Diva - Annie Lennox

If I recall correctly, this was Annie Lennox's first solo album, and the first album I ever owned. Songs by Annie and the Eurythmics were music that I grew up with, so this album has a special place in my heart, but I'll try to be unbiased in my review!

Upon doing a little background research, I found that although the critics were not exactly fans of the album, it was still hugely successful, even if its title is "an honorific ...
...one critic put it. Annie ended up releasing five singles from the album out of the eleven tracks because it was so successful; impressive when the standard singles/album tracks ratio is 1:3. Out of her three solo albums, this one is undoubtedly Annie's best, in my opinion. I was heartbroken when my cassette copy of this album finally died, and so had to buy a new copy on CD instead!

*TRACK LISTING*

1. WHY

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If I recall correctly, this was Annie Lennox's first solo album, and the first album I ever owned. Songs by Annie and the Eurythmics were music that I grew up with, so this album has a special place in my heart, but I'll try to be unbiased in my review!

Upon doing a little background research, I found that although the critics were not exactly fans of the album, it was still hugely successful, even if its title is "an honorific to be bestowed, not a title to be claimed" as one critic put it. Annie ended up releasing five singles from the album out of the eleven tracks because it was so successful; impressive when the standard singles/album tracks ratio is 1:3. Out of her three solo albums, this one is undoubtedly Annie's best, in my opinion. I was heartbroken when my cassette copy of this album finally died, and so had to buy a new copy on CD instead!

*TRACK LISTING*

1. WHY

As a child, I hated this song with a vengeance; to me it was slow and boring, and I'd mutter little-girl curses under my breath everytime I had to fast forward the tape to skip it! Now however, I feel very differently about it. A laid back tune with a simple piano accompaniment and almost haunting vocals from Annie, this song has become one of my favourites on the album. With a chorus of just one word, it's simplicity adds to the impact of the lyrics. She goes into more detail in the verses:

"How many times do I have to try to tell you
That I'm sorry for the things I've done?
But when I start to try to tell you, that's when you have to tell me
Hey, this kind of trouble's only just begun"

One of her biggest hits, with very emotional lyrics, makes it a great listen anytime, anywhere.

2. WALKING ON BROKEN GLASS

Another big hit for Annie, and ne of my favourite tracks on the album. An upbeat piano and strings based tune about the end of a relationship. Despite the fact the the lyrics are actually quite violent in places, and are in any case on a negative note, the song is not solemn by any stretch of the imagination:

"Since you've abandoned me
My whole life has crashed
Won't you pick the pieces up
Cos it feels just like I'm walking on broken glass"

This contradiction of a happy sounding song combined with negative lyrics actually highlights the emotion of the song more than if the two matched. The almost eerie contrast gives the impression that Annie is pretending that everything is alright, when in fact it's not. A bit deep, but nevertheless a good listen.

3. PRECIOUS

A slow starter, with Annie wailing soulfully to some very soft background music, that changes into a faster tempo drum based backing track with punchy vocals. Not my favourite song on the album, but it's still a good track and enjoyable to listen to. The lyrics are obviously personal to her:

"Precious little angel
Won't you spread your light on me
I was locked up in the darkness
Now you've come to set me free
I was covered up with sadness
I was drowned in my own tears
I'd been cynical and twisted
I'd been bitter all these years"

judging by the strength of the words she uses, and the song is a powerful message, not just to Annie's special someone, but it could apply to somebody close to us as listeners.

4. LEGEND IN MY LIVING ROOM

This is a great track; the piano and bass capture your attention right from the start. With a subject based on fame and fortune, this song connects with the title of the album, and the lyrics reflect this:

"I found myself in a lonely place with a suitcase full of dreams
And I soon grew up to realise what living in the doghouse means
But everyday I told myself good things are gonna happen soon
Cos I knew that I was going to be
A legend in my living room"

These lyrics are personal to Annie, yet at the same time are inspirational to others. The strong vocals Annie shows here reflect the strength she now has from coming through her experiences and out the other side, and the success she now has. A great tune, and in my opinion one of the best songs on the album.

5. COLD

A slow number, that I used to think was boring, but now I love it. Don't ask me how she does it, but the song actually FEELS cold as you listen to it! With a soft keyboard backing track, chilling backing vocals and soulful lyrics, this track is a haunting listen that slowly builds in atmosphere to an emotional crescendo, only to fade away again as if Annie regrets her little outburst. The lyrics are real and true, yet strangely poetic and visual:

"But the more I want you, the less I get
Ain't that just the way things are?
Winter has frozen us let love take hold of us
Now we are shivering blue ice is glittering"

This song is beautiful, but I think if some don't read between the lines it will seem detached and ... cold (no pun intended).

