Eurythmics are a British pop duo formed in 1980 by singer Annie Lennox and musician, songwriter, and producer Dave Stewart. Their music combined synth-pop, new wave, rock, soul, and electronic experimentation, while their visually distinctive music videos helped define the look and ambition of 1980s pop. Lennox's powerful voice and androgynous image stood in striking contrast to Stewart's understated instrumental and production work, giving the duo an identity that was both theatrical and unusually modern.
Lennox and Stewart first worked together in the late 1970s as members of the rock band The Tourists. After that group's breakup, they began developing a more flexible and electronically oriented sound under the Eurythmics name. Their debut album, In the Garden, was released in 1981. Produced in part by Conny Plank, the album combined post-punk textures with art-rock and electronic elements, but it attracted little commercial attention at the time.
The breakthrough came with Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) in 1983. Built around a memorable synthesizer pattern and Lennox's commanding vocal, the title track became an international hit and established the duo as major figures in popular music. Its surreal, carefully composed video, featuring Lennox in a sharply tailored suit and bright orange hair, became one of the defining images of the early MTV era. The album also produced "Love Is a Stranger," a song that showed the duo's ability to move between electronic minimalism, romantic unease, and pop accessibility.
Eurythmics quickly followed with Touch in 1983, their first album to reach number one in the United Kingdom. It included "Here Comes the Rain Again," "Who's That Girl?" and "Right by Your Side," demonstrating a broader palette that incorporated orchestral arrangements, Caribbean influences, and polished pop production. Their next major release, Be Yourself Tonight (1985), moved further toward rock, soul, and rhythm and blues. It featured "Would I Lie to You?" and the prominent duet "Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves" with Aretha Franklin.
The duo continued to change direction across Revenge (1986), Savage (1987), and We Too Are One (1989). While Revenge delivered several energetic, radio-friendly singles, Savage took a darker and more conceptual approach, pairing electronic production with songs that explored identity and emotional conflict. Their work during this period showed that Eurythmics were not simply a vehicle for synth-pop hits, but a continuing studio partnership capable of reshaping its sound.
Lennox and Stewart pursued separate projects after Eurythmics initially ended in 1990. Lennox established a successful solo career, beginning with Diva in 1992, while Stewart became an in-demand songwriter, producer, and collaborator. They reunited in 1999 for Peace, an album that combined contemporary electronic production with the duo's established melodic style. In 2005, they released Ultimate Collection, which included the new single "I've Got a Life."
Eurythmics have remained an influential reference point for electronic pop, music-video culture, and gender-fluid performance. The duo received the Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music in 1999 and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022. Lennox and Stewart have also made occasional joint appearances, including performances connected with the 2019 and 2022 reunions. Their catalog remains defined by an unusual balance of experimentation, emotional directness, and instantly recognizable pop craft.