Thorn in My Side: Difference between revisions

"Thorn in My Side"
"Thorn in My Side"
Single by Eurythmics
from the album Revenge
B-side	"When Tomorrow Comes" (live)
Released	August 1986
Genre	Pop
Length	4:12
Label	RCA
Songwriter(s)	Annie Lennox, David A. Stewart
Producer(s)	David A. Stewart
Eurythmics singles chronology
Music video
	"Thorn in My Side" on YouTube

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"Thorn in My Side" is a song by British pop music duo Eurythmics. It was released as the second single from the duo's fifth studio album, Revenge (1986). Written by band members Annie Lennox and David A. Stewart, the song is a cast-off to an unfaithful lover. "Thorn in My Side" was produced by Stewart.

Background

Although the first single from Revenge, "When Tomorrow Comes", barely reached the UK Top 30, "Thorn in My Side" became Eurythmics' ninth Top 10 single, reaching number five on the UK Singles Chart and marking their last appearance in the UK top 10. In the United States, the track stalled at number 68 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song additionally peaked at number two in Ireland and reached the top 10 in New Zealand (number seven) and Sweden (number six).

Reception

Billboard said it sounds like "Swinging London, 1964" although it "views the past with as much irony as affection."^[2] Cash Box called it an "appealing pop/rock single" in which the "seething lyrics are masked by an infectious melody and Annie Lennox’s winning vocal."^[3]

Music video

The music video, directed by Chris Ashbrook and Dave Stewart, depicts the band adorned in their black and leather Revenge stage costumes, playing in a studio set bar filled with an audience that includes a gang of Hells Angels. Clem Burke, drummer from the band Blondie, appears in the video as he was recording and touring with Eurythmics that year. It was also the second music video to feature backing vocalist Joniece Jamison, after first appearing in "When Tomorrow Comes".

Track listings

7-inch single

A. "Thorn in My Side" (album version) – 4:07

B. "When Tomorrow Comes" (live at the Roxy in Los Angeles) – 5:02

12-inch single

A1. "Thorn in My Side" (extended mix) – 6:54

B1. "Thorn in My Side" (album version) – 4:07

B2. "When Tomorrow Comes" (live at the Roxy in Los Angeles) – 5:02

12-inch single (Houston remix)

A1. "Thorn in My Side" (Houston remix) – 5:49

B1. "Thorn in My Side" (album version) – 4:07

B2. "In This Town" (live)

Charts

Weekly charts

Weekly chart performance for "Thorn in My Side"
Chart (1986–1987)	Peak position
Australia (Kent Music Report)^[4]	12
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)^[5]	14
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)^[6]	34
Canada Top Singles (RPM)^[7]	41
Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)^[8]	14
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)^[9]	9
Ireland (IRMA)^[10]	2
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)^[11]	7
Spain (AFYVE)^[12]	13
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)^[13]	6
UK Singles (OCC)^[14]	5
US Billboard Hot 100^[15]	68
US Cash Box Top 100 Singles^[16]	56
West Germany (GfK)^[17]	26

Year-end charts

Year-end chart performance for "Thorn in My Side"
Chart (1986)	Position
UK Singles (Gallup)^[18]	48

Certifications

Certifications for "Thorn in My Side"
Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)^[19]	Silver	200,000^‡
^‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. Eurythmics - Greatest Hits (1991) Review at AllMusic. Retrieved February 4, 2024.
^ "Reviews". Billboard. 25 October 1986. p. 81. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
^ "Single Releases" (PDF). Cash Box. 25 October 1986. p. 9. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 105. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
^ "Eurythmics – Thorn in My Side" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
^ "Eurythmics – Thorn in My Side" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 0759." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
^ "European Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 3, no. 40. 11 October 1986. p. 12. OCLC 29800226 – via World Radio History.
^ Pennanen, Timo (2006). Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. ISBN 978-951-1-21053-5.
^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Thorn in My Side". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
^ "Eurythmics – Thorn in My Side". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
^ Salaverrie, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (in Spanish) (1st ed.). Madrid: Fundación Autor/SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
^ "Eurythmics – Thorn in My Side". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
^ "Eurythmics: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
^ "Eurythmics Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
^ "Cash Box Top 100 Singles – Week ending December 20, 1986". Cash Box. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Eurythmics – Thorn in My Side" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
^ "Top 100 Singles (January to December 1986)" (PDF). Music Week. 24 January 1987. p. 24. ISSN 0265-1548 – via World Radio History.
^ "British single certifications – Eurythmics – Thorn In My Side". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 6 January 2024.

