In 1984, British pop duo Eurythmics provided the soundtrack for Michael Radford’s film adaptation of George Orwell’s dystopian novel 1984. The film starred John Hurt as the protagonist Winston Smith, and the eerie and atmospheric music by Eurythmics perfectly captured the bleak and oppressive tone of the story.
The most successful track from the 1984 soundtrack was Sexcrime (Nineteen Eighty-Four), which was released as a single in October 1984. The song reached number four on the UK Singles Chart, but it did not fare as well in other countries. It peaked at number 62 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. Press the top left play button on the above feature image to watch and listen to the video for Julia from the film.
Eurythmics, consisting of Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart, were already established as a successful musical duo at the time of their involvement with the 1984 soundtrack. They had released their breakthrough album Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) in 1983, which included the hit title track that became an international sensation.
Working with Director
For the 1984 soundtrack, Lennox and Stewart collaborated closely with Radford, who had a clear vision for the music in his film. Radford wanted the music to reflect the oppressive and paranoid atmosphere of the world he had created while also conveying the emotions and inner thoughts of the characters.
To achieve this, Eurythmics employed a variety of techniques and sounds, blending electronic and acoustic instrumentation with Lennox’s haunting vocals. The opening track, I Did It Just the Same, sets the tone with its foreboding synthesizer sounds and Lennox’s whispered vocals.
Other standout tracks on the soundtrack include For the Love of Big Brother, a haunting instrumental piece that conveys a sense of sadness and loss.
One of the most memorable moments in the film is the scene where Winston and his lover Julia are listening to a forbidden piece of music, the traditional song The Proles. Eurythmics created their own version of the song, incorporating traditional folk instruments and Lennox’s emotive vocals. The result is a beautiful and poignant rendition that perfectly captures the characters’ emotions and the longing for freedom and humanity.
The Book
Orwell’s novel 1984, published in 1949, is widely considered one of the most important and influential books of the 20th century. It has had a profound impact on literature, politics, and culture, and its themes and ideas continue to be relevant and discussed today.
At its core, 1984 is a warning against totalitarianism and the dangers of a society in which the government has absolute power and control over every aspect of citizens’ lives. The book’s protagonist, Smith, lives in a dystopian future in which the government, led by the oppressive figure of Big Brother, monitors and controls all aspects of citizens’ lives, including their thoughts and emotions.
The book’s themes of government surveillance, censorship, and propaganda have been cited as prescient in the age of the internet and social media, in which governments and corporations have unprecedented access to personal data and the ability to manipulate public opinion.
The book’s language and concepts have entered into the popular lexicon, with terms such as “Big Brother,” “thoughtcrime,” and “doublethink” becoming widely recognized as symbols of oppression and manipulation.
Beyond its cultural impact, 1984 has also had a profound influence on political discourse and resistance movements. The book has been banned and censored in various countries, including the Soviet Union and China, for its criticism of authoritarian regimes.
Another of Orwell’s respected novels is Animal Farm, which was published in 1945 and is a satirical allegory of the Russian Revolution and the rise of Stalinism.