# Annie Lennox

> Scottish singer-songwriter (born 1954)

**Wikidata**: [Q151231](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q151231)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annie_Lennox)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/annie-lennox

## Summary
Annie Lennox is a Scottish singer-songwriter born in 1954 who rose to international fame as a member of the British music duo Eurythmics and the band The Tourists. She is a multi-award-winning artist known for her distinctive voice and songwriting, having received honors such as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire and an Academy Award for Best Original Song. Her career spans decades of influence in pop, rock, and new wave music, with significant contributions to both the recording industry and humanitarian causes.

## Biography
- **Born**: December 25, 1954 (Scotland)
- **Nationality**: United Kingdom (Scottish)
- **Education**: Royal Academy of Music (London)
- **Known for**: Being a singer-songwriter, recording artist, and music video director; co-founding Eurythmics; writing and performing hits like "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" and "Into the West."
- **Employer(s)**: Arista Records, Decca, RCA Records, Royal Academy of Music (as an affiliate/alumnus)
- **Field(s)**: Pop music, new wave, rock music, singer-songwriter, recording artist, music video direction

## Contributions
Annie Lennox has built a significant legacy in the music industry through her work as a performer, songwriter, and director.
- **Eurythmics**: Co-founded the British music duo in 1980, creating iconic new wave and pop music.
- **The Tourists**: Was a member of this British musical group which played new wave music, formed in 1977.
- **Songwriting and Performance**:
    - Wrote, composed, and performed the original song "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" with Eurythmics.
    - Wrote, composed, and recorded the original song "Walking on Broken Glass."
    - Wrote, composed, and performed the original song "Why."
    - Wrote, composed, and performed the 2003 song "Into the West."
- **Music Video Direction**: Served as a music video director, directing artists, actors, and film crews in the creation of music videos.
- **Awards and Recognition**:
    - Received the Academy Award for Best Original Song.
    - Received the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song.
    - Awarded the Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).
    - Received the Livingstone Medal conferred by the Royal Geographical Society.
    - Awarded an honorary doctorate.

## FAQs
**What musical groups has Annie Lennox been a part of?**
Annie Lennox was a member of the British musical group The Tourists, which played new wave music starting in 1977. She later co-founded the British music duo Eurythmics in 1980, where she achieved massive international success as a singer and songwriter.

**What major awards has Annie Lennox won for her songwriting?**
She has won the Academy Award for Best Original Song and the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song for her work on the song "Into the West." Additionally, she has been recognized with an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) and the Livingstone Medal from the Royal Geographical Society.

**Which record labels have released Annie Lennox's music?**
Her music has been released through several major labels, including Arista Records, Decca, and RCA Records. These organizations have handled the production and distribution of her work across various genres including pop, rock, and new wave.

**What is Annie Lennox's educational background?**
Annie Lennox was educated at the Royal Academy of Music in London, a prestigious conservatoire founded in 1822. This institution is affiliated with the University of London and is known for training high-level music professionals.

**What genres of music is Annie Lennox associated with?**
Her work spans multiple genres, primarily pop music, new wave, and rock music. She is recognized as a singer-songwriter who writes, composes, and sings her own songs within these styles.

## Why They Matter
Annie Lennox matters as a transformative figure in the music industry who helped define the sound of the 1980s through Eurythmics and continued to influence pop culture as a solo artist. Her ability to write, compose, and perform her own material set a standard for artistic autonomy in the pop and new wave genres. By winning prestigious awards like the Academy Award and Golden Globe, she demonstrated the crossover appeal of her songwriting, bridging the gap between popular music and film scoring. Her recognition with an OBE and the Livingstone Medal highlights her impact beyond entertainment, acknowledging her contributions to society and culture. As a music video director, she also expanded her creative influence into the visual medium, shaping the aesthetic of music videos during a pivotal era of the industry.

## Notable For
- **Founding Eurythmics**: Co-founding the British music duo in 1980, which became a defining act of the new wave era.
- **Hit Songwriting**: Writing and performing global hits such as "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)," "Walking on Broken Glass," "Why," and "Into the West."
- **Major Awards**: Winning an Academy Award for Best Original Song and a Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song.
- **Royal Honors**: Being appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).
- **Humanitarian Recognition**: Receiving the Livingstone Medal from the Royal Geographical Society.
- **Academic Affiliation**: Being educated at the Royal Academy of Music in London.
- **Genre Versatility**: Successfully working across pop music, new wave, and rock music genres.
- **Multidisciplinary Artistry**: Serving as a singer, songwriter, recording artist, and music video director.
- **Label Associations**: Releasing music through major labels including Arista Records, Decca, and RCA Records.

## Body

### Early Life and Education
Annie Lennox was born on December 25, 1954, in Scotland. She is a citizen of the United Kingdom. Her formal music education took place at the Royal Academy of Music, a conservatoire located in London at Marylebone Road, NW1 5HT. Founded in 1822 by John Fane, 11th Earl of Westmorland, the Academy is affiliated with the University of London and operates as a charitable organization. Lennox's time at this prestigious institution laid the groundwork for her professional career in music.

