/13/85 (single), Be Yourself Tonight (1985), Greatest Hits, Ultimate Collection Peak: 18 BB, 22 CB, 25 GR, 25 RR, 66 RB, 3 CO 9 UK, 33 CN, 15 AU, 5 DF Click for codes to charts. B Side: “I Love You Like a Ball and Chain” Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 18.97 streaming About the Song: “Sisters Are Doin’ It for Themselves” is “an uptempo blend of funk, R&B and rock with prominent percussion and a dance-y bassline – the perfect backdrop to the soulful outpourings.” RL-84 The song, which has “become an immortal feminist anthem,” AM is most notable for Aretha Franklin lending her “powerhouse pipes.” AM Tina Turner was apparently asked first and said no, saying the song was “too feminist.” RL-83 Legendary producer Clive Davis suggested Aretha RL-83 but Stewart and Lennox both assumed she’d decline, saying “they didn’t feel worth of such an honour.” RL-83 However, Lennox said Aretha “loved the song.” RL-83 While Lennox said they got along all right, the meeting and recording was “slightly uncomfortable.” RL-83 Aretha wasn’t sure if Lennox was straight and was concerned she was doing a gay anthem. RL-83 It also didn’t help that Aretha brought homemade fried chicken, not realizing Annie was vegan. RL-83

Conditioned Soul Eurythmics

Writer(s): Annie Lennox, Dave Stewart Released: Be Yourself Tonight (1985) Peak: 32 DF Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 0.74 streaming About the Song: “A mid tempo pop ballad, the track opens with a gentle, almost hypnotic, chime effect and, what sounds like, a genuine pan flute.” RL-85 “Lennox is grappling with herself and her demons of the past…[trying] to convince herself the fears and desires consuming her are normal and rational.” RL-85 “In Hare Krishna religion, a conditioned soul is significant and means someone who accepts illusion as reality.” RL-85 For Annie Lennox, it served as the perfect reference to her failed marriage to Radha Raman, a Hare Krishna devotee she’d only known a matter of weeks. RL-85

Adrian Eurythmics with Elvis Costello

Writer(s): Annie Lennox, Dave Stewart Released: Be Yourself Tonight (1985) Peak: 20 DF Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 0.73 streaming About the Song: “Allegedly inspired by a Eurythmics fan named Adrian, the track is a mid tempo ballad which relies mostly on synthesizers and sequencers with smatterings of guitar.” RL-86 “One gets the impression this fan may have been highly emotionally enamoured with the band, and this track is, in a sense, a message of placation…[to] stop wasting time with fandom.” RL-86 “Elvis Costello steps into the spotlight to duet and provide soaring harmonies with Lennox.” RL-86 They are “the perfect complement to one another’s pipes.” RL-86

It’s Alright (Baby’s Coming Back) Eurythmics

Writer(s): Annie Lennox, Dave Stewart Released: 12/30/85 (single), Be Yourself Tonight (1985), Greatest Hits, Ultimate Collection B Side: “Tous les garçons et les filles” Peak: 78 BB, 79 CB, 10 CO, 12 UK, 37 CN, 32 AU, 12 DF Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 6.43 streaming

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

About the Song: “It’s Alright” “is complex both in terms of its arrangement and lyrics and was written in the technically ambitious key of D flat major with ever-changing compositions and call and response melodies throughout. It’s also incredibly catchy, not to mention unique.” RL-87 Lennox described it as, “Gentler, more intimate and sweet, less strident.” RL-87 “While primarily a synthesized and keyboard-sequenced piece, a striking robust brass arrangement from Michael Kamen, with whom the duo worked extensively, also features heavily and Stewart once again delights with another trademark guitar display.” RL-87 It’s also “one of Lennox’s most soulful efforts, and hardly what one might equate with a white woman from Scotland.” RL-87

Here Comes That Sinking Feeling Eurythmics

Writer(s): Annie Lennox, Dave Stewart Released: 4/9/85 (B side of “Would I Lie to You?”), Be Yourself Tonight (1985) Peak: 39 DF Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 0.59 streaming About the Song: “Here Comes That Sinking Feeling” is “an indignant, stomping rock-oriented number.” RL-89 It “is vigorously fierce, yet has a damn good time in the process.” RL-89 The song starts as “a slow burn, commencing with some distant chattering voices and an eerie, descending synth note that captures the sinking feeling entirely.” RL-89 “Lennox, at first, employs a detached, subdued delivery, where her vocals verge on being spoken rather than sung.” RL-89 “In some ways, ‘Here Comes That Sinking Feeling’ is a lyrical counterpart to ‘Here Comes the Rain Again,’ although the former is less metaphorical and more direct.” RL-89

