Largely recorded in Paris, with additional recording in Detroit and Los Angeles, this album saw Eurythmics move away from their previous more experimental, synthesizer-based songs, to a more commercial pop/rock sound. Combining elements of Motown and rock music, the album incorporates a more traditional band line-up/instrumentation. Nonetheless, the recordings still possessed an atmospheric and cutting edge sound, winning David A. Stewart awards for his production work on the album. The release of the album coincided with a new look for singer Annie Lennox, who ditched the androgynous look of the previous albums and became, in biographer Lucy O'Brien's words, "a bleach-blonde rock 'n' roller". Be Yourself Tonight includes guest appearances by notable artists such as Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, and Elvis Costello.
Chart performance
Be Yourself Tonight is Eurythmics' best-selling studio album. It reached the top 3 in the UK and top 10 in the US, as well as spawning several hit singles. The album includes the duo's first UK number-one "There Must Be an Angel " and the American Top 5 and Australian number-one hit "Would I Lie to You?". No tour followed the album's release, due to Lennox's recuperation from vocal fold nodules. On 14 November 2005, Sony BMG repackaged and released Eurythmics' back catalogue as "2005 Deluxe Edition Reissues". Each of their eight studio albums' original track listings were supplemented with bonus tracks and remixes.
Track listing
Personnel
Eurythmics
Annie Lennox – vocals, keyboards, sequencer on "It's Alright "
David A. Stewart – guitar, keyboards, sequencer on "Would I Lie to You?", "I Love You Like a Ball and Chain", "Conditioned Soul" and "It's Alright ", drum programming on "I Love You Like a Ball and Chain"
Olle Romo – drums, wood stomping on "I Love You Like a Ball and Chain"
Nathan East – bass guitar on "Would I Lie to You?" and "Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves"
Stan Lynch – drums on "Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves"
Mike Campbell – lead guitar on "Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves" and "Adrian"
Benmont Tench – Hammond organ on "Would I Lie to You?" and "Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves"
Stevie Wonder – harmonica on "There Must Be an Angel "
Dave Plews – trumpet on "Would I Lie to You?" and "It's Alright "
Martin Dobson – saxophone on "Would I Lie to You?" and "It's Alright "
Sadie – gravel stomping on "I Love You Like a Ball and Chain"
Adam Williams – drum programming on "I Love You Like a Ball and Chain"
Michael Kamen – strings on "There Must Be an Angel " and "Better to Have Lost in Love ", celeste on "Adrian", keyboards and string parts on "Here Comes That Sinking Feeling"
Aretha Franklin – guest vocals on "Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves"
Richard Cross – backing vocals on "There Must Be an Angel "
The Charles Williams Singers – backing vocals on "I Love You Like a Ball and Chain", gospel choir on "Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves"
