Long Tall Deb & Colin John have taken a bold leap across genre lines—and landed squarely in the pocket. Their latest single breathes smoke and soul into the Eurythmics’ iconic “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This),” stripping the original of its icy synth-pop edge and dressing it down in tough-edged Texas blues.
Swaggering guitar licks, a sultry vocal delivery, and a rhythm section that swings with back-alley confidence make for a transformation that feels both reverent and rebellious. “We wanted to take an ‘80s song everyone knows and reimagine it in a style that’s deeply us,” says Deb. “‘Sweet Dreams’ was on our short list, and when we brought it to Chris Butler—our co-producer and also the guy behind The Waitresses—he immediately heard it as a Texas shuffle. Once we hit the studio, it all came together fast.”
The result is a moody, slow-burn version that leans into the song’s darker undercurrents. Deb’s evocative phrasing pairs seamlessly with Colin John’s smoky guitar tone, while drummer Jason Edwards and bassist Butler anchor the tune with a slow-rolling groove. Backing vocals from Jennifer Milligan add a haunting harmony that lingers long after the final chord.
The accompanying video adds touches of noir and soul revue, setting the tone for their upcoming album Light It Up, due out July 11.
