Lennox and Stewart returned to a rock/R&B sound for the album, and "Revival" is an uptempo tune which lyrically is a call for renewal and encouragement. The single reached number 26 in the UK, and was the duo's sixteenth (and final) Top 20 single in Australia. "Revival" was not released as a single in the United States.
Revival
Eurythmics Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You were stumblin' down the street
And by the look upon your face
I could tell you wasn't
Feeling too sweet
You dropped down to the bottom
That's what you gone and did
Livin' in a bad dream
Well, superman I've got news for you
And every body else that's listenin' too
There's a new way out if yer ready to hear
We're gonna make it clear
What we need is revival yeah!
Revival Woohoo
are are are Revival
Revival yeah
Look at that girl
She's the saddest thing you've ever seen
Washed up and faded
Like a dirty old pair of jeans
She's running round in circles
But she don't have a single friend
Looks like her own bitterness
Has twisted her till the end
Well, Mona Lisa look me in the eye
And tell me when you're gonna get satisfied
I'm gonna spell it out right in front of you
This is what you have to do
Get ready for revival!
Revival
are are are Revival Yeah
Revival [Repeat: x5]
R.E.V.I.V.A.L.
It's gonna lift you right up
From your prison cell
Play it out loud
Like a ringing bell
You go R.E.V.I.V.A.L.
Revival
The lyrics of Eurythmics's song Revival can be interpreted as a call for hope and change. The first verse talks about a person who has hit bottom and is living in a bad dream, but the singer tells them that there is a new way out if they are ready to hear it. The second verse highlights a girl who is running around in circles, bitter and alone, but again the singer offers a solution - it's time for revival.
The chorus consists of repetitive calls for revival, with a spelling out of the word "revival" to emphasize the need for a change. The lyrics mention that revival will lift people up from their prison cells and play out loud like a ringing bell, indicating that it's a powerful force for transformation.
Overall, the lyrics of Revival can be seen as a message of hope for people who feel trapped in their circumstances. The song encourages them to believe that change is possible and to take action to make it happen.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I passed you by this morning
I saw you as I was walking past you early in the morning
You were stumblin' down the street
You looked like you were walking unsteadily on the street
And by the look upon your face
The expression on your face suggested
I could tell you wasn't feeling too sweet
That you were not feeling good
You dropped down to the bottom
You fell to the lowest point
That's what you gone and did
That's what you did
Livin' in a bad dream
Living in a bad situation
Finally flipped your lid
Finally lost your patience
Well, superman I've got news for you
Hey, you who think you're invincible, listen to me
And every body else that's listenin' too
And everyone who's paying attention
There's a new way out if yer ready to hear
There's a new solution if you're willing to listen
We're gonna make it clear
We will explain it in detail
What we need is revival yeah!
What we need is a new beginning
Revival Woohoo
The joy of revival
are are are Revival
A repetition of the word revival for emphasis
Revival yeah
A new beginning, yeah!
Look at that girl
Take a look at that girl
She's the saddest thing you've ever seen
She appears to be the most depressed person you've ever seen
Washed up and faded
Tired and worn out
Like a dirty old pair of jeans
Like an old and worn out pair of pants
She's running round in circles
She's going around in circles
But she don't have a single friend
She doesn't have even one friend
Looks like her own bitterness
It seems like her own anger and frustration
Has twisted her till the end
Have destroyed her to the point of no return
Well, Mona Lisa look me in the eye
Hey Mona Lisa, look me straight in the eyes
And tell me when you're gonna get satisfied
And tell me when you're going to be happy
I'm gonna spell it out right in front of you
I will explain it very clearly to you
This is what you have to do
This is what you need to do
Get ready for revival!
Prepare for a new beginning
R.E.V.I.V.A.L.
The word revival as an acronym
It's gonna lift you right up
It will elevate you
From your prison cell
From your current, trapped situation
Play it out loud
Make it known to everyone
Like a ringing bell
Like a loud sound
You go R.E.V.I.V.A.L.
This is what you need to do for a new beginning
Revival
A new beginning
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ANNIE LENNOX, PAT SEYMORE, DAVE STEWART, CHARLIE WILSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Patrick Stocks
Well I passed you by this morning
You were stumblin down the street
And by the look upon your face
I could tell you wasn't
Feeling too sweet
You dropped down to the bottom
That's what you gone and did
Livin in a bad dream
Finally flipped your lid
Well, superman I've got news for you
And everybody else that's listen in' too
There's a new way out if yer ready to hear
We're gonna make it clear
What we need is revival yeah!
Revival Woohoo
Are are are Revival
Revival yeah
Look at that girl
She's the saddest thing you've ever seen
Washed up and faded
Like a dirty old pair of jeans
She's running round in circles
But she don't have a single friend
Looks like her own bitterness
Has twisted her till the end
Well, Mona Lisa look me in the eye
And tell me when you're gonna get satisfied
I'm gonna spell it out in front of you
This is what you have to do
Get ready for revival!
Revival
Are are are Revival Yeah
Revival (repeat: x5)
R.E.V.I.V.A.L.
It's gonna lift you right up
From your prison cell
Play it out loud
Like a ringing bell
You go R.E.V.I.V.A.L.
Revival
Jean-luc Raoul
Fun to see this video 24 years after the making of .this is my hand painting the last touch on the matte painting I made during the nite on the set with the space lights and the camera as companions. To be ready for the shooting at dawn.I remember Dave playing for us as a(very happy) few some covers from the Beatles it was a great moment of simplicity and friendship : so rare in this business. Thanks Dave . Recorded in Stains studios France .
Richard Gladle
Annie and Dave Thank You!
vanheist
Thanks for sharing that tidbit with everyone, it must have been really fun out there :)
Cristian Daniel Farias
Tengo el live 1983-1989 en CD doble álbum ! Conoci a eurhytmics con era excelente canción ! Definitivamente un gran grupo inglés
Laura Schuchard
One of my favorite videos. It is so upbeat & happy. Annie & Dave looked like they were really having fun! It is a feel good song!
yavieneelsol
Me fascina esta mujer, su voz, su belleza...todo.
Arsen Jaho
One of their best song, but surpisingly underrated!
alan burge
One of the best songs by this group I think. Great pop song. Feel good and uplifting too.
Carlos Cerdán
Its soul music
DGray78
Great song! I really enjoyed this album!