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Please Yourself
''Please Yourself'' is the sixth studio album by English pop act Bananarama. It was released on 29 March 1993 by London Records, the group's last release under the label. It is also the first album from Bananarama as a duo – with original members Sara Dallin and Keren Woodward continuing after the departure of Jacquie O'Sullivan in 1991. ''Please Yourself'' also reunites Bananarama with two-thirds of the Stock Aitken Waterman production team (Stock and Waterman). Musician Gary Miller was brought in to do keyboards and guitar and would be Bananarama's next collaborator on their following album '' Ultra Violet''. The concept of the album was first suggested by Pete Waterman as 'ABBA-Banana', a record that would feature pop songs in the style of ABBA, but updated for the 1990s. Ultimately, however, much of the album ended up incorporating a ‘90s Euro-disco sound with only “Movin’ On” and “Last Thing On My Mind” utilising an ABBA-esque influence. ''Please Yourself'' ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Bananarama
Bananarama are an English pop duo from London, formed as a trio in 1980 by friends Sara Dallin, Siobhan Fahey and Keren Woodward. Fahey left the group in 1988 and was replaced by Jacquie O'Sullivan until 1991, when the trio became a duo. Their success on both pop and dance charts saw them listed in the ''Guinness World Records'' for achieving the world's highest number of chart entries by an all-female group. Between 1982 and 2009, they had 30 singles reach the Top 50 of the UK Singles Chart. The group's UK top-10 hits include " It Ain't What You Do..." (1982), "Really Saying Something" (1982), "Shy Boy" (1982), " Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye" (1983), " Cruel Summer" (1983), " Robert De Niro's Waiting..." (1984), " Love in the First Degree" (1987), "I Want You Back" in 1988 and charity track "Help!" in 1989. In 1986, they had a U.S. number one with another of their UK top-10 hits, a cover of "Venus". In total, they had 11 singles reach the US ''Billboard'' Hot 100 (1983 ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
ABBA
ABBA ( , , formerly named Björn & Benny, Agnetha & Anni-Frid or Björn & Benny, Agnetha & Frida) are a Swedish supergroup formed in Stockholm in 1972 by Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad. The group's name is an acronym of the first letters of their first names arranged as a palindrome. One of the most popular and successful musical groups of all time, they became one of the List of best-selling music artists, best-selling music acts in the history of popular music, topping the charts worldwide from 1974 to 1982, and in 2022. In Eurovision Song Contest 1974, 1974, ABBA were Sweden in the Eurovision Song Contest, Sweden's first winner of the Eurovision Song Contest with the song "Waterloo (ABBA song), Waterloo," which in 2005 was chosen as the best song in the competition's history as part of the Congratulations: 50 Years of the Eurovision Song Contest, 50th anniversary celebration of the contest. During the band's main active years, it ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Really Saying Something
"He Was Really Sayin' Somethin' is a soul song written by Motown songwriters Norman Whitfield, William "Mickey" Stevenson, and Edward Holland, Jr. in 1964. The song is notable in both a 1964 version by American Motown girl group the Velvelettes, and a 1982 hit version (with the title altered to "Really Saying Something") by British girl group Bananarama. Overview Velvelettes version The original version of the song was recorded by Motown group the Velvelettes in December 1964. An alternate version recorded in October/November had been discarded. Produced by Norman Whitfield, the Velvelettes' version was released on Motown's V.I.P. label on December 27, 1964, and was a minor hit for the group in early 1965. "He Was Really Sayin' Somethin'" peaked at number 64 on the U.S. ''Billboard'' Hot 100, and at number 21 on the then recently reinstated ''Billboard'' R&B Singles chart. The single was the second most successful release for the Velvelettes, a minor Motown act which never rel ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Cruel Summer (Bananarama Song)
