Cruel Summer
Encyclopedia
"Cruel Summer" is a pop song originally written and performed by Bananarama
that was a top ten hit in Britain in 1983
. Singer Sara Dallin
said the song "played on the darker side (of summer songs): it looked at the oppressive heat, the misery of wanting to be with someone as the summer ticked by. We've all been there!"
.
The song has since been revived in various forms. It appeared in several television commercials, was included on the soundtrack to the movie Romy and Michele's High School Reunion
, and was covered
by other acts, such as Ace of Base
, who scored an international hit with it (their version even reached gold in the US), and Blestenation on the Blue Crush
soundtrack. In 2003, Swedish electronica female artist Sophie Rimheden
sampled the beat and bassline from the song on the track "In Your Mind" of the album HiFi.
Since its success, the group have recorded another three versions of the song. "Cruel Summer '89" was recorded with new member Jacquie O'Sullivan
in 1989, and given a new jack swing
make-over. It reached number nineteen in the UK singles chart
in June. This version was not included on any Bananarama album until 2005's Really Saying Something: The Platinum Collection
.
Another version of the song was recorded and featured on their 2001 album Exotica
. This version featured Latin
instrumentation and additional lyrics, but it was not released as a single. In 2009 they released another updated version as a B-side to their single "Love Comes
".
The song was also featured as the theme tune to the first series of Trouble
's reality show of the same name, where a group of young adults were sent off to a holiday camp, only to be tortured and humiliated in an attempt to win a large sum of money.
was shot in New York City
and features a take on the American TV show The Dukes of Hazzard
, with a bumbling cop duo who chase the girls as they make their escape in a truck (at one point, Bananarama members throw banana
s at a trailing police cruiser).
The music video for the 1989 remix was a compilation of different shots from Bananarama's earlier videoclips. Notably missing are clips from the original 1983 video. Ex-member Siobhan Fahey
is only featured in a pair of frames. Bananarama were unable to record a proper video for the song due to being in the middle of a world tour at the time of release.
UK 12" vinyl
Japanese 3-inch CD single
Other versions
group Ace of Base
recorded the song at the request of their British
record label
London Records (who also had released the original version). Produced by Cutfather & Joe, the song was released as the lead single from their third American album, also called Cruel Summer
. It was also on their album Flowers
. It reached number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100
and was certified gold. It also reached number eight in the United Kingdom
, matching the peak of the original Bananarama version.
A different "dancier" version of the song (big bonus mix) was released on mainland Europe
and in France
.
There are three versions of the video:
The original video and the video using the Big Bonus Mix contain identical and similar footage, whereas the Frenglish version contains completely new footage.
UK CD 2
US Maxi CD
US Promo 12" Vinyl
boy band
Alliage and re-recorded as a duet in a release designed specifically for the French markets. It is bilingual in English and French with added lyrics to the original. Ace of Base also performed the song live on French television joined by Alliage.
Bananarama
Bananarama are an English female pop duo who have had success on the pop and dance charts since 1982. Rather than relying on a two part harmony, the duo generally sings in unison, as do their background vocalists. Although there have been line-up changes, the group enjoyed their most popular...
that was a top ten hit in Britain in 1983
1983 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1983.-January-April:*January – ZTT Records is founded.*January 8 – The UK singles chart is tabulated from this week forward by The Gallup Organization...
. Singer Sara Dallin
Sara Dallin
Sara Elizabeth Dallin is an English musician mostly noted for her membership of the group Bananarama, which she co-founded with her childhood friend Keren Woodward.Dallin was born in Bristol, England...
said the song "played on the darker side (of summer songs): it looked at the oppressive heat, the misery of wanting to be with someone as the summer ticked by. We've all been there!"
History
"Cruel Summer" was not an immediate international success when it was released. Although it hit #8 on the UK Chart, its international popularity soared after its inclusion in the 1984 feature film The Karate Kid; this was a year after the song's original release (the song was released in 1984 in the US). The group did not allow the song to be included in the film's soundtrack, but regardless it was their first top ten hit (#9) in the USA. When Bananarama were still struggling to make money in their early years, they even performed the song at a beauty contest in HawaiiHawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
.
The song has since been revived in various forms. It appeared in several television commercials, was included on the soundtrack to the movie Romy and Michele's High School Reunion
Romy and Michele's High School Reunion
Romy and Michele's High School Reunion is a 1997 comedy film starring Lisa Kudrow, Mira Sorvino, Janeane Garofalo, Camryn Manheim, and Alan Cumming directed by David Mirkin. The plot revolves around two 28-year-old women who appear to have achieved very little success in life and decide to invent...
, and was covered
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
by other acts, such as Ace of Base
Ace of Base
Ace of Base is a pop band based in Gothenburg, Sweden. Its original lineup consisted of Ulf "Buddha" Ekberg, and three siblings, Jonas "Joker" Berggren, Malin "Linn" Berggren and Jenny Berggren...
