Bananarama: Sara & Keren – Our Story - Really Saying Something

by Sara Dallin, Keren Woodward

Sara Dallin and Keren Woodward met in the school playground when they were four. They went on to become international stars and inspired a generation with their music, DIY-style and trailblazing attitudes.

Told with humour and authenticity, and filled with never-before-seen photos, "Really Saying Something" takes us behind the scenes of their early days, the world tours, party games with George Michael, a close friendship with Prodigy's Keith Flint, and hanging out with Andy Warhol in New York.

This is a celebration of a life-affirming friendship, with an unbeatable soundtrack.

ISBN: 1787466612
ISBN-13: 978-1787455551

__________________________________
'Like something from a movie.' - Dermot O'Leary

'A brilliant autobiography.' - Martin Kemp

'A blast.' - Metro

'What a nostalgia-fest.' - Kate Thornton

Genres: Biography, Music, Nonfiction, Memoir, Audiobook

295 pages, Paperback

Published October 26, 2021

Reviews

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

If a kid of the 80’s who like me loved Bananarama and even now get a tummy tingle when hear the opening bars of ‘Venus’ and sigh with the memory of hot teenage summers and curled lips when ‘Cruel Summer’ comes on the radio then this is for you
Starting at school and finishing in 2019 it is set in chapters with both telling their recollections of each time period ie growing up, first single, first TOTP etc, it is very much like reading extracts from a diary and how things changed from dreams to reality
It isen’t a kiss and tell and there is no nastiness re Siobhan and her leaving the group , in fact the opposite is true as they speak highly of her and when they reunite for the tour ( a few years back ) they are all 3 obviously happy to be back together
I think, and not sure why was so surprised, I was quite shocked with their love of things like Caviar and fancy restaurants when they made the big time, certainly preferring the posh menu at Le Caprice to a fish and chip supper!, and nightly magnums of champers to a cup of tea, they knew, and mixed with the great, good and dubious of each decade and no one can say they didn’t have a hedonistic time
Fascinating to read about Band Aid and George Michael’s parties and their friendship with Keith from The Prodigy although with other more basic things ie where were they born and brought up I only read once the slightest nod to Bristol, some things are covered in detail, others not so
Their career is amazing and as you read about each single you are singing it in you’re head, the main thing I took away from the book is they have had/still have a fab time and 100% LOVE their lives
It’s not a perfect read but it didn’t have to be tbh, it was a really enjoyable one!

For what it gives you it’s a
10/10
5 Stars

[Mandy White (mandylovestoread) · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great way to finish the working week, re-living the 80's and 90's with Bananarama!

This was such a fun read and brought back alot of memories. Highly recommend the audiobook.

[Robin McClary · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like Bananarama. But this is a real sanitized version of the rise of the band. Sure there is a lot of partying but no mention of the drug use that was well documented. Also, it would have been interesting to have any insight into their home lives, especially since one raised a bi-racial child. They glossed over some of the biggest events of the 80's British Pop/New-Wave era, which they were a part of

Nice photos. But a missed opportunity

[SK · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really wanted to be able to say something positive about this book. But unfortunately I can't. I was looking forward to reading it but it failed to hold my interest. I didn't get to know who Sara and Keren are as people or anything deep or fascinating about their personalities, thought processes or characters. I suspect there's been many, many (interesting) details left out. I wanted to read a warts and all, gritty account of their time in the music industry. Instead there are endless, repetitive details about their clothes, hairstyles and a lot of name dropping (again, nothing too interesting or deep) and rambling accounts of ... well, nothing.

There's a lot of photographs, which is great, except they are all over the place and don't appear to be in chronological order.

The book is 293 pages long. I made it to page 62 then skimmed the rest, looking for something scandalous or fascinating. Thankfully I borrowed it from the library, so I don't feel completely ripped off.

[Kexx · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this as I'm very much from their era but it really was very bland - did it tell me anything I didn't know? No. Lots of "My boy friend" though no names, no pack drill, and very pro LGBTQ...

