Pop History - Bananarama

The most successful British girl group in pop history, Bananarama formed in London in late 1981. The first single, "Aie A Mwana" sung entirely in Swahilli, unfortunately, stalled at #92 in the UK charts. The follow-up, "It Ain't What You Do", however, became their first proper chart hit when it got to Number 4 in 1982. Since then, Bananarama have chalked up another 24 Top 40 UK hits, including the worldwide dance-pop smashes, "Cruel Summer", "Robert de Niro's Waiting", "Venus", "I Heard a Rumour" and "Love In the First Degree".



While their initial hits, including "Shy Boy," "Na Na Hey Hey (Kiss Him Goodbye)," and "Cruel Summer" (their first U.S. smash) were roundly dismissed as fluffy pop fare, the success of 1984's rape-themed release "Robert DeNiro's Waiting" convinced the group to tackle more serious topics; however, the follow-up single, "Rough Justice" -- a song protesting political tensions in Northern Ireland -- bombed, and the trio's career stalled.




While the idea may have been fresh in the '80s, there is no shortage of male and female vocal outfits (most of whom can't play a lick) in the '90s, which may explain Bananarama's gradual drift into pop music obscurity. After peaking with "Venus" in 1986, Bananarama has continued to record music, with their latest LP coming out just last year. They've been changing their look and sound all along the way, but it would seem this group - like many early '80s groups - just can't cut it in a market of punk-pop and flannel-sporting grungies.

Bananarama - Discography

1983 Deep Sea Skiving
1984 Bananarama
1986 True Confessions
1987 Wow!
1991 Pop Life 42
1993 Please Yourself
1995 Ultra Violet / I Found Love
2001 Exotica
2005 Drama

Wow! was released in early 1988, Fahey — who had married Eurythmics' Dave Stewart — left the group. She would later resurface as the front runner of the pop duo Shakespears Sister with Marcella Detroit. Bananarama's 1991 album Pop Life saw the group working with a variety of producers including Youth, Shep Pettibone, and Steve Jolley of Jolley & Swain.



Bananarama makes an enjoyable return to form with this hypnotic blend of dance floor-friendly hi-NRG and cool electronica. With their ninth studio album (their fourth as a duo with original members Keren Woodward and Sara Dallin), the 'Nana's come back to doing what they do best: moving the body while releasing the mind.






Bananarama - Cruel Summer lyrics

Hot summer streets
And the pavements are burning
I sit around
Trying to smile but
The air is so heavy and dry
Strange voices are saying
(What did they say)
Things I can't understand
It's too close for comfort
This heat has got
Right out of hand

It's a cruel, (cruel,) cruel summer
Leaving me here on my own
It's a cruel, (it's a cruel,) cruel summer
Now you're gone



The city is crowded
My friends are away
And I'm on my own
It's too hot to handle
So I got to get up and go

It's a cruel, (cruel), cruel summer
Leaving me here on my own
It's a cruel, (it's a cruel,) cruel summer
Now you're gone

Gonna feel only it was

It's a cruel, (cruel), cruel summer
(Leaving me) leaving me here on my own
It's a cruel, (it's a cruel,) cruel summer
Now you're gone



It's a cruel, cruel summer
Leaving me here on my own
It's a cruel, cruel summer
Now you're gone

Gonna feel only it was

It's a cruel, (cruel), cruel summer
(Leaving me) leaving me here on my own
It's a cruel, (it's a cruel,) cruel summer
Now you're gone

Gonna feel only it was

It's a cruel, (cruel), cruel summer
(Leaving me) leaving me here on my own
It's a cruel, (it's a cruel,) cruel summer
Now...