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Deep Sea Skiving

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Deep Sea Skiving
Studio album by
Bananarama
Released7 March 1983 (1983-03-07)
RecordedAugust 1981 – May 1982
Studio
Genre
Length37:57
LabelLondon
Producer
Bananarama chronology
Deep Sea Skiving
(1983) 		Bananarama
(1984)
Singles from Deep Sea Skiving
  1. "Aie a Mwana"
    Released: 28 September 1981
  2. "Really Saying Something"
    Released: 29 March 1982
  3. "Shy Boy"
    Released: 21 June 1982
  4. "Cheers Then"
    Released: 22 November 1982
  5. "He's Got Tact"
    Released: 1982 (Japan only)
  6. "Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye"
    Released: 14 February 1983

Deep Sea Skiving is the debut studio album by the English pop group Bananarama, released on 7 March 1983 by London Records.

The album peaked at number seven on the UK Albums Chart[4] and was certified silver by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI).[5]

Background and recording

[edit]

Two tracks on Deep Sea Skiving, "Really Saying Something" and "Aie a Mwana", were drawn from previously recorded singles. After hearing the Imagination song "Body Talk" (1981) and being impressed by its "slinky" sound, Bananarama sought to work with the song's producers, Jolley & Swain.[6] On their first meeting with the group at Red Bus Studios in Marylebone, Jolley & Swain presented Bananarama with a song in the vein of Motown girl groups called "Big Red Motorbike", which after being rewritten at the behest of the group, who disliked its lyrics, would become "Shy Boy".[6] Bananarama recorded two more tracks, "Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye" and "Boy Trouble", with Jolley & Swain producing,[7] and recorded the rest of the album at Utopia Studios in Primrose Hill with producer Barry Blue.[6] Siobhan Fahey attributed the change in producers to the group's desire to record more of their own compositions, explaining, "[Jolley & Swain] wanted us to do their songs, not ours. They wanted a 1980s version of the old girl groups, disembodied voices. They didn't see us as voices with ideas."[8] Sara Dallin and Keren Woodward nonetheless acknowledged Jolley & Swain's role in helping the group hone their songwriting and arrangement skills,[6][3] and the duo would be brought back as producers for Bananarama's next two studio albums, Bananarama (1984) and True Confessions (1986).

Writing about Deep Sea Skiving in 1983, Los Angeles Times critic Terry Atkinson said that Bananarama "mix the old Motown/Spector 'girl group' approach with the modern African rhythms and new-wave effervescence that were popularized, in part, by the female-led Bow Wow Wow."[1] Stereogum's Robbie Daw later wrote that the album "stood out as a synth-pop and 1960s girl group hybrid",[2] while Classic Pop's Mark Lindores described its sound as "falling somewhere between the Slits and the Supremes" and noted that Bananarama "blended the notion of the classic girl groups of the 60s and the DIY ethos of the punk scene that spawned them".[9]

Release

[edit]

The album's front cover depicts Bananarama swimming with fish underwater, wearing black tunics they had sewn themselves.[6] The inner sleeve of the vinyl release contains numerous photos of the group, several of them in childhood.

As part of a reissue series covering Bananarama's first six studio albums, Deep Sea Skiving was re-released on CD on 19 March 2007 by Rhino Records with several bonus tracks.[10] The six albums were reissued again by Edsel Records on 28 October 2013, each as a double-CD set with an accompanying DVD.[11] The London label reissued the albums on CD on 20 July 2018, and on coloured vinyl and cassette on 30 November 2018.[12]

Critical reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[13]
The Baltimore Sun[14]
Classic Pop[15]
The Philadelphia Inquirer[16]
Record Mirror[17]
Rolling Stone[18]
Smash Hits4/10[19]
Spin Alternative Record Guide8/10[20]
Stylus MagazineA[21]
The Village VoiceB−[22]

Writing for Rolling Stone, Chris Connelly praised Deep Sea Skiving as sounding "like a great party" even without overt "conviction" or "soul", and commented, "Bananarama aren't the type to sing 'Come See About Me': they're hot stuff, they know it, and if you don't, that's your problem."[18] Observing "a lot of promise here", Record Mirror's Jim Reid highlighted Bananarama's "charm and vivacity" and complimented their self-penned songs, while suggesting that their craft would improve over time through "extensive live work and a more considered stab at songwriting".[17] Beverley Hillier of Smash Hits, however, said that "their identity is totally overshadowed by that of the different producers and songwriters ... while their vocals are dull and monotonous."[19]

