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{{short description|1964 song by the Velvelettes}}
{{Primary sources|date=July 2011}}
{{Infobox single|song
| Name name = He Was Really Sayin' Somethin{{'-}}
| Covercover = He Was Really =Sayin' Somethin'.jpeg
| caption = UK single sleeve
| Artist = [[The Velvelettes]]
| fromalt Album = =
| B-side type = "Throw a Farewell Kiss"single
| Released artist = 28 December[[the 1964Velvelettes]]
| Format album = 7"
| B-side = Throw a Farewell Kiss
| Recorded = November 1964 <small>(Version 1)</small> <br>December 1964 <small>(Version 2)</small>
| released = {{start date|1964|12|28|df=y}}
| Genre = [[Pop music|Pop]], [[Soul music|Soul]]
| Length recorded = 2:30
* November 1964 (version 1)
| Label = V.I.P. ([[Motown]]) <br><small>V.I.P. 21503
* December 1964 (version 2)
|Writer = [[Norman Whitfield]], [[William "Mickey" Stevenson]], and [[Eddie Holland|Edward Holland, Jr.]]
| Producer studio =
| Chronologyvenue = [[The Velvelettes]]
| 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>
| Last single = "Needle In a Haystack" <br>(1964)
| length = 2:30
| This single = "'''He Was Really Sayin' Somethin''''"<br/>(1964)
| label =
| Next single = "Lonely, Lonely Girl am I" <br>(1965)
* V.I.P. ([[Motown]])
| Misc =
| writer =
* [[Norman Whitfield]]
* [[William "Mickey" Stevenson]]
* [[Eddie Holland|Edward Holland, Jr.]]
| producer = Norman Whitfield
| prev_title = Needle in a Haystack
| prev_year = 1964
| next_title = Lonely, Lonely Girl Am I
| next_year = 1965
}}
 
{{Infobox single|song
| Name name = Really Saying Something
| Cover cover = Banana_rss.jpg
| alt =
| Artist = [[Bananarama]] with [[Fun Boy Three]]
| fromtype Album = [[Deep Sea Skiving]]single
| B-side artist = "Give Us[[Bananarama]] Backwith Our[[Fun CheapBoy FaresThree]]
| Released album = April[[Deep Sea 1982Skiving]]
| FormatB-side = Give Us Back = 7" single,Our 12"Cheap singleFares
| released = {{start date|1982|03|29|df=y}}
| Recorded = 1981
| recorded = 1981
| Genre = [[New wave music|New wave]]
| Length studio = 2:45
| Label venue = [[London Records|London]]
| Producer genre = [[Dave Jordan]], Fun Boy Three
* [[New wave music|New wave]]<ref name="Eames 2023"/>
| Writer = [[Norman Whitfield]], [[William "Mickey" Stevenson]], and [[Eddie Holland|Edward Holland, Jr.]]
* [[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>
| Chronology = [[Bananarama]]
* [[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>
| Last single = "[[T'ain't What You Do (It's the Way That You Do It)|It Ain't What You Do....]]"<br/>(1982)
| length = 2:45
| This single = "'''Really Saying Something'''"<br/>(1982)
| Nextlabel single = "[[ShyLondon BoyRecords|London]]"<br/>(1982)
| Misc writer = {{Extra chronology
* [[Norman Whitfield]]
| Last single = "[[If (Bananarama song)|If]]"<br/>(2001)
* [[William "Mickey" Stevenson]]
| This single = "'''Really Saying Something (Solasso remix)'''"<br/>(2005)
* [[Eddie Holland|Edward Holland, Jr.]]
| Next single = "[[Move in My Direction]]"<br/>(2005)
| producer =
{{Extra chronology
* Dave Jordan
| Artist = [[Fun Boy Three]] singles
* Fun Boy Three
| Type = singles
| chronology = [[Bananarama]]
| Last single = "[[T'ain't What You Do (It's the Way That You Do It)|It Ain't What You Do....]]"<br/>(1982)
| prev_title = [[T'ain't What You Do (It's the Way That You Do It)|It Ain't What You Do....]]
| This single = "'''Really Saying Something'''"<br/>(1982)
| prev_year = 1982
| Next single = "The Telephone Always Rings"<br/>(1982)
| next_title = [[Shy Boy]]
| next_year = 1982
| misc = {{Extra chronology
| artist =
| type = singles
| prev_title = If
| prev_year = 2001
| title = Really Saying Something
| version = Solasso v Bananarama
| year = 2004
| next_title = [[Move in My Direction]]
| next_year = 2005
}}
{{Extra chronology
| artist = [[Fun Boy Three]]
| type = singles
| prev_title = [[T'ain't What You Do (It's the Way That You Do It)|It Ain't What You Do....]]
| prev_year = 1982
| title = Really Saying Something
| year = 1982
| next_title = The Telephone Always Rings
| next_year = 1982
}}
}}
 
