by the Night Writer
I don’t think I’ve ever written much about “sexy” on this blog, but I’ll tell you now that when it comes to music I think Annie Lennox’s voice is the sexiest I’ve ever heard on a recording. She could generate chemistry by singing the elemental tables, and she could sing the telephone book to me and I’d listen just for the chance that I’d hear my name from her lips. While I think she’s attractive in her way (she’s always had a great face for videos), physically she doesn’t turn my head the way her voice does. I don’t know what it is exactly about her voice but ever since the Eurythmics days I’ve found it mesmerizing.
I read today that her latest album (and her final one with Sony after 30 years) released this week. It’s entitled “The Annie Lennox Collection” and features the best cuts from her solo career, including covers of “A Whiter Shade of Pale” and Ash’s “Shining Star”. A noticeable omission from the collection is her Oscar-winning “Into the West” that struck the perfect note at the end of “The Return of the King” conclusion to the Lord of the Rings trilogy. I’ve already got that song from iTunes, so I’ll likely download the new album and add it to the collection.
One of the interesting things from the story today is that Lennox is an avid blogger, embracing the internet as a musician and a writer. She posts every couple of days and has a nice, direct style, though I suspect she and I might not share the same politics.
Hmmm, perhaps if she were to podcast ….
Oh, well, the new album includes her hit “Walking on Broken Glass”; here’s a link to original video of the song, a “Dangerous Liaisons” take-off featuring John Malkovich and Hugh “House” Laurie. Very amusing.
Wow, I have never considered Annie Lennox’s voice to be sexy – distinctive, yes – but sexy? So I asked my husband. He didn’t even bat an eye or take a moment to think about it.
Hm.
Maybe there’s a certain tone in it that only men can hear; kind of the opposite of any tonal combination that sounds like “take out the trash.”
I don’t know what it is exactly about her voice but ever since the Eurythmics days I’ve found it mesmerizing.
Who am I to disagree? 🙂
Actually, I heard the song “Don’t let it Bring You Down” and was completely captured by the voice. Sure enough, it was Annie Lennox!!
there are three voices that make my blood rise: lennox (as you said), annabella (from bow wow wow), and my wife when she calls my name.
Brad – she has an amazing repertoire and turns up all over. She has even done some songs with a Christian bent; it’s hard for the Scots to be apostate! You should hear her sing “Many Rivers to Cross.”
Gino – another voice that I think is sexy is Carly Simon’s, especially on her album of torch songs. Very, very rich and evocative voice. Annie’s #1, but Carly is close.
I agree with you about Annie Lennox. It was her voice that separated her from all the other synthmongers of the 1980s. Terri Nunn from Berlin (remember her?) was more conventionally attractive, and some of the synth arrangements behind her weren’t much different than what you heard on those old Eurythmics sides, but her voice didn’t move anyone. Annie Lennox? Oh yeah.
I think you’ve given me an idea for my “Guilty Pleasures” series, by the way….
Hmm, interesting question. Not sure “sexy” is the first word that comes to mind when I think of her voice. Distinctive, certainly. A strong voice. The song she did for Lord of the Rings is one of the prettiest songs I’ve heard in recent years.
Maybe my hesitation is that I can’t separate the voice from her. I don’t consider her to be particularly sexy.
Crystal Gayle was another; and let’s not forget Olivia Newton-John. Her voice could make a wild tiger purr..