He Was Really Sayin' Somethin': Difference between revisions

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{{short description|1964 song by Thethe Velvelettes}}

{{Primary sources|date=July 2011}}

{{Infobox song

| name = He Was Really Sayin' Somethin{{'-}}

| cover = He Was Really Sayin' Somethin'.jpeg

| caption = UK single sleeve

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = [[Thethe Velvelettes]]

| album =

| B-side = Throw a Farewell Kiss

| released = 28 December{{start date|1964|12|28|df=y}}

| recorded =

| recorded = November 1964 <small>(Version 1)</small> <br>December 1964 <small>(Version 2)</small>

* November 1964 (version 1)

* December 1964 (version 2)

| studio =

| venue =

| genre = [[Soul music|Soul]]<ref name="Eames 2023">{{cite web|first= Tom|last= Eames|title= Bananarama's 10 greatest songs, ranked|website= [[Smooth Radio (2014)|Smooth Radio]] |date= August 30, 2023|url= https://www.smoothradio.com/features/top-songs/bananarama-songs-best-ranked/|accessdate= February 5, 2025}}</ref>

| genre = [[Pop music|Pop]], [[Soul music|soul]]

| length = 2:30

| label = V.I.P. ([[Motown]]) <br><small>V.I.P. 21503</small>

* V.I.P. ([[Motown]])

| writer = {{hlist|[[Norman Whitfield]]|[[William "Mickey" Stevenson]]|[[Eddie Holland|Edward Holland, Jr.]]}}

| producerwriter =
* [[Norman Whitfield]]

* [[William "Mickey" Stevenson]]

| chronology = [[The Velvelettes]]

* [[Eddie Holland|Edward Holland, Jr.]]

| prev_title = Needle In a Haystack

| producer = Norman Whitfield

| prev_title = Needle in a Haystack

| prev_year = 1964

| next_title = Lonely, Lonely Girl amAm I

| next_year = 1965

}}

Line 33 ⟶ 38:

| album = [[Deep Sea Skiving]]

| B-side = Give Us Back Our Cheap Fares

| released = 29 March{{start date|1982|03|29|df=y}}

| recorded = 1981

| studio =

| venue =

| genre =
* [[New wave music|New wave]]<ref name="Eames 2023"/>

* [[avant-funk]]<ref name="AllMusic Raggett">{{AllMusic |class=album|id=mw0000200121|title= Bananarama - ''The Greatest Hits Collection'' (1988) Review|last= Raggett|first= Ned|access-date= January 12, 2025}}</ref>

* [[Pop music|pop]]<ref name="AllMusic Kerr">{{AllMusic |class=album|id=mw0002391580|title= Bananarama - ''30 Years of Bananarama'' (2012) Review|last= Kerr|first= Scott|access-date= January 12, 2025}}</ref>

| length = 2:45

| label = [[London Records|London]]

| writer =
* [[Norman Whitfield]],
* [[William "Mickey" Stevenson]], and
* [[Eddie Holland|Edward Holland, Jr.]]

| producer =
* Dave Jordan,
* Fun Boy Three

| chronology = [[Bananarama]]

| prev_title = [[T'ain't What You Do (It's the Way That You Do It)|It Ain't What You Do....]]

Line 49 ⟶ 62:

| misc = {{Extra chronology

| artist =

| type = singles

| prev_title = [[If (Bananarama song)|If]]

| prev_year = 2001

| title = Really Saying Something (Solasso remix)

| yearversion = Solasso v = 2005Bananarama

| year = 2004

| next_title = [[Move in My Direction]]

| next_year = 2005

Line 69 ⟶ 83:

}}

"'''He Was Really Sayin' Somethin{{'-}}'''" is a [[Soul music|soul]] song written by [[Motown]] songwriters [[Norman Whitfield]], [[William "Mickey" Stevenson]], and [[Eddie Holland|Edward Holland, Jr.]] in [[1964 in music|1964]].<ref>The Complete Motown Singles Vol. 4: 1964 [liner notes]. New York: Hip-O Select/Motown/Universal Records</ref> 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]].

