Love Song for a Vampire

Last updated

"Love Song for a Vampire"
Annie Lennox - Little Bird+Love Song for a Vampire.jpg
Single by Annie Lennox
from the album Bram Stoker's Dracula: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
A-side "Little Bird"
Released1 February 1993 (1993-02-01) [1]
Genre Pop
Length4:17
Label
Songwriter(s) Annie Lennox
Producer(s) Stephen Lipson
Annie Lennox singles chronology
"Cold"
(1992)
"Little Bird" / "Love Song for a Vampire"
(1993)
"No More 'I Love You's"
(1995)
Music video
"Love Song for a Vampire" on YouTube

"Love Song for a Vampire" is a song composed and recorded by Scottish singer-songwriter Annie Lennox. It was recorded for Francis Ford Coppola's 1992 film, Bram Stoker's Dracula based on the 1897 gothic horror novel, where it plays during the end credits. Produced by Stephen Lipson, it was released in February 1993 by RCA and BMG as a double A-side with "Little Bird" in Ireland, the United Kingdom and several other countries in Europe. The single was a hit, peaking at number three on the UK and Irish Singles Charts. "Love Song for a Vampire" by itself reached number four in Spain and number ten in France. The music video for the song was directed by Sophie Muller, featuring footage from Bram Stoker's Dracula.

Contents

Background and recording

When Lennox was approached to contribute vocals for the Bram Stoker's Dracula soundtrack, she had claimed she had "little interest in Bram Stoker’s book". Instead, Lennox had claimed that she had developed a fondness of a new series of novels including The Vampire Chronicles, by Anne Rice. Rice published the first installment, Interview With The Vampire, in 1978, and its sequel in 1985, The Vampire Lestat. [2] Lennox and Rice were also united in tragedy, with Rice’s daughter Michele passing away with leukemia at age six, before she began writing Interview With The Vampire. In 1988, Lennox’s son Daniel was stillborn, a trauma that later drove Annie to become a campaigner for women’s healthcare, and ultimately united Lennox and Rice together leading to Lennox to contribute vocals to "Love Song for a Vampire". [3]

It is claimed that the trauma and emotion faced by Rice and Lennox contributes to the tender heart of “Love Song for a Vampire”. The song is described as "a vulnerable song about loss, and the feeling of a grief that might go on forever". [4]

Critical reception

In their review of the soundtrack for Bram Stoker's Dracula , Billboard wrote, "The highlight and probable single is the only vocal entry on the album, Annie Lennox's haunting, romantic 'Love Song for a Vampire'." [5] Mike Ragogna from HuffPost noted that in the song, "Lennox sings the poem, Once I had the rarest rose that ever deigned to bloom, cruel winter chilled the bud and stole my flower too soon, slyly transporting us from Bram Stoker's world to that of Anne Rice's without our realizing." [6] In his weekly UK chart commentary, James Masterton declared it as a "gorgeous contribution" to the movie. [7] Alan Jones from Music Week named it Pick of the Week, describing it as "a simple, mournful, relentless and (appropriately?) haunting song." [8]

Music video

The accompanying music video for "Love Song for a Vampire" was directed by British director Sophie Muller. [9] It features Annie Lennox, seen in a dark garden at night very similar to Lucy Westenra's in the film, and wearing a similar white dress. As she sings, several excerpts from the film are shown, and the video ends as what appears to be holy light shines upon her, very similar to what happens during Dracula's death at the film's end. David Sinclair from Rolling Stone complimented it as an "extraordinary video", and "a striking display of sinister melancholia by Lennox intercut with a tour de force of special culled from the movie." [10]

Release

In the UK, the song was the bigger hit of the double-A sided single with Lennox's track "Little Bird" from her album Diva . It reached number three on the UK Singles Chart in early 1993, while in the US, it reached number 24 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart.

It reappeared in 1995 on the UK CD single "A Whiter Shade of Pale", alongside Lennox's covers of the Psychedelic Furs' "Heaven" and Blondie's "(I'm Always Touched by Your) Presence, Dear".

Track listings

All tracks were written by Annie Lennox unless otherwise noted.

