Sharing the stage with Bananarama

Hello all, hope you've all had a wonderful Christmas! I had the most amazing moment of my life at the Nanas Clapham Grand gig last week - not only was I front row in the middle, I was also one of the lucky audience members who got selected to join the ladies onstage for 'Venus'! Check the video below:



Here are some pics of my lil' moment of fame too:






Thank you SO much to Sara and Keren for making my dreams come true! Happy Christmas to you both and all the best for 2011 xxx

'Baby It's Christmas' released 13th December

'Baby It's Christmas' finally has a release date!!! The single comes out as a digital download on December 13th. The tracklisting is as follows:

1. Baby It's Christmas (Radio Edit)
2. Baby It's Christmas (Ian Masterson's Extended Mix)

Let's hope it gives the girls another Top 40 hit to add to their list!!!

Listen to 'Baby It's Christmas'!!!

The new Christmas single from Bananarama is now available to download from CDBaby and is coming soon to UK iTunes! Have a listen to it here:



It's wonderfully camp and dancy - already a Nana classic!!! Let's hope they make a video for it!

'Stay' chart update - #12

The X Factor effect has taken 'Stay' to new heights on the UK chart as it has peaked today at #12, with 25,943 copies sold. Congratulations to Siobhan and Marcy!!! What a wonderful week to be a Shakespears Sister fan!

To celebrate, here is the girls' first TOTP performance from nearly 19 years ago:

New Shakespears Sister video: 'Someone Else's Girl'

Check out the beautiful new video for 'Someone Else's Girl' from the 'Songs From The Red Room' deluxe edition. So simplistic, yet artistic at the same time and Siobhan has never looked more natural and stylish. Let's hope this materialises into a single release at some point!!!

EXCITING NEWS!!! Bananarama Christmas single!

Bananarama have confirmed they will be releasing a Christmas single in the UK in early December! It's called 'Baby It's Christmas' and is written by Sara and Ian Masterton. It will also be featured on a US Christmas compilation! HOW exciting?!? :-D

Speaking of Christmas, the girls are headlining the Absolute 80's Christmas party on 22nd December at the Clapham Grand. I've got my tickets, have you got yours???

Shakespears Sister back in UK Top 75

Shakespears Sister have made a surprise return to the UK Top 75 after a 14-year absence following the X Factor last night as 'Stay' has charted at No.64 this evening! Let's see if it climbs next week - would be wonderful to see Siobhan return to the Top 40! Get downloading from iTunes and get Shakespears Sister back where they belong: http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/stay/id43453751?i=43453833

Siobhan Fahey week on X Factor

...well, not quite but it's the closest we'll ever get!

Belle Amie covered Bananarama's 'Venus' tonight:



And Cher Lloyd covered Shakespears Sister's 'Stay':



Let's hope both songs fly up the iTunes chart as a result and who knows? Maybe they could re-enter the charts next week!!!

GO GIRLS!!!

Bananarama - 'More More More' (Live at the Disney Club)

It's all gone a bit quiet on the Bananarama front but if you're missing your share of Sara and Keren feast your eyes on this rare TV performance of their cover of Andrea True Connection's 'More More More' from the 1993 'Please Yourself' album.

An underrated Nana classic... and what about the dance routine?! Check out that hip-swinging action!!!

Shakespears Sister - 'It's a Trip' video

The waiting is finally over - feast your eyes on the NEW video for 'It's A Trip' which in my opinion is absolutely sensational! This is classic Shakespears Sister yet so contemporary! Well done Siobhan and all involved!

P.S. Sorry it's been a while since the last update. With some exciting releases up and coming the updates should be more frequent from now on!

New article - Siobhan Fahey Is Still a Rebel Girl

Check out this FABULOUS new photo of our lady Shuv:


This and many more can be found in this brilliant article: Siobhan Fahey Is Still a Rebel Girl.

Leave your comments below the article and spread the word of Shakespears Sister! Let's see if we can summon enough support for another tour!

'Songs From The Red Room: Videos' release date

It has been announced on the official forum that the new Shakespears Sister DVD (see earlier post) will be released on 25th September 2010. It will be made available to pre-order on the official website soon! How exciting!!!

Norm's Top 10 Bananarama songs - which is #1?

