EURYTHMS [FT. ARETHA FRANKLIN] - SISTERS ARE DOIN’ IT FOR THEMSELVES

SISTERS ARE DOIN’ IT FOR THEMSELVES

EURYTHMICS [FT. ARETHA FRANKLIN]

SONGWRITERS: ANNIE LENNOX & DAVID A. STEWART

COUNTRY: U. K. & U. S. A.

ALBUM: GREATEST HITS

LABEL: RCA VICTOR

GENRE: POP ROCK

YEAR: 1984

 

            Eurythmics were a British pop duo consisting of members Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart. Stewart and Lennox were both previously in The Tourists, a band which broke up in 1980; Eurythmics were formed later that year in Wagga Wagga, Australia. The duo released their first studio album, In the Garden, in 1981 to little success, but went on to achieve global success when their second album Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This), was released in 1983. The title track became a worldwide hit which topped the charts in various countries including the US. The duo went on to release a string of hit singles and albums before they split up in 1990. By this time, Stewart was a sought-after record producer, while Lennox began a solo recording career in 1992 with her debut álbum Diva. After almost a decade apart, Eurythmics reunited to record their ninth album, Peace, released in late 1999. They reunited again in 2005 to release the single "I've Got a Life", as part of a new Eurythmics compilation album, Ultimate Collection.

            The duo have won na MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist in 1984, the Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal in 1987, the Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music in 1999, and in 2005 were inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame. The Eurythmics have sold an estimated 75 million records worldwide. In 2017, the group was nominated for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and were nominated again in 2018.

          "Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves" is a 1985 song recorded by the British pop duo Eurythmics and American singer Aretha Franklin. A modern feminist anthem, it was written by Eurythmics members Annie Lennox and David A. Stewart and featured on both Eurythmics' Be Yourself Tonight (1985) and Franklin's Who's Zoomin' Who?(1985) albums. The duo originally intended to perform with Tina Turner, who was unavailable at the time and so they flew to Detroit and recorded with Franklin instead. The track also features three of Tom Petty's Heartbreakers: Stan Lynch on drums, Benmont Tench on organ, and Mike Campbell on lead guitar, plus session bassist Nathan East.

           Released as a single by RCA Records in October 1985, "Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves" was highly successful, reaching number 9 on the UK Singles Chart and number 18 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The song was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.

Now there was a time when they used to say

That behind every great man

There had to be a great woman

But in these times of change you know

That it's no longer true

So we're comin' out of the kitchen

'Cause there's somethin' we forgot to say to you (we say)

 

Sisters are doin' it for themselves

Standin' on their own two feet

And ringin' on their own bells

Sisters are doin' it for themselves

 

Now this is a song to celebrate

The conscious liberation of the female state!

Mothers - daughters and their daughters too

Woman to woman

We're singin' with you

The "inferior sex" got a new exterior

We got doctors, lawyers, politicians too

Everybody - take a look around

Can you see - can you see - can you see

There's a woman right next to you

 

Sisters are doin' it for themselves

Standin' on their own two feet

And ringin' on their own bells

Sisters are doin' it for themselves

 

Now we ain't makin' stories

And we ain't layin' plans

'Cause a man still loves a woman

And a woman still loves a man.