Be Yourself Tonight is the fourth studio album by British pop duo Eurythmics, released on 29 April 1985 by RCA Records.[8]

Background

Largely recorded in Paris, with additional recording in Detroit and Los Angeles, this album saw Eurythmics move away from their previous more experimental, synthesizer-based songs, to a more commercial pop/rock sound. Combining elements of Motown and rock music, the album incorporates a more traditional band line-up/instrumentation. Nonetheless, the recordings still possessed an atmospheric and cutting edge sound, winning David A. Stewart awards for his production work on the album. The release of the album coincided with a new look for singer Annie Lennox, who ditched the androgynous look of the previous albums and became, in biographer Lucy O`Brien`s words, "a bleach-blonde rock `n` roller". Be Yourself Tonight includes guest appearances by notable artists such as Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, and Elvis Costello.

Chart performance

Be Yourself Tonight reached the top 3 in the UK and top 10 in the US, as well as spawning several hit singles. The album includes the duo`s first (and only) UK number-one "There Must Be an Angel (Playing with My Heart)". The first single released was "Would I Lie to You?". It would hit #5 on the Billboard Hot 100, #6 on the Cash Box Top 100 and also hit #1 in Australia.

No tour followed the album`s release, due to Lennox`s recuperation from vocal fold nodules (which also caused her to miss 1985`s Live Aid concert).

On 14 November 2005, Sony BMG repackaged and released Eurythmics` back catalogue as "2005 Deluxe Edition Reissues". Each of their eight studio albums` original track listings were supplemented with bonus tracks and remixes.

Track listing

All tracks are written by Annie Lennox and David A. Stewart, except where noted

Notes

• Track 9 is incorrectly labelled "Better to Have Lost in Love (Then Never to Have Loved at All)" on the 2005 remastered reissue.
• Track 13 of the 2005 remastered reissue is listed as the "ET Mix", but it is actually the "Extended Mix" from the "Would I Lie to You?" 12-inch single.

Personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Be Yourself Tonight.[9]

Eurythmics

• Annie Lennox – vocals (all tracks); keyboards (tracks 2–6, 8, 9); keyboard sequencers (track 7)
• David A. Stewart – guitars (tracks 1, 3, 4, 6–9); sequencers (tracks 1, 5, 7); keyboards (tracks 2–5, 8, 9); bass sequencer, drum computer program (track 3); electric guitar, slide guitar (track 5); six-stringed octave guitar (track 6)

Additional musicians

• Nathan East – bass (tracks 1, 4)
• Olle Romo – drums (tracks 1, 2, 5–9); wood stomping (track 3)
• Benmont Tench – organ (tracks 1, 4)
• Dave Plews – trumpet (tracks 1, 7)
• Martin Dobson – saxophones (tracks 1, 7)
• Dean Garcia – bass (tracks 2, 5–9); wood stomping (track 3)
• Michael Kamen – strings (tracks 2, 9); celeste (track 6); brass arrangement idea (track 7); keyboard solo, string parts (track 8)
• Stevie Wonder – harmonica (track 2)
• Angel Cross – backing vocals (track 2)
• The Charles Williams Singers – backing vocals (track 3); gospel choir (track 4)
• Adam Williams – drum computer program (track 3)
• Sadie (and other uncredited performers) – gravel stomping (track 3)
• Aretha Franklin – "super" vocals (track 4)
• Stan Lynch – drums (track 4)
• Mike Campbell – lead guitar (tracks 4, 6)
• Elvis Costello – harmony vocal (track 6)

Technical

• David A. Stewart – production, mixing
• Adam Williams – mixing (tracks 1–3, 5, 7, 9); engineering (tracks 2, 4–9)
• Don Smith – special help (track 1); engineering (tracks 2, 4); mixing (tracks 3, 4, 6, 8); additional engineering (track 6)
• Jay Willis – engineering assistance (tracks 2–4)
• Shelly Yakus – drum recording (track 4)
• Stephen Marcussen – mastering

Artwork

• Laurence Stevens – art, design
• Paul Fortune – photography

Charts

Certifications and sales

Certifications and sales for Be Yourself Tonight