Burning The Ground Exclusive
NEW 2026 Transfer
NEW Meticulous Audio Restoration
Original post date: May 10, 2017
Certain songs instantly define an era, and “Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)” by Eurythmics is unquestionably one of them. Released in early 1983 as the title track from the duo’s second studio album, the single transformed Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart from underground cult favorites into international pop icons almost overnight.
Built around one of the most recognizable synthesizer riffs ever recorded, “Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)” sounded unlike anything else on radio at the time. Cold, hypnotic, mechanical, yet incredibly infectious, the track helped redefine the direction of pop music in the early 1980s and became one of the signature recordings of the synth-pop movement.
Written and produced by Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart, the song emerged during a difficult period for the duo following the commercial disappointment of their debut album In the Garden. Working from a modest home studio with limited equipment, the pair created a minimalist electronic masterpiece driven by pulsing synths, drum machine rhythms, and Lennox’s commanding vocal delivery.
Lyrically, the song explores ambition, manipulation, desire, and survival in a world where “everybody’s looking for something.” Annie Lennox delivers the lines with a detached coolness that only adds to the song’s mysterious power.
Of course, the song’s impact was amplified by its unforgettable music video. Annie Lennox’s sharply tailored menswear, cropped orange hair, and androgynous appearance became one of the defining visual statements of the MTV era. At a time when pop culture was becoming increasingly image-driven, Lennox challenged conventions in a way that felt bold, modern, and completely original.
The single became a worldwide smash, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States and establishing Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart as major international stars.
This post features a new 2026 Transfer and meticulous audio restoration taken from my US 12-inch pressing. The 12-inch is especially notable because it contains the full-length version of “Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This).” Most LPs, CDs, and 7-inch singles contain the shorter 3:36 edit, making the 12-inch mix the preferred version for many fans and collectors.
Another interesting detail is the B-side, “I Could Give You a Mirror,” which differs from the version found on the Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This) album, giving this US 12-inch additional collector appeal.
From a club perspective, the extended 12-inch version is absolutely definitive. The longer runtime allows the hypnotic groove to fully develop, emphasizing the icy atmosphere and relentless electronic pulse that made the song so revolutionary. Even today, it still sounds futuristic blasting from a turntable.
More than four decades later, “Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)” remains one of the most influential and instantly recognizable songs of the 1980s, a landmark recording that continues to inspire artists across pop, electronic, and alternative music.
SIDE A:
Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This) (Full Length Version) 4:55
Producer – David A. Stewart
SIDE B:
I Could Give You (A Mirror) (Alternate Version) 3:57
Producer – Stewart, Crash
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
| Chart Performance – Eurythmics: Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This) (1983) | Peak Position |
|---|---|
| Australia (Kent Music Report) | 6 |
| Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40) | 9 |
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) | 3 |
| Canada (The Record Retail Singles) | 1 |
| Canada Top Singles (RPM) | 1 |
| Finland (Suomen virallinen lista) | 6 |
| Iceland (Íslenski Listinn) | 1 |
| Ireland (IRMA) | 2 |
| Japan (Oricon) | 89 |
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) | 9 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100) | 10 |
| New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) | 2 |
| South Africa (Springbok Radio) | 5 |
| Spain (AFYVE) | 3 |
| Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) | 8 |
| UK Singles (OCC) | 2 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 1 |
| US Adult Contemporary (Billboard) | 36 |
| US Dance Club Songs (Billboard) | 2 |
| US Mainstream Rock (Billboard) | 16 |
| US Cash Box Top 100 | 1 |
| West Germany (GfK) | 4 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: RCA Victor – PD-13502
Format: Vinyl, 12″, Single, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: 1982
Genre: Electronic, Pop
Style: Synth-pop
CREDITS:
- Design [Sleeve] – Laurence Stevens
- Photography By – Lewis Ziolek
- Written-By – Lennox*, Stewart*
NOTES:
From the album “Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)“, AFL1-4681
Buy the 12” at DISCOGS
VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for BURNING THE GROUND
THE GEAR:
Turntable: Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon Concorde Music Black
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Jec Tube Box DS2
Tubes: Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 ECC83/B759 Gold Pins Vacuum Tube – Matched Pair
Audio Interface: MOTU M4
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro Spin Acrylic Mat
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
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.