External links

[AllMusic-1] Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. Eurythmics - Greatest Hits (1991) Review at AllMusic. Retrieved February 4, 2024.

[2] "Reviews". Billboard. 25 October 1986. p. 81. Retrieved 7 August 2022.

[cb-3] "Single Releases" (PDF). Cash Box. 25 October 1986. p. 9. Retrieved 7 August 2022.

[4] Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 105. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.

[sc_Austria_Eurythmics-5] "Eurythmics – Thorn in My Side" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 30 May 2020.

[sc_Flanders_Eurythmics-6] "Eurythmics – Thorn in My Side" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 30 May 2020.

[sc_Canadatopsingles_-7] "Top RPM Singles: Issue 0759." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 30 May 2020.

[8] "European Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 3, no. 40. 11 October 1986. p. 12. OCLC 29800226 – via World Radio History.

[9] Pennanen, Timo (2006). Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. ISBN 978-951-1-21053-5.

[sc_Ireland2_-10] "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Thorn in My Side". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 30 May 2020.

[sc_New_Zealand_Eurythmics-11] "Eurythmics – Thorn in My Side". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 30 May 2020.

[12] Salaverrie, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (in Spanish) (1st ed.). Madrid: Fundación Autor/SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.

[sc_Sweden_Eurythmics-13] "Eurythmics – Thorn in My Side". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 30 May 2020.

[sc_UKsinglesbyname_Eurythmics-14] "Eurythmics: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 30 May 2020.

[sc_Billboardhot100_Eurythmics-15] "Eurythmics Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 30 May 2020.

[16] "Cash Box Top 100 Singles – Week ending December 20, 1986". Cash Box. Retrieved 30 May 2020.

[sc_West_Germany_Eurythmics-17] "Offiziellecharts.de – Eurythmics – Thorn in My Side" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 30 May 2020.

[18] "Top 100 Singles (January to December 1986)" (PDF). Music Week. 24 January 1987. p. 24. ISSN 0265-1548 – via World Radio History.

[United_KingdomEurythmicsThorn_In_My_SidesingleCertRef-19] "British single certifications – Eurythmics – Thorn In My Side". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 6 January 2024.

