State of Independence

Jon Anderson and Vangelis released their version of State of Independence in 1981 on the album The Friends of Mr Cairo. This original track blended progressive rock with electronic synthesizers to create a grand, celestial soundscape that showcased the duo's shared musical vision. Although the single failed to chart significantly upon its initial release, it established a melodic foundation strong enough to support multiple genre transformations.

Donna Summer reimagined the song two years later for her album Cat Ballou. Quincy Jones produced this rendition as a lush, gospel-tinged pop and post-disco masterpiece that reached number one in the Netherlands and peaked within the top 20 of the UK Singles Chart. Her version proved so enduring that a remixed edition re-entered the charts in 1996, fourteen years after the original recording.

The song's versatility continued into the 1990s when the British duo Moodswings released Spiritual High (State of Independence) featuring Chrissie Hynde. This interpretation shifted the genre entirely to trip-hop and alternative dance, layering Hynde's cool vocals over a hypnotic beat. Critics often describe Summer's version as a quietly understated masterpiece that transcends its art-rock origins to become a universal anthem. [edit]