Thank you.
I beat the deadline before the 24 bit link expired. Whoo-Hoo!!
Thanks again, PaulT!
Another ’80s memory: since I worked across the street and a block west of the RCA Building on Sunset Blvd., we often had their artists brought to visit and do an interview. Eurythmics were very stand-offish, and I’m sure they were weary of being dragged around to do meet ‘n’ greets. Still, now that I think of it, they never did an interview with our host Francesca, though every other artist I know who visited sat in with her for a chat I recorded and worked into a Friday night music & words feature. Annie appeared annoyed when she was… Read more »
A friend gave me a 7” import of “Sweet Dreams” in 1982 for my birthday around the same time the first Soft Cell and Depeche Mode albums came out. These two albums plus Eurythmics’ single was all we played over and over at my birthday party. Everyone loved “Sweet Dreams”, but we figured it was just too “out there” to be considered for top 40. (Wrong again!) Also RCA hadn’t released it in the US yet, so like so many songs we discovered first as an import took a year to become released here to become a US hit. When… Read more »
Thanks so much Paul!
This is about as iconic as they come for representing the 1980s. It was one of those instances when it was a perfect harmony of both the modern/futuristic synth sound and the aesthetics of the video that was, itself, iconic. This was the single that put the Eurythmics on the trajectory to conquer the decade! 1983 and the decade wouldn’t have been the same without this massive hit. Thank you Paul for this new meticulous transfer with the rare mixes!!
Greetings Paul,
An excellent choice revisiting the definitive version of this classic Eurythmics song, their first song i can remember hearing and who could forget that video?
Thank you for everything you share my friend!
peace,
dj
24Bit flac is down – same as MJ a few day ago!
It’s MEGA. They suspended my account. Do you have any suggestions for other file-sharing services?
filestore.to
The FileStore.to link isn’t working for me. I just get a 10-second countdown and then:
“Leider sind aktuell keine freien Downloadslots für Freeuser verfügbar.”
Try now and see what happens. I am testing a couple of other sites.
TransferNow.net worked. Thanks!
That’s great!
Transfer Now was quick and easy! Plus it tells you when the file will expire.
transfernow.net ; 1fichier.com ; pixeldrain.com
transfernow – A friend uses it for personal files, fast, works well. Unsure how it works with public links.
1fichier – Works well, unlikely to have an issues. Files hosted in Europe. Caveat: downloaders with no or free accounts may occasionally encounter wait times.
pixeldrain – Fast, free users can download up to 6GB per day. One person on a forum said a few of their files were taken down, the rest stayed up. Unsure how common that is.
All these are great for file longevity, except TransferNow where files seems to disappear so quickly. As a downloader myself, I find 1fichier and Pixeldrain are great for speeds and low takedowns. Also recommend datanodes.to as a good recent contender.
I’ve only used these as a consumer, but:
https://gofile.io/
this server gives you 1GB free storage: https://www.1024tera.com/
and it stays online for a long time.
Dear Paul,
Thank you so much!
The 24bit FLAC link doesn’t work
Best regards
I’m aware of it and am working on finding an alternative file-sharing service.
I remember this original rip back in 2017, and i still playlist it. It is cool you have revisited this release for a brand new rip.
It would be cool if you could do a re-rip of their Love Is A Stranger 12” single in future, perhaps?
Cheers Paul.
Mark,
That’s so cool that you still have the 2017 rip in your playlist. I really appreciate that. Revisiting these older transfers has been a lot of fun, especially when the record is as iconic as this one.
“Love Is A Stranger” is a great suggestion. That 12-inch is definitely one I would like to revisit at some point, especially since it pairs so nicely with this early Eurythmics era.
Thanks for sticking with these posts all these years, Mark. It means a lot.
Thank you Paul. I missed the first upload and I am happy to catch this 2026 transfer.For me, there are only two Eurythmics songs that stand out : Herer comes the Rain again and Sweet Dreams.