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Short description|1986 single by Eurythmics}}
-{{About||the song by Bon Jovi|The Circle (Bon Jovi album)}}
+{{About||the song by Bon Jovi|The Circle (Bon Jovi album)|the song by Quicksand|Manic Compression}}
 {{Use British English|date=June 2015}}
 {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2014}}
@@ Line 9: / Line 10: @@
 | artist     = [[Eurythmics]]
 | album      = [[Revenge (Eurythmics album)|Revenge]]
-| B-side     = "When Tomorrow Comes" (Live At the Roxy in Los Angeles)
+| B-side     = "When Tomorrow Comes" (live)
-| released   = 13 August 1986
+| released   = August 1986
-| recorded   = August 1985
+| recorded   =
 | studio     =
-| genre      = [[Pop rock]]
+| genre      = [[Pop music|Pop]]<ref name="AllMusic">{{AllMusic |class=album |id= mw0000676312
+|title= Eurythmics - ''Greatest  Hits'' (1991) Review |last= Erlewine|first= Stephen Thomas|access-date= February 4, 2024}}</ref>
+<!-- Do not add unsourced genres -->
 | length     = 4:12
 | label      = [[RCA Records|RCA]]
-| writer     = [[Annie Lennox]] and [[David A. Stewart]]
+| writer     = [[Annie Lennox]], [[Dave Stewart (Eurythmics)|David A. Stewart]]
-| producer   = [[David A. Stewart]]
+| producer   = David A. Stewart
 | prev_title = [[When Tomorrow Comes]]
 | prev_year  = 1986
@@ Line 24: / Line 27: @@
 | misc       = {{External music video|{{YouTube|_AmkmqYEarw|"Thorn in My Side"}}}}
 }}
-"'''Thorn in My Side'''" is a 1986 song recorded by British [[pop music]] duo [[Eurythmics]]. It was released as the second single from the duo's ''[[Revenge (Eurythmics album)|Revenge]]'' album. Written by band members [[Annie Lennox]] and [[David A. Stewart]], the song is a cast-off to an unfaithful lover. "Thorn in My Side" was produced by Stewart.
+"'''Thorn in My Side'''" is a song by British [[pop music]] duo [[Eurythmics]]. It was released as the second single from the duo's fifth studio album, ''[[Revenge (Eurythmics album)|Revenge]]'' (1986). Written by band members [[Annie Lennox]] and [[Dave Stewart (Eurythmics)|David A. Stewart]], the song is a cast-off to an unfaithful lover. "Thorn in My Side" was produced by Stewart.
 ==Background==
-Although the first single from ''Revenge'', "[[When Tomorrow Comes]]", had barely reached the UK Top 30, "Thorn in My Side" became Eurythmics' ninth Top 10 single, reaching number 5 in the [[UK singles chart|British charts]]. To date, it is their last appearance in the UK Top 10. In the United States, the track stalled at number 68 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]]. It was a Top 2 hit in Ireland, and reached the Top 10 in New Zealand (#7) and Sweden (#6).
+Although the first single from ''Revenge'', "[[When Tomorrow Comes]]", barely reached the UK Top 30, "Thorn in My Side" became Eurythmics' ninth Top 10 single, reaching number five on the [[UK Singles Chart]] and marking their last appearance in the UK top 10. In the United States, the track stalled at number 68 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]]. The song additionally peaked at number two in Ireland and reached the top 10 in New Zealand (number seven) and Sweden (number six).
-===Music video===
+==Reception==
+''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' said it sounds like "Swinging London, 1964" although it "views the past with as much irony as affection."<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Billboard|date=October 25, 1986|accessdate=2022-08-07|page=81|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qSQEAAAAMBAJ|title=Reviews}}</ref>  ''[[Cash Box]]'' called it an "appealing pop/rock single" in which the "seething lyrics are masked by an infectious melody and Annie Lennox’s winning vocal."<ref name=cb>{{cite magazine|title=Single Releases|magazine=Cash Box|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/80s/1986/CB-1986-10-25.pdf|date=October 25, 1986|accessdate=2022-08-07|page=9}}</ref>
+==Music video==
 The music video, directed by Chris Ashbrook and Dave Stewart, depicts the band adorned in their black and leather ''Revenge'' stage costumes, playing in a studio set bar filled with an audience that includes a gang of [[Hells Angels]]. [[Clem Burke]], drummer from the band [[Blondie (band)|Blondie]], appears in the video as he was recording and touring with Eurythmics that year. It was also the second music video to feature backing vocalist [[Joniece Jamison]], after first appearing in "When Tomorrow Comes".
-==Track listing==
+==Track listings==
-===7" single===
+'''7-inch single'''
-*A: "Thorn in My Side" (Album Version) – 4:07
+:A. "Thorn in My Side" (album version) – 4:07
-*B: "When Tomorrow Comes" (Live At the Roxy in Los Angeles) – 5:02
+:B. "When Tomorrow Comes" (live at the Roxy in Los Angeles) – 5:02
-===12" single===
+'''12-inch single'''
-*A: "Thorn in My Side" (Extended Mix) – 6:54
+:A1. "Thorn in My Side" (extended mix) – 6:54
-*B1: "Thorn in My Side" (Album Version) – 4:07
+:B1. "Thorn in My Side" (album version) – 4:07
-*B2: "When Tomorrow Comes" (Live at the Roxy in Los Angeles) – 5:02
+:B2. "When Tomorrow Comes" (live at the Roxy in Los Angeles) – 5:02
-===12" single/Houston Remix===
+'''12-inch single (Houston remix)'''
-*A: "Thorn in My Side" (Houston Remix) – 5:49
+:A1. "Thorn in My Side" (Houston remix) – 5:49
-*B1: "Thorn in My Side" (Album Version) – 4:07
+:B1. "Thorn in My Side" (album version) – 4:07
-*B2: "In This Town" (Live)
+:B2. "In This Town" (live)
 ==Charts==
@@ Line 53: / Line 59: @@
 ===Weekly charts===
 {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
+|+ Weekly chart performance for "Thorn in My Side"
-|-
 ! scope="col"| Chart (1986–1987)
 ! scope="col"| Peak<br>position
 |-