CD: Arista / 07822 12522 2 (US)

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Little Bird" (Edit) 4:32
2."Love Song for a Vampire" (from Bram Stoker's Dracula) 4:16
3."Why" 5:04*
4."The Gift"Lennox/Buchanan, Bell, Moore4:36*
5."You Have Placed a Chill in My Heart"Lennox/Stewart4:06*

CD: BMG / 74321 13383 2 (UK)

No.TitleLength
1."Little Bird"4:39
2."Love Song for a Vampire" (from Bram Stoker's Dracula)4:17
3."Little Bird" (Utah Saints Version)6:35
4."Little Bird" (N'Joi Version)4:46

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI) [24] Silver200,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eurythmics</span> British music duo

Eurythmics were a British pop duo formed in 1980, consisting of Scottish vocalist Annie Lennox and English musician and producer Dave Stewart. They were both previously in the Tourists, a band that broke up in 1980. They released their first studio album, In the Garden, in 1981 to little success, but achieved global acclaim with their second album, Sweet Dreams (1983). The title track became a worldwide hit, reaching number two in the UK Singles Chart, and number one in Canada and the US Billboard Hot 100. Eurythmics went on to release a string of hit singles and albums, including "Love Is a Stranger", "There Must Be an Angel " and "Here Comes the Rain Again", before splitting in 1990.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Annie Lennox</span> Scottish musician (born 1954)

Ann Lennox is a Scottish singer-songwriter, political activist and philanthropist. After achieving moderate success in the late 1970s as part of the new wave band the Tourists, she and fellow musician Dave Stewart went on to achieve international success in the 1980s as Eurythmics. Appearing in the 1983 music video for "Sweet Dreams " with orange cropped hair and wearing a man's lounge suit, the BBC wrote, "all eyes were on Annie Lennox, the singer whose powerful androgynous look defied the male gaze". Subsequent hits with Eurythmics include "There Must Be an Angel ", "Love Is a Stranger" and "Here Comes the Rain Again".

<i>Medusa</i> (Annie Lennox album) 1995 studio album by Annie Lennox

Medusa is the second solo studio album by Scottish singer Annie Lennox, released on 6 March 1995 by RCA Records. It consists entirely of cover songs. The album entered the UK Albums Chart at number one and peaked in the United States at number 11, spending 60 weeks on the Billboard 200. It has since achieved double platinum status in both the United Kingdom and the United States. As of 2018, Medusa had sold over six million copies worldwide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Can't Help Falling in Love</span> 1961 single by Elvis Presley

"Can't Help Falling in Love" is a song written by Hugo Peretti, Luigi Creatore, and George David Weiss and published by Gladys Music, Inc. The melody is based on "Plaisir d'amour", a popular French love song composed in 1784 by Jean-Paul-Égide Martini. The song was initially written from the perspective of a woman as "Can't Help Falling in Love with Him", which explains the first and third line ending on "in" and "sin" rather than words rhyming with "you".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Will Always Love You</span> 1974 single by Dolly Parton

"I Will Always Love You" is a song written and originally recorded in 1973 by American singer-songwriter Dolly Parton. Written as a farewell to her business partner and mentor Porter Wagoner, expressing Parton's decision to pursue a solo career, the country single was released in 1974. The song was a commercial success for Parton, twice reaching the top spot of the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart: first in June 1974, then again in October 1982, with a re-recording for The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas soundtrack.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Why (Annie Lennox song)</span> 1992 single by Annie Lennox

"Why" is the debut solo single of Scottish singer-songwriter Annie Lennox, released on 16 March 1992. It was taken from her debut solo album, Diva (1992), and reached number five in the United Kingdom. In the United States, "Why" peaked at number 34 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number six on the Adult Contemporary chart. It was also a big hit internationally, reaching number one in Italy and peaking within the top 10 in Belgium, Canada, Ireland and five other countries. Its music video was directed by Sophie Muller. Stereogum ranked "Why" number one on their list of "The 10 Best Annie Lennox Songs" in 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">What Is Love</span> 1993 song by Haddaway

"What Is Love" is a song by Trinidadian-German singer Haddaway, released as his debut single from his debut album, The Album (1993). The song, both written and produced by Dee Dee Halligan and Karin Hartmann-Eisenblätter, was released by Coconut Records in January 1993. It was a hit across Europe, becoming a number-one single in at least 13 countries and reaching number two in Germany, Sweden and the United Kingdom. Outside Europe, the single peaked at number 11 in the United States, number 12 in Australia, number 17 in Canada, and number 48 in New Zealand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Another Night (song)</span> 1993 single by Real McCoy