Toxicaudio, You picked two absolute classics there. “Here Comes The Rain Again” has such an emotional depth and cinematic atmosphere to it, while “Sweet Dreams” is pure hypnotic perfection. Both songs really showcase the two sides of Eurythmics so well, the cold electronic edge balanced with Annie Lennox’s incredibly soulful voice. I’m glad you were able to catch this new 24/26 transfer. It’s always satisfying revisiting these older uploads and hearing them with fresh ears and improved restoration techniques. This particular 12-inch deserved the treatment. Thanks again for listening and for sharing your Eurythmics favorites. Always great hearing everyone’s personal… Read more »
Ahh!! My favorite Eurythmics song! Which is not an uncommon thing to say 🙂 This Full Length Version is the best! Great job on the new transfer, this will be my go to version forever. I don’t know why but I was never a huge fan of Annie Lennox post Eurythmics. Something about the magic she made with Dave Stewart didn’t quite translate over to her solo career for me. If you haven’t seen it, check out this great clip where Dave Stewart gives the origin story of the song, breaking down the synth beats https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFcRD_xs6P4 (the key part starts… Read more »
JP, I think a lot of people would agree with you, this really is peak Eurythmics. There’s just something magical about the chemistry between Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart during this period that is hard to replicate. Even though Annie had an incredibly successful solo career, the tension between Dave’s experimental production style and Annie’s vocal presence created something uniquely special together. And yes, the Full Length Version is absolutely the definitive version for me too. Once you hear the extended groove and the way the synth patterns slowly build and evolve, it’s hard going back to the shorter edit.… Read more »
“Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” One of the great iconic songs of the 80s. 1. Composition and Sound The song is based on one of the most iconic synthesizer riffs in history. It’s a dark, hypnotic, and cyclical bassline that generates constant tension. Annie Lennox’s Vocals: Her performance is masterful. She alternates between robotic coolness and poignant intensity, layering her own voice to create harmonies that sound ethereal and haunting. Duality: The music is danceable, but the lyrics are deeply cynical and existential. 2. The Lyrics: Pessimism or Realism? “Some wanna use you / Some wanna be used by… Read more »
Rubén,
Absolutely. This is one of those rare songs that completely transcends its era while still defining it at the same time. From the moment that synth riff begins, you instantly know exactly what it is. Few songs have that kind of power.
Everything about it became iconic, the sound, the video, Annie Lennox’s image, the hypnotic groove, all of it helped shape the identity of 80s pop culture.
More than forty years later it still sounds fresh, strange, and futuristic. That’s a pretty incredible achievement for any record.
Thanks, Rubén!
A shame they made such an unremarkable 12 inch. They really just repeat a part in the middle and a little bit at the start. Knowing how great later 12 inches are, they could have done a better job. Mind you, the Giorgio Moroder remix made in 1991 is a gem.
Rudi, I can definitely understand that perspective. Compared to some of the more adventurous and fully reworked 12-inch mixes that came later in the decade, this one is fairly restrained. It feels more like an elongated version of the original track rather than a dramatic reinterpretation. That said, I think part of the appeal for me is that hypnotic repetition. The groove is so strong and mechanical that even subtle extensions seem to pull you deeper into the atmosphere. It almost works more like an early club mix concept rather than the bigger, more elaborate remix style that became standard… Read more »
The original 12” was an “extension”, which was normal for the early ’80s with the “DOR” (dance oriented rock) acts as they were called for a couple of years in the trades. An extension was a quick way to guarantee underground club play as most DJs would mix out after 3-1/2 minutes or so anyway. So it was Giorgio who did the early ’90s remix that swept radio? I remember hearing it on KIIS-FM and it sounded incredible and fresh without taking away the originality one might expect to lose in some of these wacky remixes that sound nothing like… Read more »
Hey Paul This 12inch Mix Was One I played On My Boom Box Back In The Early 80’s On The Beach. I Got Promo Copies Before Radio Stations Even Played Them From The Record Pool. Here Comes The Rain Again And Who’s That Girl Were The Jamms! Too.
