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Eurythmics — Missionary Man
Album: Greatest Hits
Avg rating:
7.2

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2933









Released: 1991
Length: 3:42
Plays (last 30 days): 2
Well I was born an original sinner
I was born from original sin
And if I had a dollar bill for all the things I've done
There'd be a mountain of money piled up to my chin

My mother told me good, my mother told me strong
She said, be true to yourself and you can't go wrong
But there's just one thing that you must understand
You can fool with your brother
But don't mess with a missionary man
Don't mess with a missionary man
Don't mess with a missionary man
Don't mess with a missionary man

Oh, the missionary man, he's got God on his side
He's got the saints and apostles backing up from behind
Black eyed looks from those Bible books
He's a man with a mission, got a serious mind
There was a woman in the jungle and a monkey on a tree
The missionary man, he was following me
He said, stop what you're doing, get down upon your knees
I've a message for you that you better believe

Well I was born an original sinner
I was borne from original sin
And if I had a dollar bill for all the things I've done
There'd be a mountain of money

Don't mess with a missionary man
Missionary man
Missionary man
Missionary man
Don't mess with a missionary man
Missionary man
Comments (175)add comment
 Queue wrote:

OMG that bass line is heavy and driving!!!   Good stuff!

yes, we heard this a lot on the radio in the 80's, maybe too much, but it's so good!




I agree. It is even better now in FLAC w/ great studio phones, amp & DAC!  Thanx RP!  
 Jelani wrote:


Thank You for the info!
 Stephen_Phillips wrote:

I used to think Annie Lennox was a great singer - now I am not so sure. The more I listen very carefully to her songs she definitely has a powerful voice but it is only on a very limited vocal range. To exceed her limited mid-range voice she has to resort to 'head singing' or falsetto with quite a noticeable 'step change' between the two. When she goes below her range she get very 'breathy' - more air movement than singing.

This song perfectly illustrates what I am saying - it is all sung on two or three notes which are in her strong range - probably written specifically for her by David Stewart who knows her strengths and weaknesses.

I still like listening to Annie but if you ever hear her singing something not specifically written for her then it unfortunately exposes this limitation in her vocal abilities.

But when she really belts our her strong notes she is very powerful and moving.

Not hating - just giving my thoughts that y'all can comment on...



https://www.youtube.com/watch?...
OMG that bass line is heavy and driving!!!   Good stuff!

yes, we heard this a lot on the radio in the 80's, maybe too much, but it's so good!
Jimmy Zavala is the harmonica player. So says the Wiki man.
Always loved how Annie goes balls-out on this one.  Nice to hear this on RP.
 Stephen_Phillips wrote:

I used to think Annie Lennox was a great singer - now I am not so sure. The more I listen very carefully to her songs she definitely has a powerful voice but it is only on a very limited vocal range. To exceed her limited mid-range voice she has to resort to 'head singing' or falsetto with quite a noticeable 'step change' between the two. When she goes below her range she get very 'breathy' - more air movement than singing.

This song perfectly illustrates what I am saying - it is all sung on two or three notes which are in her strong range - probably written specifically for her by David Stewart who knows her strengths and weaknesses.

I still like listening to Annie but if you ever hear her singing something not specifically written for her then it unfortunately exposes this limitation in her vocal abilities.

But when she really belts our her strong notes she is very powerful and moving.

Not hating - just giving my thoughts that y'all can comment on...



OK. What a stupid comment.
 DaidyBoy wrote:


She shared the stage with Ms Lennox pretty well, from what I remember.  And rightly so too.  Stunning stuff.

Harmonica guy was scarily talented too.


Who was playing harmonica?  Likely a Hohner Blues Harp.  I had the full collection, one in every key.  Sounded best when the reeds were slightly damp.  Just run one under the tap in cool water for a few seconds and let air dry for a while.  

Dan Aykroyd, as "Elwood Blues", carried his blues harmonicas in a briefcase that he kept handcuffed to his wrist, in the manner of a CIA courier; Belushi originally carried the key to those handcuffs.
  
 Solanus wrote:

Joniece Jamison with background vocals



She shared the stage with Ms Lennox pretty well, from what I remember.  And rightly so too.  Stunning stuff.

