Lennox embarked on a solo career in 1992 with her debut 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. Her 1995 studio album, Medusa, includes cover versions of songs such as "No More "I Love You's"'" and "A Whiter Shade of Pale". To date, she has released six solo studio albums and a compilation album, The Annie Lennox Collection (2009). With eight Brit Awards, which includes being named Best British Female Artist a record six times, Lennox has been named the "Brits Champion of Champions". She has also collected four Grammy Awards and an MTV Video Music Award. In 2002, Lennox received a Billboard Century Award; the highest accolade from Billboard. In 2004, she received the Golden Globe and the Academy Award for Best Original Song for "Into the West", written for the soundtrack to the feature film The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.
Lennox's vocal range is contralto. She has been named "The Greatest White Soul Singer Alive" by VH1 and one of The 100 Greatest Singers of All Time by Rolling Stone. In 2012, she was rated No. 22 on VH1's 100 Greatest Women in Music. In June 2013 the Official Charts Company called her "the most successful female British artist in UK music history". As of June 2008, including her work with Eurythmics, Lennox had sold over 80 million records worldwide. As part of a one-hour symphony of British Music, Lennox performed "Little Bird" during the 2012 Summer Olympics closing ceremony in London. At the 2015 Ivor Novello Awards, Lennox was made a fellow of the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors (The Ivors Academy), the first woman to receive the honour. Lennox and her Eurythmics partner Dave Stewart were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2020, and the duo were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022.
In addition to her career as a musician, Lennox is also a political and social activist, raising money and awareness for HIV/AIDS as it affects women and children in Africa. She founded the Sing campaign in 2007 and founded a women's empowerment charity called The Circle in 2008. In 2011, Lennox was appointed an OBE by Queen Elizabeth II for her "tireless charity campaigns and championing of humanitarian causes". On 4 June 2012, she performed at the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Concert in front of Buckingham Palace. In 2017, Lennox was appointed Glasgow Caledonian University's first female chancellor.
Studio albums
Diva (1992)
Medusa (1995)
Bare (2003)
Songs of Mass Destruction (2007)
A Christmas Cornucopia (2010)
Nostalgia (2014)
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Annie Lennox Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For Jesus Christ, our Savior was born on Christmas Day
To save us all from Satan's powers when we were gone astray
Glad tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
Glad tidings of comfort and joy
And laid within a manger upon this blessed morn
The which His Mother Mary did nothing take in scorn
Oh, tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
Oh, tidings of comfort and joy
From God our Heavenly Father a blessed angel came
And unto certain shepherds brought tidings of the same
How that in Bethlehem was born the Son of God by name
Oh, tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
Oh, tidings of comfort and joy
"Fear not then, said the angel, let nothing you affright
This day is born a Savior of a pure virgin bright
To free all those who trust in Him from Satan's power and might"
Oh, tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
Oh, tidings of comfort and joy
Now to the Lord sing praises, all you within this place
And with true love and brotherhood each other now embrace
This holy tide of Christmas all other doth deface
Oh, tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
Oh, tidings of comfort and joy
Annie Lennox's version of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" is a classic approach to one of the oldest known Christmas carols that dates back to 16th century England. Throughout the song, there is a consistent message of comfort and joy intertwined with the story of the birth of Jesus Christ. The first verse provides a reminder not to feel discouraged or dismayed because of the birth of the savior of mankind. The second verse goes on to describe Jesus being born in Bethlehem and lying in a manger, respected and revered by his mother Mary. The third verse talks about the revelation of the Savior's birth to shepherds by an angel, and the fourth verse emphasizes the heavenly significance of Christ's birth - His destiny to save humanity from the powers of Satan.
The final verse suggests that at the sight of Christ's birth, rejoicing and brotherhood flourished in the world, while Christmas overshadowed all other holy or special days. It ties in with the overall tone of the song as one that encourages people to embrace the season of the Messiah's birth with love and togetherness. In summary, "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" is a celebration of Christ's birth, intended to inspire joy, hope, and goodwill to all.
Line by Line Meaning
God rest ye merry gentlemen, let nothing you dismay
May you find peace and joy, gentlemen, do not be discouraged or troubled
For Jesus Christ, our Savior was born on Christmas Day
Because on this Christmas day, Jesus Christ, our Savior has been born
To save us all from Satan's powers when we were gone astray
He has come to redeem us all from the grip of Satan, when we were lost and wandering
Glad tidings of comfort and joy
This is a message of joyous news and great comfort
Comfort and joy
The news is so comforting that it brings nothing but joy
In Bethlehem, in Israel this blessed Babe was born
This blessed baby was born in Bethlehem, Israel
And laid within a manger upon this blessed morn
He was placed on a manger on this blessed morning
The which His Mother Mary did nothing take in scorn
His mother, Mary, did not look down upon this humble beginning
Oh, tidings of comfort and joy
Oh, what great news that brings comfort and joy
From God our Heavenly Father a blessed angel came
An angel sent from our Heavenly Father came to us
And unto certain shepherds brought tidings of the same
This angel brought the same joyful news to a few shepherds
How that in Bethlehem was born the Son of God by name
That the Son of God was born in Bethlehem
Oh, tidings of comfort and joy
Oh, what great news that brings comfort and joy
Fear not then, said the angel, let nothing you affright
The angel said, do not be afraid or frightened
This day is born a Savior of a pure virgin bright
Today, a Savior has been born of a pure and bright virgin
To free all those who trust in Him from Satan's power and might
He has come to break the power and might of Satan, for those who trust in Him
Now to the Lord sing praises, all you within this place
Let us sing praises to the Lord, all those who are here
And with true love and brotherhood each other now embrace
Let us embrace each other with true love and brotherhood
This holy tide of Christmas all other doth deface
This holy time of Christmas is superior to all other times
Oh, tidings of comfort and joy
Oh, what great news that brings comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
This news is so comforting that it brings nothing but joy
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Spirit Music Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: ANNIE LENNOX, MIKE STEVENS, DP
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
mightymissk
This video is like stepping inside an old Victorian Christmas card. I just love the drumbeat, the riff that flows through the melody. It even sounds like something from another century. And then of course there's the glorious voice of Annie Lennox. I just love this!
Candace Lindeman
My thoughts exactly. Like a living Christmas card! Loved it!
Barb Z
It is indeed from another century. Or rather, 5 centuries.
Catherine Luther
I love the scenes of Victorian Christmases. And this song sums it up beautifully. ❤❤❤.
ThunderstormQueen39
Can we all just agree that Annie's vocals are so powerful and strong it's unbelievable.
Shantha George
Oh yes! I was saying that to my son when I saw your comment. Amazing!
Russell Naylor
It’s Her faith in Jesus Christ that turns this into a quasi-battle cry.
Shantha George
@Russell Naylor It is. No doubt about that.
Наталья Федорова
@Russell Naylorвот так нужно проповедовать Евангелие, исповедовать свою веру и радоваться что ты христианин
Angelo Iodice
Yes, Annie is one of God’s most delightful creations.