[Craig and Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

The prologue sets the scene when one half of Bananarama Sara says that in 1989 on what was fast becoming a very successful world tour and looking over to her bandmate and best friend Keren thinking “we are a international success” “how did we get here”.
So begins a biography of the girls early beginnings to the bands mega success and their personal lives away from the spotlight.
Sara and Keren meet as cheeky seven year olds, bonding as teens with the same taste in music in the 70’s.
Hanging out taping the top 40 on a cassette recorder to the first taste of the spotlight in school musicals with lots of antics and shenanigans in-between.
Many jobs and schooling later, Sara meets Siobhan
Their love of music was inevitable and between fashion, living together and musician boyfriends, Bananarama was born.
Top five hits followed as well as successful albums.
Working with Stock Aitken and Waterman produced some of their biggest hits including Venus (which went to number one) Love in the First Degree, I Want You Back, Nathan Jones, Love Truth and Honesty and many more including the charity single Help with French and Saunders.
We see how the trio added a new member Jacquie, when Siobhan left as well as them becoming a duo which has worked for many decades.
Friendships with other pop icons (a very special one with George Michael), relationships, babies, partying, world tours and reunion tours, living arrangements including squatting, recording albums, writing songs, personal issues and so much more.
It’s all here to captivate you.
Told through the voices of both Sara and Keren its a great insight into the world of the girls and the history they have made is here for everyone to devour and relish in.
Critics said they were just a novelty act but forty years on and still recording and constantly in the media, I’d say they were wrong and Bananarama are here to stay.
A great and interesting biography.

[Rick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a huge Bananarama fan I couldn't wait to read this. The book was written by the two current members of the group, Sara Dallin and Keren Woodward. The two take turns talking about their career and how the group came to be. What I found surprising and didn't realize until it was pointed out in the book, the group has been a duo longer than they were a trio. The two authors do a great job of discussing the group era as a trio and then the era as a duo. When original member Siobhan Fahey left the group in 1988 for us fans in the States it was a shock. There was never a clear reason as to why she left. I had heard rumours that her marriage to Dave Stewart was to blame and it is discussed in this book. I also heard but it was not discussed was that Siobhan and Pete Waterman of Stock Aitken Waterman fame had a huge row that played a part of her leaving but like I said that's not addressed in the book. Jacquie O' Sullivan replaced Siobhan for 1991's Pop Life album and then left the group effectively making Bananarama a duo for the next 24 years. Siobhan came back for the reunion tour in 2016. I was surprised that none of the songs from the duo era were performed like "Look on the Floor" a number 2 U.S. Dance hit and "Move In My Direction" a number 15 U.K. hit. The authors explain that the songs from the duo era are only performed when it's just the two of them and when Siobhan came on board for the reunion they realized that the songs from the duo era would not really work with a trio since they were never intended to be a part of the trio. One of the HUGE pluses about this book is the amount of pictures that were in it. A must read for die hard fans!

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read. Nice trip down memory lane. Growing up in the 70s and 80s was such a lovely time. Bananarama have always been my favourite girl group ever since I heard their them singing with Fun Boy Three all those years ago.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great trip down memory lane with the girls. Really enjoyed this book.

[Jo_Scho_Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting biography from 2 of the members of Bananarama; Keren Woodward & Sara Dallin. It recalls the origin of their friendship, back when they were school kids all the way to the present day.

I loved hearing about the tales of their life in London during the late 70s and 80s, who they met, which clubs they went to, what they wore. It was a really interesting and evocative account of a crazily decadent part of history. It’s a great read, filled with fascinating stories and a lovely tale of their friendship which has lasted decades. In fact my only complaint would be that it’s almost too nice, no juicy gossip about the falling out with Siobhan or similar. They are both clearly far too diplomatic to reveal any nasties which is a shame!

I listed to this as an audiobook and it was great to hear their own voices telling the story. If you liked Bananarama in the 80s then this is definitely for you.

