Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves
October 1985
Sisters Are Doin ' It for Themselves is a Contemporary - R & B song that was written by members of the British pop duo Eurythmics, Dave Stewart and Annie Lennox. There is a vocal duet by Annie Lennox and Aretha Franklin, and was published both by the Eurythmics and Aretha Franklin from their 1985 albums.
Formation
The written by Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart song was originally intended as a duet with Tina Turner. This kept the lyrics, however, for the daring, the feminist message fit in their opinion not to her newfound image. Therefore, they rejected the request and asked the Eurythmics Aretha Franklin to. These had problems with the hefty text, then the text Lennox defused revised and too rough passages. Flew for the recording of the song by the Eurythmics Detroit, where Franklin lived. The relationship between the Eurythmics and Aretha Franklin was just business, but was shown for press purposes as harmonious. Both artists paid tribute to each other in official press releases respect, but also pointed out that their musical views are different. There were both during the recordings as well as the shooting of the music video personal differences between Annie Lennox and Aretha Franklin.
On the recording of the song appeared with musician Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers Mike Campbell ( lead guitar ), Stan Lynch ( drums) and Benmont Tench (keyboards ). The gospel choir comes from the Charles Williams Singers.
Publication
The song was initially in a 5:54 minutes long version on both the Eurythmics album Be Yourself Tonight ( May 1985) and on the Aretha Franklin album Who's Zoomin ' Who? ( July 1985) included. The single was released in late October 1985, initially with a shortened to 4:30 minutes of radio version on the B - side to I Love You Like a Ball and Chain was of the Eurythmics. The single was provided with four different album covers, which each showed black and white photos of women in various professional situations: a racing driver, a soldier, a secretary and three giggling workers. Furthermore, a maxi - single was released with the album version and a 7:56 minute long extended version.
Reception
The song is called " woman anthem " it " celebrates female independence and strength." Stewart Mason of Allmusic considers the song for by far the weakest of the album Be Yourself Tonight. Annie Lennox's vocals do not fit to that of Aretha Franklin, and Franklin had done with the song any favors. Mason also criticizes the lack of expression of melody and production, the song WOULD messed up.