==OverviewBackground==

===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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.musicvf.com/song.php?title=He+Was+Really+Sayin%27+Something%27+by+The+Velvelettes&id=48020|title = He Was Really Sayin' Something' (Song by the Velvelettes) ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title= Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-20041942–2004|last=Whitburn |first=Joel |author-link=Joel Whitburn |year=2004 |publisher=Record Research }}</ref> 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]] record "Farewell Kiss" for their 1971 album ''[[Sky's the Limit (The Temptations album)|Sky's the Limit]]''.

===Bananarama version===

In 1982, the British [[girl group]] [[Bananarama]] recorded a [[cover version]] of the song and released it as the first single from their debut album ''[[Deep Sea Skiving]]''. [[Fun Boy Three]] provided background vocals, having 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 singlesSingles chartChart]]. It also received heavy play on the then-young [[MTV]] network in America. It "Reallybecame Sayingthe Something"group's wasthird bothsingle groups' secondto chart entrythere, inbut Australiaonly became a minor hit, peaking at number seventy-four#108. In The B-sideAustralia, "GiveReally UsSaying Back Our Cheap FaresSomething", haswas been issued on CD for the first time on the 2007 UK reissue ofboth groups''[[Deep Sea Skiving]]'' as one of five bonus tracks. It also became the group's third single tosecond chart in America but only became a minor hitentry, peaking at #108number 74.

The B-side, "Give Us Back Our Cheap Fares", was 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 in music|2005]] by Solasso, who [[remix]]ed the song and released it as a [[White label|bootleg]] remix. It was later included on Bananarama's album ''[[Drama (Bananarama album)|Drama]]''.

In 2004, a remixed version of "Really Saying Something" by Solasso was released as a [[promotional single]]. It was later included on Bananarama's album ''[[Drama (Bananarama album)|Drama]]''.

=== Buffalo G version ===

====Track listing====

*; 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

#:<small>Remixed by Fun Boy Three</small>

#"Give Us Back Our Cheap Fares" (extended version) – 4:25

*; UK 12″ vinyl – stickered limited edition (NANX1)

#"Really Saying Something" (extended mix) – 5:40

#"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

*; 2004 versions

#"Really Saying Something" (Solasso mix) – 5:58

#"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

===Buffalo G version===

{{Infobox song

| name = We're Really Saying Something

Line 92 ⟶ 147:

| artist = [[Buffalo G]]

| album =

| released = 29 May{{start date|2000|05|29|df=y}}

| recorded = 1999-2000

| studio =

| venue =

| genre =
* [[Pop, music|Pop]]
* [[pop rap]]

| length = 3:18

| label = [[Epic Records|Epic]]

| writer =
* [[Norman Whitfield]],
* [[William "Mickey" Stevenson]], and
* [[Eddie Holland|Edward Holland, Jr.]]

| producer =

| chronology = [[Buffalo G]]

| prev_title =

| prev_year =

Line 115 ⟶ 174:

}}

}}

The Irish [[girl group]] [[Buffalo G]] released a rap cover version of the song in 2000, reaching the top 20 in both the Irish and UK charts.

=== Shakespears Sister version ===

{{Infobox song

| name = Really Saying Something

| cover = ShakespearsSisterRSS.jpg

| alt =

| type = [[Promotional single]]

| artist = [[Shakespears Sister]]

| album =

Line 129 ⟶ 189:

| studio =

| venue =

| genre =
* [[Pop, music|Pop]]
* [[Rock music|rock]]

| length = {{duration|m=2|s=36}}

| label = SF

| writer =
* [[Norman Whitfield]],
* [[William "Mickey" Stevenson]], and
* [[Eddie Holland|Edward Holland, Jr.]]

| producer =

}}

In late February 2011, Siobhan Fahey's current project, [[Shakespears Sister]] 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 was available exclusively on Shakespears Sister's web sitewebsite as a [[Music download|digital download]] and a limited edition [[CD single]].<ref name="store">{{cite web|url=http://shakespearssister.co.uk/shop.html|title=Shop|publisher=Shakespears Sister|access-date=2012-01-06}}{{Dead link|date=September 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Copies of the CD single are no longer in production, and it is now one of Shakespears Sister's rarest collectibles to date. Fahey produced the single with her designer Anthony Walton, in an attempt to promote her forthcoming live releases.