6. MONEY CAN'T BUY IT

There's a bit of everything in here, lousy lyrics; followed by great lryics; aggressive vocals; with some softer sweet singing as well; almost gospel backing vocals; and even a rap thrown in for good measure (which is pretty bad, but I've heard worse!). Having said that, it's a great tune; even though it's quite upbeat sounding it's actually an easy laid back listen. There are some contradictions in the lyrics which are a little confusing:

"Won't somebody tell me what we're coming to?
It might take forever to watch those dreams come true
All the money in the world won't find piece of mind
You can have it all but you still won't be satisfied"

Is swiftly followed by:

"Now, hear this, pay attention to me
Cos I'm a rich white girl and it's plain to see
I've got every kinda thing that the money can buy
Let me tell you all about it, let me amplify
I've got diamonds, you've heard about those
I've got so many that I can't close my safe at night in the dark
Lying awake in a sick dream"

The last line is the only thing that connects with the previous set of lyrics, and it's as if Annie is using herself as an example in the rap, to further emphasise the lyrics she sang before. At first listen, this album seems to be just a bunch of good tracks, perhaps with some mistakes, but the more you listen to it the more it seems that the is a whole other level of meaning to the songs, and a subtler, more complicated tone.

7. LITTLE BIRD

An uptemp, catch tune, and one of Annie's biggest hits. Again, like with Walking on Broken Glass, this track has a happy feel with unhappy lyrics; a song about wanting to break free like a 'Little Bird':

"I wish that I could be that bird
And fly away from here"

The melody actually sounds like a bird in flight; it soars and dips in various places in the verse, then reaches a peak at the chorus, and there's not a bad lyric in the song. I can understand why this song was so successful: it's packaged to appeal to the commercial market; catchy, yet there's nothing fake or synthetic about it. This has to be the selling point of the album.

8. PRIMITIVE

I'm not sure why, but this song and Stay By Me really remind me of tropical rainforests! The backing track sounds almost muggy, and Annie's vocals are melodic and sweet - no strong singing here.

This song doesn't really seem to go anywhere, and I'm not sure how I feel about it. I love the music, and the lyrics, yet there doesn't seem to be a point to the song. It doesn't even appear to have a structure - just what appears to be three verses and a seperate four lines stuck somewhere in between. The title of the track is mentioned just once in the entire song, hidden in the first verse:

"Sweetheart, the sun has set
All red and primitive above our heads
Bloodstained on an ageless sky
Wipe your tears and let the salt stains dry"

Perhaps she should've called the song 'Sweetheart', as that's the only repeated lyric in the song, and although I know of course that songs don't have to fit a vertain structure or have the title repeated, it's just more noticeable after seven catchy, hooky, well structured songs with hidden meanings to have something the complete opposite, and it just ends up sounding lazy and boring. If you don't listen to it too closely, it's a gorgeous relaxing tune, so I won't be too critical of it.

9. STAY BY ME

This one sounds quite similar to Primitive, and because they are together on the album I used to get them confused, but I definitely prefer this one. The simple glockenspiel (if that's the right instrument) meoldy over a heavy drum beat recreates the muggy atomosphere found in Primitive, but Annie's singing, although still soft and sweet, is much more heartfelt and haunting here. The harmonies give me chills in parts, even now after so many listens, and in terms of listenability, this song takes it second to none. It's relaxing, haunting, and captivating all in one, and a song I never get tired of listening to. Again, there isn't much structure, and the title is only mentioned at the beginning:

"Stay by me
And make the moment last
Please take these lips
Even if I have been kissed a million times"

but the song is so beautiful that somehow it doesn't matter. This track sounds more passionate than Primitive, and so the almost ad-hoc feel it gives is fitting to her feelings, like she is just expressing what she is feeling in her soul at that given moment. Stay By Me on its own is worth the amount you'd pay for the album.

10. THE GIFT

Again, similar to Primitive in structure and sound, but less so than Stay By Me, and the most boring of the three. I wonder whether Primitive, Stay By Me and The Gift were just spare bits of lryics that Annie just had lying around and thought she'd make use of them by putting them together as an afterthought to add to the album. This is my least favourite track on the record - just skip to the great fun that is "Keep Young and Beautiful"!

11. KEEP YOUNG AND BEAUTIFUL

Everyone I know that has this album depises this track - all I can say to them is 'Where's your sense of humour?' What's the harm in a little tongue in cheek cheese now and then? A cover of the famous hit, Annie seems to use this song as an opportunity to let her hair down and do something a little bit wacky that isn't so mainstream. Some manic piano playing and the odd cackle from Annie makes this a great end to the album; it might not be everyone's cup of tea, but there's enough variety in the album to appeal to most, and this record is a must for any Annie Lennox fan!
 

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