"Another Night" is a song by German Eurodance and pop music project Real McCoy. The single is featured on their hit album Another Night (1995), which was the American release of the project's second album, Space Invaders. The song was written and produced in Germany by Juergen Wind and Frank Hassas (Quickmix) in 1993 under the producer team name Freshline. It was released in Europe on 12 July 1993 by Hansa Records and two music videos were produced, directed by Nigel Dick and Angel Garcia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Love Is a Stranger</span> 1982 single by Eurythmics

"Love Is a Stranger" is a song by the British pop duo Eurythmics. It is the opening track off their second album, Sweet Dreams . Originally released in late 1982, the single peaked outside the top 50 in the UK, but it was re-released in 1983, reaching the top 20 in several countries, including number six in the UK. The single was re-released again in 1991, to promote Eurythmics' Greatest Hits album.

<i>Diva</i> (Annie Lennox album) 1992 studio album by Annie Lennox

Diva is the debut solo studio album by Scottish singer Annie Lennox, released on 6 April 1992 by RCA Records. The album entered the UK Albums Chart at number one and has since sold over 1.2 million copies in the UK alone, being certified quadruple platinum. Diva was the 7th best selling album of 1992 in the United Kingdom. In the United States, it reached number 23 on the Billboard 200 and has been certified double platinum.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Believe (Marcella Detroit song)</span> 1994 single by Marcella Detroit

"I Believe" is a song by American singer-songwriter Marcella Detroit, released on February 28, 1994, via London Records as the lead single from her second studio album, Jewel (1994). Written by Detroit and produced by Chris Thomas, the song went on to become Detroit's most successful single, peaking at number 11 in the United Kingdom, and achieved similar success internationally. Its highest peak on a national chart was in Australia, where it reached number 10.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Two Princes</span> 1992 single by Spin Doctors

"Two Princes" is a song by American rock group Spin Doctors, released in 1992 by Epic Records as the second single from the group's debut album, Pocket Full of Kryptonite (1991). The song peaked at number seven on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number three on the Cash Box Top 100. Outside of the US, it topped the charts in Iceland and Sweden, and peaked within the top 10 of the charts in Australia, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. The song earned them a Grammy Award nomination for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group. The group filmed two different music videos for "Two Princes"; one of them was in black-and-white. One of the videos was directed by Richard Murray and premiered in February 1992.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Walking on Broken Glass</span> 1992 single by Annie Lennox

"Walking on Broken Glass" is a song written and performed by Scottish singer Annie Lennox, included on her debut solo studio album, Diva (1992). Released on 10 August 1992, the single peaked at number one in Canada, number eight in the United Kingdom and Ireland and number 14 in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No More "I Love You's"</span> 1986 single by the Lover Speaks

"No More 'I Love You's'" is a song written by British musicians David Freeman and Joseph Hughes and recorded by them as the Lover Speaks. It was released in June 1986 as the lead single from their self-titled debut album. The song was covered by the Scottish singer Annie Lennox and became a commercial success for her in 1995, reaching number two on the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Love I Lost</span> 1973 single by Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes

"The Love I Lost" is a song by American R&B group Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes. Group member Teddy Pendergrass sang lead vocals. Originally written as a ballad by Philly soul songwriters Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, the song was transformed into a funk song and features drummer Earl Young. It was released from the Black & Blue album in late 1973 and sold more than a million copies. In the 21st century, the track has been the subject of extended re-edits by notable remixers Tom Moulton, Theo Parrish, and Dimitri From Paris.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Little Bird (Annie Lennox song)</span> 1993 single by Annie Lennox

"Little Bird" is a song composed and recorded by Scottish singer-songwriter Annie Lennox. Taken from her debut solo album, Diva (1992), it was produced by Stephen Lipson and released in February 1993 by RCA and BMG as a double A-side with "Love Song for a Vampire" in Ireland, the United Kingdom, and various other European countries. In other territories, "Little Bird" was released alone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Push the Feeling On</span> 1992 single by Nightcrawlers

"Push the Feeling On" is a house song by the Scottish music group Nightcrawlers and American DJ Marc Kinchen (MK). The original version released in 1992 was also partially disco and acid jazz-influenced and was a minor chart hit in the United Kingdom. The song was later remixed extensively by Kinchen, creating a series of additional remixes for the song. One remix known as "Push the Feeling On (MK Dub Revisited Edit)" became an international chart hit in 1995, reaching the top 10 in various European countries, including the UK, where it peaked at number three.