In a retrospective review, AllMusic critic Stewart Mason deemed Deep Sea Skiving "Bananarama's finest album by far, and an underappreciated pop gem of its era", writing that the group "were unashamedly poppy, but they had enough artistic credibility to create a debut album that, barring a couple of small missteps, actually works as an album instead of a collection of singles with some filler."[13] Record Collector's Rob Hughes described it as an album of "mischievous post-punk pop" which "scrambled preconceived ideas of what an all-girl band could be: post-punks with a pop vision and strong DIY aesthetic."[3]

Track listing

[edit]
Standard edition
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Shy Boy"
  • Jolley
  • Swain
3:16
2."Doctor Love"Paul WellerBarry Blue3:42
3."What a Shambles"
Blue3:34
4."Really Saying Something"
Dave Jordan2:45
5."Cheers Then"
  • Dallin
  • Fahey
  • Woodward
  • Sharpe
  • John Martin
Blue3:31
6."Aie a Mwana"
3:36
7."Young at Heart"
Blue3:13
8."Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye"
  • Jolley
  • Swain
3:30
9."Hey Young London"
  • Blue
  • Stan Shaw
  • Dallin
  • Fahey
  • Woodward
Blue3:55
10."Boy Trouble"
  • Dallin
  • Fahey
  • Woodward
  • Jolley
  • Swain
3:14
11."Wish You Were Here"
  • Dallin
  • Fahey
  • Woodward
Blue3:41
Total length:37:57
Japanese edition bonus track
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
4."He's Got Tact"
  • Dallin
  • Fahey
  • Woodward
2:57
Total length:40:54

Notes

  • The original US LP edition omits "Aie a Mwana" and has a slightly altered running order.
  • The original Japanese LP edition positions "He's Got Tact" between "What a Shambles" and "Really Saying Something".


2007 CD reissue bonus tracks
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
12."Give Us Back Our Cheap Fares"
4:24
13."Girl About Town"
  • Dallin
  • Fahey
  • Woodward
3:28
14."He's Got Tact"
  • Dallin
  • Fahey
  • Woodward
2:57
15."Tell Tale Signs"
  • Dallin
  • Fahey
  • Woodward
3:08
16."No Feelings"
2:33

Notes

  • The version of "Give Us Back Our Cheap Fares" used is the extended version.
  • The version of "Girl About Town" used is a slightly longer version, with an additional four bars just before the instrumental break (roughly 1:45–1:59), than the original vinyl 7" version (3:10).


2013 deluxe edition CD/DVD reissue – Disc one bonus tracks
No.TitleLength
12."He's Got Tact"2:59
13."Girl About Town"3:13
14."Tell Tale Signs"3:15
15."No Feelings"2:33
16."Aie a Mwana" (extended version)5:45
17."Really Saying Something" (extended version)5:39
18."Shy Boy" (12" mix)5:50
19."Cheers Then" (extended version)5:18
20."Na Na Hey Hey (Kiss Him Goodbye)" (12" version)4:52
2013 deluxe edition CD/DVD reissue – Disc two
No.TitleLength
1."Aie a Mwana" (7" version)3:48
2."Really Saying Something" (U.S. 7" mix)3:46
3."Shy Boy" (U.S. 7" mix)3:35
4."No Feelings" (alternative mix)2:35
5."Give Us Back Our Cheap Fares"2:45
6."Boy Trouble" (extended version)4:20
7."Girl About Town" (extended version)5:31
8."Tell Tale Signs" (extended version)4:45
9."Aie a Mwana" (U.S. extended version)6:45
10."Really Saying Something" (U.S. extended version)7:54
11."Shy Boy" (U.S. extended version)7:20
12."Give Us Back Our Cheap Fares" (extended version)4:23
13."Aie a Mwana" (U.S. dub)4:38
14."Shy Boy" (U.S. dub)9:23
15."Na Na Hey Hey (Kiss Him Goodbye) (Na (Dub) Hey)"4:12
16."Aie a Mwana (Dubwana)"3:40

2013 deluxe edition CD/DVD reissue – DVD

  1. "Really Saying Something" – music video (directed by Midge Ure and Chris Cross)
  2. "Shy Boy" – music video (directed by Midge Ure and Chris Cross)
  3. "Cheers Then" – music video (directed by Keith "Keef" MacMillan)
  4. "Na Na Hey Hey (Kiss Him Goodbye)" – music video (directed by Keith "Keef" MacMillan)
  5. "Really Saying Something" – performance on Top of the Pops
  6. "Shy Boy" – performance on 6.55 Special
  7. "Boy Trouble" – performance on 6.55 Special
  8. "Na Na Hey Hey (Kiss Him Goodbye)" – performance on Saturday Superstore

Personnel

[edit]

Credits are adapted from the album's liner notes.[7]

