Aie a mwana - Bananarama

So these are the humble beginnings of Bananarama. Keren Woodward and Sara Dallan had been childhood friends in Bristol since the age of four, and attended St. George's School for Girls together. The pair became a trio when Dallin met Fahey while studying fashion journalism. They became friends because they both dressed more radically than the other students. The trio were ardent followers of the punk rock and post-punk music scene during the late 1970s and early 1980s and often performed impromptu sets or backing vocals at gigs for such bands as The Monochrome Set, Iggy Pop, The Jam, Department S and the Nipple Erectors.

In 1981, Bananarama's members were living above the rehearsal room that was used by former Sex Pistols members Steve Jones and Paul Cook. With their help, Bananarama recorded their first demo 'Aie a Mwana' (a cover of a song by Black Blood, sung in Swahili). The demo was heard at Demon Records, which offered Bananarama their first deal. The song was an underground hit and Bananarama were signed by Decca (later London Records) and remained on this label until 1993.

My collection: 7" single no. 5299
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 14, 2012
Cost: 3 euro
Tracks: 'Aie a mwana' / 'Dubwana'

I can't help it - Bananarama

This American pressing of Bananarama's single 'I can't help it' features the sleeve artwork that was used for 'Love in the first degree' in the UK. The B-side, 'Mr. Sleaze', was also the B-side of 'Love in the first degree' in the UK. And so here's a release that I felt would be an interesting addition to my collection.

'I can't help it' was written Bananarama with Stock, Aitken and Waterman, who also produced the track. It reached number 47 in the US Billboard Hot 100. The single peaked at number 20 in the UK singles chart. So perhaps the Herb Ritts photography on the sleeve of the UK version would have been a better choice?

My collection: 7" single no. 5283
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, January 27, 2012
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'I can't help it' / 'Mr. Sleaze'

Cheers then - Bananarama

'Cheers then' appears on Bananarama's 1983 debut album 'Deep sea skiving' and was released as its third single. The song was the first Bananarama single to be written by group members Sara Dallin, Siobhan Fahey and Keren Woodward and also their first ballad release.

The 12" single remix has a decidedly seasonal flavour to it, with added jingle bells. The song was originally recorded in January 1982, but the single was released in December of that year.

My collection: 12" single no. 611
Found: Plaatboef, Den Haag, December 5, 2011
Cost: 2,5 euro
Tracks: 'Cheers then (extended version)' / 'Girl about town (extended version)'

Cruel summer '89 - Bananarama

'Cruel summer' was a hit for Bananarama, reaching number 9 in the UK singles chart in August 1983. In 1989, the record company decided on releasing a remix of the track as a single, which wasn't a brilliant idea to begin with.

This 12" single adds some more misery to the whole idea. I didn't know this when I bought it, of course, otherwise I would never have done it. The remixes of three Bananarama hits are all abyssmal. A crash course in ruining great pop songs.

My collection: 12" single no. 420
Found: unknown
Cost: unknown
Tracks: 'Cruel summer '89 (Swing beat dub)', 'I heard a rumour (Corporation of Bananarama mix)' / 'Venus (The Greatest remix)'

Love don't live here - Bananarama

Obviously, when I ordered the 12" single of Bananarama's most recent single 'Love don't live here', I bought the 7" single as well. This 7" single comes with an exclusive new track on the B-side, 'Here comes the rain'.

Producer Ian Masterson was once part of the remix outfit the Trouser Enthusiasts, and it shows on these excellent tracks. Now let's hope that the single turns up in tomorrow's UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4825
Found: What records, received April 14, 2010
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Love don't live here' / 'Here comes the rain'

Love don't live here - Bananarama

'Love don't live here' was released last Monday as the most recent Bananarama single. Taken from their current album 'Viva', the track was written by Sara Dallin, Keren Woodward and their producer Ian Masterson.

This 12" single features an extended remix of the track, as well as a remix of the album track 'The runner', a cover of the Three Degrees hit from the Seventies. So will this be a hit? I surely hope so, as this is among the girls' best work.

My collection: 12" single no. 536
Found: What records, received April 14, 2010
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Love don't live here (Ian Masterson's extended mix)' / 'The runner (Buzz Junkies 12" mix)'

Only your love - Bananarama

'Only your love' was the first single by Bananarama after a four year relationship with the producers trio Stock, Aitken & Waterman. This song was co-written and produced by Youth. It was released as the first single from the group's fifth studio album 'Pop life' and released several months prior to its release.

