Annie Lennox on Joni Mitchell’s Impact: It ‘Was Like I Had a Blueprint’

Your songs weren’t so much questioning as declaring — like “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This).”

It’s a declaration, yeah. I looked at the video the other day. I was running it backwards, which made me sound like I’m Russian — it’s fabulous. Honestly, I look at it now and I think, How the hell did we create this? There’s a spooky quality to it.

You worked with Aretha Franklin on “Sisters Are Doin’ It for Themselves.” Did you intend to empower women in music?

No. I was just doing it, right? I was always being told, “Oh, you’re a strong woman.” And I’m, like, “Why am I getting this label? Don’t label me.” Now I realize that labels are very important. And I am a committed global feminist, especially since I had children. That’s where my feminist roots started to emerge about the empowerment of women.

Aretha Franklin (left) in a recording studio with Dave Stewart (middle) and Annie Lennox of the Eurythmics.

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Did you write the lyrics for “Sisters Are Doin’ It for Themselves?”

Yes. Dave [Stewart, her Eurythmics partner] would not write “Sisters are doin’ it for themselves.” That is why he’s spinning around with his guitar in the middle bit [of the video]. He’s, like, “What am I supposed to do?” And it was so funny. That was him as a man spinning around, trying to find his place.

Did you write it knowing Aretha would sing it with you?

No. Tina Turner turned it down. She didn’t think it was suitable for her. Aretha had never heard of us, but she agreed to sing. I was trying not to be intimidated. What I love about it is that song, and the spirit in it, if you look at the video, it’s a precursor of what is happening now in the feminist movement.

But what is the feminist movement? It’s a whole mixed bag of shape-shifting attitudes, mental values. It’s not like there’s an army of women that are all organized. It’s like connecting, and looking where there is injustice — everywhere. With social networking, now we can reach women in very far-flung areas where they haven’t had the privilege of education and all the things many of us in the West take for granted. Feminism is essential. Look at Afghanistan. They’re looking to eliminate women, except for being baby bearers and cooks.

Your own life has shifted in recent years.

Yeah, my life’s good ever since I met my husband [physician Mitchell Besser]. It’s been stable for 10 years. I think one of the reasons why I haven’t written so much is that that muse of sadness is gone. Maybe I will write again, I don’t know. I’m just leading my best life.

Annie Lennox performs during the second annual Earthshot Prize Awards Ceremony at the MGM Music Hall at Fenway in Boston.

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Do you still sing regularly?

Absolutely, I love to sing. The last time was November, in Boston, for the Earthshot Prize [for environmental achievements]. Over the last few years, I was afraid of playing and accompanying myself on piano, but I can do it. I did “Here Comes the Rain Again” on my own because I have the guts now.

Do you have to exercise to keep up your voice?

When we were performing for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame [in 2022], I found a wonderful vocal coach. We worked for a few weeks together just to polish up, to take the dust off.

Will you be doing that for the Joni Mitchell event?

Definitely. Because I want to give my best. We’ll all be on a high.

Are there younger singers you listen to now?

I don’t really listen to music. I live in a bubble of creativity in my own world. Like, Elton [John] keeps up with everyone and everybody, and I’m sort of the antithesis of that. I admire him so much. I don’t know how any human being can be so productive. And I just have to tell myself: “That’s not who I am.” The world of fame is a toxic place, and I choose to be low-key. It serves me better.