Category: Eurythmics

Eurythmics – Thorn In My Side (UK 12″) (1986)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

Today’s feature takes us back to 1986 with one of Eurythmics’ most defiant and infectious singles—”Thorn In My Side.” Pulled from their sixth studio album Revenge, this track showcases the duo’s pivot from icy synths toward a more guitar-driven, rock-infused sound, without losing an ounce of their signature edge.

Released in August 1986, “Thorn In My Side” was a UK smash, reaching #5 on the Singles Chart. While it didn’t make as big of a splash stateside (peaking at #68 on the Billboard Hot 100), it became a staple of Eurythmics’ live setlists and remains a fan favorite for its blistering lyrics and triumphant tone. This isn’t a heartbreak song—it’s a take-your-power-back anthem.

Annie Lennox delivers a vocal performance that walks the line between controlled disdain and cool detachment, spitting lines like:
“You gave me such a bad time / Tried to hurt me, but now I know…”
Backed by Dave Stewart’s guitar and slick production, it’s pure Eurythmics: sharp, stylish, and unafraid.

The Extended Mix on this UK 12″ vinyl release opens things up with an expanded intro and instrumental passages, giving the track more groove and weight—perfect for the dancefloor or just a dramatic solo strut across your apartment.

On the B-side, we get the live recording of “In This Town”. It’s a muscular, politically tinged performance that captures the raw, charged energy of the band at their mid-’80s peak.

Thorn In My Side” endures not just as a great single, but as a statement of resilience. A glittering middle finger to heartbreak, dressed up in hooks and eyeliner.

Now—a quick collector’s note for the completists out there:
Yes, I am aware of the sought-after “Houston Mix” of “Thorn In My Side.” It’s an ultra-rare pressing that’s reportedly identical to this standard UK 12″ mix, with one crucial difference: the run-out groove etching reads DAT 8 A1 rather than the common DAT 8 A3 —and that’s the only known distinguishing mark. I’ve never personally come across a copy, and believe me, I’ve looked. If I ever do get my hands on one, you better believe I’ll post it here.

SIDE A:
Thorn In My Side (Extended Mix) 6:57
Engineer – Gary Moon
Keyboards – Patrick Seymour
Keyboards, Drum Programming, Backing Vocals – David A. Stewart
Lead Vocals – Annie Lennox

SIDE B:
Thorn In My Side (Album Version) 4:15
Backing Vocals – Bernita Turner
Bass Guitar – John McKenzie
Drums – Clem Burke
Guitar – David A. Stewart
Keyboards – Patrick Seymour
Lead Vocals – Annie Lennox
Saxophone, Harmonica – Jimmy Z

In This Town 3:45
Backing Vocals – Bernita Turner, Joniece Jamison
Drums – Clem Burke
Keyboards – Patrick Seymour
Lead Vocals – Annie Lennox
Saxophone – Jimmy Z
Vocals, Guitar – David A. Stewart

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year Single Chart Position
1986 Thorn In My Side U.S. Billboard Hot 100 #68

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: RCA – DAT 8
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Single
Country: UK
Released: Sep 6, 1986
Genre: Electronic, Pop
Style: Synth-pop

CREDITS:

NOTES:
Recorded at Conny’s Studio Cologne & Studio Grand Armée Paris.
Track A remixed at Studio Grand Armee Paris.
Track B2 recorded at Manu’s Party.

Manufactured in the U.K.

Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net

THE GEAR:
Turntable: Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus:  Ortofon Concorde Music Black
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro Spin Acrylic Mat
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Jec Tube Box DS2
Tubes: Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 ECC83/B759 Gold Pins Vacuum Tube – Matched Pair
DAC: Alpha Design Labs GT40a USB DAC
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner

SOFTWARE:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 25 (Recording)
Down Sampling/Dither: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator

RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi

**24bit FLAC Only Available For Seven Days!


Password: burningtheground

You can help show your support for this blog by donating using PayPal. I appreciate your help.


Eurythmics – Would I Lie To You? (US 12″)

Burning The Ground Exclusive 1985

  • NEW 2022 Transfer!
  • NEW Meticulous Audio Restoration!

