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| Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) | |
|---|---|
| Name | Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) |
| Artist | Eurythmics |
| Album | Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) |
| Released | 1983 |
| Recorded | 1982–1983 |
| Genre | Synth-pop, new wave |
| Length | 3:36 |
| Label | RCA Records |
| Writer | Annie Lennox, Dave Stewart |
| Producer | David A. Stewart, Adam Williams |
Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) is a 1983 song by the British duo Eurythmics, written by Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart. The track became an international hit, propelled by innovative synthesizer production and a striking music video that established the duo's global profile. It is widely cited as a defining recording of 1980s synth-pop and new wave popular music, influencing a range of artists, producers, and media.
The song emerged from sessions after Lennox and Stewart dissolved the earlier project The Tourists and sought a new direction in the post-punk landscape shaped by acts like Kraftwerk, Depeche Mode, Gary Numan, New Order, and Ultravox. Composed by Lennox and Stewart, its lyrical motif about desire and ambition resonated alongside contemporaneous albums by David Bowie, Brian Eno, Roxy Music, Kate Bush, and Talking Heads. Harmonic and melodic choices reference the minimalist approach of Philip Glass and rhythmic insistency akin to Peter Gabriel's work with Genesis. Thematically, the lyrics intersect with cultural currents represented by Andy Warhol, Siouxsie Sioux, Blondie, The Clash, and The Smiths. The songwriting credited Lennox and Stewart while drawing on influences from producers such as Trevor Horn, Martin Hannett, Mutt Lange, Steve Lillywhite, and Daniel Miller.
Recorded in 1982–1983, the production relied heavily on analog and early digital technology common to studios used by Abbey Road Studios, Olympic Studios, and Trident Studios. Stewart programmed a prominent riff on a Moog synthesizer and layered textures reminiscent of work by Vince Clarke and John Foxx. The rhythm track combined drum machine patterns similar to devices from Roland and Linn Electronics with sparse basslines evoking Joy Division and Public Image Ltd.. Engineering techniques referenced innovations by Alan Parsons and Brian Eno, while mixing choices paralleled projects by Phil Spector and Quincy Jones in terms of spatial placement. Production credits include collaboration with engineers and session personnel who had worked with David Bowie, Paul McCartney, Elvis Costello, Sting, and Peter Gabriel.
Released by RCA Records, the single charted highly across markets, reaching top positions on singles charts in the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia, and many European territories like Germany, France, Netherlands, and Sweden. It entered playlists on broadcasters such as BBC Radio 1, MTV, and Radio Luxembourg and sold millions of copies, appearing on year-end charts alongside releases by Michael Jackson, Madonna, Prince, Duran Duran, and U2. Certification bodies including the British Phonographic Industry, Recording Industry Association of America, and equivalents in Canada and Australia awarded the song gold and platinum statuses. The single's success led to television appearances on programs like Top of the Pops, American Bandstand, The Old Grey Whistle Test, and Saturday Night Live.
Contemporary critics compared the song to works by David Bowie, Peter Gabriel, Kate Bush, and Blondie, noting its stark production and Lennox's vocal delivery. Retrospective appraisals placed it among essential 1980s recordings alongside albums by Michael Jackson and Madonna and singles by Depeche Mode and New Order. Music publications such as NME, Rolling Stone, Melody Maker, Spin, and Q (magazine) have included the track in lists of influential songs. The composition influenced producers and artists including Timbaland, Mark Ronson, William Orbit, Trent Reznor, Moby, and Robyn, and its sonic elements appear in later works by Coldplay, Adele, The Weeknd, and Florence Welch.
The song's music video, directed in the era of nascent MTV programming, featured Annie Lennox's androgynous appearance and Dave Stewart's guitar, creating a memorable visual identity similar to imagery used by David Bowie, Grace Jones, Boy George, Siouxsie Sioux, and Madonna. The clip received heavy rotation on MTV and international music television channels and was discussed in visual culture contexts alongside works by Andy Warhol, Jean-Paul Goude, Helmut Newton, Annie Leibovitz, and David LaChapelle. Its stark aesthetic informed later videos by Nine Inch Nails, Depeche Mode, Duran Duran, Pet Shop Boys, and Bjork.
Eurythmics incorporated the song into setlists for tours including their early 1980s headline dates and major festivals such as Glastonbury Festival, Live Aid, Rock in Rio, Montreux Jazz Festival, and appearances on international television specials. Live arrangements varied, sometimes expanded for performances with orchestras and ensembles associated with artists like Sting, Phil Collins, Peter Gabriel, and Paul McCartney. The song became a staple on retrospective tours and reunion shows, performed in venues ranging from Wembley Stadium and Madison Square Garden to concert halls like Royal Albert Hall and Sydney Opera House.
The song has been covered and sampled by a broad spectrum of artists and producers, including Marilyn Manson, Annie Lennox (solo reinterpretations), The Pretenders, The Corrs, Faithless, Tori Amos, Girl Talk, KMFDM, Beyoncé, and Britney Spears-era producers. It has appeared in films and television series alongside soundtracks referencing works by John Williams, Hans Zimmer, Ennio Morricone, and Howard Shore, featuring in productions by studios such as Warner Bros., Universal Pictures, and Paramount Pictures. The song's cultural footprint extends to advertising campaigns, political events, and sporting ceremonies, and its title phrase has been echoed in literature, television, and theater connected to creators like Stephen King, Neil Gaiman, HarperCollins, BBC Television, and HBO. Covers and samples have charted in markets worldwide, credited to performers linked with labels including RCA Records, Virgin Records, Columbia Records, Island Records, and Sony Music.
Category:1983 singles Category:Eurythmics songs