Harmonica guy was scarily talented too.
Could I seriously doubt this rocks?
This harmonica guy was in our shithole few years ago. Thanks for the memories. 
Try out the cover by Ghost, it's also very nice. 
Peak 1980s. 
Absolute peak.
Missionary Man GIF by Eurythmics
 Stephen_Phillips wrote:

I used to think Annie Lennox was a great singer - now I am not so sure. The more I listen very carefully to her songs she definitely has a powerful voice but it is only on a very limited vocal range. To exceed her limited mid-range voice she has to resort to 'head singing' or falsetto with quite a noticeable 'step change' between the two. When she goes below her range she get very 'breathy' - more air movement than singing.

This song perfectly illustrates what I am saying - it is all sung on two or three notes which are in her strong range - probably written specifically for her by David Stewart who knows her strengths and weaknesses.

I still like listening to Annie but if you ever hear her singing something not specifically written for her then it unfortunately exposes this limitation in her vocal abilities.

But when she really belts our her strong notes she is very powerful and moving.

Not hating - just giving my thoughts that y'all can comment on...




Hard to enjoy the music while dissecting it. 
 Stephen_Phillips wrote:

I used to think Annie Lennox was a great singer - now I am not so sure. The more I listen very carefully to her songs she definitely has a powerful voice but it is only on a very limited vocal range. To exceed her limited mid-range voice she has to resort to 'head singing' or falsetto with quite a noticeable 'step change' between the two. When she goes below her range she get very 'breathy' - more air movement than singing.

This song perfectly illustrates what I am saying - it is all sung on two or three notes which are in her strong range - probably written specifically for her by David Stewart who knows her strengths and weaknesses.

I still like listening to Annie but if you ever hear her singing something not specifically written for her then it unfortunately exposes this limitation in her vocal abilities.

But when she really belts our her strong notes she is very powerful and moving.

Not hating - just giving my thoughts that y'all can comment on...



I heard her cover of A Whiter Shade of Pale and it brought shivers...
Joniece Jamison with background vocals
 user4176 wrote:


If you are trying to insinuate that Annie Lennox does not sing Mariah Carey / Withney Houston style, then you are correct.


Also, did he note the amazing background vocals. Also, the side of Annie Lennox with range. This was a duo. That's it.
 Stephen_Phillips wrote:

I used to think Annie Lennox was a great singer - now I am not so sure. The more I listen very carefully to her songs she definitely has a powerful voice but it is only on a very limited vocal range. To exceed her limited mid-range voice she has to resort to 'head singing' or falsetto with quite a noticeable 'step change' between the two. When she goes below her range she get very 'breathy' - more air movement than singing.

This song perfectly illustrates what I am saying - it is all sung on two or three notes which are in her strong range - probably written specifically for her by David Stewart who knows her strengths and weaknesses.

I still like listening to Annie but if you ever hear her singing something not specifically written for her then it unfortunately exposes this limitation in her vocal abilities.

But when she really belts our her strong notes she is very powerful and moving.

Not hating - just giving my thoughts that y'all can comment on...



This particular song may illustrate your assertion because structurally it is essentially a blues song - a genre which historically uses a pentatonic (5-note) scale for its melodies.  Maybe it's just press-kit publicity, but according to what I've read of her, she has a three-octave, contralto range.
exactly what evil wants you to believe.
 oldfart48 wrote:
most of the worlds problems are caused by MISSIONARY MEN. ignore their lies. no such thing as sin .just evil.
Note to BillG - a segue to 'Jesus He Knows Me' would start a theme...



 bev wrote:
Oh yeah...

{#Bananajam}

Annie...oh...your voice gives me chills!!! {#Music}

Stop what you're doing, get down upon your knees
I've a message for you
That you'd better
believe
believe
believe
believe
believe
believe
... and don't forget 'ar Monica!
 Aud wrote:


Don't forget those "pious" missionary women! If only I could....
 

Missionary Position Man?
 joanferva wrote:
who plays the harp?! F... good!!!
 
Jimmy Zavala

who plays the harp?! F... good!!!
 user4176 wrote:


If you are trying to insinuate that Annie Lennox does not sing Mariah Carey / Withney Houston style, then you are correct.
 
Damn you to hell Stephen_Phillips
Guilty pleasure :)
Excellent segue from Kaleo!
 user4176 wrote:


If you are trying to insinuate that Annie Lennox does not sing Mariah Carey / Withney Houston style, then you are correct.
 
