Scottish songstress Annie Lennox has been named one of The 100 Greatest Singers of All Time by Rolling Stone. She’s won multiple Grammys and a slew of other awards, including an Academy Award in 2004 for Best Original Song (“Into the West” from The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King). Her storied career is still going strong more than 40 years after she and musician/producer Dave Stewart formed the new wave group, Eurythmics, and more than 30 years since she released her first solo album, Diva. To date, she’s performed alongside and for countless artists, including Paul McCartney and Sting, and is revered by the music industry and fans around the world. In honor of her 70th birthday, here’s a look at some of her most prominent duets over the years.
“Under Pressure” with David Bowie
Backed by Queen at The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert in 1992, Lennox performed “Under Pressure” with David Bowie to a crowd of more than 70,000 people at Wembley Stadium in London. Lennox’s striking eye makeup and voluminous black-and-silver gown is the artist’s representation of Death, both poignant and political following Freddie Mercury’s passing. Lennox spins around the stage and embraces Bowie, almost uncomfortably, during the final verse of the song, perhaps hinting at the way illness and eventually death consumed the bright light that was Mercury. A standout performance.
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“The Tracks of My Tears” with Smokey Robinson
The true joy of music can be found in this performance of The Miracles’ 1965 hit, “The Tracks of My Tears,” which was co-written by Robinson. Lennox appeared alongside Robinson during the VH-1 Honors in 1995, which gave recognition to charities the singers had worked with. For Lennox, it was the relief organization, ROKPA International, and the United Negro College Fund for Robinson. Robinson kicks off the song and turns, smiling, as Lennox enters the stage. The heartfelt duet delighted the audience on what must have been a majestic night of performances. In addition to Lennox and Robinson, the evening’s performances included Whitney Houston, Bette Midler, Boyz II Men, and Vince Gill.
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“Chain of Fools” with Aretha Franklin
Lennox and the Queen of Soul tore up the stage during the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 25th Anniversary concerts, which took place in October 2009 at Madison Square Garden. Franklin’s 1967 hit complemented the singers’ voices and styles well, resulting in another powerful performance. Inviting conversation and encouraging education, Lennox sported a shirt that read HIV POSITIVE, which was her way of helping to destigmatize HIV/AIDS and the millions of people who live with the disease. Lennox’s ongoing political activism also led her to found The SING Campaign, a nonprofit formed in 2007 that helps raise money and awareness about HIV/AIDS.
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“I Put a Spell on You” with Hozier
Perhaps best known for his 2013 single, “Take Me to Church,” Hozier is an Irish musician who performed with Lennox at the Grammy Awards in 2015. If you’ll allow us to play favorites, this is the most stunning performance on this list. Hozier stands back, accompanying Lennox on guitar, and watches as she captivates the Staples Center audience with her strong vocals during singer/songwriter Screamin’ Jay Hawkins’ 1956 song. Intensity flashes in Lennox’s eyes and, true to the song’s title, one can’t help but be transfixed. The song appears on Lennox’s sixth album, Nostalgia, and joins the ranks of the many stellar covers she has recorded.
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“Wherever You Go” with Lola Lennox
Talent runs in the family! We end on a joyous note with Lola Lennox taking the lead on “Wherever You Go,” a song she wrote and released in 2021. Accompanied by the BBC Concert Orchestra, Lola sings from personal experience about the difficulties of being away from friends and family. Annie Lennox joins in towards the end of the song, which is enhanced by the orchestra’s string instruments. What a pleasure it must be to share a love of and gift for singing with your daughter. We look forward to more songs from Lola and, of course, continued stage presence, passion, and activism from Annie Lennox.
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Comments
Thank you for your kind comments, Mr. McGowan!
I’m really enjoying your Annie Lennox musical feature here, Ms. Sherman. Makes being home sick with a cold on Christmas a little more merry and bright after all, so the timing today is perfect. I love all 5 of your selections here, with the story behind each before watching making them all the more meaningful and enjoyable.
‘Under Pressure’ is my favorite. Peak Bowie and Annie here. Though the occasion behind it in ’92 may have been sad, there was nothing that way about this wonderful performance. ‘Tracks of My Tears’ with Smokey Robinson in ’95 was great too. A fresh take by the original artist 30 years later, but accompanied by Annie. Wonderful harmony.
Loved hearing ‘Chain of Fools’ again with Aretha, still singing fine in ’09. Enjoyed ‘Spell’ with Hozier here, and was not familiar with this version previously. ‘Wherever You Go” with her daughter Lola was also new (to me) and enjoyable. I wish them continued success both together and separately, depending on whichever project it is.