"Cruel Summer" is a song by English girl group Bananarama. It was written by Bananarama and Steve Jolley, Tony Swain, and produced by Jolley and Swain. Released in 1983, it was initially a stand-alone single but was subsequently included on their self-titled second album a year later. The song reached number eight on the UK Singles Chart in 1983, and after its inclusion in the 1984 film ''The Karate Kid'', it reached number nine on the US ''Billboard'' Hot 100. Bananarama singer Sara Dallin said the song "played on the darker side (of summer songs): it looked at the oppressive heat, the misery of wanting to be with someone as the summer ticked by. We've all been there!" It was ranked number 44 on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of the '80s. ''Billboard'' named the song #13 on their list of 100 Greatest Girl Group Songs of All Time. History "Cruel Summer" was an immediate success when it was released in the UK, reaching No. 8 on the UK Singles Chart, and the group performed the song ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Love In The First Degree (Bananarama Song)
"Love in the First Degree" is a song by English girl group Bananarama from their fourth studio album, ''Wow!'' (1987). It was released on 28 September 1987 as the album's second single, except in the United States, where it was released in 1988 as the third single (following " I Can't Help It"). The track was co-written and produced by the Stock Aitken Waterman (SAW) trio. The song is an uptempo pop tune similar to many hits produced by SAW during this time period. The surreal lyrics, composed by Siobhan Fahey and built upon by SAW and Bananarama members Sara Dallin and Keren Woodward, describes a dream in which they find themselves being tried in court for love. The musical structure could be compared to Pachelbel's Canon. Producer Pete Waterman variously claimed he came up with the idea for the song while in the bath, and after waking up one morning with the tune in his head. However Dallin has stated that he was not present during the song's composition. Waterman further ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
I Want You Back (Bananarama Song)
"I Want You Back" is a song by English girl group Bananarama from their fourth studio album, '' Wow!'' (1987). It was released on 28 March 1988 as the album's fourth and final single. The track was co-written and produced by the Stock Aitken Waterman (SAW) trio. The song originally had a different chorus and was titled "Reason for Living". Bananarama disliked this chorus and co-wrote the revised lyrics for "I Want You Back". Both versions were originally recorded with Siobhan Fahey for the 1987 ''Wow!'' album. For the April 1988 single release, the song was re-recorded with Jacquie O'Sullivan, who had replaced Fahey in March 1988. "Reason for Living" was included on the deluxe version of ''Wow!'', which was released in 2013. Elements of the original chorus can be heard in both the original '' Wow!'' version of "I Want You Back" and in the Extended European Mix of the 1988 single release. "I Want You Back" became one of Bananarama's highest-charting singles, peaking at number fiv ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Shocking Blue
Shocking Blue was a Dutch rock band formed in 1967 in The Hague. It was part of the music movement in the Netherlands that was generally known by the name Nederbeat. The band had a number of hits throughout the counterculture movement during the 1960s and early 1970s, including "Send Me a Postcard" and "Venus", which became their biggest hit and reached number one on the U.S. ''Billboard'' Hot 100 and many other countries during 1969 and 1970. The band sold 13.5 million records by 1973 but disbanded in 1974. Together with Golden Earring they are considered the most successful Nederbeat-band, if the criterion is scoring hits abroad and especially in the United States. History Original era Shocking Blue were founded in 1967 by The Motions guitarist Robbie van Leeuwen. Other members of the group at this time were Fred de Wilde, Klaasje van der Wal (1 February 1949 – 12 February 2018) and Cor van der Beek (9 June 1949 – 2 April 1998). They had a minor hit in 1968 with " ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Venus (Shocking Blue Song)
"Venus" is a song by Dutch rock band Shocking Blue, initially released as a single in the Netherlands in the summer of 1969. Written by Robbie van Leeuwen, the song topped the charts in nine countries. The song has been covered dozens of times by many artists. In 1986, English girl group Bananarama covered "Venus" for their third studio album, '' True Confessions'', with the single reaching number one in six countries. The composition has been featured in numerous films, television shows and commercials. Composition and recording The song was written by Robbie van Leeuwen, Shocking Blue's guitarist, sitarist and background vocalist. Van Leeuwen wrote new lyrics set to music based on "The Banjo Song" by Tim Rose and the Big 3, which is in turn lyrically a modification of the 19th century song "Oh! Susanna" by Stephen Foster. Influences from other songs include the opening guitar riff that is similar to The Who's " Pinball Wizard". The song was recorded on a two-track machine in ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Gregg Diamond