[Staceywh_17 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I turned 9 at the start of the 1980's & that was the best decade EVER for music! Even now as I'm nearing 50 I still prefer eighties bands to some of the stuff calling itself 'music' nowadays 🎶🎧

Who didn't love Bananarama back in the day, they were every boy's poster dream, young girls aspired to be them; cue shaggy manes & eclectic dress. They were one of the original girl bands, now a duo, who still look & sound as good today, albeit a little less 'poppy'!

This was fun to read & reminisce. Peppered with some fabulous photos & a format making it more of a conversational read from both of the girls.

I really enjoyed my trip back down memory lane & am looking to hearing new material from the girls!

𝗜 𝗴𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗮 5 ⭐ 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴

[Jaz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was a bit disappointed in this if I'm honest... there's a faithful record of every cocktail they ever drank in every nightclub they danced on the tables of, but almost nothing on working with Stock, Aitken and Waterman, the split with Siobhan, Jacquie, their writing/recording processes etc. etc. Not a book that does justice to the UK's most successful girl group ever IMO.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a big fan of Bananarama when I was younger. I remember learning the dances from watching TOTP. So when I heard Woodward and Dallin (the core of the group) were publishing their memoir, I knew I had to read it.

Really Saying Something is packed full of anecdotes from both touring and everyday life, starting from their childhood together right up to present day. Each memory is told by both individuals, the book structured like a conversation in a way, switching back and forth between the pair. Their account of the recording of the original (and the best) Do They Know It’s Christmas? is spine-tingling. In my 6 year old mind, they were huge but they were in awe of the project and the artists rounded up for the collaboration. Oh to have been in that room to hear the likes of Bono, George Michael, Spandau, Duran Duran all sing live!!!! But on the flip side, it highlights the male dominated music industry of the mid-80s as Bananarama were the only female representation at the recording.

I personally never appreciated how huge they were as a group and how groundbreaking they were. There was no social media back in the 80s so the awareness we all have today of a artist’s or group’s fame was very limited especially at the age I was. They made their very unique mark in a masculine world and didn’t waiver from their “brand”.

It’s one of the few books I’ve read on my kindle that has photos interspersed through the narrative. For me, on my paperwhite, it doesn’t work as well as a book – I have a physical copy of the book so I could appreciate the photos in their full glory!

At one point, they quote their former band mate Siobhan Fahey as saying ‘Your friendship is unnatural!’. For me, the friendship between Dallin and Woodward is amazing. Their friendship has been through so much and still going strong. This shone through in the natural storytelling of the past 40 years. I really enjoyed my trip through the Bananarama archives. Their reminiscing of their career to date was an eye-opener for this music fan. Loved it!

[🌶 peppersocks 🧦 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reflections and lessons learned:
I am a proud product of having the wonderful influence of Bananarama with me growing up (literally loving the covers of my gifted, first pieces of vinyl on single of ‘it ain’t what you do...) and one of my first cds in the greatest hits collection - the hair and jewellery mix still looking beautiful to me!) - sassy independent girls who enjoyed a bit of mainstream commercialism, weren’t afraid to take risks, insisted on being themselves, danced around and had a lot of giggles - what fabulous role models. Some of the first properly analysed lyrics for me too - I still think that my line of ‘guilty as a gun can be’ sounds far deeper and meaningful... In many ways the perfect bridge between girl groups of the sixties and 90s girl power (in fact would we have had the power drive in music of the nineties without them paving the way?). The audiobook was such a pleasure to listen to the moments shared again between them both and the natural ease of their friendship, and some great pop and travel anecdotes

“Sometimes you wonder what you came here for...” A Trick of the Night

[Susan Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really interesting read. Bananarama was one if the top female bands of the 80s. However I hadn't realised quite how successful they were - are. The book, co written by Keren and Sara, shares their journey from best friends in Bristol, moving to London where they became part of the scene, to chart topping artists. They detail how difficult it was for them in a male dominated industry and how hard they worked. How they had to fight for their opinions to be heard, as well as the accepted sexism if the time. I was horrified by the story of their French security guards stripping in front of the band, thinking sex was part of their fee. Thank goodness they were together! They also correctly highlighted that the band were 3 of only 4 females on the first band aid record, despite some incredible female singers: Joan Armatrading? Sade?
More than anything it celebrates female friendship. One thing: I still can't work out which singer us Keren and which is Sara. A great read and trip down memory lane.

