Last month, pop legends Bananarama celebrated the 40th anniversary of their mega hit "Cruel Summer", which was originally released in the UK in 1983. Bananarama have recorded a new chill out version of the song and they have released it as a single today! WOO!
The version is called 3am Mix, but it is a brand new recording and new vocals, as well as some additional lyrics that were not in the original. It takes the song to an ambient chill out place that you wish you were lying by a swimming pool dreaming your cares away. We've added the official lyric video to our 2023 Poptastic Confessions Playlist on YouTube ...
Now over the years, there have been many versions of "Cruel Summer" so we thought it would be good to explore them.
Let's start with the original. Originally recorded in 1983, it would be the first single from their second album simply titled Bananarama. It was a top ten hit the UK and Ireland, and thanks to being featured in the movie The Karate Kid, it became a top ten hit in the US in 1984. The music video was filmed in New York. Have a look ...
In 1989, Bananarama released the single "Cruel Summer '89" which was produced by Stock, Aitken, Waterman. It was given the quickly dated "new jack swing" treatment. Despite new member Jacquie being in the group and on the single cover, she did not record new vocals. The original vocals were used, but it is possible that Siobhan's vocal track was taken out as they were recording separately by then, and the vocals also have a higher pitch. This version also has added lyrics that were omitted from the original: "Who can I find while I am trapped inside these 4 walls?"
In 1998, Swedish group Ace Of Base recorded not one, not two, but three versions of "Cruel Summer." The first version was a more modern take on the original classic, this was the single version in the UK and US where it also went top ten on both charts.
However, there was more hi-nrg version with a latin feel that most of Europe got. This was also a different vocal take. It used the same footage as the standard version for the music video ...
For France, Ace Of Base teamed up with French boy band Alliage for new version even with some of the lyrics sung in French. They even made a music video for it that takes place at a gas station in an ode to the original. Watch it here ...
In 2001, Bananarama made an album called Exotica with a French record company and the label asked for some some remakes of their hits. The best remake they did for the album was for "Cruel Summer." It has a latin-feel with lots of horns. The best part about this remake is the additional lyrics that just really added to the story of "Cruel Summer." These lyrics are also present in the new chill out mix. Listen it here ...
In 2002, a rap group called Blestenation released their version of "Cruel Summer" for the movie Blue Crush. Their version samples the original music, but only features the chorus of the original. The verses are rapped by a male, and the chorus is sung by females, but not Bananarama. Be warned: this has explicit lyrics ...
In 2009, Bananarama rerecorded "Cruel Summer" again for a b-side of "Love Comes" from their VIVA album. This version is a full-on electro sound. Also what is interesting about this version is that Sara and Keren alternate sining the lines of the verses solo. There are no additional lyrics on this version. Have a listen ...
Also in 2009, German producer Rico Bernasconi released a dance remix of the song with the Ace Of Base vocals. Check out the music video here..
In November of 2017, girl group Company B, who were most popular for their 1987 freestyle song "Fascinated", released a cover of "Cruel Summer." You can check out their music video for it here ...
Fanmade cover by Loco Christopher Minx
In 2018, Bananarama released 2 live albums from their Original Lineup Tour with Siobhan. Both live albums feature live versions of "Cruel Summer" that sound like a mix between the original and the VIVA version. Check out their performance at The London Eventim Hammersmith Apollo ...
During the COVID pandemic in 2020, the group Evanescence recorded a somber version of "Cruel Summer" and it ended up as a Japanese bonus track to their 2021 album The Bitter Truth. Check it out ...
In May of this year, DJ Sidekick did a mashup of "Cruel Summer" and "Summertime Sadness." The "Cruel Summer" vocals are actually from Ace Of Base, not Bananarama. Check it out here ...
And just 2 weeks ago, Bananarama uploaded a reaction video to Keren and Sara reacting to the original music video ...
There you have it! "Cruel Summer" was written by Sara Dallin, Siobhan Fahey, Keren Woodward, Steve Jolley, and Tony Swain. The 3am Mix was produced by Ian Masterson. It is available on digital outlets everywhere. Buy your copy today! We've added it to our 2023 Poptastic Confessions Playlist on Spotify.
Cheers then,
—Davearama
P.S. Please follow Bananarama and Poptastic Confessions on social media ....
Bananarama
Please like and share our posts so that more people hear the music!
No comments:
Post a Comment