Bananarama
By All Music Guide
By All Music Guide
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 1984s rape-themed release Robert DeNiros 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 trios career stalled. In 1986, Bananaramas fortunes improved considerably when they joined forces with the production team of Stock, Aitken & Waterman, who produced the album Wow!; the groups most successful outing to date, the LPs cover of the Shocking Blues Venus was an international chart-topper, and both Love in the First Degree and I Heard a Rumour were major hits as well.
In 1987, Fahey left the group after marrying Eurythmics Dave Stewart; she later resurfaced as one half of the duo Shakespears Sister. Woodward and Dallin, meanwhile, enlisted pal Jacquie OSullivan, formerly of the Sheilagh Sisters, to fill the void. After a long layoff, the revamped group teamed with new producer Youth to issue the 1991 album Pop Life, which featured a cover of the Doobie Brothers Long Train Running. Shortly after the albums release, OSullivan too exited, and Woodward and Dallin forged on as a duo for 1992s Please Yourself and 1995s Ultra Violet. After a brief hiauts, the group returned with 2005s Euro-dance-friendly Drama.
