"Savage" was considered a flop in 1987, at least in the U.S.A, where it just missed the Top 40 and had no hit singles. It fared better in the U.K. reaching the Top 10 and spawning three hit singles. I think "Savage" is by far, the Eurythmics best record, and definitely one of the best records of the 80's.
You may ask yourself, "Why is he bringing this 35 year old record up now when he could be basking in the aural glow of the new Kali Uchis or Est Gee albums? Well, I'll tell ya.
I was writing about my old friend, the late, great Tim Vega, and when Tim liked a record, his body changed. Tim was a big guy, yet he never allowed that to stop him from moving. I don't mean just dancing. He'd dart, contort, sway from side to side, hop. Whatever a song compelled him to do, he'd go along with. I was reminded of this record, and how much he loved it back then, which made me love it back then, and still.
Okay, that explains that. But now the music.
All Music gives "Savage" two stars and say "Musically, Eurythmics, for the most part, abandoned the more conventional pop/rock they recently had been pursuing, returning to the synthesized dance music and arch tone of their early hit "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)." But they still seemed less inspired than before."
Yes, they have returned to the synthesizers of their early hit "Sweet Dreams." But personally, I think "Sweet Dreams" is a bore. And so is "Here Comes The Rain Again." These tracks were huge, but they are cold and lifeless. 1985's "Be Yourself Tonight" was more organic, adding guitars and strings and real people, like Aretha Franklin and Elvis Costello. It was a solid record with some terrific pop hits, including "Would I Lie To You" and "There Must Be An Angel." But that record hasn't aged well, at least to my ears. It sounds like Annie and Dave tried too hard. The are not a rock and roll duo, and so the act wore thin.
What makes "Savage" work is that they are back to doing what got them here is the first place, using programs and beats, but in the few short years since their debut, they have grown musically. The record feels timeless, like it could have been recorded in 1987 or 2017. There are hooks and melodies all over this record. And while the opener "Beethoven (I Love To)" is not unlike the cold and lifeless "Sweet Dreams," with its repetition, I find it far more interesting. It's layered and that makes it more exciting as it builds with each verse. It works and sets the table for what follows, which is seven brilliant songs in a row.
The track that really did the trick for my pal Tim was the second to last track on the album, "I Need You." It also sounds like nothing else on "Savage." Whenever it played, Tim would laugh with elation and shout "This is so fucking Dylan!" I guess, it is, actually. But as much I like " I Need You," it's not why I love "Savage." What makes up Side One and most of Side Two are songs that are far from what All Music called "uninspired." There is real beauty in these melodies and Annie Lennox delivers each song like she means it.
Check out "Savage" if you don't know it and revisit it if you think you don't like it. Maybe you'll hear what I hear.
6 comments:
I have always LOVED Savage, and until today felt like I was the only one who saw it. Thanks for going on record and saying it. I've always loved flooring people with a random selection from it, but the whole thing holds up so well.
(I also think Sweet Dreams is a masterpiece of a song, and full of stunning emotion and musicality, but that's another discussion)
Back in the day, some comedian said that Annie Lennox wasn't secure in her masculiity. I don't think you could get away with that joke anymore, :-)
"Shame" is really good. I've often said I hated most of what I heard in the '80's, and that I mostly listed to 50's SUN, and '60's psychedelia, but it's not true, and this song reminds me there was a lot I liked.
I've loved this record since the day it came out (I was working at Camelot Records at a mall in south Atlanta - we had huge posters of the cover), and agree that is stands really tall amongst 80s albums, or any decade really.
For me the key four tracks (all have made it on 1000 of my mixtapes):
Do You Want To Break Up?
You Have Placed A Chill In My Heart
Brand New Day
I Need You
I think what makes it work is the concept-album storyline that gives depth to the characterizations in the songs. It's weird to imagine Annie Lennox as a bored/ignored housewife, but inserting herself into that persona allowed some amazing songs to come out.
Talking Heads tried it too - they went from arch art-rock (that I loved) to the quotidian concerns of "True Stories" - although I never liked that TH album. They just didn't get to the songs Annie and Dave got to. But I found it interesting that they went from Africa to cowboy hats in a very short time period - exotic/worldly to domestic/local.
Savage - an immaculate record; and the only Eurythmics I'm interested in or own. That's it.
So sorry about your pal, Tim. I am a hopper, swayer, side to side dancer myself. :)
I think I missed a lot of solid 80's music because I refused to get into "new wave". I should revisit it all. A project for the future, methinks!
I'm a fan of Eurythmics. Great singles. Like Zippy, I really love Sweet Dreams from start to finish. It looms large for me and I've listened to it many times over the years. Then a slow decline, but always good for a great song here and there. I'll listen to Savage again with open ears.
And hey, we come to your website BECAUSE you get passionate about 35 year old albums, rather than the latest band touted by NME or whomever.
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