[1] 17 Again (Lennox/Stewart) - 4:55
[2] I Saved the World Today (Lennox/Stewart) - 4:53
[3] Power to the Meek (Lennox/Stewart) - 3:18
[4] Beautiful Child (Lennox/Stewart) - 3:27
[5] Anything But Strong (Lennox/Stewart) - 5:04
[6] Peace Is Just a Word (Lennox/Stewart) - 5:51
[7] I've Tried Everything (Lennox/Stewart) - 4:17
[8] I Want It All (Lennox/Stewart) - 3:32
[9] My True Love (Lennox/Stewart) - 4:45
[10] Forever (Lennox/Stewart) - 4:08
[11] Lifted (Lennox/Stewart) - 4:49
Dave Catlin-Birch - Bass
Peter Lewinson - Drums
Steve Lewinson - Drums
Chucho Merchan - Bass
Pro Arte Orchestra of London - Orchestra
Chris Sharrock - Drums
David Whitaker - Strings Orchestrator
Andy Wright - Percussion, Programming
Nick Addison - Engineer
Stephen McLaughlin - Engineer
David Russell - Mixing Assistant
Colin Sheen - Coordination
Ian Cooper - Mastering
Graham Dominy - Assistant Engineer
Ash Howes - Mixing
Nearly a decade after Eurythmics went on an unannounced, virtually
unnoticed hiatus in 1990, Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart returned with
the heavily publicized Peace. During their time off, neither member was
exceptionally busy. Lennox had a huge hit with her 1992 solo debut,
Diva, but its 1995 successor, the all-covers Medusa, failed to maintain
her momentum. Still, Medusa fared better than Stewart's three solo
albums of the '90s, none of which generated much chart action or
critical notice. Curiously, both Lennox and Stewart were silent after
1995, which means that reuniting really wasn't a sacrifice, since their
solo careers had stalled. In fact, it was a wise idea to re-team, both
commercially and artistically, since their best and most popular music
was made together. While it's no great surprise they reunited, it is
odd that Peace so strongly resembles Diva. True, Eurythmics were moving
toward the melodramatic grandeur of Diva on their final '80s album, We
Too Are One, yet they still had an innate sense of quirkiness and a
desire to take risks. In 1999, they're more about craft, which only
emphasizes the maturity of the music. That's not entirely a bad thing,
even if it means that Peace needs a couple of spins before the songs
begin to register. Lennox and Stewart know how to write gently
insinuating melodies and how to richly layer their tracks with small
sonic details, weaving lush tapestries of sound. It's an alluring
sound, and Peace keeps its mood throughout. Even when they attempt to
revisit their Stonesy tendencies, as on "Power to the Meek" and "I Want
It All," the songs play as sleekly and smoothly as the ballads that
dominate the record. In one sense, that's good, because it means that
Peace keeps a consistent tone from front to back, but it also means
that most of the songs blend together. There are no standout singles
here — they're all part of a piece, for better or worse —
and that's the hardest thing to accept about the record. Eurythmics
were one of the best singles bands of the '80s, turning out at least
one terrific single with each record. It's hard not to miss that gift
on Peace — for all its virtues, it doesn't have any grabbers or
growers. Even so, Peace is a successful debut for Eurythmics, Mach 2.
It's classy adult-pop, delivered with style and grace. If fans of the
duo's groundbreaking new wave don't warm to it, that's fine — it
wasn't made for them in the first place.
Stephen Thomas Erlewine - All Music Guide
Nach fast zehnjähriger Trennung verschreibt sich das Hit-Duo Annie
Lennox und David Stewart mit Peace dem Frieden und
gesellschaftlich-sozialen Belangen. Musikalisch bedeutet das für
die Eurythmics einen teilweisen Abschied vom flirrenden Pop zwischen
Soul, Elektronik und elegantem Styling, nicht aber von der
musikalischen Vergangenheit. Mit einer Menge dramaturgisch bewusst
eingesetzter Zitate versuchen die beiden geschickt an ihre Biografie
anzuknüpfen und dazu parallel den Seitensprung zur Rockgeschichte.
