The success of the track launched Candy Dulfer's solo career; her debut album, Saxuality , followed shortly after and became a worldwide success. For Dave Stewart, it proved his versatility as a producer and musician outside the context of Eurythmics.
Today, "Lily Was Here" remains a quintessential example of how a simple melody, performed with genuine chemistry and technical brilliance, can transcend language and genre to become a piece of musical history.
"Lily Was Here" reached in the Netherlands and the Top 10 in the UK and several other European countries. In the United States, it became a significant hit on the Billboard Hot 100, a rare feat for a purely instrumental track during the pop-heavy early 90s. david_a_stewart_lily_was_here_ft_candy_dulfer
Candy Dulfer’s alto saxophone provides the "voice" of the track. Her playing ranges from breathy, intimate whispers to soaring, powerful peaks.
Stewart’s rhythmic, crisp acoustic guitar provides a steady, almost melancholic heartbeat. The success of the track launched Candy Dulfer's
The Sultry Sound of the 90s: The Story of "Lily Was Here" Released in 1989, stands as one of the most iconic instrumental tracks in modern music history. A masterclass in atmospheric production and instrumental dialogue, the song brought together Eurythmics mastermind Dave Stewart and a then-emerging Dutch saxophonist, Candy Dulfer , creating a global phenomenon that topped charts across Europe and became a staple of smooth jazz and pop radio. Origins: From Film Score to Global Hit
The song’s production—relying on heavy reverb and a minimalist drum beat—captured the late-80s aesthetic while maintaining a timeless, cinematic quality that still sounds fresh today. Legacy and Cultural Impact "Lily Was Here" reached in the Netherlands and
The track was originally composed for the soundtrack of the Dutch film De Kassière (internationally known as Lily Was Here ), directed by Ben Verbong. Stewart, who was invited to produce the soundtrack, invited Dulfer to the studio to contribute saxophone parts.