Better to Have Lost in Love Than Never to Have Loved at All Eurythmics

Writer(s): Annie Lennox, Dave Stewart Released: Be Yourself Tonight (1985) Peak: 22 DF Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 0.51 streaming About the Song: This song is “possibly one of the duo’s all-time best offerings.” RL-90 It “bursts onto the scene as an uptempo rock and synth combo with undulating drums and an expressive Lennox.” RL-90 It “is an unwavering thrill ride of bitterness and empowerment and an absolute sensation.” RL-90 “Despite being tainted with reticence and subtle torment, there is a sense of closure and optimism.” RL-90

Resources/References: AM AllMusic.com review by Jose F. Promis RL Ross Larkin (2026). Eurythmics: Song by Song. Fonthill: Great Britain. Related DMDB Pages: First posted 6/11/2026.

Men at Work released Two Hearts

Two Hearts Men at Work

Released: April 23, 1985 Peak: 50 US, -- UK, -- CN, 16 AU Sales (in millions): 0.5 US, -- UK, 0.5 world (includes US and UK) Genre: pop rock/new wave

Tracks: Song Title (Writers) [time] (date of single release, chart peaks) Click for codes to singles charts. Man with Two Hearts Giving Up Everything I Need (1985, 47, US, 28 AR, 37 AU) Sail to You Children on Parade Maria Stay at Home Hard Luck Story Snakes and Ladders Still Life Total Running Time: 36:34 The Players: Colin Hay (vocals, guitar, various instruments, drum programming) Greg Ham (flute, keyboards, saxophone, vocals, drum programming) Ron Strykert (guitar, vocals)

Rating: 3.142 out of 5.00 (average of 6 ratings)

About the Album: Men at Work took the world by storm in 1982 and 1983 with their monstrously successful Business As Usual album and the #1 singles “Who Can It Be Now?” and “Down Under.” They quickly followed with another album that was a top-five, multi-platinum smash which gave the band two more top-10 hits in the U.S. After they took a break, they reconvened in the fall of 1984 to start work on a third album. Friction led to the dismissal of bassist John Rees and drummer Jerry Speiser before the recording started. They were replaced with session musicians and a stronger emphasis on drum machines and synthesizers. Guitarist Ron Strykert left during sessions, although he is still credited as a member of the group for the Two Hearts album. The band also let producer Ian McIan go, the man who’d produced the first two hugely successful albums. Colin Hay and Greg Ham opted to produce the album themselves. These were all warning signs that Men at Work might be finished as a viable commercial act and might even be done as a band. Sadly, both proved true. That isn’t to say, though, that there isn’t some good music here. Everything I Need was the only song that charted, peaking at #47 in the U.S. and barely making the top 40 in their own native Australia. The song, however, sounded worthy of the top-10 status Men at Work had achieved four times with singles from the first two albums. Man with Two Hearts, Maria, Hard Luck Story, and Still Life were all released as singles, but none charted. The first two certainly weren’t of the same caliber as Men at Work’s biggest hits, but they felt like songs that deserved at least top-40 status. It was an unfortunate ending for a band whose star rose so quickly and, sadly, fell just as fast. While the group will always be best remembered for its fun videos and chart-toppers, they deserve to be recognized for the unfairly overlooked Two Hearts as well.

Resources and Related Links: DMDB Encyclopedia entry for Men at Work WK Wikipedia First posted 9/19/2020; last updated 8/2/2021.