, who scored an international hit with it (their version even reached gold in the US), and Blestenation on the Blue Crush
Blue Crush
Blue Crush is a 2002 surfer film directed by John Stockwell and based on the Outside magazine article "Life's Swell" by Susan Orlean. Starring Kate Bosworth, Michelle Rodriguez, Sanoe Lake, and Mika Boorem, it tells the story of three friends who have one passion: living the ultimate dream of...
soundtrack. In 2003, Swedish electronica female artist Sophie Rimheden
Sophie Rimheden
Sophie Rimheden is a Swedish electronica artist. Born in Lund, Sweden, she began making music as a child and moved into electronic music at age 13. She has stated she is heavily influenced by Madonna.-Early career:...
sampled the beat and bassline from the song on the track "In Your Mind" of the album HiFi.
Since its success, the group have recorded another three versions of the song. "Cruel Summer '89" was recorded with new member Jacquie O'Sullivan
Jacquie O'Sullivan
Jacquie O'Sullivan is a singer and songwriter.-Early years:O'Sullivan was originally a member of the country/punk/rockabilly group Shillelagh Sisters. In 1978 she was one of three backing vocalists on Status Quo's album "If You Can't Stand the Heat". In 1982 O'Sullivan appeared in the videoclip of...
in 1989, and given a new jack swing
New jack swing
New jack swing or swingbeat is a fusion genre spearheaded by Teddy Riley and Bernard Belle which became extremely popular from the late-1980s into the mid-1990s. Its influence, along with hip-hop, seeped into pop culture and was the definitive sound of the inventive Black New York club scene...
make-over. It reached number nineteen in the UK singles chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
in June. This version was not included on any Bananarama album until 2005's Really Saying Something: The Platinum Collection
Really Saying Something: The Platinum Collection
Really Saying Something: The Platinum Collection is one of several greatest hits collections by British pop rock / new wave / dance girl group Bananarama, released in 2005...
.
Another version of the song was recorded and featured on their 2001 album Exotica
Exotica (Bananarama album)
Exotica is the eighth studio album released by the British female vocal duo Bananarama. This is Bananarama's third album as a duo, and was produced by Pascal Caubet and issued only in France in 2001 on the M6 Interactions label. The work is a combination of new compositions along with re-recordings...
. This version featured Latin
Latin American music
Latin American music, found within Central and South America, is a series of musical styles and genres that mixes influences from Spanish, African and indigenous sources, that has recently become very famous in the US.-Argentina:...
instrumentation and additional lyrics, but it was not released as a single. In 2009 they released another updated version as a B-side to their single "Love Comes
Love Comes
"Love Comes" is a song recorded by British girl group Bananarama. It was released on September 6, 2009 as the lead single from their tenth studio album Viva.-Song information:...
".
The song was also featured as the theme tune to the first series of Trouble
Trouble (TV station)
Trouble was a television station in the UK and Republic of Ireland, owned by Virgin Media Television. It fully replaced The Children's Channel from 4 April 1998, prior to the start of Sky Digital....
's reality show of the same name, where a group of young adults were sent off to a holiday camp, only to be tortured and humiliated in an attempt to win a large sum of money.
Music video
The music videoMusic video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
was shot in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
and features a take on the American TV show The Dukes of Hazzard
The Dukes of Hazzard
The Dukes of Hazzard is an American television series that aired on the CBS television network from 1979 to 1985.The series was inspired by the 1975 film Moonrunners, which was also created by Gy Waldron and had many identical or similar character names and concepts.- Overview :The Dukes of Hazzard...
, with a bumbling cop duo who chase the girls as they make their escape in a truck (at one point, Bananarama members throw banana
Banana
Banana is the common name for herbaceous plants of the genus Musa and for the fruit they produce. Bananas come in a variety of sizes and colors when ripe, including yellow, purple, and red....
s at a trailing police cruiser).
The music video for the 1989 remix was a compilation of different shots from Bananarama's earlier videoclips. Notably missing are clips from the original 1983 video. Ex-member Siobhan Fahey
Siobhan Fahey
Siobhan Fahey is an Irish musician and founding member of the 1980s British girl group Bananarama, and later formed the BRIT Award and Ivor Novello award winning musical outfit Shakespears Sister.-Career:Fahey was born the eldest of three daughters to Helen and...
is only featured in a pair of frames. Bananarama were unable to record a proper video for the song due to being in the middle of a world tour at the time of release.
