"Savage" is the sixth studio album by British pop duo Eurythmics, released on November 9, 1987, by RCA Records. The album marks a shift in the band's musical direction, returning to a more experimental, electronic sound after the mainstream success of their previous albums. Savage is a departure from the more commercially oriented material of Be Yourself Tonight (1985) and Touch (1983), incorporating heavily sampled digital soundscapes and a more abstract approach to both music and lyrics. The production of Savage was done in France, with recording taking place at the Château de Dangu in Normandy and mixing at Grande Armée Studios in Paris. The album was primarily produced by Dave Stewart, with Annie Lennox contributing both vocally and creatively. The album made heavy use of the NED Synclavier, a digital sampling keyboard that allowed the duo to create complex, layered soundscapes that were a stark contrast to the more polished, radio-friendly sound of their prior work. Olle Romo, who had worked with the duo on previous albums, contributed as the drummer and was responsible for much of the Synclavier programming. Lennox brought a more feminist and socially conscious perspective to the album. The themes in Savage are often about female empowerment, relationships, and identity, with Lennox exploring these ideas through both a personal and politically aware lens. This thematic depth was further explored through the album’s accompanying video album, which featured a video for each track and served as a visual counterpart to the music. Savage was met with a generally positive reception from critics, though it was less commercially successful than its predecessors. In the United Kingdom, the album peaked at number seven on the UK Albums Chart and was certified Platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) for shipments in excess of 300,000 copies. The album spawned three UK top-30 singles: "Beethoven (I Love to Listen To)", "Shame" (which reached No. 9), and "I Need a Man". However, the album's success did not translate as strongly to the U.S. market, where it peaked at number 41 on the Billboard 200 and did not achieve the same level of commercial success as their previous albums. Despite its relative underperformance in the U.S., Savage holds a strong place in the Eurythmics’ discography for its bold artistic direction. The album’s minimalist electronic production and Lennox’s striking vocal performances were a departure from the duo’s more accessible pop material, marking a return to the experimental ethos that characterized their early work. Though Savage was not as commercially successful as Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) (1983) or Be Yourself Tonight, it has since gained recognition for its boldness and innovation. In 2005, Sony BMG reissued Savage as part of a deluxe edition series, which included bonus tracks and remixes from the original album. This reissue helped to further solidify the album's place as a key part of the Eurythmics’ catalog and allowed new audiences to experience the album’s experimental approach to pop music. Savage stands as one of Eurythmics’ most unique and experimental albums, a complex blend of electronic production, feminist themes, and bold artistic choices. Though it may not have enjoyed the same commercial success as some of their earlier work, it has remained a fan favorite and an album that continues to resonate for its artistic integrity and innovation.