For the past month I have been counting down my Top 10 Bananarama songs and now we've reached the summit! Before I reveal my all-time favourite (and just to tease you all a bit further!) here are some classic Nana hits you may be surprised didn't make my countdown:








Now, in true Top Of The Pops stylee, let's have a quick recap of my Top 10:

#10 - 'Hotline To Heaven'
#9 - 'Love, Truth & Honesty'
#8 - 'I Heard A Rumour'
#7 - 'A Trick Of The Night'
#6 - 'Na Na Hey Hey (Kiss Him Goodbye'
#5 - 'Really Saying Something'
#4 - 'Only Your Love'
#3 - 'Venus'
#2 - 'Tripping On Your Love'

So which song has beat all others to be named my all-time favourite Bananarama song?

At #1 is...

*drumroll*


It ain't what you do it's the way that you do it
It ain't what you do it's the way that you do it
It ain't what you do it's the way that you do it
And that's what gets results

It ain't what you do it's the time that you do it
It ain't what you do it's the time that you do it
It ain't what you do it's the time that you do it
And that's what gets results

You can try hard don't mean a thing
Take it easy and then your jive will swing

It ain't what you do it's the place that you do it
It ain't what you do it's the place that you do it
It ain't what you do it's the place that you do it
And that's what gets results

I thought I was smart but I soon found out
I didn't know what life was all about
But then I learnt I must confess
That life is like a game of chess

It ain't what you do it's the way that you do it
It ain't what you do it's the time that you do it
It ain't what you do it's the place that you do it
And that's what gets results

You can try hard don't mean a thing
Take it easy and then your jive will swing

It ain't what you do it's the way that you do it
It ain't what you do it's the way that you do it
It ain't what you do it's the way that you do it
And that's what gets results

It ain't what you do it's the time that you do it
It ain't what you do it's the time that you do it
It ain't what you do it's the time that you do it
And that's what gets results

It ain't what you do it's the place that you do it
It ain't what you do it's the place that you do it
It ain't what you do it's the place that you do it
And that's what gets results
(Written by Oliver/Young)

So why do I love this song so much? The raw production, the hypnotic beat, the borderline-amateur vocals, the sing-a-long chorus, the fantastic build-up to the bridge. The video is also fantastic with it's dark, moody feel and the girls' punky androgynous look. I just love everything about this era. This was the first (genius!) collaboration between the girls and the Fun Boy Three and the song that introduced an unsuspecting public to Sara, Keren and Siobhan. Little did the girls know back the impact they were to make on the '80s music scene and that nearly 30 years later they would STILL be going strong. In celebration of this song, here is the aforementioned video as well as some classic performances:











So there we have it - the countdown is over! If you've stuck with it since the beginning thank you and let me know what you think of my #1 by leaving your comments below! Stay tuned because coming soon I'll be counting down my Top 10 Shakespears Sister songs!

Norm's Top 10 Bananarama songs - #2 'Tripping On Your Love'

Go on, come with it
Hear me now
Breakout

I woke from a dream
Looked up to see your face was
Smiling down at me
The sunlight crept through
Painting my room and I just
Had to say
Primrose coloured paths lay at your feet

Keep it coming
Don't you stop loving
I'm high
Tripping on your love
Keep it coming
Don't you stop loving
I'm high
Tripping on your love

Straight out of the blue
Drowning in you it's such a
Sweet sensation and I'm
Floating above
This heavenly love and through my
Mirror I see
Magic multicoloured painted dreams

Keep it coming
Don't you stop loving
I'm high
Tripping on your love
Keep it coming
Don't you stop loving
I'm high
Tripping on your love

Trip on my love
Trip on my love
Trip on my love
Trip on my love
Dance on the mike one day with this drama
Tripping on my love with the Bananarama

Primrose coloured paths lay at your feet

Keep it coming
Don't you stop loving
I'm high
Tripping on your love
Keep it coming
Don't you stop loving
I'm high
Tripping on your love

Keep it coming
Don't you stop loving
I'm high
Tripping on your love
Keep it coming
Don't you stop loving
I'm high
Tripping on your love

Keep it coming
Don't you stop loving
I'm high
Tripping on your love
(Written by Caine/Dallin/Glover/Schoeger)

This is where it gets EXTREMELY tough. I struggled to decide which Bananarama song was my #1 favourite but in the end this came in second place. Released in August 1991, this was the fourth and final single from the 'Pop Life' album and the last Bananarama single as a trio. It was rather embarrassingly their first single not to enter the charts and prompted the move back to Stock and Waterman for the next album in the hope of giving them another Top 40 hit. For me, this is the girls' most uplifting song with wonderfully euphoric lyrics. I never tire of listening to it. It's just such a shame that in my opinion their most experimental and alternative song of their career went virtually unnoticed. Here is a fan-made video for the fantastic Metropolis mix by none other than George Michael:



SO if you want to find out my #1 Bananarama song of ALL TIME, forget listening to the UK Top 40 this Sunday (you won't find any Bananarama there!) - Banormarama is the place to be as at 7pm the song will be unveiled!