==== Track listing ====

*; CD single / Digitaldigital download<ref name="store"/>

#"Really Saying Something" —– 2:36

#"A Loaded Gun" —– 4:15

*; 2013 digital download<ref name="store"/>

#"Really Saying Something" —– 2:36

#"A Loaded Gun" —– 4:15

#"A Loaded Gun" (Earlyearly Versionversion)

==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

#:<small>Remixed by Fun Boy Three</small>

#"Give Us Back Our Cheap Fares" (Extended Version) 4:25

; UK 12" vinyl - stickered limited edition NANX1

#"Really Saying Something" (Extended Mix) 5:40

#:<small>Remixed by Fun Boy Three</small>

#"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 <small>Taken from the album ''Drama''</small>

#"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

==Charts==

===Velvelettes version===

{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

|-

!align scope="leftcol"| Chart (1965)

!align scope="leftcol"| Peak<br />position

|-

|align! scope="leftrow"|U.S. US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]]

| 64

| style="text-align:center;"|64

|-

! scope="row"| US [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs]] (''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'')

|align="left"|U.S. Billboard R&B Singles

| 21

| style="text-align:center;"|21

|}

===Bananarama version===

{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

|-

! scope="col"| Chart (1982)

! scope="col"| Peak<br />position

|-

! scope="row"| Australia ([[Kent Music Report]])<ref name=ausnanas>{{cite book|last=Kent |first=David |author-link=David Kent (historian)|title=Australian Chart Book 1970–1992|publisher=Australian Chart Book|___location = Sydney|year=1993|edition=Illustrated|pages=25|isbn=0-646-11917-6}}</ref>

!align="left"|Chart (1982)

| 74

!align="left"|Peak<br>position

|-

{{single chart|Flanders|7|artist=Bananarama & Fun Boy Three|song=Really Saying Something|rowheader=true|access-date=15 June 2024}}

|align="left"|UK Singles Chart<ref name="UKOC">{{Cite web |url=http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/30294/bananarama/ |title=UK Official Charts: Bananarama |date=2016 |publisher=Official Charts Company |work=Officialcharts.com |access-date=15 December 2016 }}</ref>

| style="text-align:center;"|5

|-

{{single chart|Dutch100|16|artist=Bananarama & Fun Boy Three|song=Really Saying Something|rowheader=true|access-date=15 June 2024}}

|align="left"|US ''Billboard'' [[Dance Club Songs|Dance/Disco Top 80]]

| style="text-align:center;"|16

|-

{{single chart|UK|5|date=19820425|rowheader=true|access-date=15 June 2024}}

|align="left"|US ''Billboard'' [[Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles|Bubbling Under the Hot 100]]<ref>{{cite book |last=Whitburn |first=Joel |date=1998 |title=Bubbling Under Singles & Albums |___location=Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin |publisher=Record Research Inc. |page=24 |isbn=0-89820-128-4}}</ref>

| style="text-align:center;"|8

|-

|align! scope="leftrow"|Australia (US [[KentBubbling MusicUnder ReportHot 100]] (''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'')<ref name=ausnanas>{{cite book |last=KentWhitburn |first=DavidJoel |author-linkdate=David1998 Kent (historian)|title=AustralianBubbling ChartUnder BookSingles 1970–1992|publisher=Australian& ChartAlbums Book|___location =Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin Sydney|yearpublisher=1993Record Research Inc. |editionpage=Illustrated|pages=2524 |isbn=0-64689820-11917128-64}}</ref>

| 8

|align="center"|74

|-

{{single chart|Billboarddanceclubplay|16|artist=Bananarama|rowheader=true|access-date=15 June 2024}}

|align="left"|Dutch [[MegaCharts|Singles chart]]

| style="text-align:center;"|16

|}

===Buffalo G version===

{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"

|-

!align scope="leftcol"| Chart (2000)

!align scope="leftcol"| Peak<br />position

|-

{{single chart|Ireland2|13|artist=Buffalo G|song=We're Really Saying Something|rowheader=true|access-date=15 June 2024}}

|align="left"|UK Singles Chart

| style="text-align:center;"|17

|-

{{single chart|UKsinglesbyname|17|artist=Buffalo G|artistid=9242|rowheader=true|access-date=15 June 2024}}

|align="left"|Irish Singles Chart

| style="text-align:center;"|13

|}

== References ==

{{Reflist}}

{{The Velvelettes}}

{{Bananarama singles}}

{{Shakespears Sister}}