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…

“Venus”
(originally by Shocking Blue)

Goddess on the mountain top
Burning like a silver flame
The summit of beauty and love
And Venus was her name

She’s got it
Yeah, baby, she’s got it
I’m your Venus, I’m your fire
At your desire
Well, I’m your Venus, I’m your fire
At your desire

Her weapons were her crystal eyes
Making every man mad
Black as the dark night she was
Got what no one else had
Wah!

She’s got it
Yeah, baby, she’s got it
I’m your Venus, I’m your fire
At your desire
Well, I’m your Venus, I’m your fire
At your desire

Venus

She’s got it
Yeah, baby, she’s got it
I’m your Venus, I’m your fire
At your desire
Well, I’m your Venus, I’m your fire
At your desire

Goddess on the mountain top
Burning like a silver flame
The summit of beauty and love
And Venus was her name
Wah!

She’s got it
Yeah, baby, she’s got it
I’m your Venus, I’m your fire
At your desire
Well, I’m your Venus, I’m your fire
At your desire

Venus was her name

Yeah baby she’s got it
Yeah baby she’s got it
Yeah baby she’s got it
Yeah baby she’s got it

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.

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Where you can find me:

Linking up with Nancy’s Fashion Style,  Fine-Whatever, Is This Mutton, Shelbee on the Edge, Chez MireileThe 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 BagDoused in Pink, I do deClaireMummabstylishStyle 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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18 Comments

  1. Shocking Blue’s version was a huge hit, not only in the Netherlands. I liked Bananarama a lot as I loved their styling. They started with The Specials in a chewing gum ad on the telly!

    • Nancy, I had no idea! I really only remember Bananarama from “Venus” and “Cruel Summer.” I was into other music then, I guess!

      Thanks!

  2. You know, I said in my post that I didn’t know the original song but I just realised now that of course I did lol! Thanks for including that YouTube video to remind me!!
    I love that you asked Nigel to choose an outfit based on the song. That is such a lovely idea. I think I will have to ask Michael to do that in future…although perhaps not for Fat Bottomed Girls (cue shocked and cringed emoji!!!!).
    You look fabulous, Marsha!
    Big hugs
    Suzy xx

    • Hahaha!!! Mike would say, “Not with a ten foot pole will I pick a look for that song!” I’m trying to think what to do already…you think Lycra is out? I don’t think I knew that Bananarama wasn’t the first band to do the song. Mike may have heard the original and remembered, though. Thank you so much for the compliment, my beautiful friend!

  3. I had no idea they were from the UK.. but then again I didn’t even know they sang this song (or that the same band sand Cruel Summer!). I’m usually pretty clueless about most things related to music other than the lyrics. That is a very pretty look your husband pulled together for you.

    • You sound like me and books! I rarely remember titles, but I can remember plots and characters! Music is one of my loves so I’m usually pretty good. But, they just sound like they come from Southern California! And, thank you…I’ll tell him!

  4. Marsha, I love that Nigel chose your outfit for this one. That dress is beautiful and you look beautiful in it. You are Nigel’s Venus! I think my favorite version of the song is the original one by Shocking Blue. And, of course, I also love Bananarama’s version and that orchestra one is pretty freaking awesome, too. I shared that one in my informational post. Maybe Nigel will get you a diamond necklace for Mother’s Day to complete your set of three…I’m just gonna try to manifest that for you!

    Shelbee

    • Thanks, Shelbee! I rarely get a Mother’s Day gift from him because he says I’m not his mother!!! I really did like the original, but I think my favorite one was the heavy metal version! I just love that style of music. I was so glad Mike picked that dress because it fits, and I really like it!

  5. Very pretty Marsha and lovely that Nigel chose it for you!

  6. Somehow I did know that Bananarama was from the UK, not sure how I knew though. This was a fun look back at their video!
    I like those diamond studs – wow, what a nice size!! Your hair looks darker and I like it!
    Thanks for the link up Marsha!
    xo,
    Kellyann

    • Thanks, Kellyann! I just really thought they were from SoCal! Yes, they are very big (3 ctw), and I felt really guilty about them for a long time. Yes, my hair is darker…not quite what I was expecting, but it will lighten up in a bit. You can’t see them very well, but the ends are purple.

  7. I love how we can come up with a cut and dried idea for a song yet I bet there’s so much that goes on when the writers write them.
    Xoxo
    Jodie

    • I think you are probably right. You hear so many different stories about some songs and then find out it was just a little ditty going around in their heads!

      Thanks, Jodie!

  8. You are a goddess in this dress! I love the color and print on you. This song brings back memories of cheerleading camp for me. A girl won the national talent contest dancing to this song.

    https://www.kathrineeldridge.com

    • Oh, Kathrine, will you come live beside me? Thank you so much for the huge compliment! I do love this dress for the color and the print. What fun memories those must be! I’m guessing she had a different video (if she even had one back then) to perform to!

      Thanks so much, my friend!

  9. HI Marsha,
    I do know the songs by Bananarama, perhaps from the MTV days. You made me laugh when writing about Venus- the goddess! I chuckled out loud. Yes, the fashion is quite non existant and my hair isn’t long enough! lol! Loving that color on you with your hair. Looks lovely. I enjoy these interpretations, especially because they are inspired by music.
    Have a great week
    jess x
    http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com

    • Thanks, Jess! You, apparently, are the only one who saw the humor in the Venus painting! I do wish I was confident enough in my body to do such a thing (not for the blog, though). This is one of my favorite dresses ever! Oh, you should join us on the next one!

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