Gregory Oliver Diamond (May 4, 1949 – March 14, 1999) was an American pianist, drummer, songwriter, and producer who was active in the jazz and disco music scenes of the 1970s. Career Diamond was a member of the backing band for Jobriath, the Creatures. He played drums and percussion. Diamond wrote the song "Hot Butterfly", which was released in 1978 under one of his group's names, Bionic Boogie, with Luther Vandross providing lead vocals. The song was later covered by David Lasley, the Sweet Inspirations, and Chaka Khan. His other popular songs included "Risky Changes" (released by Bionic Boogie in 1977), "Dance Little Dreamer" (released by Bionic Boogie in 1977), "Cream (Always Rises to the Top)" (released by Bionic Boogie in 1978), "Starcruisin'" (1978), "Fancy Dancer" (1978), and "Tiger, Tiger (Feel Good For a While)" (1979). "Dance Little Dreamer" reached #1 on the ''Billboard'' Hot Dance Club Play chart in 1978. The song "Cream (Always Rises to the Top)" reached #61 in ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Pete Waterman
Peter Alan Waterman, (born 15 January 1947) is an English record producer, songwriter, radio and club DJ, television presenter, president of Coventry Bears rugby league club and a keen railway enthusiast. As a member of the Stock Aitken Waterman songwriting team, he wrote and produced many hit singles. He is the owner of significant collections of both historic and commercial railway locomotives and rolling stock. Early life Peter Alan Waterman was born in Stoke Heath, Coventry, Warwickshire. He was educated at Whitley Abbey Comprehensive School until he left in 1962 to work for British Railways. He became a steam locomotive fireman based at Wolverhampton (Stafford Road) depot. In 2002 he said of his time working for British Railways, "I loved every minute of it. The squalor was unreal, but the camaraderie was phenomenal." After closure of the depot in 1963, Waterman chose to follow a career in music, being inspired by The Beatles. To supplement his income as a DJ, he beca ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Mike Stock (musician)
Michael Stock (born 3 December 1951) is an English songwriter, record producer, musician, and member of the songwriting and production trio Stock Aitken Waterman. He has written and/or produced 18 No. 1 records in America and the UK, over a hundred top-40 hits and is recognised as one of the most successful songwriters of all time by the ''Guinness Book of Records''. As part of Stock Aitken and Waterman in the 1980s and 90s, he holds the UK record of 11 number one records with different acts. In the UK Singles Chart he has written 54 top-ten hits including 7 number ones. Biography Stock was born in Margate, Kent, England in 1951 and grew up in Swanley, Kent. He attended White Oak primary school and Swanley comprehensive school. At Swanley school he was involved in several school variety productions. He was self-taught in playing the piano and guitar and began writing songs at the age of seven. Inspired by The Beatles he soon became fixated with pop music and put together his ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Classic Pop (magazine)
''Classic Pop'' is a bi-monthly British music magazine, which launched in October 2012. It was devised and founded by Ian Peel, who was also editor for the first 19 issues. Rik Flynn stepped in as editor until Issue 23 followed by current editor Steve Harnell. Ian Peel remains involved as Founder & Editor-at-Large. Launched as a bi-monthly magazine by Anthem Publishing, Classic Pop had become a monthly magazine by the time Anthem temporarily paused publication of the title in April 2020 due to Covid-19. After a break of three months, which saw Anthem cease publication of sister magazine "Long Live Vinyl", Classic Pop returned as a bi-monthly publication with occasional special editions (such as "Synthpop Volume 2: Electric Dreams"). Its overriding philosophy is summed up on one of its occasional series, ''Five Decades of...'' which interviews and appraises the work of an influential musician or group who may have been constantly overlooked by other media but who are nonetheless ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
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