Prince released Around the World in a Day

Around the World in a Day Prince & the Revolution

Released: April 22, 1985 Charted: May 11, 1985 Peak: 13 US, 4 RB, 5 UK, 16 CN, 12 AU Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): 2.85 US, 0.1 UK, 5.0 world (includes US and UK), 7.87 EAS Genre: R&B/funk

Tracks: Click on individual song titles for more details, including songwriters, recording and release dates, chart peaks, versions recorded by other artists, and basic information aobout the song. Around the World in a Day [3:28] Paisley Park [4:42] Condition of the Heart [6:48] Raspberry Beret [3:33] Tamborine [2:47] America [3:42] Pop Life [3:43] The Ladder [5:29] Temptation [8:18] Total Running Time: 42:33 Other Songs from This Era: She’s Always in My Hair Dear Michaelangelo A Love Bizarre (Sheila E. featuring Prince, recorded 1/8/1985 and 1/20/1985, released October 1985, 11 BB, 76 UK) 4 the Tears in Your Eyes Holly Rock Hello Girl

Rating: 3.713 out of 5.00 (average of 26 ratings) Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

About the Album “Purple Rain made Prince sound like he could do anything, but it still didn’t prepare even his most fervent fans for the insular psychedelia of Around the World in a Day.” AM Prince “made his interior world sound fascinating and utopian on Purple Rain, but Around the World in a Day is filled with cryptic religious imagery, bizarre mysticism, and confounding metaphors which were drenched in heavily processed guitars, shimmering keyboards, grandiose strings, and layers of vocals.” AM The album drew comparisons to the Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band because of its sound and album cover. WK “As an album, the record is a bit impenetrable, requiring great demands of the listener, but individual songs do shine through…The problem is, only a handful of the songs have much substance outside of their detailed production and intoxicating performances, and the album has a creepy sense of paranoia that is eventually its undoing.” AM Despite mixed critical reviews, the album followed Purple Rain to the top of the album chart and went double platinum. “Raspberry Beret” and “Pop Life” were top-10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100. The Songs Here’s a breakdown of each of the individual songs.

Around the World in a Day Prince & the Revolution

Writer(s): Prince, John L. Nelson, David Coleman Recorded: August 1984 at Flying Cloud Drive Warehouse at Eden Prairie, MN Released: Around the World in a Day (1985) About the Song: “The title track is a sunny, kaleidoscopic pastiche of Magical Mystery Tour.” AM

Paisley Park Prince & the Revolution

Writer(s): Prince Recorded: September 1984 at Flying Cloud Drive Warehouse at Eden Prairie, MN Released: 5/24/1985 as a single (UK), Around the World in a Day (1985), 4Ever (2016) B-Side: “She’s Always in My Hair” Peak: 18 UK, 38 AU, 10 DF Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, 1.6 video, 7.61 streaming About the Song: “Paisley Park is heavy and slightly frightening guitar psychedelia.” AM

Condition of the Heart Prince & the Revolution

Writer(s): Prince Recorded: October 9-10, 1984 at Sunset Sound in Los Angeles Released: Around the World in a Day (1985) About the Song: “Condition of the Heart is a fine ballad.” AM

Raspberry Beret Prince & the Revolution

Writer(s): Prince Recorded: September 12-13, 1984 at Flying Cloud Drive Warehouse at Eden Prairie, MN Released: 5/15/1985 as a single, Around the World in a Day (1985), The Hits 2 (1993), The Very Best of (2001), 12” version: Ultimate (2006), 4Ever (2016) B-Side: “She’s Always in My Hair” (US) / “Hello” (UK) Peak: 2 BB, 1 BA, 1 CB, 1 GR, 1 RR, 3 RB, 40 AR, 25 UK, 8 CN, 13 AU, 2 DF Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- US, 0.6 UK Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, 77.22 video, 271.58 streaming Covered by: Hindu Love Gods (charted 10/27/1990, 23 MR) About the Song: Raspberry Beret is a brilliant piece of neo-psychedelia with an indelible chorus.” AM

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

Tamborine Prince & the Revolution

Writer(s): Prince Recorded: 9/27/1984 at Flying Cloud Drive Warehouse at Eden Prairie, MN Released: Around the World in a Day (1985)

America Prince & the Revolution

Writer(s): Prince Recorded: 7/23/1984 at Flying Cloud Drive Warehouse at Eden Prairie, MN Released: 10/2/1985 as a single, Around the World in a Day (1985) B-Side: “Girl” Peak: 46 BB, 46 CB, 35 RB, 23 DF Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, 2.8 video, 3.86 streaming About the Song: “America is a good funk jam.” AM

