No
more banana skins for Siobhan
Many thought
Siobhan Fahey was mad to quit Bananarama as they became the
world's most successful all-girl group ever. For years the trio
had been the butt of endless jokes. But just when they were
winning some sort of credibility, and were in the Guiness Book
of Records, she decided to turn her back on the hit-machine.
Now the
gamble is paying off, as her new venture Shakespear's Sister
climbs the charts.
You're History,
which so easily could have become an unfortunate postscript,
is the title of her first hit single away from the group, currently
at Number 13 and climing. Even before Siobhan knew she was on
to a winner she had no regrets about her decision to go it alone.
"Bananarama
started out as the antithesis of the glossy packaged pop group,
with it's rebellious and cheeky attitude. Then I felt it became
the very thing we were against. I felt so completely out of
step with that image" she says, shaking the long black
bob that has replaced the blonde fluffy hair-styles she had
as a Banana.
Watching
Bananarama on their first tour earlier this year, she knew there
was no going back. "I felt very divorced from them. It
was like watching my past dancing in front of my eyes. It was
really weird. By the time I saw them I had written and recorded
a new album. It was difficult to believe I was ever a part of
it."
The last
few years have meant many changes for her, and not just on the
musical front. Married to Eurythmic Dave Stewart, Siobhan admits
that being with him has given her new-found confidence. As has
motherhood. "Having Sam has changed me fundamentally. I
think I was a bit of a lost soul before. Now I feel his like
an anchor. "He gave me the emotional answers, calmed me
down and made me happier. The way Dave has affected me is that
he always sees the positive side of life. I was a bit of a worrier
before. When the first single was a flop he told me not to worry.
He said that the first Eurythmics album had been a flop and
what I was doing was experimental so I couldn't expect it to
be a hit overnight. I was very disapointment but I think I released
it too soon. Many people thought I was still in Bananarama,
or that I had only just left the group. I think people weren't
ready to hear me in a different vein."
She went
back to the studio and produced You're History. "When it
started doing so well it was a real shock. I had got use to
the fact that it might take longer for people to get into what
I was doing. I think it is a totally different market. The record
company found out that 21 per cent of the sales were on compact
disc. Usually it's nearer 3 per cent," she says, amused
by the idea that she has cornered the yuppie market. The album,
Sacred Heart, is due out later this month.
"I think it is weird that people say they can hear the
Eurythmics in it. It is very flattering. But I deliberately
went off and did the album with two unknown people in a little
garage somewhere. "I didn't do the obvious and record it
with Dave. But I think the reason people compare the two sounds
is because of the conscious association."
She played her first live dates in Russia, with associate member
Marcella Detroit, and there are plans to do more concerts in
Britain in October.
But as Shakespear's Sister takes off, and the Eurythmics prepare
to embark on a world tour from September to December, she is
facing one of her toughest challenges - balancing family life
and her new career. "I am already finding it difficult.
Even though we are in the same house, I find that I am so busy
that the quality of time with Sam is lessened, because I am
tired or distracted. Life is never cut and dried. But it is
ever comes to a choise Sam would have to come first. Ultimately
a human being is far more important than a record. I can get
more from my personal relationship with him that I can get from
making more hits or a greater number of record sales."
Siobhan is philosophical about appearing to be someone who
has got it all. "It is frightening. I feel so fortunate.
Sometimes I think I have too good a life, too fantastic. What
is going to happen? But Dave is always very positive. "I
am 30 now. Someone told me once that life goes in 28 year cycles.
When I was 28 I left Bananarama, got married and had Sam. I
know I wasn't really happy before. I feel much more in touch
with myself now. For me, life begins at 30.
Source: The Mail on Sunday (Newspaper), 1989. Written by Louise
Court
Last Updated: 4th November, 2001
