Bananarama
"Greatest Hits Collectio"
© EMI Manhattan
August 20 - 26, 2023
Year of Release: 1988
Rating:
Venus
I Heard A Rumour
Love In The First Degree
I Can't Help It
I Want You Back
Love Truth And Honesty
Nathan Jones
He Was Really Saying Somethin'
Shy Boy
Robert De Niro's Waiting
Cruel Summer
Na Na Hey Hey (Kiss Him Goodbye)
Trick Of The Night
Aie A Mwana
Help
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Bananaram's Greatest Hits Collection spans the years from 1981 to 1988. For most of these collections, the songs (you would
think) be arranged in chronological order. However, this was not the case for the compilation. But, all of the group's biggest hits
are here. Their remake of Venus topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart, which was a remake of the same song by the group Shocking
Blue (which they also reached #1). Another huge hit Bananama was "Cruel Summer." The (original) trio that was Bananamara, were
Sara Dallin, Siobhan Fahey, and Keren Woodward. These three remained together until 1988, when Fahey left, and was replaced by Jacquie
O'Sullivan. O'Sullivan would appear on three of the songs from this Greatest Hits Collection, the remake of the Beatles' "Help!,"
"Love, Truth And Honesty" and "Nathan Jones." O'Sullivan left in 1991, as the remaining members Dallin and Woodward remained
as a duo. More songs were recorded by Bananama with and without O'Sullivan, yet those songs were not as remembered. The songs from this
Greatest Hits Collection were from the peak years of Bananarama, and obviously, some most remembered, when mentioning their name.
"Venus" leads of the compilation, and in comparing their version with the original, Shocking Blue would be the choice. However,
Bananara's version is more Pop than the rocking version of Shocking Blue. Bananarama's version is good as it fitted the 1980s Pop style
than that of many. One of those artists from the 1980s was Madonna, and Bananaram's "I Heard A Rumour" was a Top 5 hit, and this
song has a Madonna'ish style, when she first became famous (the early years of Madonna). "Love In The First Degree" (not the
song title by Country group Alabama) was a Top 10 Dance hit. Yet, it's not one of the most remembered Bananarama songs, from my knowledge.
(Again, it has the sound of the early Madonna.) Also a Top 10 Dance hit was "I Can't Help It," another least remembered "hit," and
early Madonna'ish in sound. "I Want You Back" was not released in the U.S., however it was in the UK (Top 5) - UK being the group's
homeland. This song, like many, is definite late-1980s Pop.
"Love, Truth And Honesty" didn't do as well on the US chart (#89), however it did much better on the US Dance chart (#26). It's
another "not remembered hit," yet it's another late-1980s Pop dance flavored track.n "Nathan Jones" reached #15 in the UK, but didn't
chart in the US. This is another song that most didn't remember, another Pop flavored track. (The first 7 tracks were from the years 1986
to 1988.)
Going back to 1982 is "He Was Really Somethin'". And like "Nathan Jones" it has a nostalgic 1960s Girl Group sound.
"Somethin'" was more popular in the UK (#5), where (again) it did not chart in the US, yet like other songs by them, it appeared on the
US Dance chart (#16). "Shy Boy" was also from the year 1982, and a UK hit (#4), not charting on the US chart, yet on the US Dance chart.
UK #4, US @83) was "Robert De Niro's Waiting," (1984) a song that has you wonder about the song's title, as it namechecks the popular actor.
Again, more popular in the uK (#3), and #95 in the US. 1983 saw another huge hit that should come to mind - "Cruel Summer" a Top 10 hit
in both the UK and US. Another remake cover version (1983) is "Na Na Hey Hey (Kiss Him Goodbye)" (originally by Steam), and the original
is definitely better than the Bananarama version. And it's no wonder no one really remembers this version; it only charted in the UK (#5).
The next track is from 1986, and it is quite an impressive tune - "Trick Of The Night." "Aie A Mwana" goes back to the year 1981,
as this song would be the beginning of what would be known as -- Bananarama. And, this particular song is more Disco, than Pop.
This collection ends with another remake, The Beatles' "Help!" and quite honestly, their version is quite good. Better than the Beatles'
version. Ummm, I think you already know that answer. If not, No.
Bananarama's Greatest Hits Collection is a very good introduction the group's music. Although they released four albums during this
period, this collection is really all you need. However, they were much more popular in the UK, rather than in the US. So, I'm sure there are
far more Bananarama fans from the UK, than here in the US. After 1988, Bananarama released eight more albums; their most recent was released in
2022. So, they are still together (as a duo now), and I'm sure they have the spotlight in the UK.
Again, this is a great intro to Bananarama. "Venus" and "Cruel Summer" are the standouts, and yet, the other Pop and Dance
tracks are quite enjoyable.
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