He Was Really Sayin' Somethin'
Encyclopedia
"He Was Really Sayin' Somethin' is a soul
song written by Motown Records
songwriters Norman Whitfield
, William "Mickey" Stevenson, and Edward Holland, Jr.
in 1964 (see 1964 in music
). 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
.
"Throw a Farewell Kiss", composed by Whitfield and Holland and produced by Whitfield, had been recorded in October 1962 and was issued as the B-side of "He Was Really Sayin' Somethin'". Six years later, Whitfield had the Temptations
record "Farewell Kiss" for their 1971 album Sky's the Limit.
Bananarama
recorded a cover version
of the song and released it as the first single from their debut album Deep Sea Skiving
. Providing background vocals is Fun Boy Three
, a male vocal trio who had a hit with Bananarama earlier in the year with another cover, "T'ain't What You Do (It's the Way That You Do It)
".
The 1982 single became the second consecutive top-five hit for both Bananarama and Fun Boy Three, peaking at number five in the UK singles chart
. It also received heavy play on the then-young MTV
network in America. "Really Saying Something" was both groups' second chart entry in Australia, peaking at number seventy-four. The B-side, "Give Us Back Our Cheap Fares", has been issued on CD for the first time on the 2007 UK reissue of Deep Sea Skiving
as one of five bonus tracks.
The song was revived in 2005
by Solasso, who remix
ed the song and released it as a bootleg
remix. It was later included on Bananarama's album Drama
. The Velvelettes' original appears on several Motown compilation albums.
US 7" single LD201
UK 12" vinyl NANX1
UK 12" vinyl - stickered limited edition NANX1
US 12" vinyl LLD101
German 12" vinyl 6400 606
2005 versions
announced that they were releasing their own version of "Really Saying Something", as a special anniversary single, celebrating 30 years since Bananarama recorded their first single. The single is available exclusively on Fahey's/Shakespears Sister's web site.
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
song written by Motown Records
Motown Records
Motown is a record label originally founded by Berry Gordy, Jr. and incorporated as Motown Record Corporation in Detroit, Michigan, United States, on April 14, 1960. The name, a portmanteau of motor and town, is also a nickname for Detroit...
songwriters Norman Whitfield
Norman Whitfield
Norman Jesse Whitfield was an American songwriter and producer, best known for his work with Berry Gordy's Motown label during the 1960s...
, William "Mickey" Stevenson, and Edward Holland, Jr.
Edward Holland, Jr.
Edward Holland, Jr. is an American singer, songwriter and record producer....
in 1964 (see 1964 in music
1964 in music
-Events:*January 1 – Top of the Pops is broadcast for the first time, on BBC television.*January 3 – Footage of the Beatles performing a concert in Bournemouth, England is shown on The Jack Paar Show....
). The song is notable in both a 1964 version by American Motown girl group the Velvelettes
The Velvelettes
The Velvelettes was an American singing girl group, signed to Motown in the 1960s.-Early years and establishment:The group was founded in 1961 by Bertha Barbee McNeal and Mildred Gill Arbor, students at Western Michigan University. Mildred recruited her younger sister Carolyn , who was in 9th...
, and a 1982 hit version (with the title altered to "Really Saying Something") by British girl group Bananarama
Bananarama
Bananarama are an English female pop duo who have had success on the pop and dance charts since 1982. Rather than relying on a two part harmony, the duo generally sings in unison, as do their background vocalists. Although there have been line-up changes, the group enjoyed their most popular...
.
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 released a full-length album."Throw a Farewell Kiss", composed by Whitfield and Holland and produced by Whitfield, had been recorded in October 1962 and was issued as the B-side of "He Was Really Sayin' Somethin'". Six years later, Whitfield had the Temptations
The Temptations
The Temptations is an American vocal group having achieved fame as one of the most successful acts to record for Motown Records. The group's repertoire has included, at various times during its five-decade career, R&B, doo-wop, funk, disco, soul, and adult contemporary music.Formed in Detroit,...
record "Farewell Kiss" for their 1971 album Sky's the Limit.
Bananarama version
In 1982, the British girl groupGirl group
A girl group is a popular music act featuring several young female singers who generally harmonise together.Girl groups emerged in the late 1950s as groups of young singers teamed up with behind-the-scenes songwriters and music producers to create hit singles, often featuring glossy production...
Bananarama
Bananarama
Bananarama are an English female pop duo who have had success on the pop and dance charts since 1982. Rather than relying on a two part harmony, the duo generally sings in unison, as do their background vocalists. Although there have been line-up changes, the group enjoyed their most popular...
recorded a cover version
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
of the song and released it as the first single from their debut album Deep Sea Skiving
Deep Sea Skiving
Deep Sea Skiving is the debut album by the British female vocal group Bananarama, released in 1983. The album peaked at no.7 on the UK album chart and was certified Silver by the BPI....
. Providing background vocals is Fun Boy Three
Fun Boy Three
Fun Boy Three were a short-lived but successful English New Wave Pop band which ran from 1981 to 1983 and was formed by singers Terry Hall, Neville Staple and Lynval Golding after they left The Specials.-History:...
