Annie Lennox: You Ask The Questions

Annie Lennox was born in Aberdeen on Christmas Day 1954 and grew up an only child in a tenement flat. At 17 she enrolled at the Royal Academy of Music in London, where she met Dave Stewart, the other half of Eurythmics. Their partnership has lasted more than 30 years, created 13 albums and achieved global sales of over 61 million. In 1992 Lennox embarked on a solo career with the album Diva, which sold 15 million copies. All three of her solo albums have gone platinum. She has performed at the Freddie Mercury tribute concert, Nelson Mandela's Aids awareness concerts and Live8. Eurythmics' Ultimate Collection, released this month, entered the album charts at No 5. Lennox has been divorced twice and lives with her two daughters, Tali and Lola, in London.

What was it like to win an Oscar for The Return of the King title track?
RICKY SORENSON, VIA E-MAIL

It wasn't a hugely significant thing because I was only there by proxy, having partly co-written and sung the song. But it was a very exciting and fun day. It was great to sit among eight Oscars won by The Lord of the Rings project. It had been going for seven years by then, so when I came in, I was from the outside world. They were all blinking at me going: "Ahhh, what's it like out there?" I felt like I shouldn't really have won it, but it was fun to pretend to be the Oscar-winner for a day. I would rather have been a fly on the wall though.

Is it true you are setting up your own charitable foundation?
DOMINIC HOWSON, FLEET

I'm thinking about the best way that I can contribute, in terms of maximising my potential. Its not just about money. I'm thinking: "How can I draw attention to things, to channel things, to try to find some solutions, to go forward?" And there's not a simple answer. I'd like to direct my contribution to a more "grass roots" place, but as a mother and an artist I've got a lot of plates to spin. So I do my best to review the whole structure of my existence and go forward as best I can.

You have been quoted as saying that you have no confidence in any politician, as they are all too ambitious and cynical. Does this mean you don't really believe Tony Blair fully intends to eradicate world poverty?
SANDEL MENDIOLA, VIA E-MAIL

From what I gathered from Bob (Geldof) and Richard (Curtis), they were both very impressed with Blair's commitment to this issue. I've met Blair a couple of times and I have no relationship with him, but I was very disappointed with his stance on Iraq. I just don't think the notion of solving terrorism through warfare is going to work. Of course, politicians are essential but I don't see much moral stance in many politicians. I thought the Labour Party stood for something, but I'm confused as to where decency comes in anymore - it always concedes to the consumer culture. I like the idea of socially conscious capitalism, but when it comes to profit margins, our conscience is tossed out of the window.

Do you ever regret any of your outfits? Perhaps the one with the leather bondage mask?
WILLIAM HINKLEMAN, BRIGHTON

It wasn't a bondage mask, it was a beautiful black leather mask that I thought was rather elegant! I'm sure there were plenty of outfits I regret, but I'm not going to point them out to you. I very rarely wear labelled clothes. I live in jeans and T-shirts, but it's been really interesting and fun to explore dress on stage. The industries of fashion and music collude together and designers sponsor people, but I didn't want to be a puppet for that particular designer look, like Versace or Armani. I felt that was really drab and uninteresting. But I do have a wonderful Korean tailor in Hollywood called Dennis Kim - he's an absolute genius at making things. With a label you're buying an identity and status through the way you dress. I've never felt the need to do that because I don't value it - its not who I am.

How did your daughters react to meeting children orphaned by Aids in South Africa?
CHARLOTTE SHIRONGA, LONDON

My children are very compassionate, warm individuals. When we went to the hospice I was really impressed because they didn't miss a beat, they were straight in there, cuddling the babies and playing with the children. I thought it was so important for them to do that. I think all children should see other kids who are sick or worse off than they are. That exposure promotes kindness in people. I wouldn't hesitate to continue exposing my girls to life in a similar way. I think it's a very valuable lesson. They talked about it for months, and still refer to it now.

I'm from Aberdeen too, and am currently at university in Manchester. Why did you chose never to go back there to live?
SALLY HINTON, VIA E-MAIL

My life took another turn when I came to London, where the opportunities to make music were. I was travelling a lot and my base became London. I can't really imagine going back to Scotland, although it is a beautiful country. Maybe one day I'll just retire and live in a little cottage in the hills. But for now, I'm going to let life take its own direction. I left Scotland many years ago but it doesn't leave me - it's in my voice, it's in my bones. It's a part of me and always will be.

Do you think shows like The X Factor and Pop Idol are a legitimate source of finding new talent in the music industry?
RAJINDER KHAN, NEWCASTLE

I don't think they prevent fantastic individual artists from having the attention that they deserve, but the industry is always looking for safe bets. I think they should call it The Humiliation Factor, because it's cruel, even for those who can perform. I don't watch it because I cannot bear to see people humiliated. It could be your daughter or your son out there. There must be a whole generation of kids who have lost so much of their self-esteem just from going through an endurance test like that.

I've read that you share a manager with Will Young and the Beckhams. Do you have anything else in common?
SABINA HERCH, PORTSMOUTH

Well I was there way before any of that lot arrived! Before anybody was anybody Simon Cowell was my manager, and he became hugely successful long after that. We've already spoken about Pop Idol so I don't agree with his taste, but that's his business and I'm happy with his management, or I would have left by now. You couldn't get anything more different than me and Victoria Beckham, could you? But all kinds of people use the same bank or the same solicitor.

Do you ever think your whole life, not just your job, would have been easier if you'd been born male?
SYLVIA AARONSON, EDINBURGH

Without question. Life is easier for men. It's biased in their favour and everything seems to come to them more easily. Women have to bear the brunt in every respect. We are left with responsibilities, whereas men can do what they want, get what they want and leave it when they want. The older I get I can see it even more. I'm not saying that all men are bastards, but biology, society, culture - everything is balanced in their favour. Sometimes I have felt resentful about that - I see how hard women have to work. I just don't find myself quite as impressed with men. I think women are extraordinary.

You and Dave Stewart have been through the entire relationship spectrum since forming Eurythmics. How would you sum up your friendship today?
REBECCA SMYTHSON, VIA E-MAIL

It's unusual for me because I don't have many friends that I've known for 30 years. He represents part of my history, part of my past, my reality. Me and Dave have been through all sorts of things - I don't know about the whole spectrum of relationship - but certainly we've walked a particular journey together, and from very different perspectives, too. I think we're in a very good place at the moment. He's in a very creative place and by and large so am I, and I'm grateful for his friendship, grateful that I met him and that we created the music we made together. I love his wife and his family, they're very dear to me.

You have said that some of the biggest disappointments in your life have been men. Are women who wish for the perfect man to carry them off into the sunset deluded?
MIRANDA HALLIDAY, VIA E-MAIL

I think so. People that have found compatibility and true love in a heterosexual or homosexual relationship have found a very special thing. In our day and age kindness has gone out of the window and we use each other brutally, without knowing we're doing it. Everything is about sexual orientation. From shampoo to socks - every item you touch is sold through sex. Its like if you're not having sex or in a relationship you're not whole. That really saddens me. Graciousness and softness are not in abundance. Occasionally you find a people who have a true relationship, but they are the exception to the rule. I can't speak for everyone but I'm pretty sure that if you were to speak to a few thousand people you would find a lot of broken hearts. So God bless the ones that have found the good bits. You have to look to yourself to be a good, kind, loving person and to forgive others if they've hurt you, because if you lead a life of bitterness, you are doomed. You have to have dreams.

Eurythmics' Ultimate Collection is out now