Track Listing
UK 7" vinyl- "Cruel Summer" (Album Version) 3:35
- "Cruel Summer" (Summer Dub) 3:32
UK 12" vinyl
- "Cruel Summer" (Extended Version) 4:55
- "Cruel Summer" (Summer Dub) 5:15
- "Cairo" 3:15
Cruel Summer '89
UK CD single- "Cruel Summer '89" (Swing Beat Version) 3:22
- Also available from CD the albums The WorksThe Works (Bananarama album)The Works is a remastered 3-CD retrospective of British Girl group Bananarama's musical career from 1981 through 1993. This 48-track compilation album was issued by Rhino Records on November 5, 2007, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the group...
, Now That's What I Call Music 15 and Really Saying Something: The Platinum CollectionReally Saying Something: The Platinum CollectionReally Saying Something: The Platinum Collection is one of several greatest hits collections by British pop rock / new wave / dance girl group Bananarama, released in 2005...
. - Remixed by Freddy Bastone
- Also available from CD the albums The Works
- "Venus" (The Greatest Remix Edit) 3:42
- Remixed by Phil Harding & Ian Curnow
- "I Heard a Rumour" (Corporation Of Bananarama Remix) 5:44
- Remixed by Freddy Bastone
Japanese 3-inch CD single
- "Cruel Summer '89" (Swing Beat Dub) 5:20
- Also available from the CD albums The Greatest Remixes Collection and The Very Best of BananaramaThe Very Best of BananaramaThe Very Best of Bananarama is one of several greatest hits collections by English girl group Bananarama.Released by Warner Music Group, parent company of Bananarama's label London Records, this set is the "official" hits package released to celebrate the group's twentieth anniversary...
. - Remixed by Freddy Bastone
- Also available from the CD albums The Greatest Remixes Collection and The Very Best of Bananarama
- "I Heard a Rumour" (Corporation Of Bananarama Remix) 5:44
- Remixed by Freddy Bastone
- "Venus" (The Greatest Remix) 7:57
- Remixed by Phil Harding and Ian Curnow
Other versions
- "Cruel Summer" (2001 Version) 4:05
- Taken from the album ExoticaExotica (Bananarama album)Exotica is the eighth studio album released by the British female vocal duo Bananarama. This is Bananarama's third album as a duo, and was produced by Pascal Caubet and issued only in France in 2001 on the M6 Interactions label. The work is a combination of new compositions along with re-recordings...
- Taken from the album Exotica
- "Cruel Summer" (Digital Mix) 6:03
- Taken from the album The Twelve Inches of BananaramaThe Twelve Inches of BananaramaThe Twelve Inches of Bananarama is a compilation album by English girl group Bananarama, released on October 2, 2006 by Warner Bros. Records. The collection contains twelve remixes of Bananarama songs, spanning the years 1982 to 1991, many of which are appearing on compact disc for the first time...
- Taken from the album The Twelve Inches of Bananarama
- "Cruel Summer '09"
- B-Side of "Love ComesLove Comes"Love Comes" is a song recorded by British girl group Bananarama. It was released on September 6, 2009 as the lead single from their tenth studio album Viva.-Song information:...
" single
- B-Side of "Love Comes
Personnel
Bananarama- Sara DallinSara DallinSara Elizabeth Dallin is an English musician mostly noted for her membership of the group Bananarama, which she co-founded with her childhood friend Keren Woodward.Dallin was born in Bristol, England...
- Vocals - Keren WoodwardKeren WoodwardKeren Woodward is an English pop singer and songwriter of British girl group Bananarama, co-founded by her long time school friend Sara Dallin and Siobhan Fahey....
- Vocals - Siobhan FaheySiobhan FaheySiobhan Fahey is an Irish musician and founding member of the 1980s British girl group Bananarama, and later formed the BRIT Award and Ivor Novello award winning musical outfit Shakespears Sister.-Career:Fahey was born the eldest of three daughters to Helen and...
- Vocals
Ace of Base version
In 1998, the SwedishSweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
group Ace of Base
Ace of Base
Ace of Base is a pop band based in Gothenburg, Sweden. Its original lineup consisted of Ulf "Buddha" Ekberg, and three siblings, Jonas "Joker" Berggren, Malin "Linn" Berggren and Jenny Berggren...
recorded the song at the request of their British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
London Records (who also had released the original version). Produced by Cutfather & Joe, the song was released as the lead single from their third American album, also called Cruel Summer
Cruel Summer (Ace of Base album)
-Japan release:#"Cruel Summer "#"Donnie "#"Life Is a Flower"#"Everytime It Rains"#"Adventures in Paradise"#"Don't Go Away"#"Cecilia"#"He Decides " #"Always Have, Always Will "...
. It was also on their album Flowers
Flowers (Ace of Base album)
A re-release of the record in UK saw "Cecilia" replaced with "Cecilia " and "Cruel Summer " replaced with "Everytime It Rains"-Australian release:#"Cruel Summer "#"Donnie "...
. It reached number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
and was certified gold. It also reached number eight in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, matching the peak of the original Bananarama version.