The song contains several references to other singles: the 'woo woo' hoots directly reference 'Sympathy for the devil' by the Rolling stones, and the track also contains samples of 'Loaded' by Primal Scream and 'Fool's gold' by the Stone Roses. The single peaked at number 27 in the UK singles chart but did not chart in Europe.

My collection: 7" single no. 4464
Found: Fun Records, Berlin, received January 28, 2010
Cost: 1,3 euro
Tracks: 'Only your love' / 'Only your love (Hardcore instrumental)'

More than physical - Bananarama

'More than physical' was one of two tracks on Bananarama's 1986 album 'True confessions' that were produced by Stock, Aitken & Waterman, with the other tracks being produced by Steve Jolley and Tony Swain. The other track was 'Venus', which had just become a worldwide hit after its single release. 'More than physical' was released as the follow-up in an attempt to capitalize on that success.

The track was remixed for the single, giving it a similar Hi-NRG sound as 'Venus'. However, this did not prove to be a successful strategy: the single stalled at number 41 in the UK singles chart and number 73 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4461
Found: Fun Records, Berlin, received January 28, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'More than physical' / 'Scarlett'

Preacher man - Bananarama

Bananarama's fifth studio album 'Pop life' was the only one to feature member Jacquie O'Sullivan, who replaced Siobhan Fahey when she left the trio in 1988. The album was made without the involvement of Stock Aitken & Waterman, who produced and co-wrote most of their two previous albums.

'Preacher man' was produced by Youth and was the most successful single from the album, although it peaked at number 20 in the UK singles chart only. It's obvious Bananarama were struggling a bit by 1991.

My collection: 7" single no. 4325
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, December 1, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Preacher man' / 'Megalomaniac'

I can't help it - Bananarama

'I can't help it' was written and recorded by Bananarama together with their producers Stock, Aitken and Waterman. The track was included on their fourth studio album 'Wow!' (1987) and released as the third single off the album. The song does not sound very different from other Stock, Aitken and Waterman productions from around that time.

The single reached number 20 in the UK singles chart and number 26 in the Dutch Top 40. The photos on the record sleeve were taken by famous American photographer Herb Ritts. It is the final Bananarama single to feature Siobhan Fahey, who announced her departure shortly after its release.

My collection: 7" single no. 4326
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, December 1, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'I can't help it' / 'Ecstacy'

Venus - Bananarama

'Venus' was written by Dutch musician Robbie van Leeuwen for his band Shocking Blue, released as a single in late 1969. Bananarama had the song in their live repertoire for a couple of years before they decided to record it. They wanted to turn it into a dance track and brought the idea to producers Stock Aitken Waterman. It became Bananarama's first collaboration with them.

Initially, Stock, Aitken and Waterman also resisted the idea because they believed that 'Venus' would not make a good dance record. The three members of Bananarama persisted, and so they recorded the song. When it was released as a single in the summer of 1986, it went to number 1 in the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, Mexico and South Africa. In the UK, the single reached number 8 and in the Dutch Top 40 it reached number 4. The collaboration on 'Venus' led Bananarama and SAW to work together on the group's follow-up album 'Wow!' in 1987.

My collection: 7" single no. 4324
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, December 1, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Venus' / 'White train'

Do not disturb - Bananarama

'Do not disturb' was written and produced by Steve Jolley and Tony Swain and recorded by Bananarama as a stand-alone single, released in 1985. It reached number 31 in the UK singles chart. The track was subsequently included on Bananarama's third album 'True confessions', released in 1986.

The trio did not like the song. Group member Keren Woodward later said of the 'True confessions' album: 'It is all our ideas, it is what we wanted to sound like and sing about. Except 'Do Not Disturb' which Swain and Jolley wrote and which we don't think is very good. Thats why there's eleven songs on the LP instead of ten'.

My collection: 7" single no. 4327
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, December 1, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Do not disturb' / 'Ghost'

Megarama '89 - Bananarama

Released in 1989, 'Megarama '89' is a megamix of hit songs by Bananarama. The single was released in Germany, France and Japan only. This copy is a German pressing. The single had its greatest success in France, where it peaked at number 17 in the singles chart.

The megamix does not appear on any of Bananarama's albums and has not been included on any of the group's greatest hits packages. Tracks that were used for this mix were: 'Na na hey hey kiss him goodbye', 'Cruel summer', 'Love in the first degree' and 'Venus'.