Originally Posted: March 22, 2011

“Would I Lie to You?” is a song recorded by British pop duo Eurythmics. It was written by band members Annie Lennox and David A. Stewart. Released in the UK and the U.S. from Eurythmics’ fifth album Be Yourself Tonight, the song was the first by the duo to feature their change in musical direction from synthpop to rock and R&B. The song, and its accompanying album featured a full backing band and relied less on electronic programming.

Lyrically, the song features Lennox confronting a cheating lover as she leaves him for good. As she declares that she is “walking out the door” and he doubts her, Lennox’s response is “would I lie to you, honey? / now would I say something that wasn’t true?” The music video was heavily shown on MTV, the clip beginning with an angry confrontation between Lennox and her boyfriend (during which he calls her a “bitch”), just before a Eurythmics performance.

After some friendly encouragement backstage from bandmate Stewart, the full band performs the song, only to have Lennox’s boyfriend return to the venue, climb up onto the stage, and get pushed off into the audience by Lennox. Steven Bauer played the part of the boyfriend. The cover photo of the Be Yourself Tonight album is a screenshot from the music video during the argument scene.

“Would I Lie to You?” is one of Eurythmics’ most recognized tunes. The song continued the band’s hit singles run. In the UK, the song peaked at number 17, while it went to number five on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, becoming their third Top 10 hit in the U.S. Furthermore, it is the duo’s biggest ever hit in Australia, where it topped the singles chart for two weeks. “Would I Lie to You?” is featured in the 2009 film The Informant! starring Matt Damon.

SIDE A:
Would I Lie To You? (An Eric ‘ET’ Thorngren Mix) 4:52
Remix – Eric “ET” Thorngren*

SIDE B:
Would I Lie To You? (Extended Mix) 4:59
Here Comes That Sinking Feeling 5:40

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year Single Chart Position
1985 Would I Lie To You? U.S. Billboard Hot 100 #5
1985 Would I Lie To You? U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks #2
1985 Would I Lie To You? U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play #5

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: RCA Victor – PW-14079
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: 1985
Genre: Electronic, Pop
Style: Synth-pop

CREDITS:
Artwork By [Design] – Laurence Stevens
Bass – Nathan East
Drums – Olle Romo
Engineer – Adam Williams
Guitar – David A. Stewart
Mixed By – Adam Williams , David A. Stewart , Don Smith
Organ – Benmont Tench
Other [Special Thanks To] – Shelly Yakus
Photography – Peter Ashworth
Producer – David A. Stewart
Saxophone [Saxes] – Martin Dobson
Trumpet – Dave Plews
Vocals – Annie Lennox
Written-By – Lennox* , Stewart*

NOTES:
From the forthcoming album “Be Yourself Tonight”

Find the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net

THE GEAR:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (DC)
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon 2M Black
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Jec Tube Box DS2
DAC: Alpha Design Labs GT40a USB DAC
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner

SOFTWARE:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling/Dither: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator

RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi

**24bit FLAC only available for seven days!


Password: burningtheground

You can help show your support for this blog by making a donation using PayPal. Thank you for your help.

Eurythmics – Beethoven (I Love To Listen To) (UK 12″)

BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1987

NEW 2020 Transfer!
Meticulously Remastered!

Originally posted January 14, 2014

Nothing really new here as far as mixes on this 12″ but being a completest I wanted to include this 12″ so that all of the single releases from Eurythmics sixth studio album “Savage” were represented.

“Beethoven (I Love to Listen To)” is a song by the British pop music duo Eurythmics, released as the first single (in the UK) from their 1987 album, Savage.

It was written by group members Annie Lennox and David A. Stewart. Although not released as a single in the United States, the track appeared as a double A-side of the 12-inch single for “I Need a Man”, and received heavy rotation on MTV. It was a Top 20 hit in several European territories and also in Australia.

The Savage album returned Eurythmics to a more electronic sound and the “Beethoven” vocals are performed mostly as spoken-word from Lennox, with the exception of the repeated phrase “I love to” throughout the track.