[Emma Foster · Rating 2 out of 5]

My best buddy and I both bought each other this for Christmas with hopes of long distance video calls whooping over the book and our 80's memories. Alas, I couldnt finish it I thought it was clunky and boring so my friend filled me in and she wasnt excited by it either.

[Steve Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great tale of the rags to riches story for Bananarama. There are great parts to the book about the struggles over sexism within the music industry and a great amount of stories of what they got up to. For me I would have liked more about the albums and music itself, but a good read though.

[Rhys Jenkins]

i’m such a huge Bananarama fan and this book (which I read with the audiobook) was absolutely wonderful. it was funny, touching and very entertaining, and Sara and Keren’s friendship shone through so gloriously throughout. it felt like i was sitting with two close friends the entire time!

[Chris Finn · Rating 3 out of 5]

3*. Took me a while to read this kept putting it down and forgetting about it. I wasn’t a big fan of them. they was ok but not my fav’s. The book was ok. Just a bit boring to be honest.

[Liz Potter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grew up in the 80s practicing every song and dance routine. An amazing book that takes you on a journey of UK pop royalty through the 80s and 90s

[Simon Sweetman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this. The fact it's as light and easy to digest as their songs just makes it perfectly on brand. A pretty fun story - with some amazing highlights.

[Andrew Pratt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not my usual read but was recommended by a friend. Bananarama are one of the groups you maybe take for granted. But when you think about it they were the only successful all-girl group from the 80s, and are still going. This book maybe has too much name-checking but highlights their struggle in a male dominated world. In summary, I think these ladies have achieved great things and don't get the plaudits they should.

[Gill Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Light and frothy, just like their songs, but an enjoyable read nonetheless. I am almost an exact contemporary of Keren and Sara, so the stories about growing up in the ‘60s/70’s were very relatable.

This isn’t a tell-all book, so anyone seeking a bit of dirt-dishing may be disappointed. However, I thought that as a pop memoir, it did deliver. Both women come across as very likeable and their descriptions of the club/fashion/music scene in London in the late ‘70s to early ‘80s were lively and engaging.

More a celebration of their enduring friendship than revealing autobiography. Three and a half stars for the book and big kudos to them for having such a long career in a ‘boys’ industry and being among the tiny minority of women artists on the original Band Aid record.

[Tina O'reilly · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was really looking forward to reading about Bananarama and their antics as they were part of my growing up years. Sadly a little disappointed now.

Some parts of the book were interesting, especially where the young girls were thrown from almost obscurity to the fame which comes with touring, especially their early days in Asia. However, a lot of the book was a list of things one after the other, not much real depth. It was almost like someone said 'if we mention we met someone famous then it makes better reading'. Sadly, not always the case.

The best part of the book were the photos.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m really torn on this one. I’ve rounded up because I love it when a book makes me literally laugh out loud. Don’t expect details on the splits with both Siobhan and Jacqui; they politely and respectfully acknowledge that the parties see events leading to the separations differently. I appreciate that however very little else is discussed in the book. I dare say that George Michael and their friendship with him gets more pages than Siobhan does, let alone Jacqui. Yes, it’s their story, and you truly get a sense of love and friendship between Sara and Keren. I liked being let into their world. I just wish I knew more.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lightweight read, but then Bananarama have always come over as fairly bright and breezy. Lots of name dropping and positives without much delving into the negatives such as the split with Siobhan.