A different "dancier" version of the song (big bonus mix) was released on mainland Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
and in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
Music Video
A music videos was filmed and directed by Nigel DickNigel Dick
Nigel Dick is an English music video and film director, writer and musician based in Los Angeles, California. He directed the Band Aid video "Do They Know It's Christmas?", as well as over 300 other music videos.Nigel Dick should not be confused with the Australian Dr...
.
There are three versions of the video:
- "Cruel Summer"
- "Cruel Summer" (Big Bonus Mix)
- "Cruel Summer" (Frenglish version featuring Alliage)
The original video and the video using the Big Bonus Mix contain identical and similar footage, whereas the Frenglish version contains completely new footage.
Track listings
UK CD 1- Cutfather and Joe Mix
- Big Bonus Mix
- Hartmann and Langhoff Short Mix
- Hartmann and Langhoff Club Mix
UK CD 2
- "Cruel Summer" (Cutfather and Joe Mix)
- "Don't Turn Around" (The 7" Aswad Mix)
- "Beautiful Life" (Single Version)
US Maxi CD
- Album Version a.k.a. Cutfather and Joe Mix
- Hani Radio Mix a.k.a. Blazin' Rhythm Remix
- KLM Radio Mix
- Hani Num Club Mix
- KLM Club Mix
US Promo 12" Vinyl
- KLM Dub 1
- KLM Beats
- Hani Dub
- KLM Short Dub
Official remixes/versions
- Album Version/Cutfather & Joe Mix
- Acapella
- Big Bonus Mix
- Big Bonus Mix Radio Edit
- Big Bonus Mix Extended
- Hani Radio Edit/Blazin' Rhythm Remix
- Hani Num Club Mix
- Hani Dub
- Hartmann & Langhoff Club Mix
- Hartmann & Langhoff Short Mix
- Instrumental
- KLM Radio Edit
- KLM Club Mix
- KLM Dub
- KLM Short Dub
- KLM Beats
- Radio Mix
- Radio Mix - Mix Out Ending
- Radio Mix - Cold Ending
- Soul Poets House Bust
Ace of Base & Alliage version
Ace of Base united with the FrenchFrance
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
boy band
Boy band
A boy band is loosely defined as a popular music act consisting of only male singers. The members are expected to dance as well as sing, usually giving highly choreographed performances. More often than not, boy band members do not play musical instruments, either in recording sessions or on...
Alliage and re-recorded as a duet in a release designed specifically for the French markets. It is bilingual in English and French with added lyrics to the original. Ace of Base also performed the song live on French television joined by Alliage.
Official remixes/versions
- Frenglish Version (featuring Alliage)
- Extended Version (featuring Alliage)
- Dub (featuring Alliage)
- Garage Mix (featuring Alliage)
- Garage Mix Vocal Up (featuring Alliage)
- Garage Mix Extended (featuring Alliage)
- Garage Dub (featuring Alliage)
Peak positions
| Chart | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian ARIA Singles Chart ARIA Charts The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June... |
59 |
| Austrian Singles Chart Media Control Charts The official music charts in Germany are gathered and published by the company Media Control GfK International on behalf of Bundesverband Musikindustrie... |
28 |
| Canadian Singles Chart Canadian Singles Chart The Canadian Singles Chart is currently compiled by the U.S.-based music sales tracking company, Nielsen SoundScan . The chart is compiled every Wednesday, and is published by Jam! Canoe on Thursdays.... |
5 |
| Chile Hot 100 | 5 |
| Danish Singles Chart | 5 |
| Dutch Singles Chart | 55 |
| French Singles Chart | 24 |
| German Singles Chart Media Control Charts The official music charts in Germany are gathered and published by the company Media Control GfK International on behalf of Bundesverband Musikindustrie... |
28 |
| New Zealand RIANZ Singles Chart | 40 |
| Swiss Singles Chart Media Control Charts The official music charts in Germany are gathered and published by the company Media Control GfK International on behalf of Bundesverband Musikindustrie... |
21 |
| Swedish Singles Chart | 13 |
| South African Singles Chart | 3 |
| UK Airplay Chart | 28 |
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
8 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
10 |
| U.S. Billboard Top 40 Mainstream | 20 |
| U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary | 22 |
| U.S. Billboard Rhythmic Top 40 | 29 |
| U.S. Billboard Adult Top 40 | 33 |
| US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play Hot Dance Club Play The Hot Dance Club Songs chart is a weekly national survey of the songs that are most popular in U.S. dance clubs... |
10 |
End of year charts
| End of year chart (1998) | Position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 66 |
Sales and certifications
| Provider | Certification |
|---|---|
| United States (RIAA Recording Industry Association of America The Recording Industry Association of America is a trade organization that represents the recording industry distributors in the United States... ) |
Gold |