Love Is a Stranger
Encyclopedia
"Love Is a Stranger" is Eurythmics
' fifth single, and like its predecessors, was initially a commercial flop, although it later became a worldwide hit when it re-entered the chart following their commercial breakthrough with "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)
".
It was produced by David A. Stewart
and Adam Williams and was self-financed at Eurythmics' 8-track facility in Chalk Farm.
The song has a fairly sparse, up-tempo arrangement. It uses the rare Movement Systems Drum Computer
and various synthesizers (providing bass, melody lines and sound effects), including the Suzuki Omnichord
, combined with Lennox's strident multi-tracked vocal harmonies. The song is also punctuated with vocal grunts of "uh!" from Stewart.
The single was re-released in 1991
.
directed by Mike Brady, in which Stewart acts as chauffeur for an androgynous
Lennox, who plays the role of a high-class prostitute. During the course of the video, Lennox removes a curly blonde wig to reveal her trademark, close-cropped, red hair underneath. This caused controversy in the USA, as some people mistakenly thought Lennox was a male transvestite.
On the 12-inch maxi-single this song was preceded by "Let's Just Close Our Eyes" a completely alternative version of their previous single "The Walk"
12"
Eurythmics
Eurythmics were a British pop rock duo, formed in 1980, currently disbanded, but known to reunite from time to time. Consisting of members Annie Lennox and David A...
' fifth single, and like its predecessors, was initially a commercial flop, although it later became a worldwide hit when it re-entered the chart following their commercial breakthrough with "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)
Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)
-Personnel:*Annie Lennox – vocals, keyboards, synthesisers, flute*David A. Stewart – guitar, keyboards, synthesisers, programming, backing vocals-Additional personnel:*Robert Crash - Guitar/ E-Drums/ Synth/ Robotic vocals...
".
It was produced by David A. Stewart
David A. Stewart
David Allan Stewart , often known as Dave Stewart, is an English musician, songwriter and record producer, best known for his work with Eurythmics. He is usually credited as David A. Stewart, to avoid confusion with other musicians named "Dave Stewart".-Early life:Stewart was born in Sunderland,...
and Adam Williams and was self-financed at Eurythmics' 8-track facility in Chalk Farm.
The song has a fairly sparse, up-tempo arrangement. It uses the rare Movement Systems Drum Computer
Movement Systems Drum Computer
The Movement Drum System I/II was a very rare British-made drum machine produced approximately 1981 and 1983 . Both retailed at £1999.00 ex vat at march 1983 from 'Movement Audio Visual', 61 Taunton Road, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 3LP, UK...
and various synthesizers (providing bass, melody lines and sound effects), including the Suzuki Omnichord
Omnichord
The Omnichord is an electronic musical instrument, introduced in 1981 and manufactured by the Suzuki Musical Instrument Corporation. It typically features a touch plate, and buttons for major, minor, and diminished chords...
, combined with Lennox's strident multi-tracked vocal harmonies. The song is also punctuated with vocal grunts of "uh!" from Stewart.
The single was re-released in 1991
1991 in music
See also:* 1991 in music Record labels established in 1991-Summary:The year 1991 is the year that grunge music made its popular breakthrough. Nirvana's Nevermind, led by the surprise hit single "Smells Like Teen Spirit", becomes the most popular U.S. album of the year...
.
Music video
The single release was accompanied by a striking music videoMusic video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
directed by Mike Brady, in which Stewart acts as chauffeur for an androgynous
Androgyny
Androgyny is a term derived from the Greek words ανήρ, stem ανδρ- and γυνή , referring to the combination of masculine and feminine characteristics...
Lennox, who plays the role of a high-class prostitute. During the course of the video, Lennox removes a curly blonde wig to reveal her trademark, close-cropped, red hair underneath. This caused controversy in the USA, as some people mistakenly thought Lennox was a male transvestite.
B-side
The single B-side was "Monkey Monkey", a stripped-down electro track featuring a sparse drum machine and sequenced synthesizer arrangement, with Lennox's vocal heavily electronically processed. The bass-line consists of a rhythmically shifting motive permutating against the drum pattern. Lennox plays with half-articulated fake-French soundings and extremely long intonations.On the 12-inch maxi-single this song was preceded by "Let's Just Close Our Eyes" a completely alternative version of their previous single "The Walk"
Track listings
7"- A: "Love Is a Stranger"
- B: "Monkey Monkey"
12"
- A: "Love Is a Stranger"
- B1: "Monkey Monkey"
- B2: "Let's Just Close Our Eyes"
Original release
| Chart (1982) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles Chart | 54 |
1983 release
| Chart (1983) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Belgian Singles Chart | 6 |
| Canadian Singles Chart | 15 |
| Dutch Singles Chart | 12 |
| French Singles Chart | 51 |
| German Singles Chart | 12 |
| Irish Singles Chart | 4 |
| Japanese Singles Chart | 60 |
| New Zealand Singles Chart | 20 |
| South African Singles Chart | 2 |
| UK Singles Chart | 6 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 23 |
| U.S. Billboard Dance/Club Play Songs Chart | 7 |
1991 Reissue
| Chart (1991) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles Chart | 46 |
Cover versions
- UK gothic rockGothic rockGothic rock is a musical subgenre of post-punk and alternative rock that formed during the late 1970s. Gothic rock bands grew from the strong ties they had to the English punk rock and emerging post-punk scenes...
band Rosetta StoneRosetta Stone (band)Rosetta Stone were a British goth band formed in the mid 1980s by Porl King and Karl North , plus their drum machine and synthesizer rack nicknamed "Madame Razor"....
recorded a cover for their 2000 album Unerotica. - Singer-songwriterSinger-songwriterSinger-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
Martha WainwrightMartha WainwrightMartha Wainwright is a Canadian-American folk-rock singer-songwriter. She is the daughter of American folk singer and actor Loudon Wainwright III and Canadian folk singer-songwriter Kate McGarrigle...
included a cover of the song on her 2008 album I Know You're Married But I've Got Feelings TooI Know You're Married But I've Got Feelings TooI Know You're Married But I've Got Feelings Too is the second full-length album of Canadian-American singer-songwriter Martha Wainwright. It was released in Australia on May 10, 2008, with other countries to follow...
.