Songful Style: “Venus!”

What a month this has been! I’m sure you’re tired of hearing about the eclipse, but I was just bowled over by it. I doubt I’ll see another, but here’s to hoping I do! The weather is sunny, and I’m ready to get some ferns for the back porch. I still haven’t decided what to put in my big clay pots. Anyway, welcome to the last Monday in April (can you believe it) and another edition of Songful Style! Suzy and Shelbee decided to riff (see what I did there) on Style Imitating Art only with music! Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge, Suzy of The Grey Brunette, and I make up the bloggers in this group. You can find all of us on our blogs and Instagram.  Our ensembles (pun intended) may be inspired by the lyrics of a song, the artwork of the album cover, maybe the MTV video, or even a memory the song evokes. Suzy chose this month’s song. Last month, I selected “Girl on Fire.” Oh, and there’s a link party, too!

The artists…

I was actually surprised to find out Bananarama is a British-Irish girl group! I don’t know why I thought they were from SoCal except for their hit, “Cruel Summer.” I think that’s what led me to thinking they were an American group. Nigel even knew they were from the UK! Three friends, Sara Dallin, Siobhan Fahey, and Keren Woodward, formed Bananarama in London in 1980. Jacquie O’Sullivan replaced Fahey when she left the group in 1988. O’Sullivan remained with the group until 1991 when the trio became a duo. The group appears in the Guinness World Records for achieving the world’s highest number of UK chart entries by an all-female group. Between 1982 and 2009, 32 of their singles reached the Top 50 on the UK Singles Chart.

A little more…

The group made several albums over the years but never seemed to really strike it big here in the states. Bananarama were very successful in the UK during their first years, though. They had their first Top Ten hit in the US in 1984 with “Cruel Summer.” They also appeared on the Band Aid single, “Do They Know It’s Christmas” both in 1984 and 1989, the only group to do so. In 1986, they released the album, True Confessions, which contained “Venus” which hit Number One in the US.

A skosh more…

The group evolved with changes in personnel, management, and probably attitudes. Their initial sound was definitely girl group. Eventually, their sound became more Europop with hits like “I Heard a Rumour.” Bananarama had a bit of a comeback in the early 2000s as all things 80s became hip again. In 2017, the original trio reunited for The Original Line Up Tour. They sold out 23 different venues in the UK in November and December of that year. In 2018, they played three venues in the US and one in Canada. At this time, Dallin and Woodward are still touring, having recently played at the London Palladium.

The song…

What it means…

OK, try as I might, I could not find the definitive answer to what this song means! It’s apparently based on “The Banjo Song” by The Big Three (Cass Elliot was in this band) which was based on, believe it or not, “Oh Susanna!” So, we’ll just go with my interpretation. I think it’s a song about some woman who is gorgeous and has “it” and drives every man insane. Pretty cut and dried, right?

The video…

Depending on what you’re reading on, this video may or may not play for you. If not, just search for Bananarama Venus on YouTube.

Interesting covers…

Interestingly, Bananarama covered “Venus!” But, here are some others for your enjoyment! Shocking Blue, a band out of the Netherlands, first performed this song. If you listen closely, you may hear a mistake in the first line! Mariska Veres sang the lyric as written. It was just written wrong!

I’m not sure why this one is so short, but they get the important lines in!

There’s something a bit lacking in this video. It just doesn’t seem to have the passion that the song deserves.

Keep listening to this one…the vocalist doesn’t start for a bit…just sit back and enjoy the orchestra!

I always like to find heavy metal versions. This one may be a tad on the NSFW side, but the guy really belts it out!

My interpretation…

I can’t exactly say this one stumped me, but I just couldn’t think of anything that would work. So, I decided this was one challenge upon which I would have to rely on my feelings. Actually, I relied on Nigel’s. I asked him to pick out my look for this song. And, he chose this pretty April Cornell dress. It has appeared on the blog before (here), and I really like everything about it. It’s one of those one and done kinds of dresses. It even has pockets. I think the most important thing about it is that Nigel thinks of it when he hears this song! Then again, I didn’t show him the video!

The Lewk!

I wore the same shoes I had worn in the last blog post. There isn’t any blue or grey or whatever color these sandals are. I do wish Jambu would make this style again. I had another pair and completely wore them out! The necklace is Lagos in white topaz . The bracelet is also white topaz. The earrings are diamond studs Nigel bought me a couple of years ago. I was shocked when he took me shopping for these as I’d been whining for large diamond studs for years. They were custom made for me at Shane Company in Indianapolis. My only problem is there are only two of them, and I have three kids! I need another large diamond so each will get one when I croak! Nigel doesn’t understand these kinds of problems.

Wrap it up, Marsha!

Ya know…there was a very real part of me that just wanted so badly to do the whole “The Birth of Venus”…but you don’t want to see that. Heck, I don’t even want to see that! I guess she is trying to cover her bits and bobs and boobs, isn’t she? But, she’s not entirely successful, right? It is a glorious painting, though. So, can we talk? Did you know Bananarama is from the UK? Or, did you think they were SoCal girls? How would you have styled this challenge? Would you have gone for the Botticelli look? Which cover version is your favorite? Please leave me a comment or two, and we can talk. I promise to respond as soon as possible.

Thank you!

Thank you so very much for reading today’s post. I hope you enjoyed it. I also very much appreciate those of you who comment, email and/or subscribe. It’s what keeps me going! If you’d like to follow me on Instagram, you can find me here.

Affiliate links, discount codes, and such:

Just a reminder that Marsha in the Middle may use an affiliate link. Those links are usually italicized. If you click or make a purchase from an italicized link I provide, I may receive a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for your support. I am an April Cornell Brand Ambassador for another season. You can use my code, MARSHA15, for $15 off any order over $100. Use Marsha12 for 12% off any order of $65 or more at Buykud. I also have an affiliate code for Kantha Bae! Use MarshaintheMiddle in the promo code box for $5 off any order (excluding Bestie restocks)! I have also become a Halftee Partner. Use the code, MARSHA2098, for 20% off any purchase. I am also an affiliate with Clara Sunwoo. You can use my code, MARSHA10, for 10% off your entire order. In case you didn’t know, bloggers must disclose the use of affiliate links. That’s why I include this in each post.

Where you can find me:

Linking up with Nancy’s Fashion Style,  Fine-Whatever, Is This Mutton, Shelbee on the Edge, Chez Mireile, The Grey Brunette, and Away from the Blue as well as Deb’s World and A Fresh Cup of Coffee. I also link up with This Blonde’s Shopping Bag, Doused in Pink, I do deClaire, Mummabstylish, Style Splash and Elegantly Dressed and Stylish. Please check out these wonderful ladies and their blogs! I also am a co-host for Ageless Style on the third Thursday of the month and Songful Style on the last Monday of the month. I co-host Traffic Jam Weekend every Thursday with Melynda, Lisa, and Sue. I also host Final Fridays on the last Friday of the month as well as 10 on the 10th on the 10th of the month! I do hope you’ll check out all of these blogs and link parties!

And, now, it’s your turn!

Please link up your favorite posts, DIY, baking, gardening, fashion…you name it…as long as it’s family friendly! Link up with me, visit a couple of others, and leave a comment or two! No worries if you don’t have a blog, just look around! You may find a new blog just waiting for you!

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