Bananarama

Production

  • Barry Blue – production
  • Paul Cook (credited as "Little Paul Cook") – production
  • Steve Jolley – production
  • Dave Jordan – production
  • John Luongo – remixing ("Aie a Mwana")
  • John Mackswith – engineering
  • John Martin (credited as "Big John Martin") – production, piano arrangement ("Young at Heart")
  • Squid Palmer – engineering (assistance)
  • Tony Swain – production

Design

  • Peter Barrett – design
  • Bay Hippisley – photography

Charts

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Chart (1983) Peak
position
Australian Albums (Kent Music Report)[23] 85
Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)[24] 48
UK Albums (OCC)[4] 7
US Billboard 200[25] 63

Certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[5] Silver 60,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

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  1. ^ a b Atkinson, Terry (23 April 1983). "Lightweight Arrivals on Female Bandwagon". Los Angeles Times. "Calendar" section, pp. 1, 3.
  2. ^ a b Daw, Robbie (16 October 2017). "Q&A: Bananarama Talk Getting The Band Back Together & Their Upcoming Tour". Stereogum. Retrieved 28 July 2025.
  3. ^ a b c Hughes, Rob (May 2024). "Fruits of Their Labours". Record Collector. No. 557. pp. 64–67.
  4. ^ a b "Top Albums & Tapes – Week Ending April 2, 1983". Record Mirror. 2 April 1983. p. 41. ISSN 0144-5804. Archived from the original on 17 September 2016. Retrieved 25 April 2016 – via ChartArchive. N.B. The Official Charts Company site lists an inaccurate peak for the album, due to the chart for the week it peaked being a duplication of the prior week's chart, when the album was at number 8.
  5. ^ a b "British album certifications – Bananarama – Deep Sea Skiving". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 30 June 2025.
  6. ^ a b c d e Dallin, Sara; Woodward, Keren (2020). Really Saying Something. Hutchinson. ISBN 978-1-786-33266-0.
  7. ^ a b Deep Sea Skiving (liner notes). Bananarama. London Records. 1983. RAMA 1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  8. ^ Mehler, Mark (June 1983). "In Which Bananarama Asserts they Are 'Voices with Ideas'". Record. Vol. 2, no. 8. p. 6.
  9. ^ Lindores, Mark (March–April 2022). "Album by Album: Bananarama". Classic Pop. No. 74. pp. 46–49. Retrieved 28 July 2025.
  10. ^ "Bananarama re-issues – 25th anniversary". bananarama.co.uk. Archived from the original on 20 March 2007. Retrieved 28 July 2025.
  11. ^ Sinclair, Paul (23 October 2013). "Bananarama reissue producer talks to SuperDeluxeEdition". SuperDeluxeEdition. Retrieved 28 July 2025.
  12. ^ "Reissues". bananarama.co.uk. Archived from the original on 12 September 2019. Retrieved 28 July 2025.
  13. ^ a b Mason, Stewart. "Deep Sea Skiving – Bananarama". AllMusic. Retrieved 12 June 2018.
  14. ^ Considine, J. D. (10 April 1983). "Morrison album plays down words to let melody soar". The Baltimore Sun.
  15. ^ Frith, Mark (November–December 2013). "Bananarama". Classic Pop. No. 7. p. 107.
  16. ^ Tucker, Ken (10 April 1983). "Bananarama: Spunky and clever". The Philadelphia Inquirer.
  17. ^ a b Reid, Jim (12 March 1983). "Girl trouble" (PDF). Record Mirror. London. p. 20. ISSN 0144-5804. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2 April 2022. Retrieved 15 November 2022 – via World Radio History.
  18. ^ a b Connelly, Christopher (12 May 1983). "Bananarama: Deep Sea Skiving". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 27 July 2001. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
  19. ^ a b Hillier, Beverley (17–30 March 1983). "Bananarama: Deep Sea Skiving" (PDF). Smash Hits. Vol. 5, no. 6. Peterborough. p. 30. ISSN 0260-3004. Archived (PDF) from the original on 28 September 2022. Retrieved 15 November 2022 – via World Radio History.
  20. ^ Sheffield, Rob (1995). "Bananarama". In Weisbard, Eric; Marks, Craig (eds.). Spin Alternative Record Guide. Vintage Books. pp. 28–29. ISBN 0-679-75574-8.
  21. ^ Merwin, Charles (19 April 2007). "Bananarama – Deep Sea Skiving / Bananarama / True Confessions / Wow! / Pop Life – Review". Stylus Magazine. Archived from the original on 23 April 2007. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
  22. ^ Christgau, Robert (31 May 1983). "Christgau's Consumer Guide". The Village Voice. Retrieved 12 June 2018.
  23. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 26. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  24. ^ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 6272a". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 8 November 2020.
  25. ^ "Bananarama Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 8 November 2020.
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