So
@soratami wins another one! He certainly wouldn’t have at the beginning of the voting period as
You’re History was firmly in the top 10 then. This was until the rate’s favourites such as REDACTED, REDACTED & REDACTED started getting more and more points, and
Marcella’s high notes started shattering glass around the late voters, scaring off the points she may have received otherwise.
You’re History was almost a 10 from me. I am and have always been a sucker for
Siobhan’s voice – her disinterested tone and enunciation here as she dismisses her ex is quite contemptuous and very bad girl!
Marcella does a great job too I thought as her take seems to be more around how fed up she is with her lover and (somewhat painfully) finding her voice and her words to express it. I can understand perhaps the high notes were not quite to everyone’s taste but it certainly gives a full sonic experience as a whole.
The disappointing thing with this cut is that much like other girl bands we have already said goodbye to,
Shakespears Sisters have a certified classic in their repertoire that could have secured them the win, and that is
Stay. The part 2 of this rate needs to happen for sure!
Shakespears Sister started out as a solo act, in fact it was
Siobhan Fahey’s stage name when she left
Bananarama and wanted to break out of their sound and shadow in establishing a solo career for herself. She had a couple of flop releases and when recording tracks with session vocalist
Marcy Levy (renamed
Marcella Detroit while part of the band and thereafter), the potential for them to perform as a duo was too obvious to ignore.
You’re History was their first proper hit together and was a true representation of the band, in that Siobhan was front and centre.
Stay despite being absolutely mesmerising is the track that drove a wedge between the two ladies. After its success, many considered
Marcella to be the main drawcard of the act, which infuriated
Siobhan since she was the one to start and carry the vision of
Shakespears Sister. Eventually
Marcella was let go from the band in quite an unceremonious manner (at an award show in a speech by Siobhan’s publisher, with Marcella in the audience). Shakespeare Sister continues as a solo act with Siobhan, and the ladies have apparently not spoken since…
PopJustice has some opinions on this one….
DJHazey (3)
would probably prefer Shakespeare Sister as a solo act anyway - It's was fine until that part in the chorus I don't think I need to identify.
Unnameable (10)
can see past the controversy and forgets Miss Donaghy! – I’ve always thought Siobhan was the finest Siobhan in pop.
Iheartpoptarts (0)
has reached breaking point! - I’m not normally one to complain about vocals ruining a song, but…
DominoDancing (7.5)
continues to lose favourites - Probably the most idiosyncratic song in this rate, and the one least likely to be identified as a "girl group" single. It's pretty good, but they'd release better later.
Sprockrooster (8)
has a controversial opinion - Love the vocals a lot.
Empty Shoebox (4)
does not like a show-off! - Yes Marcella, you can hit the high notes. We're all very impressed. The contrast with Sibohan is quite nice, but there's little else to this song so it really starts to tick you off by the end.
Trouble In Paradise (8.5)
is feeling the feeling behind the feeling! - Honestly, I’m feeling the piercing call and response vocals.
Filippa (7)
likes one more than the other - Yes Siobhan Fahey. Talented lady but assumingly not very easy to work with. I like the song, don’t like the vocals from Marcella Detroit.
Saviodxl (4.8)
has jokes! - That high pitched "You're history" can wake up a city.
ComeOnGloria (7)
is so there for part 2! - It's no Stay - that's one of the best songs ever written!
Kermit_The_Frog (8)
will be looking at the full discography @unnameable will probably be running? - I love Marcella, I love Siobhan - however, I’ve never found the time to listen to anything more than the singles. This must change.
Zar-Unity (9)
gives another high score – how is that for a redemption! - This is special, unique and refreshing! Love the guitar! Tech: 5 Taste: 4 = 9 points