Annie Lennox wrote this and a lot of the other Eurythmics' songs.  Jeez, we're in 2020 and people still think the man must be the talented one.  
 ckcotton wrote:
Uggggg MTV WAAAAAAAYYYYY overplayed this back in the day.

Its STILL too soon....
 
Sometimes songs are popular because they're good
A solid 10 rocker!
 user4176 wrote:


No, that would be Take On Me ;-)
 
Anything that mtv did annoyed me
 ckcotton wrote:
Perhaps the most annoying song MTV overplayed....

 
 

No, that would be Take On Me ;-)
 Bleyfusz wrote:
Some songs you hear time and again over the years. Nothing ever happens, and suddenly you stop from what you're doing and really listen, and you say, wow, how could it be?
 

True, and it goes both ways. "How could I ever have not noticed/liked that song?" as well as "Why tf could I ever think this was good?"
 Stephen_Phillips wrote:
I used to think Annie Lennox was a great singer - now I am not so sure. The more I listen very carefully to her songs she definitely has a powerful voice but it is only on a very limited vocal range. To exceed her limited mid-range voice she has to resort to 'head singing' or falsetto with quite a noticeable 'step change' between the two. When she goes below her range she get very 'breathy' - more air movement than singing.

This song perfectly illustrates what I am saying - it is all sung on two or three notes which are in her strong range - probably written specifically for her by David Stewart who knows her strengths and weaknesses.

I still like listening to Annie but if you ever hear her singing something not specifically written for her then it unfortunately exposes this limitation in her vocal abilities.

But when she really belts our her strong notes she is very powerful and moving.

Not hating - just giving my thoughts that y'all can comment on...
 

If you are trying to insinuate that Annie Lennox does not sing Mariah Carey / Withney Houston style, then you are correct.
Believe, believe, believe, believe.  That stanza is so powerful, it gives me  chills every time.
 Stephen_Phillips wrote:
I used to think Annie Lennox was a great singer - now I am not so sure. The more I listen very carefully to her songs she definitely has a powerful voice but it is only on a very limited vocal range. To exceed her limited mid-range voice she has to resort to 'head singing' or falsetto with quite a noticeable 'step change' between the two. When she goes below her range she get very 'breathy' - more air movement than singing.

This song perfectly illustrates what I am saying - it is all sung on two or three notes which are in her strong range - probably written specifically for her by David Stewart who knows her strengths and weaknesses.

I still like listening to Annie but if you ever hear her singing something not specifically written for her then it unfortunately exposes this limitation in her vocal abilities.

But when she really belts our her strong notes she is very powerful and moving.

Not hating - just giving my thoughts that y'all can comment on...
 
Uh, have you ever listened to any of her recent solo work?
I used to think Annie Lennox was a great singer - now I am not so sure. The more I listen very carefully to her songs she definitely has a powerful voice but it is only on a very limited vocal range. To exceed her limited mid-range voice she has to resort to 'head singing' or falsetto with quite a noticeable 'step change' between the two. When she goes below her range she get very 'breathy' - more air movement than singing.

This song perfectly illustrates what I am saying - it is all sung on two or three notes which are in her strong range - probably written specifically for her by David Stewart who knows her strengths and weaknesses.

I still like listening to Annie but if you ever hear her singing something not specifically written for her then it unfortunately exposes this limitation in her vocal abilities.

But when she really belts our her strong notes she is very powerful and moving.

Not hating - just giving my thoughts that y'all can comment on...
Perhaps the most annoying song MTV overplayed....

 
I prefer the Procol Harum song of the same title.
Worst song ever from the Eurythmics.  Ugh!
 ckcotton wrote:
Uggggg MTV WAAAAAAAYYYYY overplayed this back in the day.

Its STILL too soon....

 
Your comment implies that MTV once played music.  That's just silly.
Uggggg MTV WAAAAAAAYYYYY overplayed this back in the day.

Its STILL too soon....
Some songs you hear time and again over the years. Nothing ever happens, and suddenly you stop from what you're doing and really listen, and you say, wow, how could it be?
 mdnlsn wrote:
Maybe RP should move to rating songs based on the number of dancing banana emoticons given. 

 
{#Cheesygrin} {#Dancingbanana_2}
{#Dancingbanana_2}
 

mdnlsn wrote:
Maybe RP should move to rating songs based on the number of dancing banana emoticons given. 