Pop Life Prince & the Revolution

Writer(s): Prince Recorded: February 19-20, 1984 at Sunset Sound in Los Angeles Released: 7/15/1985 as a single, Around the World in a Day (1985), The Hits 1 (1993), fresh dance mix: Ultimate (2006), 4Ever (2016) B-Side: “Hello” (US) / “Girl” (UK) Peak: 7 BB, 7 CB, 9 GR, 6 RR, 4a RB, 60 UK, 65 CN, 67 AU, 8 DF Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, 5.5 video, 19.79 streaming About the Song: “Pop Life is a snide swipe at stardom that emphasizes Prince’s outsider status.” AM

The Ladder Prince & the Revolution

Writer(s): Prince, John L. Nelson Recorded: 10/31/1984 at Saint Paul Civic Center (Record Plant Remote, “Black Truck”) in Saint Paul, MN; November 1984 at Flying Cloud Drive Warehouse in Eden Prairie, MN; 12/24/1984 at Kiowa Trail Home Studio (Record Plant Remote, “Black Truck”) in Chanhassen, MN Released: Around the World in a Day (1985)

Temptation Prince & the Revolution

Writer(s): Prince Recorded: 12/7/1984 at Capitol Studios in Los Angeles; 12/24/1984 at Kiowa Trail Home Studio (Record Plant Remote, “Black Truck”) in Chanhassen, MN Released: Around the World in a Day (1985)

Resources/References: AM AllMusic.com review by Stephen Thomas Erlewine BC Benoit Clerc (2022). Prince: All the Songs – The Story Behind Every Track. Octopus Publishing Group Ltd.: Great Britain PV PrinceVault.com WK Wikipedia Related DMDB Pages: First posted 3/23/2008; last updated 7/27/2025.

 

50 years ago: The Dorsey Brothers hit #1 with “Lullaby of Broadway”

Lullaby of Broadway The Dorsey Brothers’ Orchestra with Bob Crosby

Writer(s): Harry Warren (music), Al Dubin (words) (see lyrics here) First Charted: April 6, 1935 Peak: 12 US, 12 HP, 14 GA, 14 SM (Click for codes to charts.) Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, 0.04 video, -- streaming

Awards: Click on award for more details.

About the Song: Jimmy Dorsey was an alto saxophonist and clarinetist born in 1904 in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania. His younger brother, Tommy, was a trombonist born a year later. In 1928, they first charted together and would go on to chart separately and together more than 300 times. Collectively they had thirty-one #1 hits. While most of their hits were with separate orchestras, their first 26 hits were as the Dorsey Brothers Orchestra. Their very first #1 came in 1935 with their version of “Lullaby of Broadway” which featured a twenty-one-year-old Bob Crosby on vocals. The song “about the town that never sleeps” SM was first featured in the movie Gold Diggers of 1935, sung by Wini Shaw and Dick Powell. Lyricist Al Dubin and composer Harry Warren wrote the songs in the film after experiencing success with Forty Second Street. Gold Diggers of 1935 focused on “a woman of the night whose morals are questionable but whose heart is gold.” TY2 That same year the song was also featured in the Bette Davis movie Special Agent the James Cagney film G Men, and the “Page Miss Glory” Merrie Melodies cartoon. WK “Lullaby of Broadway” won the Oscar for Best Song and Powell’s version was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Doris Day sang it in the 1951 movie Lullaby of Broadway. DJ It was also featured in The Jolson Story (1946) and Young Man with a Horn (1950). TY2 The Dorsey Brothers’ version was one of five versions to chart in 1935. The others were by singer and pianist Little Jack Little (#5), pianist Reginald Foresythe (#11), Hal Kemp’s Orchestra (#14), and Chick Bullock’s Orchestra (#19). PM The song has also been recorded by the Andrews Sisters, Tony Bennett, Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald, Connie Francis, Harry James’ Orchestra, and Bette Midler. WK Resources: DMDB encyclopedia entry for Dorsey Brothers DMDB encyclopedia entry for Bob Crosby DJ David Jasen (2002). A Century of American Popular Music: 2000 Best-Loved and Remembered Songs (1899-1999). Routledge: Taylor & Francis, Inc. Page 126. SM Sharon Mawer Charts (1900-1968) TY2 Don Tyler (2007). Hit Songs, 1900-1955. McFarland & Company, Inc.: Jefferson, North Carolina. Page 213. PM Joel Whitburn (1986). Pop Memories 1890-1954. Record Research, Inc: Menomonee Falls, WI. Pages 129-139 and 545. WK Wikipedia Related Links: First posted 3/16/2023.