SIDE A:
Beethoven (I Love To Listen To) (Dance Mix) 5:21
Mixed By – David A. Stewart, Manu Guiot
Mixed By [Assisted By] – Serge Pauchard

SIDE B:
Heaven 3:28
Engineer [Assistant] – Claude Pons
Mixed By – David A. Stewart, Fred Defaye, Olle Romo

Beethoven (I Love To Listen To) (Extended Version) 4:48
Mixed By – David A. Stewart, Manu Guiot
Mixed By [Assisted By] – Serge Pauchard

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: RCA ‎– DAT 11
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM
Country: UK
Released: 24 Oct 1987
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop

CREDITS:
Design [Sleeve Design] – Laurence Stevens
Engineer – Fred Defaye
Photography By – Alistair Thaine
Producer – David A. Stewart
Programmed By – Olle Romo
Written-By – Annie Lennox, David A. Stewart

NOTES:
From the LP “SAVAGE”
Manufactured in England

Find the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL RESTORATION BY:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground

EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (DC)
Cartridge: Ortofon 2M
Stylus: Ortofon 2M Bronze
Isolation: Auralex Acoustics ISO-Tone Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
DAC/Phono Pre-amp: Alpha Design Labs GT40a USB DAC
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner

SOFTWARE USED:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling/Dither: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator

RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi

Username: btg
Password: burningtheground

You can help show your support for this blog by making a donation using PayPal. Thank you for your help.

Eurythmics – You Have Placed A Chill In My Heart (UK 12″)

BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1988

NEW 2020 Transfer!
Meticulously Remastered!

Originally posted November 17, 2017

“You Have Placed a Chill in My Heart” is a song recorded by British pop duo Eurythmics. It was written by group members Annie Lennox and David A. Stewart and appears on the duo’s album Savage. It was released as the fourth single from the album in the UK, and the second in the United States.

The track is driven by a drum machine and is a mostly synth-based ballad. Lyrically, Lennox sings of mustering the power to leave a destructive relationship with a lover who does not return the affection she deserves (“…a woman’s just too tired to think / about the dirty old dishes in the kitchen sink”).

The song’s music video continued the concept directed by Sophie Muller (seen earlier in the videos for the singles “Beethoven (I Love to Listen To)” and “I Need a Man”, and throughout most of the Savage video album).

“You Have Placed a Chill in My Heart” was the only single from Savage to reach the Top 20 in the UK, peaking at number 16 (the duo’s 12th overall).

Im the United States the single peaked at #64 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart on June 25th, 1988 after spending seven weeks on the survey.

SIDE A:
You Have Placed A Chill In My Heart (Dance Mix) 7:53
Engineer – Fred Defaye
Programmed By – Olle Romo
Remix – Alan Moulder

SIDE B:
Do You Want To Break Up? (Dance Mix) 6:12
Engineer – Fred Defaye
Programmed By – Olle Romo
Remix – Alan Moulder

You Have Placed A Chill In My Heart (Acoustic Version) 3:23
Engineer [Assistant] – Nick Addison
Engineer, Mixed By – Gary Bradshaw
Guitar – David A. Stewart
Vocals – Annie Lennox

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year Single Chart Position
1987 You Have Placed A Chill In My Heart U.S. Billboard Hot 100 #64

 

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: RCA ‎– DAT 16
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM
Country: UK
Released: 1988
Genre: Electronic, Rock, Pop
Style: Synth-pop

CREDITS:
Mastered By – MS*
Photography By [Sleeve Photography From An Original Polaroid By] – Sophie Muller
Producer – David A. Stewart
Sleeve [Design] – Annie Lennox, Laurence Stevens
Written-By – Lennox*, Stewart*

NOTES:
B2 recorded live at Corbin Hall 1988.
Manufactured in England.
From the LP “SAVAGE”

Find the 12″ on DISCOGS

VINYL RESTORATION BY:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net

EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (DC)
Cartridge: Ortofon 2M
Stylus: Ortofon 2M Bronze
Isolation: Auralex Acoustics ISO-Tone Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
DAC/Phono Pre-amp: Alpha Design Labs GT40a USB DAC
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner

SOFTWARE USED:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling/Dither: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator

RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi

Username: btg
Password: burningtheground

You can help show your support for this blog by making a donation using PayPal. Thank you for your help.