Fancy guessing what my favourite is??? Leave a comment with your prediction and come back Sunday to see if you're right!

Norm's Top 10 Bananarama songs - #3 'Venus'

Another double-whammy today as we edge ever closer to the #1 spot! The countdown continues with #3...


Goddess on the mountain top
Burning like a silver flame
The summit of beauty and love
And Venus was her name

She's got it
Yeah, baby, she's got it
I'm your Venus, I'm your fire
At your desire
Well, I'm your Venus, I'm your fire
At your desire

Her weapons were her crystal eyes
Making every man mad
Black as the dark night she was
Got what no-one else had
Wow!

She's got it
Yeah, baby, she's got it
I'm your Venus, I'm your fire
At your desire
Well, I'm your Venus, I'm your fire
At your desire

Goddess on the mountain top
Burning like a silver flame
The summit of beauty and love
And Venus was her name

She's got it
Yeah, baby, she's got it
I'm your Venus, I'm your fire
At your desire
Well, I'm your Venus, I'm your fire
At your desire

Yeah baby she's got it
(Repeat to fade)
(Written by Leeuwen)

Probably the most classic Nana hit and their biggest dancefloor filler. This had it all - a fantastic video, a gorgeous single cover, brilliant performances - plus it was their one and only US #1 hit! It was the second single lifted from the album 'True Confessions' and really stood out like a sore thumb when compared to the rest of the album. It helped transform them from rough and ready tomboys to glamorous pop princesses and was to mark a huge change in their musical direction. For me, it is absolutely one of my favourite songs ever and just falls short of being my #1 Nana song of all time! Let's celebrate this fabulous song with what is without a doubt the girls' best video:

"In a borealic iceberg came Victoria..."

If any of you have ever wondered where Siobhan's crazy spoken lyrics come from in 'I Don't Care', have a look at the poem below by Dame Edith Sitwell called 'Hornpipe':

Sailor come
To the drum
Out of Babylon;
Hobby-horses
Foam, the dumb
Sky rhinoceros glum

Watched the courses of the breakers' rocking-horses and with Glaucis,
Lady Venus on the settee of the horsehair sea!
Where Lord Tennyson in laurels wore a gloria free,
In a borealic iceberg came Victoria; she
Knew Prince Albert's tall memorial took the colours of the floreal
And the borealic iceberg; floating on they see
New-arisen Madam Venus for whose sake from far
Came the fat and zebra'd emperor from Zanzibar
Where like golden bouquets lay far Asia, Africa, Cathay,
All laid before that shady lady by the fibroid Shah.
Captain Fracasse stout as any water-butt came, stood
With Sir Bacchus both a-drinking the black tarr'd grapes' blood
Plucked among the tartan leafage
By the furry wind whose grief age
Could not wither — like a squirrel with a gold star-nut.
Queen Victoria sitting shocked upon the rocking horse
Of a wave said to the Laureate, 'This minx of course
Is as sharp as any lynx and blacker-deeper than the drinks and quite as
Hot as any hottentot, without remose!

For the minx',
Said she,
'And the drinks,
You can see
Are hot as any hottentot and not the goods for me!'

— Dame Edith Sitwell (1887–1964)

How I'd love to hear Siobhan recite the whole thing!!!

Norm's Top 10 Bananarama songs - #4 'Only Your Love'

We're getting closer and closer to the unveiling of my #1 Bananarama song! On we go with #4, which is...


Angel divine
With you by my side
I can do anything I want to
I'll sacrifice
For you I'd lay down my life
'Cause I was alone without you

We all need somebody
You know I need somebody
No one has to feel alone
We all need some love
You know I need your love
To break these chains around my soul

Only your love
Can free me
Only your love
Can ease me
Only your love
I need it
Only your love
Never let me go
Let me go
Let me go
Let me go
Never let me go
Let me go
Let me go
Let me go
Never let me go
Let me go
Let me go
Let me go
Never let me go
Let me go
Let me go

Heat of the flame
That burns in your name
Got to got to got to believe it
Angel of love
Descend from above
Come on and shine your light on me

We all need somebody
You know I need somebody
No one has to feel alone
We all need some love
You know I need your love
To break these chains around my soul

Only your love
Can free me
Only your love
Can ease me
Only your love
I need it
Only your love
Never let me go
Let me go
Let me go
Let me go
Never let me go
Let me go
Let me go
Let me go
Never let me go
Let me go
Let me go
Let me go
Never let me go
Let me go
Let me go