Mark, Now that sounds like the perfect way to hear this record, blasting out of a boom box on the beach in the early 80s. You were living the real soundtrack of the era right there. Getting promo copies from the record pool before radio picked them up must have been such a thrill too. Back then it really felt like DJs and club culture were discovering these records first and helping break them before the mainstream caught on. And yes, “Here Comes The Rain Again” and “Who’s That Girl?” are incredible. Those records showed how much Eurythmics evolved after… Read more »
Thank you so much for the new meticulous transfer, Paul! There’s nothing that make me feel more elated than when you share one of my most favorite songs of all time in your superb quality!
It’s weird how we never get tired of some songs even after hearing them for the millionth time! Most Depeche Mode songs have that effect on me. This song may be simple in structure, but it is absolute perfection! And you’re absolutely right: the extended version is the way to go!
Axel F80, I know exactly what you mean. Some songs just become part of your DNA and never lose their impact no matter how many times you hear them. “Sweet Dreams” definitely falls into that category for me too. The simplicity is actually part of its genius. It strips everything down to the essentials and somehow creates something timeless and hypnotic. And yes, Depeche Mode absolutely have that same quality. Those songs can be played endlessly and still reveal little details, moods, and textures every time. Great electronic music has a way of aging differently than most pop music. I’m… Read more »
One of the best songs ever! Thanks for sharing all the details with this post!
Eddie,
I really can’t argue with that. This is one of those rare songs that feels completely timeless. From the synth riff to Annie’s vocal to the unforgettable video, everything just came together perfectly.
It’s amazing how a track built on such a simple foundation became such a massive cultural landmark and still sounds fresh decades later.
I’m glad you enjoyed all the details in the post too. Records like this deserve the deep dive treatment.
Thanks, Eddie!
For me this song was the start of the 80s New Wave revolution. This song was huge and the video was all over MTV. As people have said it just never gets old.
You mentioned this is the extended release, so I looked at my various compilation CDs and they only have the 3:36 version. The only place I have the full length? Eurythmics Greatest Hits. Surprise surprise. Odd that I don’t have any other mixes or remixes.
As always thanks for the tunes Paul!
I have many versions of this song including the 1991 mixes. I have several different mastering of the album, alll with the short version. I too only have the long version on Greatest HIts! It’s wild they used the long version there but took it off the album. Usually hits collections use the “radio” edit.🤯🤔
I have found that many compilations or Greates Hits packages now days use album version as many of the original 7″ edits seem to be lost.
Interesting, but probably due to mismanagement! Thinking it was disposable…🤔
Mikey-D, I think a lot of people would agree with you that this song really marked a turning point for the New Wave explosion in mainstream pop culture. Once MTV got hold of that video, there was no escaping it. The sound and image felt completely fresh and futuristic at the time. And it’s funny how the full-length version can be surprisingly difficult to find on compilations. So many releases default to the shorter 3:36 edit that a lot of listeners probably grew up without even realizing there was a longer version out there. Thankfully the Eurythmics Greatest Hits included… Read more »
The original album version is the 3:36 version that was released on the import 7” single. The 4:45 version came later as an RCA club promo which convinced them to release a commercial 12” after they got so many requests for the longer one. So the 3:36 is not a “radio edit” per sé.
OH! This record!! It still gets me every time it gets played!! I love this era of the Eurythmics the most. More electronic, with Ms. Lennox’s haunting vocals, make the early records for me stand out. I also loved the “Touch” album as well because it had some fine synths all over it. Thank you, Paul, for this re-up. I love these, “T’s Flashbacks” (DjPaulT), these sonic reminiscences and upgrades!
Jeff
Jeff, You really nailed what makes this era of Eurythmics so special. Those early records had such a stark electronic atmosphere, almost cold on the surface, but Annie Lennox’s voice brought this incredible emotional depth that balanced everything perfectly. That combination was magic. And I completely agree about Touch. That album took what they started with “Sweet Dreams” and expanded it beautifully. The synth textures, the songwriting, the mood, it’s one of the defining albums of the decade for me. I also love your phrase “sonic reminiscences and upgrades.” That perfectly describes what these revisits are about. It’s not just… Read more »
The Touch EP was not authorized by the group, rather than RCA America “overstepping” in their excitement to feast on this sudden gift they had originally ignored at the Corporate level. You’ll likely never see an official CD or vinyl reissue of Touch while Annie and/or Dave control their catalog. In fact, they may be one major act who hasn’t sold their entire catalog to Kobalt or some other publishing group.
