Shame (Eurythmics Song) - Critical Reception

Critical Reception

William Ruhlmann of Allmusic reviewed the Savage album and highlighted the song as an album standout by labeling it an AMG Pick Track.

In the Spin magazine of March 1988, under the "Spin's Platter du Jour" section was a track by track review of the album. For "Shame", the article stated "According to many theosophists and metaphysicians, glamour is one of the most dangerous forms of Maya. But according to a clever minority, glamour is also one of the most potentially tonic and healing forms of information. In fact, as a result of this antiphonal love manifesto, I feel better already."

In Musician magazine, Issues 111-116 (Amordian Press), a review of the album stated "...Savage is full of such sonic oxymorons, from the icy passion of "Shame" to the sinister snobbery of "Beethoven (I Love to Listen to)," making this an interesting set of mind games but nothing you'd play often." In Spare Rib, Volumes 174-185 (Spare Ribs Limited), a review of the album spoke of the song, where it noted that the lyrics covered "success and disilllusion". Writer Thom Duffy of The Orlando Sentinel reviewed the album for issue of January 10, 1988 and stated "Shame" and "Savage" are slow, ethereal arrangements."

Robert Hilburn reviewed the album for the The Bulletin issue of March 4, 1988. He stated "Most of the lyrics come off as ehtist cynicism. Love is the culprit in virtually every instance. In the Eurythmics' version of it. The B-movie-script quality that marks most of the songs mocks the very idea of romantic intimacy. In that respect Savage is consistent with the rest of the Eurythmics' work. There is a fearsome disrespect for conventional roles. "Shame," especially, tatkes on the idea of raised expectations generated by the media and nails it down as patently false. Everything is a con job...everything from movies to TV to the Beatles and the Rolling Stones."

In the Daily News of Los Angeles of December 25, 1987, a review of the album stated "We see a bewigged Annie Lennox locked in a Medusa's stare, her lips lacquered like a Saks Fifth Avenue mannequin. But place the album on the turntable, and Lennox sniffs at the very stylishness she traffics on the cover. "Now there's a lifestyle/With painted lips/Now there's a lifestyle/ Everybody wants it/But it don't exist/And I said shame..."

The Toledo Blade of March 24, 1988 featured a review/article based on the album, which stated "The savagery of Savage lurks just under the lipstick smear and neon glow of society. Songs like "I Need a Man," "Beethoven," "Shame" and others sound lush and full, but the plea in the lyrics is almost desperate: a human longing to be touched instead of crushed by others. Beneath the big beat and synth wash, the Eurythmics write simple songs concerned with the most basic of human desires - to be loved or wanted or needed, even if that need becomes a form of abuse."