[Nolan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Have you ever thought much about the fact that chronic sleeplessness can cause you to do bizarre things? I have to attribute chronic sleeplessness with the main reason I bought and read this book. I am not someone who grew up in the music scene in the '80s. By the time the '80s happened, I already had two children. They were tiny and therefore not particularly aware of '80s music either. So what is it about a book by the women who made up the band Bananarama that called to me? The bottom line is I heard these two women who authored this book interviewed on a BBC Radio program called "Saturday Live." The program airs in my time zone at 4 a.m. Normal people are very much asleep at 4a.m. Not me. I wish I had been. When I heard these thoughtful mature women in their 50s reminiscing about their days in the drug and booze and party-infested '80s, I was fascinated. Not so much was I intrigued by the experiences they talked about on that radio program, but I was fascinated by who they seem to have become. I was not disappointed when I ultimately plunked a few bucks down for the book either. That thoughtfulness and that maturity that I had sensed on that radio program comes through in the audio edition especially. In fact, it's rather charming. The two women read it together. I suspect they sat in the same studio and perhaps read from the same copy of the book or so it seemed. It was very much like they shared a single microphone. There are times when the two engage in spontaneous laughter as they narrate various sections of the book. And it's not just one of them laughing. If you snag the audio edition of this, it will feel very much like the two of them are simply sitting next to you in the same room reading pieces of the book alternating between each of them and engaging in spontaneous bits of conversation and laughter as they pass a specific section that results in a particularly poignant or valuable memory. I really enjoyed their narration. And best of all, they really did sound like people who had grown up. These are not flighty shallow superficial people. Had they been, I would have ditched the book and called Audible to demand my money back.

The two things that impressed me most about the book were the long endurance of their friendship, and the fact that they understand the value of family and motherhood despite the bright lights and superficial world that exists around them in the music industry. Neither of them have given up performing. But both seem to have learned a great deal about the world from what they experienced and that education seems to have paid off for both of them.

I confess I know very little about many of the names they talk about in the book. These are either people who were big in the British music scene back in the day or who may have been involved in the American Music scene but were names that I had no awareness of. The name dropping is not so extensive as to make it annoying. I have to confess that the only song that I was aware that this group ever did was "Cruel Summer." I might even have liked the '90s version done by another Group a little better. But probably not, especially after reading this book. I did not approach it from the perspective of an ardent fan. I suspect had I done so, I would have enjoyed it even more. But I enjoyed it well enough as it was. Essentially, this is the story of two little schoolgirls who became fast friends and never stopped being friends. If you read this, you will read how the two meet and about some of the fun and innocent things they did as little girls in the '70s dancing together and playing music on cassettes. One of them would record the top 20, I assume that is our equivalent of Casey Kasem's American Top 40 back in its heyday, and then the two would practice singing along and choreographing the songs they recorded previously. They spoke of learning songs by artists like Stevie Wonder and learning them so well that they could even tell when he breathed. That's a little creepy, I confess. I, too, am a big fan of memorizing your favorite songs. But I'm not sure I ever did it to the degree that I knew when someone was going to take a breath. These two were serious! It is that seriousness that helped them overcome much of the sexism that apparently still remains part of the music scene today. But according to these two, it was far worse back in the late '70s and early '80s when they were trying to break onto the scene. I confess I didn't pay a lot of attention to the stories about venues in which they performed. Most of those places had little or no meaning for me. But I watched the evolution, and I think therein lies the magic of this book. They gradually went on to take on more and more responsibilities. They became mothers. They began to understand that family genuinely mattered.

Despite my sleeplesnes curse, I'm indebted to BBC Radio 4 and the "Saturday Live" program for introducing me to the wise and thoughtful adults these two women are. It was worth a few yawns later in the day just to get acquainted with this book.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are some delightful moments for Bananarama fans (that’s me) in Sara Dallin and Keren Woodward’s music memoir, Really Saying Something.

Those moments centre around Dallin and Woodward’s uncomplicated delight, surprise and gratitude for their success. Yes, there were tight times and fame did not come immediately but the story of how Bananarama came to be all reads as a bit of a lark.

Keren describes the time before getting a record deal and an advance -

There was this short but weird period when all three of us were signing on the dole while simultaneously gracing the nation’s television screens, with everyone thinking we’d hit the big time.

Of course there’s mention of Siobhan (and Dave Stewart, who is essentially the Yoko Ono of Bananarama), but I’m none the wiser as to what really happened.

