The release begins on a very strong note with "Why" which showcases the strength, power and beauty of Annie's voice, accompanied by lush, beautiful orchestration. It's no wonder this song was a huge success as a single in 1992. "Walking on Broken Glass" was also released as a single and had a lot of success; it still gets played a lot today on light rock stations. This is a very strong and uplifting song. Unfortunately for me, some of its initial power and edge has been lost because it has been overplayed, but that's just a personal interjection. "Precious" gives us a bit of the soul rock flavor that Eurythmics' fans are familiar with; this is a fantastic and strong attitude song. "Legend in My Living Room" is another fantastic soul-rock attitude song that tells it like it is; you'll be struttin' around with your hands on your hips and singing along. "Cold" returns us to the deep, lush, melancholic feel we started with in "Why" with just a bit of attitude thrown in. "Money Can't Buy It" is a power pop attitude song enhanced by powerful lyrics; you'll be swaying, clapping, and singing along to this one. "Little Bird" is a catchy, fantastic, happy dance-and-sing-along song. However, this is one of those rare occasions where the dance remix of the song actually surpassed the brilliant original (thanks to Utah Saints, this song was a resounding dance floor smash). Other reviewers have nailed the beautiful "Precious" with a single word - atmospheric. The beginning orchestration to "Stay By Me" had me thinking this was going to be a sappy pop song. But as soon as Annie begins to sing, you become mesmerized by the beauty of her voice; this is a beautifully crafted song. "The Gift" is a powerful yet subtle piece, very deep with emotion; it reminds me of the Blue Nile's release Hats. The CD concludes on a wonderfully fun note with "Keep Young and Beautiful." This is Annie's remake of an old classic, which is executed perfectly, from her voice down to the old style sound and record scratches. I can totally see Annie as a flapper singing this in a speakeasy!

Falling in among my top 20 releases of all time, this release easily gets a 5 star rating. Whether you let this album stand alone or compare it with other Annie and Eurythmics releases, this is one of the (if not THE) strongest albums released by Annie Lennox. Furthermore, this is a strong piece of art in and of itself, and anyone who appreciates great pop rock will love this album. Whether you are a fan of great orchestration, fantastic and talented voices, or well-written and thoughtful lyrics, this album has everything for everyone. I would recommend this album to almost anyone. The only qualifier I would place is that a certain level of maturity would enhance listening to this release, allowing the listener to really understand the lyrics and let them truly make an impact.

This is a fun, brilliant, powerful masterpiece. Buy it. If you already own it, play it. The experience will be worth every moment.


It will touch your soul.   November 6, 1999
Kathy Hornik (Santee, California USA)
15 out of 15 found this review helpful

I have bought many other cds from many other artists, and after a few times of listening to them, they end up on the shelf collecting dust. This has never happened with 'Diva'. Annie speaks to your soul with her music. "Why", "Cold", these songs I have never grown tired of. They can still make me bawl like a baby. Annie Lennox's voice and vocal energy on this album...how can I do her justice with mere words, she touches your soul and your heart with her incredible vocal talent and the emotion she pours out in each tune. You can feel her pain, her love and, yes, sometimes even contempt in each word she sings. Her voice is hauntingly beautiful, wonderfully soulful, and deliciously creamy. She is one the greatest female singers of our century and this album proves it.


First solo album is more laid back, bittersweet affair   December 11, 2003
Daniel J. Hamlow (Utsunomiya City, Japan)
15 out of 19 found this review helpful

There was no question that Annie Lennox was going to make it solo. Face it, she was the prominent and more visible part of Eurythmics, while her cohort Dave Stewart did...uh...let's see... Seriously though, Lennox's first solo effort Diva has her more the queen of bad love and doom, and that deep timbre of a melodic voice of hers rings truly here. The music here lacks the hooks of Eurythmics songs such as "Thorn In My Side" or "Sweet Dreams." No, this is a more serious affair. The bitterness of songs like "Don't Ask Me Why" are there, though.

Synths and high octave piano form a lush but poignant backing on "Why", on words and thoughts on a life that have never come out into the open, and the life that will be lead instead. The list of things she describes after the last verse comprises that, "the book I never read", "the words I never said", "the path I'll never tread", etc. Her whispering "I don't think you know how I feel" addresses this lack of communication.