My collection: 7" single no. 4328
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, December 1, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Megarama '89' / 'Venus (The Greatest remix edit)'

Love, truth and honesty - Bananarama

'Love, truth and honesty' was written by Bananarama and Stock, Aitken and Waterman, with the latter trio producing the track. It was the first single release from the group's 'Greatest Hits collection', also released in 1988. It is actually the only Bananarama track which gives songwriting credit to new member Jacquie O'Sullivan.

The single reached number 23 in the UK singles chart but stalled at number 89 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4310
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Love, truth and honesty' / 'Strike it rich'

Nathan Jones - Bananarama

'Nathan Jones' was originally released in 1971. The song was written by Leonard Caston and Kathy Wakefield and recorded by the Supremes, post-Diana Ross. The single reached number 5 in the UK singles chart and number 16 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

In 1988, Bananarama released their cover version of the song as a single. It was originally included on their 1987 album 'Wow!'. After Siobhan Fahey left the group and was replaced by Jacquie O'Sullivan, they re-recorded the song for the single. This version reached number 15 in the UK singles chart, but did not chart in the USA.

My collection: 7" single no. 4286
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Nathan Jones' / 'Once in a lifetime'

Na na hey hey kiss him goodbye - Bananarama

'Na na hey hey kiss him goodbye' was written and recorded by Paul Leka, Gary DeCarlo and Dale Frashuer, using the band name Steam. It was released in late 1969. It became a number one hit in the USA and peaked at number 9 in the UK singles chart.

In February 1983, Bananarama released the song as a single off their album 'Deep sea skiving'. This version became a number 5 hit in the United Kingdom, but stalled just outside the US Billboard Hot 100 chart (at number 101) later in the year.

My collection: 7" single no. 4249
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Na na hey hey kiss him goodbye' / 'Tell tale signs'

Hotline to heaven - Bananarama

The song 'Hotline to heaven' is a track on Bananarama's second self-titled album. On the album, it's a seven minute track. It was edited to half that length for the single.

The single did not perform well on the charts. It stalled at number 58 in the UK singles chart, which was their worst chart performance since their debut single 'Aie a Mwana'.

My collection: 7" single no. 4248
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Hotline to heaven' / 'State I'm in'

More more more - Bananarama

'More more more' was originally recorded in Jamaica by the porn star Andrea True, who performed under the name Andrea True Connection. The song became a worldwide disco hit.

Bananarama covered the song on their 1993 album 'Please yourself'. Sara Dallin, Keren Woodward, Stock and Waterman added a second verse to their version of the song which was not present on Andrea True's original. When it was released as a single, it was remixed. It peaked at number 24 in the UK singles chart. It was their last single to be released by London Records, their label since 1983. The duo would not release another single in the UK until 'Move in my direction' in 2005.

My collection: 7" single no. 4161
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'More, more, more' / 'Give it all up for love'

Robert de Niro's waiting - Bananarama

Bananarama write and recorded 'Robert de Niro's waiting' on their self-titled second album, which was released in 1984. The track was apparently originally called 'Al Pacino's waiting', but was changed to 'Robert de Niro's waiting' because it fitted the music better. According to Siobhan Fahey: 'At Jolley [and] Swain's insistence the line 'Talking Italian' was added to add a 'romantic' edge.;

The single reached number 3 in the UK singles chart and number 25 in the Dutch Top 40. When Robert de Niro heard of the 'tribute' song, he arranged to meet the girls from Bananarama for drinks and dinner.

My collection: 7" single no. 4160
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Robert de Niro's waiting' / 'Push!'

Help - Bananarama and Lananeeneenoonoo

In 1989, Bananarama recorded an acceptable cover version of the Beatles' 1965 song 'Help'. In an effort to raise money for the Comic Relief charity, they enlisted the help of French & Saunders and Kathy Burke to appear as Lananeeneenoonoo and do funny things with the track. As everyone knows, women comedians are rarely funny, and so this comedy version was in dire need of, er, help.

Still, the single reached number 3 in the UK singles chart and even managed to reach number 25 in the Dutch Top 40. Personally, I think the Comic Relief singles 'Living doll' (with Cliff Richard) and 'Rockin' around the Christmas tree' (with Kim Wilde) were much better.

My collection: 7" single no. 4109
Found: Empire Records, Den Haag, October 17, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Help' (Bananarama) / 'Help' (Bananarama & Lananeeneenoonoo)