### Musical Career and Groups
Lennox's professional career began in the late 1970s. She was a member of The Tourists, a British musical group that played new wave music, which was formed in 1977. Following this, she co-founded Eurythmics in 1980, a British music duo that became one of the most successful acts of the decade. Eurythmics played a pivotal role in the new wave and pop music scenes. Lennox's work with these groups established her as a prominent figure in the music industry.

### Songwriting and Notable Works
As a singer-songwriter, Lennox writes, composes, and sings her own songs. Her discography includes several landmark tracks:
- **"Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)"**: An original song written, composed, and performed by Eurythmics.
- **"Walking on Broken Glass"**: An original song written, composed, and recorded by Annie Lennox.
- **"Why"**: An original song written, composed, and performed by Annie Lennox.
- **"Into the West"**: A 2003 song written, composed, and performed by Annie Lennox, which earned her major film awards.

These works span genres including pop music, new wave, and rock music. Her ability to create music across these styles has contributed to her longevity in the industry.

### Record Labels and Industry Affiliations
Throughout her career, Lennox has been affiliated with several major record labels. These include:
- **Arista Records**: An American record label founded in 1974 by Clive Davis, which operated as an imprint of Arista Records, Inc. and was revived in 2018.
- **Decca**: A British record label founded in 1929 by Edward Lewis, known for its extensive catalog and global reach.
- **RCA Records**: An American record label founded in 1901, currently owned by Sony Music Entertainment.

These labels have facilitated the production, distribution, and marketing of her music recordings and music videos globally.

### Awards and Honors
Annie Lennox has received numerous accolades for her contributions to music and society:
- **Academy Award for Best Original Song**: Recognized for her work in motion picture music.
- **Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song**: A film award category she has won.
- **Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)**: A rank of the Order of the British Empire conferred in the United Kingdom.
- **Livingstone Medal**: An award conferred by the Royal Geographical Society, England, established in 1901.
- **Honorary Doctorate**: An honorary academic degree awarded in recognition of her achievements.

### Visual Arts and Direction
Beyond performing and writing, Lennox has worked as a music video director. In this role, she directs the music artist, the actors, and the film crew in the making of music videos. This multidisciplinary approach has allowed her to maintain creative control over the visual representation of her music.

### Legacy and Influence
Annie Lennox's career has had a profound impact on the music industry. Her work with Eurythmics helped popularize the new wave genre, while her solo career demonstrated the viability of the singer-songwriter model in pop music. Her awards, including the Academy Award and Golden Globe, highlight her success in bridging the gap between popular music and film. Her recognition by the Royal Geographical Society and the British monarchy underscores her status as a cultural icon. Through her education at the Royal Academy of Music and her work with major labels like Arista, Decca, and RCA, she has remained a central figure in the phonographic industry for decades.

## References

1. BnF authorities
2. Integrated Authority File
3. www.acmi.net.au
4. datos.bne.es
5. Montreux Jazz Festival Database
6. [Source](https://rse.org.uk/academic-and-artistic-minds-honoured-as-rse-fellows/)
7. [Source](http://aaspeechesdb.oscars.org/link/076-16/)
8. [Source](https://www.goldenglobes.com/person/annie-lennox)
9. [Source](https://www5.open.ac.uk/students/ceremonies/sites/www.open.ac.uk.students.ceremonies/files/files/Honorary%20graduate%20cumulative%20list(7).xlsx)
10. International Standard Name Identifier
11. MusicBrainz
12. Discogs
13. [Source](https://los40.com/los40/2022/01/25/los40classic/1643125815_649476.html)
14. [Source](https://www.discogs.com/artist/291650-The-Tourists)
15. IMDb
16. SNAC
17. Internet Broadway Database
18. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
19. Annie Lennox - MusicBrainz. MusicBrainz
20. Czech National Authority Database
21. MAK
22. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
23. [Montreux Jazz Festival Database](https://database.montreuxjazz.com/concerts-database)
24. Virtual International Authority File
25. BBC Things
26. ISWC Network
27. [Source](http://iswcnet.cisac.org/)
28. [Musik von Annie Lennox: Alben, Lieder, Songtexte | Auf Deezer hören](https://www.deezer.com/de/artist/1148)
29. The Guardian
30. Quora
31. WhoSampled
32. [Source](https://www.acmi.net.au/creators/73146)
33. [Source](https://golden.com/wiki/Annie_Lennox-RWNZ6)
34. Virtual Study of Theatre Institute
35. YouTube API
36. [Regional Database of the Central Bohemian Research Library in Kladno](https://ipac.svkkl.cz/arl-kl/cs/detail-kl_us_auth-p0087312-Lennox-Annie-1954)
37. The Movie Database