State of Independence

State of Independence began as a collaboration between Jon Anderson of Yes and the Greek composer Vangelis, two titans of progressive rock and electronic music. Their version, released in 1981 on the album The Friends of Mr Cairo, was a soaring, synth-heavy piece that showcased their shared love for grand, celestial soundscapes. While the original single didn't make a dent on the charts, its life was just beginning. A year later, disco queen Donna Summer took the song and transformed it into a lush, gospel-tinged pop anthem. Her cover, produced by Quincy Jones, became a top-20 hit in the UK and reached number one in the Netherlands, introducing the track to a much wider audience. Summer's version proved so enduring that a remixed edition charted again in 1996, a full fourteen years after its initial release.

The song's journey didn't stop there. In 1992, the British duo Moodswings reimagined it as Spiritual High (State of Independence), featuring the unmistakable voice of Chrissie Hynde from the Pretenders. This version added a trip-hop sensibility, layering Hynde's cool, detached vocals over a hypnotic beat, and found success on alternative and dance charts. The song's ability to morph across genres, from art-rock to disco to electronic, speaks to the strength of its core melody and its universal message of spiritual awakening. It's a rare example of a song that becomes bigger than its original creators, taking on a life of its own in the hands of other artists. [edit]