Na na na na na na (na na na na na na)
Na na na na na na (na na na na na na)
Na na na na na na (na na na na na na)
Na na na na na na na (na na na na na na na)

We all need somebody
You know I need somebody
No one has to feel alone
We all need some love
You know I need your love
To break these chains around my soul

Only your love
Can free me
Only your love
Can ease me
Only your love
I need it
Only your love
Never let me go
Let me go
Let me go
Let me go
Never let me go
Let me go
Let me go
Let me go
Never let me go
Let me go
Let me go
Let me go
Never let me go
Let me go
Let me go
(Written by Caine/Dallin/Glover/O'Sullivan/Woodward/Youth)

After a year's absence, Bananarama returned to the UK charts in July 1990 with a new image and a brand new sound. 'Only Your Love' was the first single from their fifth studio album 'Pop Life' (the first with Jacquie). Having struggled to produce any satisfactory material with Stock Aitken and Waterman, the girls went to Youth for a more trendy dance-orientated sound to move them firmly into the 1990s. Sampling the Rolling Stones classic 'Sympathy For The Devil', the girls were clearly out to prove they were taking their music more seriously than ever. The result was pure brilliance. Matched with their most eye-catching and high-energy video to date, this should have been their first #1 hit but, as with the best of their singles, it charted at a disappointing #27. Check out this rare performance where you can see how much their performances had improved in this era:

Exclusive Shakespears Sister track to be released online at midnight!

Don't forget, if you haven't already registered to the Shakespears Sister mailing list on the official site head on over to http://shakespearssister.co.uk/Mailing_list.html NOW as an exclusive track will be released in the Hot Room at midnight tonight! What are you waiting for?!? Isn't Siobhan spoiling us lately? ;-)

Norm's Top 10 Bananarama songs - #5 'Really Saying Something' (with the Fun Boy Three)

Onwards with the countdown of my Top 10 Bananarama songs and #5 is...


Hey yeah yeah

I was walking down the street
(Do-wah do-wah)
When this boy started following me
(Oh yeah)
Now I ignored all the things he said
(Do-wah do-wah)
He moved me in every way

With his collar unbuttononed
On my side he was struttin'

He was really saying something
(Saying something)
Really saying something
(Saying something)
Bop bop shoo be do-wah
Bop bop shoo be do-wah

He flirted every step of the way
(Do-wah do-wah)
I could hear every word he'd say
(Oh yeah)
My resistance was getting low
(Do-wah do-wah)
And my feelings started to show

My heart started thumpin'
Blood pressure jumpin'

He was really saying something
(Saying something)
Really saying something
(Saying something)
Bop bop shoo be do-wah
Bop bop shoo be do-wah

He walked me to my door
(Do-wah do-wah)
I agreed to see him once more
(Oh yeah)
Lady like it may not be
(Do-wah do-wah)
But he moved me tremendously

Although he was bold
My heart he stole

He was really saying something
(Saying something)
Really saying something
(Saying something)
Bop bop shoo be do-wah
Bop bop shoo be do-wah

Really saying something
(Saying something)
Really saying something
(Saying something)
Bop bop shoo be do-wah
Bop bop shoo be do-wah

Really saying something
(Saying something)
Really saying something
(Saying something)
Bop bop shoo be do-wah
Bop bop shoo be do-wah
(Written by Holland/Stevenson/Whitfield)

From now on the chart gets very difficult I must say, as I love the Top 5 songs almost equally! I LOVE the Nanas' early work with the Fun Boy Three and I especially love the raw production values on this song. Their look at the time was so shambolic and their whole attitude reflected the post-punk era they had emerged from. This was the second single to be taken from the girls' debut album 'Deep Sea Skiving' and found new life 23 years later when it was remixed by Solasso and released on white label, later featuring as a bonus track on the 'Drama' album. Check out this chaotic performance with the Fun Boy Three from back in 1982:

Exciting new Shakespears Sister releases in the pipeline!

Siobhan has revealed on her official website that a DVD is soon to be released of the videos from 'Songs From The Red Room'. Check out the artwork:


This is the tracklisting:

1. Bad Blood (Director's Cut)
2. Bad Blood (Standard Version)
3. Pulsatron
4. Pulsatron (Whitey Version)
5. Hot Room
6. It's A Trip
7. It's A Trip (Apollo Mix)
8. I'll Be Your Mirror
9. Heroine

Bonus Features:
Songs From The Red Room (Album Advert)
Shakespears Sister 2010 UK Tour Advert

Release date to be confirmed.

