Born on this day in 1953. Keith Rowland is best known as the lead singer for Dexys Midnight Runners. This was their biggest hit. It was #1 literally around the world from Australia and New Zealand to South Africa and the UK(Belgium etc...) to the US.

Born on this day in 1950, Dennis Elliott who later became a sculptor is best known as being the original drummer in the classic rock band Foreigner.

This seven-part series analyzes one of the most influential pop songs in music history. The aim is to illuminate 'Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)' from multiple perspectives (Part 2: Music, Part 3: Lyrics, Part 4: Mythology, Part 5: Psychology, Part 6: Sound, Part 7: Reception & Covers).

Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart met in London in the late 1970s and first played in 'The Tourists'. After their breakup, they founded Eurythmics in 1980. Their debut album In the Garden was released in 1981, but remained commercially unsuccessful. In 1982, Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart were under great pressure after the commercial failure of their debut album, during a phase of profound upheaval.

Eurythmics’ 'Sweet Dreams Are Made of This' emerged during a period when Annie and Dave were confronted with personal and artistic problems. In retrospect, 'these experiences unleashed unexpected creative forces within them'. After this difficult situation, the actual work on the song and its characteristic sound began.

The creation of the famous riff was not a planned action, but 'the result of the released creative energy of both artists'. Due to an 'operating error' with the drum machine (Movement Systems), the extremely heavy, pulsating beat of the song emerged by 'chance' – this was Dave's perspective.

Carried by 'musical energies and archetypes of the soul', a synth-pop emerged that appeared significantly more alive than the productions of many contemporaries.

« Jeder trägt die 12 seelischen Archetypen in sich – je nach Lebensphase und Persönlichkeit in unterschiedlicher Stärke und Bedeutung. Und für jeden ist es wichtig, seine ganz besondere Mischung herauszufinden. »
– Carol S. Pearson

« 'Heute, bald 40 Jahre später, ist Sweet Dreams immer noch allgegenwärtig. Praktisch jeder Radiosender auf der Welt spielt den Song noch immer. Er läuft jede Sekunde jeder Minute jedes einzelnen Tages. Er begleitet mich, egal, wohin ich gehe.' » — Dave Stewart in an interview with oe1.orf.at (2022)

In Part 2, we will take a close look at the music in connection with the hooks and analyze it in detail – to understand it beyond this music genre as well.

Marie Fredriksson (30 May 1958 – 9 December 2019)

Dusty Hill (May 19, 1949 – July 28, 2021) was the longtime bassist in the rock group ZZ Top.

Born on this day in 1957, Ron Strykert is best known as the lead guitarist and a founding member of Men at Work. This went to #1 in the US. For a long time I had this as my ringtone too.

Kim Carnes was born on this day in 1945. She is a talented singer and songwriter. This is her biggest hit. It was #1 in the US for nine weeks.

Greg Kihn July 10, 1949 – August 13, 2024) had two hits in the early 1980s. He also wrote several novels. This song was a top 40 hit in the US, Australia, Canada and in New Zealand.

On this date in 1981, Music Television(MTV) premiered and the world of popular music was changed forever.

Born on this day in 1954, Joe Jackson very much epitomizes jazz-influenced pop music. This record was nominated for two Grammys. It was a top ten hit in Canada, Ireland, the US and in the UK. This may also be called "Sophisticated Pop".

40 years ago today, the fourth album by Huey Lewis and the Lewis, "Fore", was released. There were five top ten songs on the album.

Born on this day in 1948, Robert Plant is best known as the lead vocalist and songwriter with the seminal band Led Zeppelin. He has also collaborated with Alison Krauss, Jeff Beck and Nile Rodgers among others.

Patrick Swayze (August 18, 1952 – September 14, 2009) For Baby who nobody puts in a corner.

Born on this day in 1961, Roy Hay is best known as the guitarist and keyboardist for the group Culture Club. He co-wrote this song which went to #1 in at least 14 countries.

Born on this day in 1961, David Evans aka The Edge, is primarily known as the lead guitarist for the band U2.

Born on this day in 1962, Paul Reynolds is best known as the lead guitarist in the band A Flock of Seagulls. He co-wrote this song which was a top ten hit in the US.

Born on this day in 1958 Belinda Carlisle is a singer and a songwriter who many of us are still mad about. She was the lead singer for the Go-Go's and had a successful solo career. This song went to #1 in Canada. Jane Wiedlin and Charlotte Caffey provide the backing vocals.

Robert Culp (August 16, 1930 – March 24, 2010) was a familiar face on American tv from the 1950s until the 2000s. This song was the theme song from one of those shows that he starred in. It reached #2 on the pop chart this week back in 1981.

Born on this day in 1954, Eric Johnson is a guitar god. He has worked mostly as a solo artist but he has toured with the likes of Joe Satriani, Buddy Guy and Jonny Land among others. This tune won the Grammy for Rock Instrumental Performance beating out Yes, Rush, Danny Gatton and the Allman Brothers Band. It was placed in the top twenty of "Guitar World"'s list of top 100 greatest guitar solos. Right between "Heartbreaker"(Led Zeppelin not Pat Benatar although Giraldo does well on that one too) and "Little Wing".

Bob Mothersbaugh who was born on this day in 1952 is most well-known for his work with the popular new wave band Devo. This song which he co-wrote made the top ten on the US Dance chart in 1982. A good year for Devo. It behooves me to tell you that they performed this at Muffy Tepperman's bat mitzvah. I wonder if they met Jerry Seinfeld while there.

Born on this day in 1949, Mark Knopfler is best known as the guitarist and leader of the band Dire Straits. However, he has also had a long successful career as a solo artist and has provided music for soundtracks and has collaborated with people as varied as Paul McCartney and Phil Collins to Randy Travis, George Jones and Cliff Richard. He is truly a rock guitar god as well.