Bananarama had so many hits in the 80's that they actually hold the Guinness Book of World Records title for highest number of chart entries by an all-female group. The trio of friends Sara Dallin, Siobhan Fahey and Keren Woodward, formed Bananarama in 1980. However, this was anything but immediately successful. In fact, Dallin and Woodward were taking up residency in a local YWCA, on the verge of being homeless when Sex Pistols drummer, Paul Cook, allowed them to take residency in the band's formal rehearsal room.
The girls would often provide backing vocals for punk band such as The Monochrome Set, The Professionals, Subway Sect, Iggy Pop, Department S, The Nipple Erectors, and The Jam. It was during this time that they recorded their first demo track, Aie a Mwana. The song turned into a minor underground hit, and would ultimately lead to them signing with London Records.
They released their first album, Deep Sea Skiving in March of 1983, and with it began the success. The album reached number seven on the charts, and spawned four hit singles, Really Saying Something, Shy Boy, Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye, and Cheers then. This led to the group heading to the USA, where they made appearances on American Band Stand, and Solid Gold, eventually finding success with their 1984 hit, Cruel Summer.
However, before we get to that point in history, we have to pause and actually set out to accomplish today's Retro Spin, their debut album, Deep Sea Skiving.
What I've noticed as of late 2021, is that my ears have matured a bit while listening to discs. By this, I mean that I find myself more so enjoying an eclectic range of 80's music tunes. It's difficult to explain why, but let me try. You know how people say, The Motown Sound? Well, it's kind of like that. 80's albums have that sound to me, and my ears immediately pick it up, and flock to it. It's to the point that I think I may need to go back and listen to everything I so harshly criticized during my earlier posts to see if there are gems I missed.
It's this sound where this particular album took hold of me. It's new to me, but it's familiar, and as such, it's easy to enjoy. I honestly didn't hear anything I hated. In fact, I had to limit myself before I ended up grabbing the entire thing for my shuffle list. It's no surprise Deep Sea Skiving paved the way for Bananarama. It's seriously that good.
Of course, from there, the whole world was already hip to this fact, and Bananarama continued to release hit after hit with their self titled 1984 album, 1986's True Confessions, and 1987's Wow! Unfortunately, success doesn't always equate to happiness, and that's where member, Siobhan Fahey, found herself. Unhappy with her friends, fighting, and finally deciding to leave it behind.
Fahey was replaced by Jacquie O'Sullivan for the group's follow up album, Pop Life (1991). However, this would be short lived. Life would take hard hits at O'Sullivan, who left the band after a series of bad circumstances, and depression which resulted from them.
The two remaining members of Bananarama pressed forward, releasing albums through 2019, and would reunite with Fahey for a brief stint of sell out tours between 2017 and 2018. It appears that the group remains as popular now as they were in the 80's.
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| THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS February 11, 1984 |
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| THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS February 11, 1989 |
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