-! scope="row"| Australia ([[Kent Music Report]])<ref>{{cite book |last=Kent |first=David |author-link=David Kent (historian) |year=1993 |title=Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 |edition=illustrated |location=St Ives, N.S.W. |publisher=Australian Chart Book |page=105 |isbn=0-646-11917-6}}</ref>
+! scope="row"| Australia ([[Kent Music Report]])<ref>{{cite book |last=Kent |first=David |author-link=David Kent (historian) |title=Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 |edition=illustrated |location=St Ives, N.S.W. |publisher=Australian Chart Book |year=1993 |page=105 |isbn=0-646-11917-6}}</ref>
 | 12
 |-
@@ Line 66: / Line 72: @@
 {{single chart|Canadatopsingles|41|chartid=0759|rowheader=true|access-date=30 May 2020}}
 |-
-! scope="row"| Europe ([[European Hot 100 Singles]])<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/80s/1986/M&M-1986-10-11.pdf |title=European Hot 100 Singles |magazine=[[Music & Media]] |volume=3 |issue=40 |date=11 October 1986 |page=12<!-- 7 in PDF file --> |oclc=29800226 |via=World Radio History}}</ref>
+! scope="row"| Europe ([[European Hot 100 Singles]])<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-UK/Music/Archive-Music-Media-IDX/IDX/80s/86/M&M-1986-10-11-OCR-Page-0007.pdf |title=European Hot 100 Singles |magazine=[[Music & Media]] |volume=3 |issue=40 |date=11 October 1986 |page=12 |oclc=29800226 |via=World Radio History}}</ref>
 | 14
 |-
-! scope="row"| Finland ([[The Official Finnish Charts|Suomen virallinen lista]])<ref>{{cite book |last=Pennanen |first=Timo |title=Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 |language=Finnish |edition=1st |location=Helsinki |publisher=[[Otava (publisher)|Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava]] |year=2006 |isbn=978-951-1-21053-5}}</ref>
+! scope="row"| Finland ([[The Official Finnish Charts|Suomen virallinen lista]])<ref>{{cite book |last=Pennanen |first=Timo |title=Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 |language=fi |edition=1st |location=Helsinki |publisher=[[Otava (publisher)|Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava]] |year=2006 |isbn=978-951-1-21053-5}}</ref>
 | 9
 |-
@@ Line 76: / Line 82: @@
 {{single chart|New Zealand|7|artist=Eurythmics|song=Thorn in My Side|rowheader=true|access-date=30 May 2020}}
 |-
-! scope="row"| Spain ([[Productores de Música de España|AFYVE]])<ref>{{cite book |last=Salaverrie |first=Fernando |date=September 2005 |title=Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 |language=Spanish |edition=1st |location=Madrid |publisher=[[Sociedad General de Autores y Editores|Fundación Autor/SGAE]] |isbn=84-8048-639-2}}</ref>
+! scope="row"| Spain ([[Productores de Música de España|AFYVE]])<ref>{{cite book |last=Salaverrie |first=Fernando |date=September 2005 |title=Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 |language=es |edition=1st |location=Madrid |publisher=[[Sociedad General de Autores y Editores|Fundación Autor/SGAE]] |isbn=84-8048-639-2}}</ref>
 | 13
 |-
@@ Line 85: / Line 91: @@
 {{single chart|Billboardhot100|68|artist=Eurythmics|rowheader=true|access-date=30 May 2020}}
 |-
-! scope="row"| US ''[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cash Box]]'' Top 100<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/80s_files/19861220.html |title=Cash Box Top 100 Singles – Week ending December 20, 1986 |work=[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cash Box]] |access-date=30 May 2020}}</ref>
+! scope="row"| US ''[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cash Box]]'' Top 100 Singles<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/80s_files/19861220.html |title=Cash Box Top 100 Singles – Week ending December 20, 1986 |work=[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cash Box]] |access-date=30 May 2020}}</ref>
 | 56
 |-
@@ Line 94: / Line 100: @@
 ===Year-end charts===
 {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
+|+ Year-end chart performance for "Thorn in My Side"
-|-
 ! scope="col"| Chart (1986)
 ! scope="col"| Position
 |-
-! scope="row"| UK Singles (OCC)<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Top 100 Singles |magazine=[[Music Week]] |location=London |date=24 January 1987 |page=24 |issn=0265-1548}}</ref>
+! scope="row"| UK Singles ([[Gallup (company)|Gallup]])<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-UK/Music/Archive-Music-Week-IDX/IDX/1987/Music-Week-1987-01-24-IDX-26.pdf |title=Top 100 Singles (January to December 1986) |magazine=[[Music Week]] |date=24 January 1987 |page=24 |issn=0265-1548 |via=World Radio History}}</ref>
 | 48
 |}
 {{col-end}}
+==Certifications==
+{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for "Thorn in My Side"}}
+{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Eurythmics|title=Thorn In My Side|award=Silver|relyear=2004|certyear=2024|id=19595-73-1|access-date=6 January 2024}}
+{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|noshipments=true|streaming=true}}
 ==References==
@@ Line 107: / Line 118: @@
 ==External links==
-*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AmkmqYEarw&ob YouTube - "Thorn in My Side" video]
+*{{YouTube|-kDlEZb_7so|"Thorn In My Side (2018 Remastered)"}}
+*{{YouTube|6v5waGatMQk|"Thorn in My Side (Remastered)"}}
+*{{YouTube|THwXdoh1Pgw|"Eurythmics, Annie Lennox, Dave Stewart - Thorn in My Side (Peacetour Live)"}}
+*{{YouTube|I35dM9B79zg|"Thorn In My Side"}}
+*{{YouTube|4Y0mYkETT2k|"Thorn in My Side (Extended Version)"}}
+*{{YouTube|_V9YENtnEl4|"Thorn In My Side (Live)"}}
+*{{YouTube|rWTW-9l2_xo|"Thorn In My Side"}}
+*{{YouTube|0gJmltpEbWk|"Thorn In My Side (Live)"}}
 {{Eurythmics}}
 {{Authority control}}
+[[Category:1986 songs]]
 [[Category:1986 singles]]
 [[Category:Eurythmics songs]]
 [[Category:RCA Records singles]]
-[[Category:Songs written by David A. Stewart]]
+[[Category:Songs written by Dave Stewart (Eurythmics)]]
 [[Category:Songs written by Annie Lennox]]
+[[Category:Song recordings produced by Dave Stewart (Eurythmics)]]

