What would Annie Say?: An analysis of the reuses of “Sweet Dreams (Are made of this)”
When “Sweet Dreams (Are made of this)” was first released in 1983 by pop music duo Eurythmetics, it became one of their biggest hit singles propelling the group into stardom, and commercial success. The music video presents Lennox in a striking androgynous visual image, with close-cropped, orange-colored hair, and attired in a man's suit brandishing a cane, immediately making her a household name and establishing her personal style and a message of the strength of women. Since then the tune as well as the astounding music video has been reused in various forms and by various individuals in a number of media arenas. Some are a nod to the groundbreaking style, as well as the sound of the epic video and music, while others deviate far from the original media form and present the song in a such a far fetched and controversial manner that you can’t help but wonder, what were they thinking? Arguably the most notable and controversial reuse of the song was accomplished by Marilyn Manson with the release of the band’s cover version and accompanying music video on his album “Smells like Children". Although the lyrics of the song are retained, the manner in which he sings and accompanying heavy metal instrumentals gives the song a whole new sinister and dark mood. Further, Manson added some extra lines to the lyrics that are not present in the Eurythmics version: "I wanna use you and abuse you/I wanna know what's inside you." and "I'm gonna use you and abuse you/I'm gonna know what's inside you”. His lyrical reuse in itself may not be so obviously controversial, but if the song won’t get to you, the music video most likely will. The music video stars the main lead singer, Marilyn Manson, a male recording artist known for his long black hair, dark stained lips, one eyed white contact and dominatrix cross-dressing. His ambiguous gender is perhaps a parallel to the androgynous style portrayed by Annie Lennox in the 80’s. However, parallels are considerably diminished when watching him in the music video; whether riding a hog covered in tar, or hiding in a fireplace wearing only a blue tutu, or scarring his abdomen with his nails, it is hard to find an aspect of the video that wouldn’t be considered frightening or bizarre to most. Manson’s contentious music video is accomplished by not simply completely deviating away from the original theme of the video and song, but its controversy is confounded by his bizarre and frightening supply of visual imagery and scenarios that culturally individuals tend to avoid and are uncomfortable with.
The original song from the 1980’s was also reused in a jazz dance piece on the popular television show, So You Think You Can Dance as preformed by Sabra Johnson and Neil Haskell. The dancers, clad in smart and modern business wear engage in a mock fight dance sequence over a large table in the center of the stage. The dance was clearly inspired by Lennox’s style and sharp dance moves in the music video, however is creative in choreography. Unlike Manson’s performance, the dancers don’t engage in any actions or movements that may be deemed culturally taboo or inappropriate. Rather the original media form is re-purposed in a new context of use that works to pay homage to the strong beats of the song, entertain, and demonstrate the dancers strength. Here the purpose is not to play with our fears or explore the realm of the taboo, but rather it is to celebrate a classic hit in a marketable and entertaining manner. Whether contentious or not, each reuse constitutes a remediation a transfer of content from one format to another making new media, and sometimes new controversy.
Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) Original Music Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qeMFqkcPYcg Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) Marilyn Manson Reuse: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6VojYGrnpg Jazz Dance SYTYCD reusing the Original Annie Lennox song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFH1moy62VQ
Arguably the most notable and controversial reuse of the song was accomplished by Marilyn Manson with the release of the band’s cover version and accompanying music video on his album “Smells like Children". Although the lyrics of the song are retained, the manner in which he sings and accompanying heavy metal instrumentals gives the song a whole new sinister and dark mood. Further, Manson added some extra lines to the lyrics that are not present in the Eurythmics version: "I wanna use you and abuse you/I wanna know what's inside you." and "I'm gonna use you and abuse you/I'm gonna know what's inside you”. His lyrical reuse in itself may not be so obviously controversial, but if the song won’t get to you, the music video most likely will. The music video stars the main lead singer, Marilyn Manson, a male recording artist known for his long black hair, dark stained lips, one eyed white contact and dominatrix cross-dressing. His ambiguous gender is perhaps a parallel to the androgynous style portrayed by Annie Lennox in the 80’s. However, parallels are considerably diminished when watching him in the music video; whether riding a hog covered in tar, or hiding in a fireplace wearing only a blue tutu, or scarring his abdomen with his nails, it is hard to find an aspect of the video that wouldn’t be considered frightening or bizarre to most. Manson’s contentious music video is accomplished by not simply completely deviating away from the original theme of the video and song, but its controversy is confounded by his bizarre and frightening supply of visual imagery and scenarios that culturally individuals tend to avoid and are uncomfortable with. 
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