Siobhan has also unveiled plans for a deluxe package featuring a live CD and DVD, a book of her own art and self portraits and a T-shirt designed by Siobhan herself (who is now turning her hand to designing!). Take a look at one of Siobhan's self-portraits:


Very exciting news I must say!!!

Norm's Top 10 Bananarama songs - #6 'Na Na Hey Hey (Kiss Him Goodbye)'

We're approaching the half-way mark! #6 in my Top 10 Bananarama songs of all-time is...


Na na na na na na na na
Hey hey hey goodbye

He'll never love you
The way that I love you
'Cause if he did no,
No he wouldn't make you cry

He might be thrilling baby but my love's
So dog-gone willing so kiss him,
Go on and kiss him goodbye

Na na na na na na na na
Hey hey hey
Goodbye

He's never near you
To comfort and cheer you,
When all those sad tears are
Falling baby from your eyes

He might be thrilling baby but my love's
So dog-gone willing so kiss him,
Go on and kiss him goodbye

Na na na na na na na na
Hey hey hey
Goodbye

(Repeat to fade)
(Written by De Carlo/Frashuer/Leka)

I've always had a soft spot for this song. It might have some of the most dead-pan vocals they've recorded but its sing-a-long quality and CLASSIC dance routine make it unforgettable and I'm glad they still perform it today. They had some brilliant performances for this single so I thought I'd post one of those instead of the video - check this out from 'Top Of The Pops':

Norm's Top 10 Bananarama songs - #7 'A Trick Of The Night'

Time for a double-whammy of my Bananarama countdown (I'm catching up for lost time now that I've got a shiny new laptop!) and #7 in my countdown is...


When the day is over
And the work is done
Well it's a different story
As the darkness comes around
I tried to let you know
You're going the wrong way

And the streets you thought
Would all be paved with gold
But when the wind cuts through
You'd even try to sell your soul
Everywhere you go
It's the long way

Now you're no longer
Just the boy next door
When they were falling in love
With that clean cut smile
Change of style
Just for a little while

Whatcha doing, hey whatcha doing
Walking through danger
Can't see the wrong or the right
Whatcha doing, tell me whatcha doing
Can't be a stranger
Must be a trick of the night

Well its a laugh a minute
And you can't decide
Between the burning question
And the fortune in his eyes
You never let it show
Or take it the wrong way

Sometimes you wonder
What you came here for
Oh, they could tear you apart
With those bare faced lies
Can't disguise
All the hurt you're feeling inside

Whatcha doing, hey whatcha doing
Walking through danger
Can't see the wrong or the right
Whatcha doing, tell me whatcha doing
Can't be a stranger
Must be a trick of the night

Whatcha doing, hey whatcha doing
Walking through danger
Can't see the wrong or the right
Whatcha doing, tell me whatcha doing
Can't be a stranger
Must be a trick of the night

Of the night, of the night
Must be a trick of the night

When the day is over
And the work is done
Well it's a different story
As the darkness comes around

And the streets you thought
Would all be paved with gold
But when the wind cuts through
You'd even try to sell your soul
(Written by Jolley/Swain)

The fourth and final single to be released from the 'True Confessions' album, this was a rare down-tempo moment for the girls which told the story of a friend who had lost his way and become a prostitute. The original 'ballad' version was remixed by Stock Aitken and Waterman in a bid to emulate the success of 'Venus' but the single stalled at No.32 in the charts. Check out the video for the 'Number One Video Edit' below.

The BEST Bananarama performance ever.

Ok, maybe not the BEST but certainly the funniest! Someone must have been having a laugh when they choreographed this. Poor Sara is hidden behind a window frame at 1:38! Would love to see what they think of this performance now! ;-)

Norm's Top 10 Bananarama songs - #8: 'I Heard A Rumour'

Next up on my Bananarama countdown...


Who needs friends who never show
I'll tell you what you wanna know
I could have saved a broken heart
If I'd found out long ago

I'm just thinking about
Those lonely nights
When I waited for your call
'Til I found out
All my friends were right, ooh, ooh
I didn`t know you at all

I heard a rumour
Ooh, ooh, I heard a rumour
They say you got a broken heart
I heard a rumour
Ooh, ooh, yes I did, boy
I heard a rumour, ooh

Now it seems they're telling me
You've changed your wicked ways
But should I give you a second chance
Baby, I'm too afraid

So you realize what hurt you made
And the love you threw away
How can I forgive or soon forget
It's never gonna be the same

I heard a rumour
Ooh, ooh, I heard a rumour
They say you got a broken heart
I heard a rumour
Ooh, ooh, yes I did, boy
I heard a rumour, ooh

