They were sometimes portrayed by the sexist press as being smiley, girly pop stars that sang cover versions. Of course that wasn't the truth at all. Not only did Bananarama write a huge number of songs over their fabulous career, in the early days they were not girly or feminine whatsoever. In fact it would be very hard to pick them out in a line-up of builders or mechanics as all three members looked like blokes. They had a fondness for ill-fitting jeans, braces and monkey boots. They were nothing like the picture of glamour that they are today.
If we rewind even further, the Banana's used to be terrifying punks. They were mohican clad rebels, stomping through the streets of London, terrifying the locals (probably). A trio of bad hair, ripped jeans and piercings (probably). When they weren't borrowing eye-liner from Siouxsie Sioux, they were probably crowd-surfing at punk gigs and throwing up in car parks (probably). They really weren't smiley at all!
Someone saw through their bad hair and terrible blouses and gave them a chance at fame. A song was recorded in Swahili (whose bloody idea was that?) Sadly 'Aie-A-Mwana', their debut single flopped, but thankfully they were noticed by popster Terry Hall who took a shine to them. Bananarama were in shock. They recorded more songs and then their career really took off! The success of their subsequent singles and debut album 'Deep Sea Skiving' completely took them by surprise. It wasn't look before they were throwing away the checked shirts and jumpers and trying out exciting new looks. A change of image was on the cards. They went goth! They made a pact to wear black and for a while they developed the ultimate pop star trait - always wearing shades, day or night, rain or shine.
Very few people know that Bananarama were responsible for the 'great hairspray' shortage in the early/mid eighties. Shelves in supermarkets and salons were left empty as the Bananarama ladies used all of the the nations supplies in an attempt to create the perfect 'do'. Sara's hair became so large that it could be seen from space.
Of course, one of their finest moments was when they performed on the Band Aid single. The video to 'Do They Know It's Christmas?' features a clearly hung-over Bananarama getting out of a car. If my memory serves me, Keren can be seem mouthing the word 'Sh....it'. I don't think they were expecting the huge crowd of photographers.
There have been so many great moments in the last 30 years. When they weren't gossiping with Boy George and smoking with Midge-Ure, they were writing songs about movie stars. 'Robert De-Niro's Waiting' has gone down in history as pop's greatest song about Robert De-Niro. The other brilliant song being 'Robert De-Niro's Grating', a song which I just made up about Robert grating cheese.
More to come in Part 2....
Warner UK & Ireland are releasing '30 Years Of Bananarama' in July. This CD / DVD collection features 22 amazing songs on the CD...and 35, yes 35! videos on the DVD!!!!
Pre-order here: http://www.play.com/Music/CD/3-/32252767/0/30-Years-Of-Bananarama/ListingDetails.html
Cover artwork TBC.
CD Tracklist
- Aie A Mwana
- Really Saying Something
- Shy Boy
- Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye
- Cruel Summer
- Robert De Niro's Waiting
- Venus
- I Heard A Rumour
- Love In The First Degree
- I Can't Help It
- I Want You Back
- Love Truth & Honesty
- Nathan Jones
- Help
- Only Your Love
- Preacher Man
- Movin' On
- Every Shade Of Blue
- Move In My Direction
- Look On The Floor
- Love Comes
- Love Don't Live Here
DVD Tracklist
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