"'''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 |authorlinkauthor-link=Joel Whitburn |year=2004 |publisher=Record Research |page=}}</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]]''. Providing background vocals is [[Fun Boy Three]], aprovided malebackground vocal triovocals, whohaving 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 groups first 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 ===
{{Infobox single|
| Name = We're Really Saying Something
| Cover = Buffalo G We're Really Saying Something CD1.jpg
| Artist = [[Buffalo G]]
| from Album =
| B-side =
| Released = 29 May 2000
| Format = [[CD single|CD]], [[compact cassette|cassette]]
| Recorded =
| Genre = Pop, pop rap
| Length = 3:18
| Label = [[Epic Records|Epic]]
| Producer =
| Writer = [[Norman Whitfield]], [[William "Mickey" Stevenson]], and [[Eddie Holland|Edward Holland, Jr.]]
| Chronology = [[Buffalo G]]
| Last single =
| This single = "'''We're Really Saying Something'''"<br/>(2000)
| Next single =
| Misc = {{Extra album cover
| Upper caption = Alternative cover
| Cover = Buffalo G We're Really Saying Something CD2.jpg
| Lower caption = CD2 cover
| Type = single
}}
}}
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.
 
====Track listing====
=== Shakespears Sister version ===
*; UK 7″ single (NANA1)
{{Infobox song
| Name = #"Really Saying Something" – 2:41
#"Give Us Back Our Cheap Fares" – 2:44
| Cover = ShakespearsSisterRSS.jpg
| Artist = [[Shakespears Sister]]
| Type = [[Promotional single]]
| Writer = [[Norman Whitfield]], [[William "Mickey" Stevenson]], and [[Eddie Holland|Edward Holland, Jr.]]
| Released = {{start date|2011|04}}
| Format = [[CD single]], [[Music download|digital download]]
| Length = {{duration|m=2|s=36}}
| Label = SF
| Genre = Pop, [[Rock music|rock]]
}}
 
*; US 7″ single (LD201)
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 site 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|accessdate=2012-01-06}}</ref> Copies of the CD single are no longer in production, and it is now one of Shakespears Sister's rarest collectibles to date.
#"Really Saying Something" (US version) – 3:44
#"Give Us Back Our Cheap Fares" – 2:44
 
*; UK 12″ vinyl (NANX1)
==== Track listing ====
#"Really Saying Something" (extended mix) – 5:40
*;CD single / Digital download<ref name="store"/>
#:<small>Remixed by Fun Boy Three</small>
#"Really Saying Something" — 2:36
#"Give Us Back Our Cheap Fares" (extended version) – 4:25
#"A Loaded Gun" — 4:15
 
*; UK 12″ vinyl – stickered limited edition (NANX1)
*;2013 digital download<ref name="store"/>
#"Really Saying Something" —(extended 2mix) – 5:3640
#"Aie A Mwana" (extended version) – 5:46
#"A Loaded Gun" — 4:15
#"A Loaded Gun" (Early Version)
 
*; US 12″ vinyl (LLD101)
==Releases==
#"Really Saying Something" (extended US version) – 7:50
; UK 7" single NANA1
#"Aie A Mwana" (extended US version) – 6:46
#"Really Saying Something" 2:41
#"GiveAie UsA BackMwana" Our(dub Cheap Fares"mix) – 24:4438
 
*; German 12″ vinyl (6400 606)
; US 7" single LD201
#"Really Saying Something" (USextended Versionmix) 3– 5:4440
#"Give Us Back Our Cheap Fares" (extended 2version) – 4:4425
 
