"Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves" is a 1985 song recorded as a duet by the British pop duo Eurythmics and American soul/R&B singer Aretha Franklin. It was released as a single by RCA Records in October 1985, and was featured on both Eurythmics' Be Yourself Tonight and Franklin's Who's Zoomin' Who? albums.
"Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves" is considered to be a modern feminist anthem and was written by Eurythmics' Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart. They had originally intended to duet with Tina Turner, who was unavailable at the time and so the duo approached Aretha Franklin instead.
The song was highly successful, reaching #9 on the UK Singles Chart and #18 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. It also peaked at #10 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart.
The track also features three of Tom Petty's Heartbreakers; Stan Lynch on drums, Benmont Tench on organ, and Mike Campbell on lead guitar, plus session bassist Nathan East.
This music video was taped at Detroit's Music Hall. The video is interspersed with clips from old black and white films, including 1962's A Kind of Loving. The video uses the single version of the song, as opposed to the album version.
7"
A: "Sisters Are Doin' It For Themselves" (7" Version) - 4:35
B: "I Love You Like A Ball And Chain" (LP Version) - 4:08
12"
A1: "Sisters Are Doin' It For Themselves" (LP Version) - 5:54
B1: "Sisters Are Doin' It For Themselves" (ET Mix) - 7:53
B2: "I Love You Like A Ball And Chain" (LP Version) - 4:08
The song was performed by the cartoon character Lisa Simpson (as sung by actress Yeardley Smith) along with Ann & Nancy Wilson and Lisa's aunts Patty and Selma Bouvier on The Yellow Album released in 1998.
Often performed live by British supergroup Spice Girls, a recording of the song (in live performance) was released in 1998 as the third track on the maxi-single for the song Goodbye.
In 2005, The Pointer Sisters recorded a cover version of the song with Belgian singer Natalia. The single was released only in Belgium in October 2005 and reached number two on the Belgian singles chart.
Dutch singer Raffaëla Paton, winner of the 3rd season of the reality series Idols Netherlands, recorded a cover of the song with Idols runner-up Floortje Smit. Their rendition was included on Paton's 2006 debut album Raffaëla.
Hazell Dean recorded a cover version of this song with American Diva Marina in 1998 on MRK Records.
The television show Xena: Warrior Princess featured a cover of the song by actress Lucy Lawless in the episode Lyre, Lyre, Hearts on Fire.
Eurythmics
Annie Lennox – vocals, keyboards
David A. Stewart – guitars, keyboards
Additional personnel
Nathan East – bass guitar
Stan Lynch – drums
Mike Campbell – lead guitar
Benmont Tench – organ
Aretha Franklin – guest vocals
The Charles Williams Singers – gospel choir
In 1986 prior to her music career, Kylie Minogue and sister Dannii performed a live cover version of the song on Australian TV Show Young Talent Time.
In 1998 the Spice Girls performed a live cover version of the song on their Spiceworld Tour, as a duet between Mel C (Sporty Spice) and Mel B (Scary Spice). They also performed it on TFI Friday.
In 2011 Christina Aguilera, Martina McBride, Florence Welch, Jennifer Hudson & Yolanda Adams covered this song at 53rd Grammy Awards.
