I have a friend who was so invested in Bananarama being a fluffy pop act that he was actually angry when I pointed out that "Hotline to Heaven" was about saving one's self by cutting ties with a dangerous personality, and "Through a Child's Eyes" about being betrayed by one's parents. Same album as "Cruel Summer," no less.
Lyrics such as "A thousand voices in your head/Make you scream and drive you mad..." are hard to misinterpret, however sweetly sung and bouncily orchestrated. I note that the (antic pantomime, lyrically irrelevant) video version here cuts the album's coda to the song: "Going up without me, baby/I'm not going to let you drive me crazy..."
Or, actually, the line starts as the second version and becomes the first later in the song. Thank goodness we have that settled, for the sake of world peace.
Oh yes indeed!
ReplyDeleteBananarama - my goodness, that really sums up UK pop in the 80s for me - thanks Patti!
ReplyDeleteNice song, another ridiculous video.
ReplyDeleteI have a friend who was so invested in Bananarama being a fluffy pop act that he was actually angry when I pointed out that "Hotline to Heaven" was about saving one's self by cutting ties with a dangerous personality, and "Through a Child's Eyes" about being betrayed by one's parents. Same album as "Cruel Summer," no less.
ReplyDeleteSadly, I often miss the lyrics and go mostly if I can dance to it.
ReplyDeleteBananrama: "Hotline to Heaven"
ReplyDeleteLyrics such as "A thousand voices in your head/Make you scream and drive you mad..." are hard to misinterpret, however sweetly sung and bouncily orchestrated. I note that the (antic pantomime, lyrically irrelevant) video version here cuts the album's coda to the song: "Going up without me, baby/I'm not going to let you drive me crazy..."
Ha. Unless I misinterpret "And now the voices in your head" as "A thousand voices..."
ReplyDeleteOr, actually, the line starts as the second version and becomes the first later in the song. Thank goodness we have that settled, for the sake of world peace.
ReplyDelete(Siobhan Fahey was the cute one.)