I Want You Back (Bananarama song)
Encyclopedia
"I Want You Back" is a song written and recorded by English girl group
Bananarama
. It is included on their fourth studio album Wow! and was released as its fourth and final single. with the 1988 compilation album Greatest Hits Collection
. The track was co-written and produced by the Stock Aitken Waterman
(SAW) trio.
It is the first Bananarama release to feature new group member Jacquie O'Sullivan
. Recorded with Siobhan Fahey
for the Wow! album, "I Want You Back" was remix
ed and re-recorded by Sara Dallin
and Keren Woodward
in which Keren herself played bass guitar on that track with O'Sullivan for its release as a single.
The song became one of Bananarama's highest-charting hits, peaking at number five in the UK singles chart
. It also climbed into the top three in Australia and the top ten in New Zealand. "I Want You Back" was not released in the United States.
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". Elements of the original chorus can be heard in the original Wow! version of I Want You Back. A 56 second clip of this original version was made available on the PWE website on 30th Jan 2009.
Despite being one of the band's biggest hits, Keren Woodward
said in an 2009 interview "I'd be quite happy if I never heard I Want you Back ever again".
A persistent rumor has it that, privately, Bananarama were singing here of a deep desire to reunite with Chewbacca, the chorus actually being sung as, "I want Chewbac . . ."
. All of these scenes are interspersed with go-go boys dancing with wigs or in cages clad only in briefs and glow-in-the-dark body paint. Both videos were directed by Andy Morahan.
10" gatefold single NANG 16
12" single NANX 16
CD single NANCD 16
Other versions
Girl 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...
. It is included on their fourth studio album Wow! and was released as its fourth and final single. with the 1988 compilation album Greatest Hits Collection
Greatest Hits Collection (Bananarama album)
The Greatest Hits Collection is a compilation album released by Bananarama which features their single releases and greatest hits. It was issued by London Records in 1988, shortly after the departure of group member Siobhan Fahey...
. The track was co-written and produced by the Stock Aitken Waterman
Stock Aitken Waterman
Stock Aitken Waterman, sometimes known as SAW, were a UK songwriting and record producing trio consisting of Mike Stock, Matt Aitken and Pete Waterman. They had great success during the mid to late 1980s and early 1990s...
(SAW) trio.
It is the first Bananarama release to feature new group member Jacquie O'Sullivan
Jacquie O'Sullivan
Jacquie O'Sullivan is a singer and songwriter.-Early years:O'Sullivan was originally a member of the country/punk/rockabilly group Shillelagh Sisters. In 1978 she was one of three backing vocalists on Status Quo's album "If You Can't Stand the Heat". In 1982 O'Sullivan appeared in the videoclip of...
. Recorded with Siobhan Fahey
Siobhan Fahey
Siobhan Fahey is an Irish musician and founding member of the 1980s British girl group Bananarama, and later formed the BRIT Award and Ivor Novello award winning musical outfit Shakespears Sister.-Career:Fahey was born the eldest of three daughters to Helen and...
for the Wow! album, "I Want You Back" was 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 and re-recorded by Sara Dallin
Sara Dallin
Sara Elizabeth Dallin is an English musician mostly noted for her membership of the group Bananarama, which she co-founded with her childhood friend Keren Woodward.Dallin was born in Bristol, England...
and Keren Woodward
Keren Woodward
Keren Woodward is an English pop singer and songwriter of British girl group Bananarama, co-founded by her long time school friend Sara Dallin and Siobhan Fahey....
in which Keren herself played bass guitar on that track with O'Sullivan for its release as a single.
The song became one of Bananarama's highest-charting hits, 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 climbed into the top three in Australia and the top ten in New Zealand. "I Want You Back" was not released in the United States.
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". Elements of the original chorus can be heard in the original Wow! version of I Want You Back. A 56 second clip of this original version was made available on the PWE website on 30th Jan 2009.
Despite being one of the band's biggest hits, Keren Woodward
Keren Woodward
Keren Woodward is an English pop singer and songwriter of British girl group Bananarama, co-founded by her long time school friend Sara Dallin and Siobhan Fahey....
said in an 2009 interview "I'd be quite happy if I never heard I Want you Back ever again".
A persistent rumor has it that, privately, Bananarama were singing here of a deep desire to reunite with Chewbacca, the chorus actually being sung as, "I want Chewbac . . ."
Music video
The video featured the group performing the song in various scenarios. One is a more formal presentation with the three girls performing a choreographed dance routine before the camera. Another has them acting silly, dancing spontaneously, and humorously fighting for screen time. Yet another scenario features the girls dressed up in silver gowns as The SupremesThe Supremes
The Supremes, an American female singing group, were the premier act of Motown Records during the 1960s.Originally founded as The Primettes in Detroit, Michigan, in 1959, The Supremes' repertoire included doo-wop, pop, soul, Broadway show tunes, psychedelic soul, and disco...
. All of these scenes are interspersed with go-go boys dancing with wigs or in cages clad only in briefs and glow-in-the-dark body paint. Both videos were directed by Andy Morahan.
Track Listings
7" single NANA 16- "I Want You Back" (Single Version) 3:47
- "Bad For Me" 3:37
10" gatefold single NANG 16
- "I Want You Back" (Single Version) 7:56
- "Bananarama Megamix" (Edit) 6:15
12" single NANX 16
- "I Want You Back" (Extended European Version) 7:56
- "Amnesia" (Extended 12" Version) (Theme from 'The Roxy') 6:28
- M. Stock/M. Aitken/P. Waterman, :Remixed by Extra Beat Boys
- "Bad For Me" 3:37
CD single NANCD 16
- "I Want You Back" (Single Version) 3:47
- "Bad For Me" 3:37
- "Amnesia" (Extended 12" Version) (Theme from The Roxy) 6:28
- "Love in the First Degree" (House Mix) 5:45
- Remixed by Phil Harding
Other versions
- "I Want You Back" (LP Version) 3:53
- Taken from the album Wow!
Personnel
- Sara DallinSara DallinSara Elizabeth Dallin is an English musician mostly noted for her membership of the group Bananarama, which she co-founded with her childhood friend Keren Woodward.Dallin was born in Bristol, England...
- Vocals - Keren WoodwardKeren WoodwardKeren Woodward is an English pop singer and songwriter of British girl group Bananarama, co-founded by her long time school friend Sara Dallin and Siobhan Fahey....
- Vocals - Siobhan FaheySiobhan FaheySiobhan Fahey is an Irish musician and founding member of the 1980s British girl group Bananarama, and later formed the BRIT Award and Ivor Novello award winning musical outfit Shakespears Sister.-Career:Fahey was born the eldest of three daughters to Helen and...
- Vocals - Jacquie O'SullivanJacquie O'SullivanJacquie O'Sullivan is a singer and songwriter.-Early years:O'Sullivan was originally a member of the country/punk/rockabilly group Shillelagh Sisters. In 1978 she was one of three backing vocalists on Status Quo's album "If You Can't Stand the Heat". In 1982 O'Sullivan appeared in the videoclip of...
- Vocals
Charts
| Chart (1988) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles Chart | 5 |
| Australia ARIA singles | 3 |
| New Zealand singles | 10 |
| Switzerland singles chart | 23 |
| Spain singles chart | 6 |
| 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... |
49 |