<i>The Annie Lennox Collection</i> 2009 greatest hits album by Annie Lennox

The Annie Lennox Collection is the first greatest hits album by Scottish singer-songwriter Annie Lennox. It was released on 17 February 2009 and contains two brand-new songs, "Shining Light", originally a song by Ash, and a cover version of Keane's B-side "Closer Now", retitled "Pattern of My Life". The artwork was shot by Canadian rock singer Bryan Adams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Annie Lennox discography</span>

This article is the discography of the Scottish pop and rock singer-songwriter Annie Lennox. After a decade of major international success as part of Eurythmics, Lennox began her solo career in earnest in 1992 with the release of her first album Diva, which produced several hit singles including "Why" and "Walking on Broken Glass". The same year, she performed "Love Song for a Vampire" for Bram Stoker's Dracula. To date, she has released six solo studio albums, three of them being covers albums and a compilation album, The Annie Lennox Collection (2009).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heaven Knows (Luther Vandross song)</span> 1993 single by Luther Vandross

"Heaven Knows" is a song by American singer-songwriter Luther Vandross, released in September 1993 by Epic and Sony as the second single from his eight studio album, Never Let Me Go (1993). The song was written by Vandross with Reed Vertelney and produced by Marcus Miller. It peaked in the top 30 on both the US Billboard Hot R&B Singles and Hot Dance Club Play charts, and also at thirty-three on the Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Singles chart. "Heaven Knows" was nominated for Best R&B Song alongside "Little Miracles " at the 36th Annual Grammy Awards in March 1994, losing to "That's the Way Love Goes" by Janet Jackson.

References

  1. "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music Week . 30 January 1993. p. 23. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  2. "1993". Thisweekinthe90s.com. This Week in the 90s. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  3. "1993". Thisweekinthe90s.com. This Week in the 90s. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  4. "1993". Thisweekinthe90s.com. This Week in the 90s. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  5. "Album Reviews" (PDF). Billboard . 5 December 1992. p. 53. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
  6. Regogna, Mike (27 March 2009). "HuffPost Reviews : The Annie Lennox Collection". HuffPost . Retrieved 28 February 2020.
  7. Masterton, James (7 February 1993). "Week Ending February 13th 1993". Chart Watch UK. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  8. Jones, Alan (30 January 1993). "Market Preview: Mainstream – Singles – Pick of the Week" (PDF). Music Week. p. 10. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
  9. "Annie Lennox: Love Song for a Vampire". IMDb . Retrieved 7 October 2021.
  10. Sinclair, David (4 March 1993). "The turning point: Annie Lennox finds life after Eurythmics". Rolling Stone .
  11. "Hits of the World" (PDF). Billboard . Vol. 105, no. 12. 20 March 1993. p. 55. Retrieved 2 November 2016.
  12. "EHR Top 40" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 10, no. 12. 20 March 1993. p. 26. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
  13. "Annie Lennox – Love Song for a Vampire" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 2 November 2016.
  14. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Little Bird / Love Song for a Vampire". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 25 September 2018.
  15. "Top 10 Sales in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 10, no. 19. 8 May 1993. p. 24. Retrieved 24 November 2019.
  16. "Top 10 Sales in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 10, no. 11. 13 March 1993. p. 24. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  17. Fernando Salaverri (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN   84-8048-639-2.
  18. "Annie Lennox – Little Bird / Love Song for a Vampire". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 2 November 2016.
  19. "Annie Lennox: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  20. "Top 50 Airplay Chart" (PDF). Music Week . 6 March 1993. p. 12. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
  21. "Annie Lennox Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 2 November 2016.
  22. "1993 Year-End Sales Charts: Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 10, no. 51/52. 18 December 1993. p. 15. Retrieved 27 November 2019.
  23. "Top 100 Singles 1993". Music Week. 15 January 1994. p. 24.
  24. "British single certifications – Annie Lennox – Little Bird / Song for a Vampire". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved 30 October 2020.