 


Maybe RP should move to rating songs based on the number of dancing banana emoticons given. 
NOW you're talking! 
Best concert opener EVAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!  Zippered leather curtain through which Annie appears.  {#Dancingbanana_2}{#Bananajam}{#Bananapiano}{#Dancingbanana}
Kinda rocking, yeah! {#Dancingbanana_2}
Ho hum
I remember the harmonica guy on the Revenge tour.  Astonishingly godlike.
oh hell yeah ~ Annie rocks.. {#Dancingbanana_2}
Me likey like, then and now.
{#Dancingbanana} 
A rocker then and a rocker now.  {#Dancingbanana_2}
Wow.  Another Eurythmics song I've never heard and that is rocking my world. 
Despite my age, I pretty much missed the 'Mics -  didn't understand their thing. 
I certainly was into Lennox' s solo stuff, though. 

Now I  have the privilege of discovering the duo's music and finding there was much more than SWEET DREAMS and HERE COMES THE RAIN to like! 

For this and so much more, THANK YOU, BILL !!!  {#Sunny}
 rdo wrote:
Are you saying all rapists should go free?
 
What? Do you really think that there is a shred of truth that he (Julian Assange) is NOT being stitched up? Good grief man, you really need to wise up, read some media that is not controlled mainstream please.  
Goddess style.  Yea!  {#Clap}
 Stingray wrote:
FUCK ALL FREAKIN' MISSIONAIRY MEN!

FREE JULIAN!

 
Are you saying all rapists should go free?
OROGINAL SIN?  believing some fast talking con telling you you are damned for not giving him your money, and shutting up while he molests your kids.
The video is g-dlike too  
 oldfart48 wrote:
most of the worlds problems are caused by MISSIONARY MEN. ignore their lies. no such thing as sin .just evil.

 

Don't forget those "pious" missionary women! If only I could....
Well bugger me if I'm not back on the old school bus coming home from high school.  This was our drivers favourite and from all observable facts only cassette.  Just for you Rossco (nose held to attain correct vocal register) "Shut your mouths and shut the windows" ahhh good times.  
most of the worlds problems are caused by MISSIONARY MEN. ignore their lies. no such thing as sin .just evil.
Nobody in my shoes has heard this song in ages.
Everyone in my shoes is rocking on this classic!
                         {#Jump}
Don't mess with the Michelin Man??  
Oh yeah...

{#Bananajam}

Annie...oh...your voice gives me chills!!! {#Music}

Stop what you're doing, get down upon your knees
I've a message for you
That you'd better
believe
believe
believe
believe
believe
believe

Everybody in my mushrooming multitude of churches be dancing right this minute...  love this song...
 
 Darkmatter wrote:
Ah, I remember seeing Annie in the video for this song woke up some *ahem* certain sensations in my young self when I first saw it way back in the 80's. And for that, I will always remember it fondly.  {#Redface}{#Whipit}
 
Yes, she looks very hot in the video. Didn't they do one with cows in it? Would love to see that again. Never watched that many music videos in their heyday so I feel a mixture of nostalgia and peering-through-the-fingers hysterical laughter at them now. 
Ah, I remember seeing Annie in the video for this song woke up some *ahem* certain sensations in my young self when I first saw it way back in the 80's. And for that, I will always remember it fondly.  {#Redface}{#Whipit}

Everybody in my church loves this song...
 
sounds like some INXS hits
I was about to walk away from my cubicle when this started and made me sit back down.
Definitely not their or her best, but Annie Lennox's voice always blows me away, regardless of what style she's using.  
Man, oh man, oh MAN!  Have mercy!  Great set of non-traditional Rock and Roll, Bill!  Thanks for a nice end to my workday ...
Saw them in a very small venue,boy she was hot and the band as tight as tight can be.
i have a thing for red bras..{#Embarassed}
I've always liked this song.  I like how Bill doesn't let the decade, by itself, affect his judgement of what a good song is.  Granted, the 80s are probably the decade with the fewest tracks on RP, but that's a Good Thing.

They seem like really nice people, but I am sorry I could never stand anything either of these guys have ever done! No sir, don't like it.{#No}
She hit me like a ton of bricks way back in the day ... and probably all male MTV watchers back then.  Attitude, clothes, shoes, haircut, and what a voice.  Oh yeah, the band was really good, too.
 coy wrote:
thank the lord for annie lennox
 
7 + 1 for playing

Simply unbearable.
This song is cheap - but in the most likeable way!
 whtahtefcuk wrote:
the wife quote just before I hit mute.... "Oh God Bill this is the bottom of the barrel."

