I went back and forth on whether to feature this particular track, but digging deeper, I discovered there aren’t that many Eurythmics covers out there. “Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)” is by far the most popular, the choice of no-name dance artists and Marilyn Manson (whose version is a travesty), but most have shied away from interpreting the Annie Lennox/Dave Stewart songbook at all.

So because it’s something of a rarity, Martha Wainwright‘s cover of “Love Is A Stranger” (a #6 hit for the Eurythmics) is worth spotlighting. Tacked on to the end of Wainwright’s latest, I Know You’re Married But I’ve Got Feelings Too, her “Stranger” is definitely of a different kind. Recast as a rave-up, Wainwright’s take is replete with hand-claps, some saxophone, a little surf guitar. Hear here:

If it makes you miss the detached cool sheen of the Eurythmics’ original, well, all the better since the pop duo’s back catalog is ripe for rediscovery (unfairly overlooked in my estimation). Get schooled in the duo’s pop genius via 2005’s Boxed, which collects their remastered albums (each expanded with bonus tracks, including several cover songs). The less “DnA” obsessed should check out the Ultimate Collection, featuring the big hits and two new tracks not on Boxed.

Earlier this month, Dave Stewart released The Dave Stewart Songbook, Vol. 1. Recorded with the 30-piece Rock Fabulous Orchestra, the two-disc set is meant as a showcase of Stewart’s songwriting legacy. There’s a hefty helping of Eurythmics classics, plus several songs he wrote for and with other artists (Mick Jagger, Celine Dion, Bono). Stewart’s strategy is working, as I wasn’t aware until now that he’d co-written Tom Petty’s “Don’t Come Around Here No More” or No Doubt’s “Underneath It All.”

And if there was any doubt that he’s only just begun (having “Vol. 1” in the album title is a good indication), mobile phone giant Nokia recently hired Stewart as a “Change Agent.” His task is to ensure the artists’ point of view is represented in the ever-shifting world of new media and content distribution.

Stewart’s partner in Eurythmics, Annie Lennox, is readying a solo hits compilation to be released next month. According to a recent Billboard.com article, The Annie Lennox Collection gathers twelve “choice cuts” plus two new tracks, covers of Ash’s “Shining Light” and Keane’s “Closer Now” (retitled “Pattern Of My Life”):

“The Keane song is exquisite and beautiful … and [‘Shining Light’] I heard about six years ago and I couldn’t stop playing it, so it’s been with me ever since. I’ve done a kind of more upbeat version of their song; I just think it’s so inspirational and it’s somewhat exuberant and ecstatic and it has this dimension to it that works on all sorts of different levels.” 

Of course, Lennox herself is no stranger to covering others’ songs. Her second album, Medusa, was composed entirely of inspired interpretations, including standout track “Downtown Lights,” originally by The Blue Nile. Collection wraps up her contract with Sony BMG, and Lennox sounds like she’s relishing the freedom:

“There’s all kinds of possibilities ahead of me,” she explains. “I have a real interest in how to communicate with people via the Internet as a more broadly multi-dimensional artist and communicator. I’m in a really uniquely special creative place where I can do anything I like. I think that’s really interesting.” 

Maybe Lennox should ring up Nokia and re-team with Stewart, forging a new path for technology together.

The Annie Lennox Collection, out September 16, is available for pre-order via Amazon. The Dave Stewart Songbook, Vol. 1 is out now via Amazon, iTunes.

Purchase Martha Wainwright – “Love Is A Stranger” (Eurythmics cover) via Amazon, iTunes.