Schon auf "17 Again" zitieren sie passagenweise "Sweet Dreams Are Made
Of This". "I Saved The World Today" kommt mit ausgefeilten
Beach-Boys-Harmonien daher, auf "Power To The Meek" tobt Gitarrist Dave
Stewart seine heimliche Liebe zu rotzigen Gitarren und
Rolling-Stones-Riffs aus, um dann seiner Leidenschaft für die
Beatles und Wings auf "Beautiful Child" zu frönen. Die hymnische
Ballade mit Flüsterchören "Peace Is Just A Word" wird von
heftig sägenden Gitarrenattacken geschüttelt, und auch "I
Want It All" ist wilder, wüster, zorniger 3-Akkord-Gitarrenrock
samt Hall und Echo, der in einem atemlosen Crescendo endet. Bis auf die
balladesken Songs wie dem souligen "Lifted" passt sich Annie Lennox im
Gesang dieser Tour de Force so elastisch an, dass sie auf "Forever",
einem Mix aus Beatles "All You Need Is Love" und Kinks-Akkorden beinah
wie Rod Stewart klingt.
Ingeborg Schober - Amazon.de
Peace, Eurythmics's first studio album in a decade, finds Annie Lennox
and Dave Stewart proving the durability of their musical bond. Where
their solo efforts were usually well crafted and unexciting, Peace
makes clear how inspired the two can be when working together. The
ballad (and first U.S. single) "17 Again" is nice if overly
sentimental; the reprise of "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" at the
end treads Stinglike ground to little appreciable effect. But songs
such as "I Saved the World Today" and "Beautiful Child" vividly return
to the depth of Touch and Be Yourself Tonight while updating
Eurythmics's chemistry for 1999. In short, Peace is a happy surprise
that will find listeners hoping for more.
Rickey Wright - Amazon.com
Peace, the latest album from Eurythmics, will take many fans of Annie
Lennox and Dave Stewart by surprise. For the duo to deliver the same
style of music as they did during their 1980s heyday would be
disappointing, yet, the listener cannot help but long for a little of
the sparkle that made "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)," "Here Comes
the Rain Again," and "Would I Lie to You?" some of the decade's most
memorable songs. In fact, with the exception of Lennox's stellar
vocals, Peace bears little resemblance to the duo's most memorable
albums -- the new wave, synthesized Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) and
the more pop/R&B-flavored Be Yourself Tonight - or even their last
record of new material, 1989's outstanding We Too Are One. Instead,
Peace relies on a raw, more guitar-heavy sound backed with strings and
other orchestral elements; it's a body of work that is more mature and
less gimmicky than anything the duo previously recorded, but as a
result, it's not nearly as much fun. In fact, the album, at points,
takes itself a little too seriously. The CD's leadoff track, "17
Again," sets the tone for Peace while paying homage to the past with
two regrettable references to "Sweet Dreams." The lyrics – "All
those fake celebrities and all those vicious queens / All the stupid
papers and the stupid magazines / Sweet dreams are made of anything
that gets you in the scene" – demonstrate a duo confident enough
to finally play by their only rules. Unfortunately, the reference only
serves to emphasize the weaker nature of the new song, making the
listener long for the more powerful-sounding "Sweet Dreams." The
less-polished feel that pervades "17 Again" is evident throughout the
rest of the album, most notably on the highly repetitive "I Want It
All" and the stymied "I've Tried Everything," which features a bubbling
rhythm that never fully develops. Despite its flaws, Peace does have
some highlights, most notably the slow-building and powerfully moving
"Peace Is Just a Word"; the melancholy "I Saved the World Today" and
the rocking "Power to the Meek" are also standout tracks.
Unfortunately, they are not enough to save an album that is a far cry
from Eurythmics' best work.
Regis D'Angiolini - CDNow.com
Today the image of a dominatrix with an orange crew-cut singing over
synth-pop may seem passé, but it was delightfully shocking in
1983 when the Eurythmics hit #1 with "Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)."
Lennox's powerfully expressive voice and Stewart's production
brilliance still carry the duo on Peace, their first album together in
a decade. The Lennox/Stewart team's ability to write interesting,
uncommonly heartfelt songs is re-ignited on tracks such as "I Saved The
World." The lush ballad may have an upbeat chorus, but its lyrics about
thriving in a world with hungry people puts an ironic twist on the
sunshine.