*; 2004 versions
; UK 12" vinyl NANX1
#"Really Saying Something" (ExtendedSolasso Mixmix) – 5:4058
#"Really Saying Something" (Solasso radio edit)
#:<small>Remixed by Fun Boy Three</small>
#"Really Saying Something" (Solasso dirty dub) – 5:58
#"Give Us Back Our Cheap Fares" (Extended Version) 4:25
#"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===
; UK 12" vinyl - stickered limited edition NANX1
{{Infobox song
#"Really Saying Something" (Extended Mix) 5:40
| name = We're Really Saying Something
#:<small>Remixed by Fun Boy Three</small>
| cover = Buffalo G We're Really Saying Something CD1.jpg
#"Aie A Mwana" (Extended Version) 5:46
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = [[Buffalo G]]
| album =
| released = {{start date|2000|05|29|df=y}}
| recorded =
| studio =
| venue =
| genre =
* [[Pop music|Pop]]
* [[pop rap]]
| length = 3:18
| label = [[Epic Records|Epic]]
| writer =
* [[Norman Whitfield]]
* [[William "Mickey" Stevenson]]
* [[Eddie Holland|Edward Holland, Jr.]]
| producer =
| prev_title =
| prev_year =
| next_title =
| next_year =
| misc = {{Extra album cover
| header = Alternative cover
| type = single
| cover = Buffalo G We're Really Saying Something CD2.jpg
| border =
| alt =
| caption = CD2 cover
}}
}}
 
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.
; US 12" vinyl LLD101
 
#"Really Saying Something" (Extended US Version) 7:50
===Shakespears Sister version===
#"Aie A Mwana" (Extended US Version) 6:46
{{Infobox song
#"Aie A Mwana" (Dub Mix) 4:38
| name = Really Saying Something
| cover = ShakespearsSisterRSS.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = [[Shakespears Sister]]
| album =
| released = {{start date|2011|04}}
| recorded =
| studio =
| venue =
| genre =
* [[Pop music|Pop]]
* [[Rock music|rock]]
| length = {{duration|m=2|s=36}}
| label = SF
| writer =
* [[Norman Whitfield]]
* [[William "Mickey" Stevenson]]
* [[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 website 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====
; German 12" vinyl 6400 606
*; CD single / digital download<ref name="store"/>
#"Really Saying Something" (Extended Mix) 5:40
#"Really Saying Something" – 2:36
#"Give Us Back Our Cheap Fares" (Extended Version) 4:25
#"A Loaded Gun" – 4:15
 
*; 2013 digital download<ref name="store"/>
; 2005 versions
#"Really Saying Something" (Solasso– Mix) 52:58 <small>Taken from the album ''Drama''</small>36
#"A Loaded Gun" – 4:15
#"Really Saying Something" (Solasso Radio Edit)
#"A Loaded Gun" (early version)
#"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"
|-
!align scope="leftcol"| Chart (1982)
!align scope="leftcol"| 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"|UK Singles Chart<ref name="UKOC">{{Cite web |url=http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/30294/bananarama/ |title=UK Official Charts: Bananarama |author= |date=2016 |publisher=Official Charts Company |work=Officialcharts.com |accessdate=15 December 2016 }}</ref>
| 74
| style="text-align:center;"|5
|-
{{single chart|Flanders|7|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|Dutch100|16|artist=Bananarama & Fun Boy Three|song=Really Saying Something|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 |url= |___location=Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin |publisher=Record Research Inc. |page=24 |isbn=0-89820-128-4}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|108
|-
{{single chart|UK|5|date=19820425|rowheader=true|access-date=15 June 2024}}
|align="left"|Australia ([[Kent Music Report]])<ref name=ausnanas>{{cite book|last=Kent |first=David |authorlink=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="center"|74
|-
! scope="row"| US [[Bubbling Under Hot 100]] (''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'')<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>
|align="left"|Dutch [[MegaCharts|Singles chart]]
| 8
| style="text-align:center;"|16
|-
{{single chart|Billboarddanceclubplay|16|artist=Bananarama|rowheader=true|access-date=15 June 2024}}
|}
 
===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;"|13
|-
{{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}}
 
==External links==
* {{MetroLyrics song|bananarama|really-saying-something}}<!-- Licensed lyrics provider -->
 
{{The Velvelettes}}
{{Bananarama singles}}
{{Shakespears Sister}}
 
{{authority control}}
 
[[Category:1964 songs]]
Line 225 ⟶ 272:
[[Category:1982 singles]]
[[Category:Bananarama songs]]
[[Category:Fun Boy Three songs]]
[[Category:Motown singles]]
[[Category:London Records singles]]
[[Category:Songs written by Norman Whitfield]]
[[Category:Songs written by EdwardEddie Holland Jr.]]
[[Category:Songs written by William "Mickey" Stevenson]]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/He_Was_Really_Sayin%27_Somethin%27"