Missionary Man

Eurythmics

About Missionary Man

"Missionary Man" is a song by the British pop music duo Eurythmics. It was taken from their sixth album, Revenge, and continued the band's rock/R&B musical style of the time and featured Jimmy Zavala on harmonica and Joniece Jamison on back-up vocals. In the band's native UK, it was the fourth single to be taken from the album and peaked at number 31. It was more successful in the United States, where it was the first single to be taken from the album and peaked at number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 (becoming their last main US Top 20 hit to date). It also made the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot Dance/Club Play chart, and it received extensive airplay on American rock radio, reaching number 1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks, Eurythmics' only song to top this chart. The single was also a top ten hit in Australia, where it was released as the second single from the album. "Missionary Man" earned Eurythmics a 1986 Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal. 


Year:
1999
3:47
78 

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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
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.

Well the missionary man
He's got god on his side.
He's got the saints and apostles
Backin' 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 followin' me.
He said "Stop what you're doing."
"Get down upon your knees."
"I've a message for you that you better believe."

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Eurythmics

Eurythmics were a British music duo consisting of members Annie Lennox and David A. Stewart, now disbanded but known to reunite from time to time. Stewart and Lennox were both previously in the bands The Catch and The Tourists. Their musical style ranged from new wave and synthpop to pop rock and soft rock. Eurythmics originally came together in 1980 and disbanded in 1990. They reunited in 1999 and split again in 2005. The duo released their first album, In the Garden, in 1981 to little fanfare, but went on to achieve global success with their second album Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This), released in 1983. The title track was a worldwide hit, topping the chart in various countries including the US. more »

4 fans

Written by: ANNIE LENNOX, DAVID ALLAN STEWART

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Song Composition
"Missionary Man" was written by the members of the Eurythmics, Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart.
Album Appearance
The song was the lead single from their sixth studio album "Revenge", released in 1986.
Chart Performance
"Missionary Man" reached number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the Mainstream Rock chart in the United States.
Grammy Recognition
The song won the 1987 Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.
Lyric Interpretation
The song is often interpreted as an ironic commentary on religious zealots.
Music Video
The music video for "Missionary Man" followed a heavy religious theme, with Annie Lennox shown as various biblical figures like David, Delilah, and Jezebel.
Sound Design
The song stands out for its heavy use of harmonica, bringing a blues-rock sound to the synth-pop duo.
Cover Versions
"Missionary Man" has been covered by bands like Ghost, a Swedish rock band, as part of their 2018 album "Prequelle".
Personal Inspiration
Annie Lennox reportedly drew on her own upbringing in a strict religious environment to provide context and inspiration for the song's lyrics.
Live Performances
The song remains a constant during live performances by Eurythmics and has also formed part of Annie Lennox's solo tours.

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    Missionary Man

    5.7M
    33,101     1,075

    Top Hot 100 Songs 1986

    Billboard #14


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