Peace doesn't sink its hooks as firmly as the Eurythmics' classic Be
Yourself Tonight - wafting through its tracks is a feeling of "ten
years apart, now what?" It's clear from the opening "17 Again" that
we're dealing with two familiar souls estranged by the years. Of
course, change is to be expected. Lennox's voice is deeper, more
measured. Stewart's instrumental puttering has become downright
tasteful. But the band's outlook has also been amended. "Sweet dreams,"
sings Lennox as Stewart's guitar chimes along, "are made of anything
that gets you in the scene." As comeback singles go, this seems
reluctant, suggesting that Peace is hesitant to trade on past glories -
which is indeed something to be proud of. The masterful pop of
"Anything But Strong" and "Peace Is Just a Word" is flecked with a
wisdom that ties soaring melodies to squashed dreams. The titles hint
at the disillusionment, and 'Strong"s chorus reminds us that Dave and
Annie realize "seeing isn't the same as believing." In Peace's most
eloquent moments, belief is bitter indeed. Yet as craftsmen, they can
still make shimmering music, and the desperate "I Want It All" rattles
along to Stewart's jangling ax, while "Forever" is a perfect Eurythmics
statement, euphorically appropriating Oasis' approximation of the
Beatles. Only rarely does pop dare to age. The Eurythmics dare.
Nach zehnjähriger Abstinenz und mehr oder weniger
erfolgsgekrönten Soloausflügen finden die Gralshüter des
britischen Pop wieder zueinander und präsentieren mit 'Peace'
gleich ein Album, das an die besten Zeiten des Duos erinnert. Ein
Album, welches das Zeug zum Ohrwurm hat. Schön, daß sie
wieder da sind.
U. Pipper in Stereo 12/99
Peace is the album that marks the unlikely reunion of Dave Stewart and
Annie Lennox after a decade apart. The album opens on a quiet,
reflective note with the inspirational 17 Again, a song that denotes
the duo's history together with the ingenious inclusion of a verse from
Sweet Dreams that first launched them into stardom. It is the ideal
opener for an album of exceptional new material that is more mature in
sound and content, representative of a new sense of space and a
perspective that is more outwardly focused and hopeful. The sound is
organic and highly retro with vocal and musical turns that are
reminiscent of the pair's divergent musical tastes. A Burt Bacharach
spin is put on I Saved The World Today, an overtly ironic song about
the naivety of heroic ideals and the helplessness one often feels when
contemplating the troubled state of this planet. Annie infuses the song
with layer upon layer of sweet, lilting vocals and Dave adds a
lounge-like undertone with jangly strums of his guitar to carry the
chorus to its intended heights of irony. Power To The Meek is an
adrenaline burst of energy, a celebration of persistence and overcoming
the odds. Rich with high-powered guitar work and enthusiastic vocals,
it is one of the most energetic songs on the album. Beautiful Child, a
celebration of childhood and the wonder of precious innocence, is a
gorgeous song with lustrous orchestral and vocal arrangements that give
the song's theme its ideal setting. No Eurythmics album would be
complete without a feel-good, don't-blame-yourself ballad, singing the
praises of self love and motivation; Anything But Strong is an
ambitious track with tremendous vocal and music flare, full of soul and
spirit. It ventures into somewhat cliched lyrical territory with some
of its imagery but the message of the song is a noble one and it stands
as a potent example of the duo's capability to give seemingly tired
themes a fresh sound and perspective.
Peace Is Just A Word is the backbone of the record with highly evolved
lyrics that decry a yearning to "stop the world" and leave it all
behind. Fed-up and angry, Annie articulates the voice of humanity,
effectively stepping outside herself to interpret the sentiments of
modern society with grand, vocal achievement. Dave puts a bit of a
grunge spin on the song and filters in more orchestral glory as the
song reaches its fevered climax. I've Tried Everything is a return to
the tormented psyche that is forced to grapple with the concept of
existence and reality. It is a brilliant composition that harks back to
the duo's earlier musical sketches of loneliness, isolation and
despair. The album's edge comes with I Want It All, an outrageously
raunchy rock song that recalls the brutality and camp of I Need A Man.
My True Love, in contrast, is an effectively draggy soul ballad full of
sorrow and austere melodrama with a retro feel. The album concludes
with two songs that overflow with Eurythmical energy and passion.
Forever is a Beatles-esque showcase of Dave and Annie's miraculous
capabilities in the studio; it goes for the gold and achieves it with
glorious triumph. A pounding piano heralds fantastic pop
instrumentation and Annie's voice shouts out the song's resigned yet
optimistic lyrics. The song builds into an exuberant, brilliant
crescendo that leaves the listener in complete awe. Lifted is the final
track on the album, playing up the heavy soul and gospel the album had
been flirting with since the first track. The song is drenched in
perfectly mournful vocals that are paired with a message of
perseverance and redemption.