I heard a rumour
Ooh, ooh, I heard a rumour
They say you got a broken heart
I heard a rumour
Ooh, ooh, yes I did, boy
I heard a rumour, ooh

I'm just thinking about
Those lonely nights
When I waited for your call
'Til I found out
All my friends were right, ooh, ooh
I didn`t know you at all

I heard a rumour
Ooh, ooh, I heard a rumour
They say you got a broken heart
I heard a rumour
Ooh, ooh, yes I did, boy
I heard a rumour, ooh

I heard a rumour
Ooh, ooh, I heard a rumour
They say you got a broken heart
I heard a rumour
Ooh, ooh, yes I did, boy
I heard a rumour, ooh

I heard a rumour
Ooh, ooh, I heard a rumour
They say you got a broken heart
I heard a rumour
Ooh, ooh, yes I did, boy
I heard a rumour, ooh
(Written by Dallin/Fahey/Woodward/Stock/Aitken/Waterman)

The first single from the girls' fourth album 'WOW!' (produced entirely by Stock, Aitken and Waterman) turned out to be one of their biggest hits in the US - peaking at No.4, even better than in their home country. They recorded the song again in 2000 for the 'G-A-Y' compilation CD and again the following year for 'Exotica'. In my opinion one of their best dance tracks and most melodic songs. Check out the fabulous video below and kudos if you can join in with the dance routine (like me, LOL!).

Shakespears Sister - 'I Don't Care' live at Letterman

Check out this fabulous performance with Siobhan at her psycho-best live on the Letterman show in 1992 performing 'I Don't Care'. Wonder if she had a little Dutch courage before this performance? ;-)

Norm's Top 10 Bananarama songs - #9: 'Love, Truth & Honesty'

So it's time for the next installment in my countdown of my Top 10 Bananarama songs and #9 is...

Never trust your own emotions
They'll always let you down
And the one that's closest to you
May not always be around

I never questioned
The promises you made
Every time I gave my heart
I was betrayed

What a fool
That I should ever believe
In love, truth and honesty
All the time
You just keep on hurting me

Maybe everyone's a stranger
I watch them come and go
But I think everyone's in danger
If they let their feelings show

There's a lesson
And a price you have to pay
If you give your heart
Dont let it be betrayed

What a fool
That I should ever believe
In love, truth and honesty
All the time
You just keep on hurting me

What a fool
Every time I find I'm deceived
Where is the love, truth and honesty
If you see it
Won't you bring it on home to me

There's a lesson
And a price you have to pay
If you give your heart
Dont let it be betrayed

What a fool
That I should ever believe
In love, truth and honesty
All the time
You just keep on hurting me

What a fool
Every time I find I'm deceived
Where is the love, truth and honesty
If you see it
Won't you bring it on home to me
(Written by Dallin/Woodward/O'Sullivan/Stock/Aitken/Waterman)

The first new Bananarama song featuring Jacquie in the line-up, this was also their only single to feature her in the songwriting credits. It launched the release of 'The Greatest Hits Collection' - no doubt awkward for Jacquie since all but one of their previous hits were with Siobhan. However, it reached a disappointing No.23 in the charts upon it's release in September 1988. 'The Greatest Hits Collection' was to fare much better in the charts though, peaking at No.3. Check out the fabulous video below with Jacquie looking her vampiest (is that a word?) in a stunning red dress and Sara rocking a snazzy new haircuit.

Weekly Poll: Results

So it looks like you guys share my favourite Bananarama album as the winner of last week's poll was...


For this week's poll, I'd like to know what your favourite version of the classic 'Cruel Summer' is - the 1983 original as featured on the 'Bananarama' album, the 1989 re-release featuring Jacquie, the 2001 'Exotica' version or the 2009 version as featured on the 'Love Comes' single.

What are you waiting for? Get voting!!! :-p

Oooh, look what I got today!

It's a rare one year diary that was one of the promotional items made during the release of the 'True Confessions' album. In mint condition too. How exciting!!!

MTV's Greatest Song Of The 80s - Vote for Bananarama!!!

Next month MTV Classic will be running a countdown of the Greatest Song of the 80s and YOU have the power to make Bananarama the winners! The ladies' classic 1984 hit 'Robert De Niro's Waiting' is amongst the nominations so click HERE to cast your vote and stand a chance of winning tickets to the 80s Rewind Festival. Don't forget to tune into MTV Classic on 21st August at midday to see where the Nanas chart!

Norm's Top 10 Bananarama songs - #10: 'Hotline To Heaven'

Over the new few weeks I will be counting down my Top 10 Bananarama songs EVER! This will no doubt be extremely hard as my favourite songs change all the time! So here we go, starting with #10...


