Memoir of the Month: Retrospective by Annie Lennox

Some artists create hit songs. A rare few become cultural icons. Annie Lennox is one of those few. With a voice that can soar, break and comfort all at once – and a visual style that challenged gender norms and reshaped the way we see music – she has been at the centre of pop culture for nearly half a century. 

Now, for the first time, Lennox has decided to tell her story in pictures – Annie Lennox: Retrospective is her long-awaited and only official memoir, a lavishly illustrated chronicle of her career and her life. The tome holds over 200 images, ranging from personal Polaroids and behind-the-scenes snapshots to infamous poses and music video stills. This combination of personal and public documentation makes the memoir both engaging and revealing – a visual journey across decades of artistic evolution.

“There have been thousands of photographic images floating around in the zeitgeist throughout the decades of my life as a performer. In a way, each one serves as part of the picture-puzzle narrative of my story,” says Lennox. “With Retrospective, I wanted to look back at my life’s work lived under the public gaze, throughout the creation of music – lyrics – recordings and film.”

A life in sound and vision

Lennox’s career has always been about more than music. From her breakout with Dave Stewart as Eurythmics in the 1980s, through her solo career that began with the acclaimed Diva in 1992, she has consistently merged artistry with storytelling. Songs like Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This), Why, and Walking on Broken Glass are unforgettable not only for their melodies but for their striking visuals, performances and stagecraft – images that remain embedded in cultural memory.

Some of the world’s greatest photographers have photographed Lennox, including Richard Avedon, Paolo Roversi, Bettina Rheims and Ellen von Unwerth. But Retrospective goes beyond the well-known portraits and features personal Polaroids, behind-the-scenes photographs and candid snapshots that offer intimate glimpses into her creative process and life away from the public gaze.

Defying conventions

From the very beginning, Lennox refused to conform. Her androgynous suits, shaved head and bold stage personas in the early ’80s were not just fashion statements, they were acts of defiance. She became known as a singer whose powerful, androgynous look challenged the male gaze. Throughout her career, Lennox’s visual identity was as carefully crafted as her music, from the wild and daring outfits of Sweet Dreams to the leather mask of her third album, and the unforgettable costumes from her music videos and stage shows. The photographs in Retrospective highlight this fearless approach to self-expression, offering both fans and newcomers an inside look at how Lennox has continuously challenged expectations of gender, style and performance.

More than music

Of course, Lennox’s impact extends far beyond records and imagery. She is one of the most decorated female artists of all time: eight Brit Awards, four Grammys, an Academy Award, a Golden Globe and induction into both the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (with Eurythmics).

Equally notable is her humanitarian work. As founder of The Circle, a global feminist organisation, Lennox supports women and girls facing gender-based violence and economic inequality. She has received 37 charitable and humanitarian awards, along with 12 honorary degrees, reflecting a lifetime dedicated to activism and advocacy alongside her musical achievements. This dual identity of pop superstar and activist is threaded throughout Retrospective, which becomes both a celebration of her artistry and a reminder of her enduring commitment to social change.

Stories behind the pictures

Structured chronologically, the memoir takes readers from Lennox’s childhood in 1970s Scotland to the heights of international superstardom with Eurythmics, through her solo career and to the present. Each chapter pairs photographs with extracts of her handwritten lyrics, engrossing captions and personal anecdotes, revealing the inspiration, emotion and thought behind the visuals and songs.

The memoir provides context to some of her most memorable looks and performances. The androgynous tailoring of Sweet Dreams, the iconic leather mask and her larger-than-life stage personas are not merely catalogued, but also explained, showing how each creative choice reflected the music, the era and her own evolving identity. This immersive approach allows readers to experience Lennox’s world as she saw it: a life where music, image, and personal expression are inseparable. The result is a memoir that is intimate, revelatory and celebratory, capturing the woman behind the legend.

A life remembered

There is a special resonance in seeing a life told through imagery. For fans who grew up with Lennox, these photographs act as a visual diary, sparking personal memories: the first time they heard Sweet Dreams, the excitement of seeing her bold MTV videos, the way her songs became soundtracks to life moments. For newcomers, the book is a masterclass in how an artist can shape culture through both music and image. Retrospective is more than a collection of pictures – it’s a testament to the power of creativity, authenticity and courage. 

“Each album, video, and photograph has its own identity and style,” Lennox reflects. “Retrospective could actually have been presented in many different ways, with many more different images. But for now – here it is… A memento - a souvenir - a life lived through imagery and sound. I hope you enjoy it!”

Annie Lennox: Retrospective, By Annie Lennox is published by Rizzoli New York.