Peace is a beautiful album that is marvelously crafted and presented.
It stands as a celebration of the past, the future and the magic of
their remarkable partnership. Notable Songs: 17 Again, I Saved The
World Today, Beautiful Child, Peace Is Just A Word, I've Tried
Everything, Forever, Lifted
Yay though we venture through
The Valley of the stars
You and all your jewelry
And my bleeding heart
Who couldn't be together
And who could not be apart
We should’ve jumped out
Of that airplane after all
Flying skyways overhead
It wasn’t hard to fall
And I had so many crashes
That I couldn't feel
At all...
And it feels like
I’m seventeen again
Feels like I’m seventeen
Times might break you
God forsake you
Leave you burned and bruised
Innocence will teach you
What it feels like to be used
Thought that you’d done everything
You didn’t have a clue
And it feels like
I’m seventeen again
Feels like I’m seventeen
Looking from the outside in
Some things never change
Hey hey I'm a million miles away
Funny how it seems like yesterday ...
All those fake celebrities
And all those viscous queens
All the stupid papers
And the stupid magazines
Sweet dreams are made of anything
That gets you in the scene
And it feels like
I’m seventeen again
Feels like I’m seventeen
Sweet dreams are made of this
Who am I to disagree
I travel the world and the seven seas
Everybody's looking for something
Yea
I Saved The World Today
Monday finds you like a bomb
That’s been left ticking there too long
You’re bleeding
Some days there's nothing left to learn
From the point of no return
You're leaving
Hey hey I saved the world today
Everybody’s happy now
The bad things gone away
And everybody’s happy now
The good thing’s here to stay
Please let it stay
There’s a million mouths to feed
And I’ve got everything i need
I’m breathing
And there’s a hurting thing inside
But I’ve got everything to hide
I'm grieving
Hey hey I saved the world today
Everybody’s happy now
The bad things gone away
And everybody’s happy now
The good thing’s here to stay
Please let it stay
Doo doo doo doo doo the good thing
Hey hey I saved the world today
Everybody’s happy now
The bad things gone away
And everybody’s happy now
The good thing’s here to stay
Please let it stay
Everybody's happy now
Power To The Meek
I'm just a girl
With my head screwed on
I'm just a girl
With a smoking gun
I got my fingers stung
My fingers stung yeah
I'm just a girl
With my fingers stung
Bless these bones
Bless this skin
All of me
And the mess I'm in
Yea the mess I'm in
But I don't care
Don't know where I've been
But I'll get me there
I'm alive
Yea and it's alright
I'm alive
Yea and it's alright
Power to the meek
Power to speak
I got the power
Within me
Yea Yea
Power to the shine
In my worn out shoes
Power to me
Power to you
Bless this head
Bless this hair
Bless me to the dirt
In my fingernails yea
Bless this day
Bless this night
Give me something good
Make me feel alright
I'm alive
Yea and it's alright
I'm alive
Yea and it's alright
I'm alive
Yea and it's alright
I'm alive
Yea and it's alright
It's alright
Power to the meek
Power to speak
I got the power
Within me
Power to the shine
In my worn out shoes
Yea
Power to me
Power to you
Beautiful Child
Something that I said
Made you wear a frown
The way you hang your head
Has made the tears come down
But don't you wear a sigh
My beautiful child
You know it doesn't burn
When you touch the sun
So don't be concerned
My golden one
You're gonna reach the sky
Fly ...
beautiful child
There is no other place
The human race
Is running out of space
There is no better love
And human love
Is what it takes
And I'll be at your side
When you're falling down
You'll be feeling fine
When you hit the ground
So don't slip away
Stay ...
Beautiful child
Anything But Strong
Why do you hurt yourself?
You do it very well
You do it so politely
That you couldn't even tell
When everything has changed
You think you're not to blame
How come you keep on talking
When the whole thing feels so strange?....
But seeing
Is not the same as believing
When everything goes wrong
You're anything but strong
It's all bittersweet
Outside in the street
The grass is growing greener
Underneath your feet
We come and go
The deep water flows
Tiny leaves from smaller seeds
To tall trees do grow
But wanting
Is not the same thing as needing
There's no need to pretend
You can't turn back again
And loving
Is so different to keeping
The hurting that we send
Is so difficult to mend
[Hold on to the good things]
[That keep you from falling down]
[Hold on to the good things]
[That keep you from falling down]
How my heart aches
More than I can take
What are we really learning
When we make the same mistakes?
