Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves
| "Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves" | |
|---|---|
| Song |
"Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves" is a 1985 song recorded as a duet by the British pop duo Eurythmics and American singer Aretha Franklin. A modern feminist anthem, it was written by Eurythmics members Annie Lennox and David A. Stewart and featured on both Eurythmics' Be Yourself Tonight (1985) and Franklin's Who's Zoomin' Who? (1985) albums. The duo had originally intended to duet with Tina Turner, who was unavailable at the time and so the duo approached Franklin instead. The track also features three of Tom Petty's Heartbreakers; Stan Lynch on drums, Benmont Tench on organ, and Mike Campbell on lead guitar, plus session bassist Nathan East. Released as a single by RCA Records in October 1985, "Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves" was highly successful, reaching number 9 on the UK Singles Chart and number 18 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The song was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.
Music video
This music video was taped at Detroit's Music Hall. The video is interspersed with clips from old black and white films, including 1962's A Kind of Loving. The video uses the single version of the song, as opposed to the album version.
Track listings
7"
- A: "Sisters Are Doin' It For Themselves" (7" Version) - 4:35
- B: "I Love You Like A Ball And Chain" (LP Version) - 4:08
12"
- A1: "Sisters Are Doin' It For Themselves" (LP Version) - 5:54
- B1: "Sisters Are Doin' It For Themselves" (ET Mix) - 7:53
- B2: "I Love You Like A Ball And Chain" (LP Version) - 4:08
Credits
- Eurythmics
- Annie Lennox – vocals, keyboards
- David A. Stewart – guitars, keyboards
- Additional personnel
- Nathan East – bass guitar
- Stan Lynch – drums
- Mike Campbell – lead guitar
- Benmont Tench – organ
- Aretha Franklin – guest vocals
- The Charles Williams Singers – gospel choir
Charts
| Chart (1985–86) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (Kent Music Report)[3] | 15 |
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[4] | 28 |
| Canada Top Singles (RPM)[5] | 33 |
| Invalid chart entered Germany2 | 22 |
| Ireland (IRMA)[6] | 5 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100)[7] | 17 |
| New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[8] | 6 |
| Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[9] | 20 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[10] | 9 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[11] | 18 |
| US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[12] | 10 |
Cover versions
- The song was performed by the cartoon character Lisa Simpson (as sung by actress Yeardley Smith) along with Ann & Nancy Wilson and Lisa's aunts Patty and Selma Bouvier on The Yellow Album released in 1998.
- Often performed live by British group Spice Girls, a recording of the song (in live performance) was released in 1998 as the third track on the maxi-single for the song Goodbye.
- In 2005, The Pointer Sisters recorded a cover version of the song with Belgian singer Natalia. The single was released only in Belgium in October 2005 and reached number two on the Belgian singles chart.
- Dutch singer Raffaëla Paton, winner of the 3rd season of the reality series Idols Netherlands, recorded a cover of the song with Idols runner-up Floortje Smit. Their rendition was included on Paton's 2006 debut album Raffaëla.
- Hazell Dean recorded a cover version of this song with American Diva Marina in 1998 on MRK Records.[13]
- The television show Xena: Warrior Princess featured a cover of the song by actress Lucy Lawless and Gillian Ileana Waters in the episode Lyre, Lyre, Hearts on Fire.
Live cover performances
- In 1986, prior to their musical fame, Kylie Minogue and sister Dannii performed a live cover version of the song on Australian TV Show Young Talent Time.[14]
- In 1998, the Spice Girls performed a live cover version of the song on their Spiceworld Tour, as a duet between Melanie C (Sporty Spice) and Mel B (Scary Spice). They also performed it on TFI Friday.
- In 2011, Christina Aguilera, Martina McBride, Florence Welch, Jennifer Hudson & Yolanda Adams covered this song at 53rd Grammy Awards.
References
- ^ "United Sound Systems » Museum » Detroit's Musical History". unitedsoundsystemsrecordingstudios.com. Retrieved 2016-11-09.
- ^ "SoulfulDetroit - United Sound Systems - Great Soul Music Recording Studios of Detroit". soulfuldetroit.com. Retrieved 2016-11-09.
- ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives: Australian Chart Book. p. 105. ISBN 0-646-11917-6. N.B. The Kent Report chart was licensed by ARIA between 1983 and 19 June 1988.
- ^ "Eurythmics and Aretha Franklin – Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
- ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 028020." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
- ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
- ^ "Eurythmics and Aretha Franklin – Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
- ^ "Eurythmics and Aretha Franklin – Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
- ^ "Eurythmics and Aretha Franklin – Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
- ^ "Aretha Franklin Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
- ^ "Aretha Franklin Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
- ^ HazellDean.net Archived July 21, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Kylie and Dannii Minogue Sisters Are Doing It For Themselves - YouTube". youtube.com. Retrieved 2016-11-09.