 

{#Lol}
 Tommyknocker wrote:
This song sucked in the '80s too.
 

Yes surrrr!{#Cheers} 1 is being kind.{#Puke}
 Stingray wrote:
FUCK ALL FREAKIN' MISSIONAIRY MEN!

FREE JULIAN!

 
dude can you calm down ?
you sound like a missionary man

FUCK ALL FREAKIN' MISSIONAIRY MEN!

FREE JULIAN!

thank the lord for annie lennox
deserves a higher rating ..
Mmm, nice Friday pick-me-up.
Is this about Tom Cruise and "SCIEN"TOLOGY,
believe-believe-believe-believe-believe....
money-money-money-money-money...?


exercise class ... to this ... no, back to bed for me ...
Bill, what a nice nighttime collection! I love all those retro song you played during the last hours...even though it's daytime in Europe.
Great song !
This song sucked in the '80s too.
 rtb wrote:

"Dear Mr. Byrne:
You know you're the RP punching bag when....."

As for this song. Sadly murdered by commercial radio overplay. 
 
one play is overplay. this song was murdered by recording it.
 iscoot4peace wrote:
How embrrassing to have this train wreck of a "song" on your "greatest hits" collection.  1
 
even the harmonica sucks.
How embrrassing to have this train wreck of a "song" on your "greatest hits" collection.  1
 DaveInVA wrote:
Not exactly my cup -o-tea but better than David Bryne/Talking Heads anyways...
 
Need to borrow a "blunt gardening tool"?


Conversly as opposed to CREAMY, this is more Half/Half, as a follow up to Tull's A New Day Yesterday
 DaveInVA wrote:
Not exactly my cup -o-tea but better than David Bryne/Talking Heads anyways...
 
"Dear Mr. Byrne:
You know you're the RP punching bag when....."

As for this song. Sadly murdered by commercial radio overplay. 
I remember this song from exercise class 20-some years ago.  It was one of my favorites.

 crockydile wrote:
What the hell is this song about? {#Eek}
   XX X-rated !

Not exactly my cup -o-tea but better than David Bryne/Talking Heads anyways...
What the hell is this song about? {#Eek}
Nice!  I haven't heard this in eons.  It has held up way better than I would have thought.
 redtex wrote:
Talent. Strength. Passion. Packaged with interesting lyrics....what's not to like?
 
{#High-five} You said it!

the wife quote just before I hit mute.... "Oh God Bill this is the bottom of the barrel."

 tro_73 wrote:
I've always loved this song :))
 
I've always loved Annie! {#Redface}

I've always loved this song :))
{#Dancingbanana}
 Frater_Kork wrote:
Oh Hells Yeah!
 
For Sures!

Oh Hells Yeah!
 randomprime wrote:
Uh, no. Chimpanzees. Is the UK's public school system as hopeless as ours in the US?
 
Uh, no, Bonobo's I believe.

 a_genuine_find wrote:
Missionary Monkey?
 
Looking at this picture reminds me of talking to my idiot teenagers, "But DAAAAAAAD!  Your generation couldn't possibly have invented SEX!  You old foggies just aren't cool enough."

So now we know the truth ...................... These really WERE the first...............{#Smile}
Got a soft spot for Annie Lennox as a solo artist, and with the Eurythmics.  Great stuff, well done - some of it was pop-ish, but there is such a thing as great pop.  Music can be enjoyable, brilliant even, and toe-tapping without 'society sucks' or 'love hurts' type messages.
Inaccurate taxonomy isn't funny either, apeman.{#Cowboy}  

 rtrudeau wrote:
Well, Missionary Chimpanzees isn't funny, now is it?
 


 EssexTex wrote:
Crap lyrics...and what's wrong with the "Missionary" anyway?

 
Lots.

randomprime wrote:
Uh, no. Chimpanzees. Is the UK's public school system as hopeless as ours in the US?
Well, Missionary Chimpanzees isn't funny, now is it?
{#Bounce}Great to hear after such a long time... I always play this when I am really upset about something, I just blast it! Love Annie Lennox!!

Crap lyrics...and what's wrong with the "Missionary" anyway?
a_genuine_find wrote:
Missionary Monkey?
Uh, no. Chimpanzees. Is the UK's public school system as hopeless as ours in the US?