The Sphinx (song)
A 1978 downtempo disco ballad by Amanda Lear.
"The Sphinx" is a 1978 single by French singer Amanda Lear, issued by Ariola Records as the lead track from her third album, *Never Trust a Pretty Face*. The song was written and produced by Anthony Monn, and represented a shift in Lear’s sound as her first slow-tempo disco ballad. Its lyrics, penned by Lear, are melancholic and draw a comparison between the singer and the mythical Sphinx, exploring "the desire to remain a mystery." Lear has called "The Sphinx" the best song she ever wrote.
Released in late 1978 ahead of the album, the single’s B-side was "Hollywood Flashback," the closing track from her previous album, *Sweet Revenge*. The song performed moderately well on the charts, reaching the top 20 across Europe, and remains one of Lear’s most notable hits from the disco period. Lear later re-recorded "The Sphinx" for her 1998 album *Back in Your Arms*, and included that version on her 2005 greatest-hits compilation *Forever Glam!*.
- artist
- Amanda Lear
- release_year
- 1978
- label
- Ariola Records
- album
- Never Trust a Pretty Face
- genre
- downtempo disco ballad
- composer_producer
- Anthony Monn
- chart_performance
- top 20 across Europe
Lore & Background
The song was released as the advance single from Lear's third studio album Never Trust a Pretty Face in late 1978. The B-side was "Hollywood Flashback," the closing track on her previous album, Sweet Revenge. The song was a moderate chart success, reaching the top 20 across Europe, and remains one of Lear's biggest hits of the disco era. Lear re-recorded the song for the 1998 album Back in Your Arms, and included the new version on her greatest hits compilation Forever Glam! in 2005.
Reader's Guide
"The Sphinx" holds significance as a turning point in Amanda Lear's musical career, being her first downtempo disco ballad and a departure from her earlier style. The song's lyrics, in which Lear compares herself to the mythical Sphinx, explore themes of mystery and self-concealment, reflecting her personal artistic expression. It achieved moderate chart success across Europe and remains one of her most recognized hits from the disco era. The track's enduring appeal is evidenced by its re-recording for the 1998 album Back in Your Arms and its inclusion on the 2005 greatest hits compilation Forever Glam!. Additionally, the song has been covered by other artists, such as Chilean-American musician Promis, who released a version on his 2015 collaboration album Sunset Blvd with producer Ian Matthews, later issued as a single in spring 2016. This continued interest underscores the song's lasting place in Lear's discography and its resonance within the broader disco genre.
Did You Know?
- The song was composed and produced by Anthony Monn.
- It was Amanda Lear's first downtempo disco ballad.
- The B-side was "Hollywood Flashback" from her previous album Sweet Revenge.
- A cover version by Promis was released as a single in spring 2016.
More in Sphinxes 1-24
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