, a male vocal trio who had a hit with Bananarama earlier in the year with another cover, "T'ain't What You Do (It's the Way That You Do It)
T'ain't What You Do (It's the Way That You Do It)
"It Ain't What You Do " is a calypso song written by jazz musicians Melvin "Sy" Oliver and James "Trummy" Young. It was first recorded in 1939 by Jimmie Lunceford, Harry James, and Ella Fitzgerald. The "shim-sham" is often danced to the Lunceford recording of this song.-Cover versions:The jazz tune...
".
The 1982 single became the second consecutive top-five hit for both Bananarama and Fun Boy Three, peaking at number five in the UK singles chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
. It also received heavy play on the then-young MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
network in America. "Really Saying Something" was both groups' second chart entry in Australia, peaking at number seventy-four. The B-side, "Give Us Back Our Cheap Fares", has been issued on CD for the first time on the 2007 UK reissue of Deep Sea Skiving
Deep Sea Skiving
Deep Sea Skiving is the debut album by the British female vocal group Bananarama, released in 1983. The album peaked at no.7 on the UK album chart and was certified Silver by the BPI....
as one of five bonus tracks.
The song was revived in 2005
2005 in music
-Events:*During the year 2005, 12 rock music albums scored number 1 in the USA. This was the first time even ten albums have scored number 1 since 1996.-January:...
by Solasso, who remix
Remix
A remix is an alternative version of a recorded song, made from an original version. This term is also used for any alterations of media other than song ....
ed the song and released it as a bootleg
White label
White label records are vinyl records with adhesive plain white labels affixed. Test pressings, usually with Test Pressing written on the label, with catalogue number, artist and recording time or date, are produced in small quantities to evaluate the quality of the disc production...
remix. It was later included on Bananarama's album Drama
Drama (Bananarama album)
Drama is the ninth studio album by the British female vocal duo Bananarama. It features eleven newly recorded tracks, along with a remix of their 1986 smash hit "Venus" and a 2005 remix of their 1982 hit "Really Saying Something", an underground bootleg club hit produced by Solasso.Drama is a...
. The Velvelettes' original appears on several Motown compilation albums.
Releases
UK 7" single NANA1- "Really Saying Something" 2:41
- "Give Us Back Our Cheap Fares" 2:44
US 7" single LD201
- "Really Saying Something" (US Version) 3:44
- "Give Us Back Our Cheap Fares" 2:44
UK 12" vinyl NANX1
- "Really Saying Something" (Extended Mix) 5:40
- Remixed by Fun Boy Three
- "Give Us Back Our Cheap Fares" (Extended Version) 4:25
UK 12" vinyl - stickered limited edition NANX1
- "Really Saying Something" (Extended Mix) 5:40
- Remixed by Fun Boy Three
- "Aie A Mwana" (Extended Version) 5:46
US 12" vinyl LLD101
- "Really Saying Something" (Extended US Version) 7:50
- "Aie A Mwana" (Extended US Version) 6:46
- "Aie A Mwana" (Dub Mix) 4:38
German 12" vinyl 6400 606
- "Really Saying Something" (Extended Mix) 5:40
- "Give Us Back Our Cheap Fares" (Extended Version) 4:25
2005 versions
- "Really Saying Something" (Solasso Mix) 5:58 Taken from the album Drama
- "Really Saying Something" (Solasso Radio Edit)
- "Really Saying Something" (Solasso Dirty Dub) 5:58
- "Really Saying Something" (Hardino Radio Edit)
- "Really Saying Something" (Hardino Remix) 6:20
- "Really Saying Something" (DJ Bomba & Soulseekerz Remix) 6:37
- "Really Saying Something" (Kenny Hayes Sunshine Funk Remix) 5:34
- "Really Saying Something" (Giresse Breakbeat Remix) 5:21
- "Really Saying Something" (Shanghai Surprise Radio Edit) 3:21
- "Really Saying Something" (Shanghai Surprise Club Mix) 6:44
Shakespears Sister Version
In late February 2011, Siobhan Fahey's current band, Shakespears SisterShakespears Sister
Shakespears Sister/Shakespear's Sister is a British-based synth-pop-rock band formed by Irish-born singer–songwriter Siobhan Fahey in 1988, with plaudits including a BRIT Award and Ivor Novello Award. It was Fahey's first musical outing since leaving Bananarama, and initially a solo project...
announced that they were releasing their own version of "Really Saying Something", as a special anniversary single, celebrating 30 years since Bananarama recorded their first single. The single is available exclusively on Fahey's/Shakespears Sister's web site.
Velvelettes version
| Chart (1965) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 64 |
| U.S. Billboard R&B Singles | 21 |
Bananarama version
| Chart (1982) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles Chart | 5 |
| U.S. Hot Dance Club Play | 16 |
| Australia ARIA singles chart | 74 |
| Dutch Singles chart MegaCharts MegaCharts is responsible for the composition and exploitation of a broad collection of official charts in the Netherlands, of which the Mega Top 50 and the Mega Album Top 100 are the most known ones. Mega Charts also provides information to the Stichting Nederlandse Top 40, of which the Dutch Top... |
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