Wait, I’m confused. I was talking about “Touch”, the album. Not the EP, “Touch Dance” which had remixes by, John “Jellybean” Benitez, and François Kevorkian. I didn’t care for the remixes myself, especially for “Paint a Rumour.” I love the original extended mixes.
Jeff
Absolute classic game changer! Hypnotic and alluring. This is a prime example of why the 80’s were a delight for music geeks. Everything was new, and bands like the Eurythmics were more than music groups, they were performance artists! The much overlooked solo album “Bare” by Annie with it’s explanation of the cover art emphasizes the point that she was more than just a singer. Her coming out to tear the roof off the place when she joined Hozier onstage for “Take Me To Church” on an awards show awhile back also punctuated that she was beyond next level. Dave’s… Read more »
ING, What a fantastic comment. You captured exactly why this period felt so exciting and transformational for music fans. The early 80s really were a moment where it seemed like artists were reinventing pop culture in real time. Groups like Eurythmics were not just making songs, they were creating entire visual and artistic identities around the music. I completely agree with you about Annie Lennox. She transcended the role of “pop singer” very early on. There was always performance art, image, emotion, theater, and intellect woven into what she did. And yes, that appearance with Hozier on “Take Me To… Read more »
she completely owned the room….
That my friend, is so true. It went from amateur hour to PERFORMANCE!
School was in session! 🤯🤯🤯
Annie’s collab with Hozier on The Grammy Awards was literally an out-of-body performance! If I ever see that being released officially, I’ll post the info here. It was truly amazing and worth searching.
It was simply amazing. Wasn’t it? Another one that was I have never found online. There was an awards show or something where Robert Flack performed A Woman’s Worth for Alicia Keys. Like she bested Alicia’s version so dramatically it’s criminal it was never released as a single.
what can I say that does this song justice? thanks, I guess!!
Raymond,
Honestly, sometimes a song this iconic almost speaks for itself. There are certain records where the second that opening synth line starts, every word becomes unnecessary because the music instantly takes over.
I think all any of us can really say is thank you to Annie and Dave for creating something so timeless.
And thank you, Raymond, for stopping by and sharing in the appreciation for this absolute classic.
I think I’m beginning to like this new transfer series Paul 🙂
Promises, promises, promises…
Thank you, Stefano 🙂
An absolute classic.
Eurythmics had such a run in the 80s. Hit after hit but still weirdly quite underrated.
Which reminds me, I wasn’t aware that there was an extended version until your original posting!!
Thanks for giving this a fresh rip!
Paul, I’ve always felt the same way about Eurythmics. They were hugely successful, but at the same time, they still somehow feel underrated when people discuss the truly important artists of the 80s. Their catalog is remarkably strong, and they took a lot more creative risks than many of their contemporaries. And you’re definitely not alone about the extended version. A lot of people only knew the shorter edit for years because that’s the version that appeared on so many compilations, CDs, and radio playlists. Discovering the full-length version for the first time is such a treat because it lets… Read more »
FANTASTIC song that just doesn’t get old. I actually heard a song from Annie’s album Bare this morning and was reflecting on the scope of her work. Strong collection of songs from the Eurythmics, moving into Diva, Medusa, and Bare… just a very talented woman (and group). Thanks for posting this. I am going to go back and listen to some of their other songs!!
Greg, That’s one of the most impressive things about Annie Lennox’s career for me, the consistency and depth across so many different eras. From the groundbreaking work with Eurythmics to albums like Diva, Medusa, and Bare, she always brought intelligence, emotion, and artistry to everything she touched. And “Sweet Dreams” really is one of those songs that refuses to age. No matter how many times it’s heard, it still sounds distinctive and powerful. That’s incredibly rare. I love that this post sent you back into their catalog again. Eurythmics have so many great tracks beyond the obvious hits, and revisiting… Read more »