Where is your hope?
It’s all gone up in smoke
You used to be so funny
Now it's just the same old joke
And laughing
Is so very close to crying
When there's nothing to defend
It gets you in the end
And living
Is so very close to dying
You struggle on and on
To find where you belong
Where do you belong?
Peace Is Just A Word
Stop the world
Turn out the sun
I'm so tired of it turning round
Stop the world
Call it a day
Leave it all behind
Leave it that way
Peace
Is just a word
Is just a word
Stop the world
Just let it bleed
Well we've taken more
Than everything we need
Stop the world
Just shut it down
[Just shut it down shut it down]
There's no point in it
Spinning round
Peace
Is just a word
Is just a word
Stop the world
Take it any where
It's just that
Living here is more
Than I can bear
Stop the world
Just pack it in
Well we've reached the point
Where no one ever wins
No one ever wins!
Peace
Is just a word
It’s just a word
I’ve Tried Everything
The truth of life is the greatest gift
But I don’t think I can make it fit
And who would guess it would come to this
When I’ve tried everything
And I should know but I can’t explain
The endless noise sounding in my brain
Who would’ve thought that you could feel such pain
When you’ve tried everything
Yea.. you’re a loser now
Yea.. you’re a loser now
I should be cool
But I’m burning hot
I should be good
But I fell apart
Don’t look at me now don’t even start
Cause I’ve tried everything
Yea.. You’re a loser now
Yea.. You’re a loser now
I Want It All
I want it all
I want it all
I don’t know what it is
But I want it all
I want it all
I want it all
I don’t know what it is
But I want it all
And I want it now
I want it now
I don’t know what it is
But I want it now
Yea yea yea
Yea yea yea
Gimme gimme some more
Of the same old stuff
It don’t make me happy
And it’s never enough
Gimme gimme some more
Of the same old stuff
It don’t make me happy
And it’s never enough
Peel back my skin
So that you can see
What I really am
The true colour of me
Peel back my skin
So that you can see
What I really am
The true colour of me
Yea yea yea
Yea yea yea
Yea yea yea
Yea yea yea
My True Love
My true love is sitting on a pile of stones
And he’s wondering to himself
Oh where did I go wrong?
My true love has found himself alone
And he’s sorry for it all
And for the hurt we’ve done
And I’ve given more than I can take
Fallen for the same mistake
Promises were made to break
What will save us now?
And I don’t want to remember
And I don’t want to remember
My true love is a saccharine kind of pill
That tastes too sweet for words
And cannot be fulfilled
My true love is a dangerous china cup
With all the broken pieces
That cannot be picked up
Now all the colours left to run
All the dreams have been undone
Love has left me standing here
Raging at the sun
And I don’t want to remember
And I don’t want to remember
Forever
When we were young
With time to waste
Everything was clear and good
Thought we could live
For a thousand years
But yesterday is done
And tomorrow’s yet to come
You’ll never know
Forever
Now that you’re gone
Gone forever
But the day goes on
Forever
Yea yea yea
Forever
And I remember when we were fools
Everything was me and you
Thought we were kings
With time to kill
But yesterday is done
And tomorrow’s yet to come
You live and learn
Forever
Now that you’re gone
Gone forever
But the day goes on
Forever
Yea yea yea
Forever
Some people never take the time to try
The way you live’s the way you die
The stuff of life’s in short supply
And if it sometimes hits you strong
Remembering that things go wrong
The song of life is just a song
And everything goes on and on
(You know I ran right up
To the top of the hill
And then I fell right down
But I made it still
You know I thought I'd die
But I never will
You gotta live this life alone)
Forever
Now that you’re gone
Gone forever
But the day goes on
Forever
Yea yea yea
Forever
Lifted
Don’t be afraid when you
Walk through the dark
Just when you feel that
Your day fell apart
Stay strong
Keep holding on
Clear skies ahead and the dark day is done
Keep on lifted
Keep on lifted
I wish you everything
That you could want
Just when the day finds you
Turned back to front
Stay clear
Rescue is near
When you feel
That you’re drowned in despair
Keep on lifted
keep on lifted
You’re a bird in the sky now baby
Earthbound
Feet on the ground
Now you can find peace at last
Now you can find peace at last