In some ways, ‘none the wiser’ summarises much of the book, because although there’s some spectacular name-dropping (they hung out with Andy Warhol, Madonna, Sex Pistols, Richard Branson, Michael Caine, Prince, and the list goes on and on and on), we learn very little about how the girls felt, how fame changed them, or what their family and friends thought of their success. As a result, the book can feel like a bit of a roll call; a chronological list of album releases; and comprehensive coverage of what they wore and when.

The book was saved from being an extended Wikipedia entry by a few gems - getting a late night call from Bob Geldof to join Band Aid; the pure ‘eighties-ness’ of it all (tearing up the town with Duran Duran, and clubbing with Boy George); and their gorgeous account of their friendship with George Michael (and Andrew Ridgeley, who Woodward was in a relationship with for 16 years). Keren tells of a costume party that George hosted, complete with a cover band, “…who found themselves with plenty of guest singers among the partygoers.”

Bananarama have been on the music scene for so long that it’s perhaps easy to lose sight of their impact. But, they hold the record for the highest number of chart entries by an all-female group (30 singles in the Top 50 between 1982 and 2009), and decades later still tour to sell-out concerts. Importantly (and I know because I witnessed it first hand), they still have loads of fun and are clearly the best of friends.

3/5 Probably one for fans… But who doesn’t love Bananarama?!

PS. My top three Bananarama songs (sorry Venus fans)-

1. Love in the First Degree
2. I Want You Back
3. I Heard a Rumour

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was a born after Bananarama's heyday but I was interested to read about the band that is cited as an influence on many of the bands that I loved growing up such as the Spice Girls. I was a massive Spice Girls fan (and still am) and after reading this book it's easy to see the influence that Bananarama had on them. Both bands were full of strong, independent women who made their own decisions and didn't reduce themselves in to sexy objects to be stared at. Instead it was about having as much fun as possible and holding the door open for other girls to follow in your path. As a result of this book i've looked up Bananarama's back catalogue and can say that they've gained a new fan.

I particularly enjoyed the sections where Sara and Keren talked about the prejudice that they faced from journalists, the music industry and even other women and I was sad to read that they were still experiencing discrimination on their 2017 reunion tour when a female journalist implied that they were now old as though women over a certain age should be locked away and not seen again. I'm pleased to see that Sara and Keren didn't let it affect their work.

It is a book which centres around Sara and Keren's lifelong friendship, Bananarama is a backstory and not the central theme. The reason I rated this book 3 stars and not higher is because I felt it only focused on the positive aspects of their story, there are no bad events and they experience no setbacks on their rise to fame, it's a bit too Enid Blyton. It lacks detail and you feel as though you are being given a brief overview of their story through the rose tinted spectacles of hindsight.

I'm not particularly familiar with the Bananarama backstory but when I was reading this book I found myself wondering what Siobhan and Jackie's version of events would be. As the book focuses on Sara and Keren's friendship all the anecdotes centre around them both and it's not always clear if the 3rd member (either Siobhan or Jackie depending on the time frame) was there or not or if they have been written out of the story. I found myself wondering what it might have been like for Siobhan and Jackie to be in a band with two lifelong friends. As i say i'm not familiar with the backstory so maybe this is something that has already been covered elsewhere.

I enjoyed the book and would recommend to music fans, it was an uplifting story on the power of female friendship.

[Simon Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Bananarama and this book didn't disappoint.

A bit more detail wouldn't have gone amiss but overall this is a small quibble as we get to hear some about their journey towards becoming the biggest selling female group in pop history. I love the stories involving such people as Paul Cook, George Michael and Robert De Niro to mention just a few of the famous names they have rubbed shoulders with.

I hope one day Siobhan publishes an autobiography. I'd love to hear her account of some of the incidents mentioned in this book especially regarding what happened to cause her to leave.

But Sara and Keren's accounts are great. It was also brilliant to learn about their emotional growth over the years and about Keren's depression and how she battled/battles it. More people should be taking about this especially as I have had/have similar battles myself regarding this.

Highly recommended.