i am sassa

 Annie Lennox is, in my humble opinion, the GOAT.

If I could only listen to one woman sing for the rest of my days, after I cried myself to death I’d turn on Annie Lennox. In my head I always see sounds as paint. If Annie’s voice were a painting, it would have subtle surprises everywhere. Perfect color harmony with just enough contrast, and masterful edges. Some blending into a soft haze, others razor sharp. I would never stop looking at it.

Annie was born in Scotland to working class parents. Her dad was a bagpiper, because that’s the rule in Scotland. I bet they also had sheep but I don’t know that to be true. Anyway, she impressed the pants of everyone with a toy piano when she was a wee lass, so her parents encouraged her to pursue music. She attended the Royal Academy of Music on scholarship for piano and flute, hating it so bad that she just up and split three years in. She was in a couple bands before she found success with the Eurythmics.

At this point, Annie lined up record labels, critics, gender norms, and the patriarchy and gave them all the finger while sporting a shaved head and a tailored suit. When her and ol’ dude from the duo had enough of each other, they parted ways and she began making music just for me. Everyone else liked it too, and even though she didn’t really care about that, it was a bonus. VH1 named her the greatest white soul singer alive, and she sold a bazillion albums.

In addition to pristine pipes, Annie has a heart of gold. A trip to South Africa to sing for the launch of Nelson Mandela’s HIV prevention campaign struck a chord with her, and Annie has been dedicated to the cause ever since. She started the SING campaign which helps prevent the spread of AIDS in South Africa and helps care for those who are afflicted. She has supported so many causes for women and girls that I couldn’t list them all, and listening to her in interviews is such a contrast to most celebrities.

In 2019, Annie created a site-specific art installation called “Now I Let You Go” at the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art. It included a giant mound of earth scattered with personal cherished items and topped with a piano. In 2021, I will ask her to marry me, and she will say yes. She will be performing her song “Cold” at our wedding, and you are all invited.

Thank you, Annie Lennox.