With your smile you're making plans
You've got the world right in the palm of your hands
Everything you touch is gold
But your future life is bought and sold
It seems to me that you've got it made
But you never show that you're afraid
Now the voices in your head
They make you scream and drive you mad

You're on a hotline to heaven
Now you're all alone
Riding on a hotline to heaven
Standing on your own

Staring eyes as cold as stone
A wandering figure that stands alone
Reaching out you cry for help
Once a man but now you're just a shell
You make a deal, you make a grade
But you're heading for an early grave
You got to find it, got to try
Something special to get you high

You're on a hotline to heaven
Now you're all alone
Riding on a hotline to heaven
Standing on your own

You're on a hotline to heaven
(Going up without me baby, I won't let you drive me crazy)
Now you're all alone
Riding on a hotline to heaven
(Going up without me baby, I won't let you drive me crazy)
Standing on your own

It seems to me that you've got it made
But you're heading for an early grave
A thousand voices in your head
Make you scream and drive you mad

You're on a hotline to heaven
Now you're all alone
Riding on a hotline to heaven
Standing on your own

You're on a hotline to heaven
(Going up without me baby, I won't let you drive me crazy)
Now you're all alone
Riding on a hotline to heaven
(Going up without me baby, I won't let you drive me crazy)
Standing on your own
(Written by Dallin/Fahey/Woodward/Jolley/Swain)

Taken from the girls' eponymous second album, this was the fourth single to be released and went a dismal No.58 in the charts. It dealt with drug abuse, a topic they would approach again on their following album 'True Confessions' with the song 'Hooked On Love'. At this time the girls had made a conscious decision to tackle more serious, grown-up topics in their songwriting in a bid to be taken seriously by their critics who had slated them in the music press. Unfortunately this didn't bode well with the music-buying public and this was one of a number of successive flops. Two singles later they would turn to the Stock Aitken and Waterman camp and would never look back...

Watch Shakespears Sister 'The Russian Film'

This is a marvellous piece of film directed by Sophie Muller featuring footage of Shakespears Sister in Leningrad in 1988. This stands alone as a piece of art alongside their music videos, the majority of which were also directed by Sophie Muller. Look out for Dave Stewart onstage with Siobhan and Marcy in Part Two:



This is available on DVD on 'The Best Of Shakespears Sister'.

Shakespears Sister 'White Rabbit'

Shakespears Sister's cover of the Jefferson Airplane classic - one of my faves. Taken from 'The Best Of Shakespears Sister'. The Agent Provocateur Mix features on the Deluxe Edition of the new album 'Songs From The Red Room', out now.

Older pics with the Nanas

All taken on my phone so not the best of quality...


With Siobhan after her gig at the Blow-Up Metro, 21st October 2005.


With Siobhan at the On|Off Fashion Party, 18th September 2005.


With Keren and Sara at the Regent Street Christmas Lights concert, 5th November 2005.


With Keren at the Regent Street Christmas Lights concert, 5th November 2005.


With Keren and Sara after the G-A-Y gig, 17th July 2005.


With Sara after the G-A-Y gig, 17th July 2005.

'Pop Life' - my review

Ok, so my favourite album of all-time is Bananarama's 'Pop Life'. I discovered this album over five years ago when I got it for the first time and started playing it on my CD player everytime I got the bus to Camden to see my ex, LOL. I think it's one of the most creative and exciting pop albums ever in all seriousness. I love the artistic theme behind it - from the artwork, to the videos, to the performances. Every single released from this album was a pop gem and the album tracks were just as exciting and edgy. It's just so wonderful to watch everything related to this era and I think it's such a travesty that it didn't get the attention it well and truly deserved. It was released in 1991, when Bananarama were definitely over their peak and they were starting to move away from the pure-pop sound of Stock Aitken and Waterman that had given them huge hits with 'Venus', 'Love In The First Degree' and 'I Want You Back'. The group were already losing popularity without former member Siobhan Fahey which is another reason why I think they felt more compelled to be daring and different with this album because it was almost as if they had nothing to prove anymore.



The first single to be released was 'Only Your Love' which sampled the Rolling Stones' 'Sympathy For The Devil'. Just the idea of crossing Bananarama with the Rolling Stones was a brave move and a bold indication of what the girls wanted to express with this album. The video I think is absolutely AMAZING! I LOVE the colours, the silhouettes, the clothes, the huge shades, the gorgeous dancers. It embraces everything that made Bananarama so big in the first place - drama, campness, self-parody - but just adds that touch of class and sophistication that wasn't there before.