v t e Eurythmics
Annie Lennox David A. Stewart
Studio albums	In the Garden Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) Touch Be Yourself Tonight Revenge Savage We Too Are One Peace
Compilation albums	Greatest Hits Ultimate Collection Boxed
Other releases	Touch Dance 1984 (For the Love of Big Brother) Live 1983–1989
Singles	"Never Gonna Cry Again" "Belinda" "This Is the House" "The Walk" "Love Is a Stranger" "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" "Who's That Girl?" "Right by Your Side" "Here Comes the Rain Again" "Sexcrime (Nineteen Eighty-Four)" "Julia" "Would I Lie to You?" "There Must Be an Angel (Playing with My Heart)" "Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves" "It's Alright (Baby's Coming Back)" "When Tomorrow Comes" "Thorn in My Side" "The Miracle of Love" "Missionary Man" "Beethoven (I Love to Listen to)" "Shame" "I Need a Man" "You Have Placed a Chill in My Heart" "Revival" "Don't Ask Me Why" "The King and Queen of America" "Angel" "(My My) Baby's Gonna Cry" "Sweet Dreams '91" "I Saved the World Today" "17 Again" "I've Got a Life"
Videography	Sweet Dreams: The Video Album Live Savage We Two Are One Too Greatest Hits Peacetour Ultimate Collection
Related articles	Discography The Tourists