Poptastic Confessions

Poptastic Confessions

Monday, August 5, 2019

Singles Party (1988-2019) by Shakespears Sister

Dear Poptastic Readers,

The reunited duo of Siobhan Fahey and Marcella Detroit, otherwise known as Shakespears Sister, has just released a greatest hits compilation called Singles Party (1988-2019). Now you might remember we featured the history of Shakespears Sister back in May of this year. Click here if you need a refresh.




Well, happy Monday! We are going to review the tracks on the new album! Here we go ...




1. "Break My Heart" was the debut single released in October of 1988. It is a fabulous dance pop song with a great melody. Earlier in 1988, Siobhan had left Bananarama. Originally, Shakespears Sister was supposed to be a solo outing for Siobhan, thus Marcella isn't on the cover or in the music video, but she did co-write and you can hear her on backing vocals. Check out the music video ...



2. In the UK, "Heroine" was the double A-side to "Break My Heart." However, in North America, both were released separately. "Heroine" is a bit darker. Marcella didn't co-write this one, but she is on backing vocals. The music video shows Siobhan running down the street in what looks like a wedding dress, and her oldest son who was a toddler at the time. Watch it here ...



3. "You're History" was released the following summer in July of 1989. It was also the first single that rebranded Shakespears Sister as a duo. The wonderful pop song shows off the duo's lower and higher vocals and it works fantastically. It was also their first hit as went top 10 in the UK and Sweden. This was also the first video to include Marcella ...




4. "Run Silent" was the next single released in October of 1989. Although it didn't do as well in the charts, it is a fantastic mid-tempo number that has a glorious melody. It really is a gem of a song. Also, this was the first single after the release of their debut album Sacred Heart. The single version is different to the album version. Here's the music video ...






5. "Dirty Mind" was released in February of 1990. This song was completely overhaul from the album version—including a big horn section and rap by Marcella. It wasn't a hit. We much prefer the less intense album version. Here's the music video ...



6. "Stay" is a glorious ballad from their second album Hormonally Yours in 1992. This was their biggest hit by far. You could even say it was massive as it spent 8 weeks at #1 in the UK, and a top 10 in the US. It was also the one and only song in which Marcella sang lead vocals on. The video was banned in Germany for having a witchcraft theme. Have a look ...




7. "I Don't Care" was the follow-up from the massive "Stay." It really is a great song and it Siobhan and Marcella do a great job on sharing the vocals. Love the poem rap in the song. The video is quite clever. Have a look ...




8. "Goodbye Cruel World": Here's some fun fun trivia. This was actually released in 1991 as the first single from the upcoming album Hormonally Yours. However, it didn't chart well. So after "Stay" and "I Don't Care" did well in the charts, this was given another release and it did go higher in the charts in the UK. Another great video ...





9. "Hello (Turn Your Radio On)" was another ballad, but this time with Siobhan on lead vocals. It is really quite haunting and beautiful. Just listen ...





10. "My 16th Apology" was the final single in 1993 taken from their Hormonally Yours album. There wasn't a whole lot of promotion for this as the video was made up of footage from other videos mixed in with live concert footage. It would also be the last single with Marcella.


The next few tracks follows Siobhan's outing as Shakespears Sister as a solo effort as well as some songs put out under her name. If you want to see what Marcella did during this time, click here.


11. "I Can Drive" was the first Shakespears Sister single after Marcella left. It was released in June of 1996. It has a great french horn and clever lyrics. It is epic. Check it out ...




12. "Bitter Pill" is the next track, and it was the first single released under Siobhan's name, and not Shakespears Sister, in 2002. It would eventually be released under the Shakespears Sister name in 2009 on the album Songs From The Red Room. This was electroclash pop and it was extremely current and with the times. Siobhan gives a great vocal performance, too. We love it.



13. Released in 2005, "Pulsatron" was the second single under Siobhan's name. It is a fun song with a rather funny lyric. A pop banger indeed!



14. "Bad Blood" was also released in 2005, and it would be the last single to be under Siobhan's name before she returned to using the name Shakespears Sister. The song is a bit darker than her previous 2 songs. Have a look and listen ...





15. "It's A Trip" was released in 2010 and a return to the Shakespears Sister name. It's a great song and the video is awesome ...




16. "All The Queen's Horses" is the first track with the reunited duo this year. It has a western Americana vibe to it with lyrics about their relationship. The video is so wonderful. Check it out ...



17. "C U Next Tuesday" is the other new song on the album. It sort of has that western style mixed with a bit 60s retro feel, and sounds like a gospel influence, too. It's a lot of fun. Listen here ...



18. "Stay" (Acoustic Version) closes the album. However, there is a deluxe version of the album that contains a bonus disc full of remixes, b-sides, and other tracks.

Do yourself a favour and buy the album. At the very least, stream it to hear the glory of Shakespears Sister. Have a listen here ...



Cheers then,
—Davearama

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