The second single (and biggest hit from the album) was 'Preacher Man' which was probably the only single that sounded like anything they'd done before. I absolutely love the beat to this - it's pure early 90s dance-pop perfection. I've included this performance rather than the video because of their outfits which matched the artwork from the album. For probably the first time in their career the girls were trying to portray a sexy image when for years beforehand they'd come across like tomboys with messed up hair and baggy trousers. It worked well with the more sophisticated sound they were coming out with at this point and it seemed like they'd brought themselves well and truly into the 90s.



For the third single from 'Pop Life' Bananarama made another bold move. Whilst it was yet another cover version for the girls, this time it wasn't a poor carbon copy of the original á la 'Na Na Hey Hey' or 'Help' - for this version of the Doobie Brothers' classic 'Long Train Running' the girls collaborated with the critically-acclaimed Gypsy Kings for a latino-tinged result that was so far-removed from the original they'd made it completely their own. For the video they went all-out with elaborate costumes and make up in something that could probably be compared with Girls Aloud's 2008 video for 'Can't Speak French'. Considering Girls Aloud share the same manager as Bananarama at the time (Hilary Shaw) I'd say this was most definitely an inspiration for the video.



And finally, for my favourite Bananarama - hell, favourite SONG - ever! 'Tripping On Your Love' was the smallest hit of their career, not even charting as the single wasn't even promoted at all due to their manager leaving and Sara being heavily pregnant at the time. This was also the last-ever single to be released by Bananarama as a trio as Jacquie quit the band shortly after this release. All of these facts make it even more disappointing that this single went virtually unnoticed in the UK as I find it one of the most uplifting, exciting songs I've ever heard. The contrast of these uplifting utopian lyrics being sung over this grinding trancey beat for me marks Bananarama's finest moment both creatively and musically and the song still sounds fresh today. It feels like such an injustice that such few people know of this song - I'd love someone big to cover it so that it would become the massive hit it deserves to be.

Aside the singles, there are some absolute classic album tracks on 'Pop Life'. 'What Colour R The Skies Where U Live?' is an epic number beginning with the sounds of waves crashing on the shore building into this raggae-tinted beat before this beautiful song unfolds. A largely instrumental track towards the end of the album 'Megalomanic' is a fantastic fusion of jazz and funk - it feels like the girls are just jamming away in a club in New York or something. 'I Can't Let You Go' is a haunting end to the album with lots of strange echos and sound effects which sounds like someone, probably the girls themselves, was tripping while they were in the studio!

All-in-all this album is such an underrated masterpiece which truly encapsulates the early 90s dance-pop scene with brilliant production, some bold decisions that the girls managed to pull off with ease and a strong visual theme that accompied this change in sound for the girls. If this album had been released by Madonna it would have been huge. For me, I'm proud that Bananarama released this album because for the first time in their career they pushed themselves far beyond anyone's expectations and showed the world they could be different and could be taken seriously as singers/songwriters. When most people think of Bananarama they think of bad hair, bad clothes and bad dancing - some people might just have heard 'Venus' in a club once - if you're one of these people, I hope when you think of Bananarama in future you'll think of fantastic songs like these!

Shakespears Sister 'Really Saying Something' live

Check out Shakespears Sister's rendition of the Bananarama & Fun Boy Three classic 'Really Saying Something' filmed by me at the Bloomsbury Ballroom, 22nd April 2010.

My recent Nana meetings

With Keren and Sara at the Soccer AM studios, 10th April 2010.


With Siobhan after her gig at the Bloomsbury Ballroom, 22nd April 2010.

Welcome one and all!

So I decided that instead of boring my friends on Facebook/Twitter/everywhere with countless ramblings about my favourite band of all time I would set up my own blog so I can ramble to my heart's content! If you are reading this and you are a Bananarama/Shakespears Sister fan then welcome!!! I hope you will enjoy my posts. Please feel free to comment and share your views - I always love to meet new fans!

If you've stumbled across my blog by accident and are thinking "Banana-who?!?" then allow me to introduce you to four fabulous ladies - Keren Woodward, Sara Dallin, Siobhan Fahey and Jacquie O'Sullivan who have made some of the most fantastic and eclectic pop music of the past 30 years. Here I will share with you my favourite songs, videos and images from a back catalogue that boasts 10 studio albums from Bananarama as well as four solo offerings from Siobhan under the guise of the magnificent Shakespears Sister.

If you like what you see then "Staaaaaaaay wiiiiiiiiith meeeeeeee!" (groan!) as there is MORE MORE MORE to come!!!