"Love Is a Stranger" by Eurythmics

Song#:  1614
Date:  09/17/1983
Debut:  81
Peak:  23
Weeks:  13
Genre:  Synthpop, New Wave



Pop Bits:  After a less than stellar album with their group The Tourists, Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart set out on their own as the duo called Eurythmics. Their initial singles weren't getting anywhere, but then "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" was issued and it became a worldwide sensation. In the UK, the song would be the fourth single from their same-titled debut album and it would end up hitting #2. In the US, it would serve as the first single from the LP and it did even better reaching #1. This follow-up wouldn't replicate that feat, but it did come close to the Top 20 while hitting #7 Dance. Like "Sweet Dreams," the song came with another memorable video that got significant airplay on MTV.

ReduxReview:  Here is another gem by Lennox and Stewart that rightfully got into the Top 10 in the UK, but somehow couldn't manage to get that far in the US. The song is not as immediate as "Sweet Dreams," but after that hit, this song seemed like a solid follow-up. However, many folks in the US didn't connect with the single. It may have been a little too out-there or adventurous for US pop audiences or even a bit too cold. Perhaps the more urgent, blue-eyed soul of "I Could Give You (A Mirror)" might have played better. Regardless, this is a great song and it did keep interest in the duo going.

ReduxRating:  8/10

Trivia:  Prior to "Sweet Dreams" getting released, the duo had already issued three singles in the UK from their debut LP that failed to grab much attention. "This Is the House" was released first (in April of 1982) and it failed to make the chart. "The Walk" came next and it scraped the chart at #89. "Love Is a Stranger" was the third single and on initial release it could only manage a #54 showing. However, after "Sweet Dreams" hit #2, the song got reissued and on its second run it got to #6. It took a year and a half for their career to get revved up, but they finally netted two UK Top 10's and the album reached #3.

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