"Thorn in My Side" by Eurythmics

Song#:  2934
Date:  11/15/1986
Debut:  94
Peak:  68
Weeks:  9
Genre:  Pop, Rock



Pop Bits:  While it wasn't a smash hit like some of their previous singles, "Missionary Man," the first single from their fifth album Revenge, did well reaching #1 at Rock, #6 Dance, and #14 Pop. It would also earn the duo a Grammy. For a follow-up, this next track was selected. Unfortunately, the song couldn't gain an audience and it fizzled out after a couple of months on the chart. Yet thanks to the first single, the album sold well and grabbed a gold certification the month before this song was issued out.

ReduxReview:  With its opening guitar riff, pounding drums, spoken word into, harmonica, and "whoa-whoa's", this sounds like their version of an early-to-mid 60s British pop/rock song. I've always liked the song, but I'm not sure it was the best choice for a single. It did well in the UK (see below) probably because more people were familiar with the style of music they were kind of paying tribute to. In the US, it was kind of lost. I think the more Motown-ish "A Little of You" might have been a better choice. Even though "When Tomorrow Comes" didn't do so well in the UK, the rock-leaning track might have done better in the US. So while I really like this tune, it just wasn't the right song to release.

ReduxRating:  6/10

Trivia:  The choice and order of singles from Eurythmics' albums quite often varied between the US market and the duo's UK homeland (and the rest of Europe as well). To promote Revenge, the first single in the UK was "When Tomorrow Comes." It was not a big hit only reaching #30. It was followed up by "Thorn in My Side," which did well getting to #5. It would end up being their final UK Top 10. "The Miracle of Love" was the third single (#23) while "Missionary Man" ended up fourth (#31).  By contrast, "Missionary Man" was the first single in the US followed by "Thorn in My Side." With that second release not doing well, no further singles were issued out in the US. With four charting singles including one Top 10 in the UK, the album fared better and got to #3. It would be their second studio album to go double-platinum in the UK.

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