A kind of brisk tempo highlights the strings-laden "Walking On Broken Glass." The title is in reference to her life, which has been shattered, and hence she feels like she's... well... A very Buddhist outlook on life is shown when she sings "now everyone one of us was made to suffer/everyone of us was made to weep."

A slow but steady drum machine sets the tempo for "Precious", punctuated by bass and airy synths, rejoicing on the arrival of a special one who's a breath of fresh air after being "covered up with sadness" and being cynical and twisted all the years. The repeated refrain "Well I was lost until you came" enhances that message as well.

The bitter disappointment of dreams sunken by reality leading to a hard life on a dead end street is what "Legend In My Living Room" portrays. With lines as "I've shed my tears in bitter drops until the thorn trees bloomed/to take the spiky fruit to crown myself the Queen of doom", this is obviously not a happy song.

"Cold" features the same airy synths and pianos as "Why," a languid tempo, and Annie's gospel-like soul backing vocals. Cold is what Annie wants to feel less of lest she be frozen over due to a lack of reciprocated love. The line that really struck me was "Dying is easy, it's living that scares me to death."

In "Money Can't Buy It", Annie sings against materialism and to drive that point home, does a rap where she briefly takes on the persona of a rich white girl whose got so many diamonds she can't close her safe, showing how this girl is "lying awake in a sick dream." Instead, she sings "I believe in the power of creation" and "in love alone."

The closest to a Eurythmics song here is "Little Bird", with its insistent tempo and keyboards. Shown here is the contrast between a free, flying bird in the sky with a troubled soul weighted to the ground, feeling "so dark with rage and fear" and wanting the strength to emulate that bird.

"Primitive" is another melodic synth ballad on hopes and prayers to make on strong during the brief life in the ephemeral world.

"The Gift" has Annie at her most desolate, giving a tired disillusioned face on a stifling relationship, and the need to stop "living in this same sick joke."

The final song "Keep Young And Beautiful" is a send-up of an upbeat 1920's-style piano ditty extolling the virtues of cuteness and looks and figure for the good life, and never mind about brains. It even sports scratches from an old LP for effect.

More melodic and wistful than anything Eurythmics has done, Diva shows Annie Lennox as a capable solo artist, though a few more uptempo songs could've helped.


A Stunning Debut Album   April 19, 2001
A Music Fan (Anywhere)
9 out of 9 found this review helpful

Annie Lennox, in my opinion is one of the greatest female singers alive today, with vocal ability and beauty that can make other artists feel sheepish in the prescence of this fantastic woman. Although Annie is fighting to keep the independent side of her alive most people always classify her under her former group Eurythmics, which in my opinion was Annie's immateur phase. On this album she produces songs on this album ranging from a variety of styles that will satisfy anybody's appetite. Among my favorites is "Why," a beautiful ballad about a relationship that took a turn for the worse, "Walking On Broken Glass" sounds more like a pop song with the same concept in mind as "Why" except that Annie demands attention from her lover, "Money Can't Buy It" sounds like a song Blondie would sing, she even raps at the end! "Little Bird" Annie's voice really shines through on this track, with an incredible beat and of course, Annie's vocals as the chorus, and "The Gift" about the miracle of breaking up, it's very sad yet moving song.

For a debut album this certainly tops the list, and after you buy this album you will understand my point of view.


Stunning   June 26, 2002
Ms Diva (Nanaimo, B.C. Canada)
9 out of 11 found this review helpful

I didn't expect to like this CD as much as I do - I was never a fan of the Eurythmics, with the exception of a few songs. But the first time I heard Why? I was hooked.

This CD is a total departure from the sound of the Eurythmics. It has a stunning mix of ballads, pop, soul and jazz. The orchestration is second to none, and Lennox's vocals always meet or surpass the challenges presented in the songs. Her vocal range is incredible - it's as though she knows that her best instrument is that sultry, powerful, soulful, beautiful voice. I don't think there's a better, purer singer around today. The depth of emotion she expresses through her lyrics are such that every time you listen to the CD you get a different interpretation. I know that every time I hear it I find something I've missed the last time. This CD is definitely one I'd put on my "Desert Island List" and I consider it a necessity for any complete music collection.