Bananarama — who has a song called "Cruel Summer" — says they haven't heard Taylor Swift's hit of the same name.
The British-Irish group, which currently consists of members Sara Dallin and Keren Woodward, recently spoke to Billboard about their decadeslong music career.
While reflecting on the impact that female artists have on the music scene these days, the duo shared that they haven't listened to Swift's chart-topping hit "Cruel Summer," even though it shares the same name as one of their own songs.
"I haven't heard it, I'm afraid," Dallin told Billboard.
Swift's "Cruel Summer" hit the top of Billboard's Hot 100 chart in October 2023, four years after it was released. The track — which was a fan favorite — became even more popular after the singer performed it on her Eras Tour and released new mixes of the song during a promotional push.
Likewise, Bananarama's "Cruel Summer," was also a big hit for the group. The song was released in 1983 and was their first Top 10 song on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and was featured in the movie "The Karate Kid" in 1984.
And Dallin's not the only one who hasn't heard Swift's song.
In a recent interview with People, her Bananarama bandmate Woodward also said the same thing.
"I have to confess I haven't listened to it," Woodward told People. "I've listened to quite a lot of her songs, but that one seems, I kept thinking, 'I must listen and hear it.' But I haven't. I must be one of the few people."
During the Billboard interview, Woodward added that she wished Swift covered their song too.
"I would have preferred her recording mine, because then I could have made some of her money," Woodward told Billboard.
It's actually Swift who has made a tidy sum off of her "Cruel Summer" through another artist — Olivia Rodrigo. "Deja Vu," a song off Rodrigo's debut album "Sour" was embroiled in a copyright controversy after fans noted the similarities between the song and Swift's "Cruel Summer."
Months later, Rodrigo gave Swift — and her "Cruel Summer" co-writers Jack Antonoff and Anne Clark, better known as St. Vincent — songwriting credit on "Deja Vu."
Swift, Antonoff, and Clark have a 50% stake in the song, while Rodrigo and producer Nigro share the other half, Billboard reported, per Page Six. This resulted in $325,678 in publishing royalties for Swift, $260,542 for Antonoff, and $65,135 for Clark, per Page Six.
Representatives for Bananarama, Swift, and Rodrigo did not immediately respond to requests for comment sent outside regular business hours.
FAQs
Bananarama released a song called 'Cruel Summer' 36 years before Taylor Swift did — and they wish she had covered their version instead. Bananarama members say they haven't heard Taylor Swift's "Cruel Summer." The British-Irish girl group released a song with the same name in 1983.
What song copied Cruel Summer? ›
Rodrigo later stated her 2021 single "Deja Vu" was partially inspired by Cruel Summer, eventually crediting Swift, Antonoff, and St. Vincent as co-writers on the song; the song peaked at number 3 on the U.S. Hot 100.
Who originally sang Cruel Summer? ›
"Cruel Summer" is a song by English girl group Bananarama. It was written by Bananarama and Steve Jolley, Tony Swain, and produced by Jolley and Swain. Released in 1983, it was initially a stand-alone single but was subsequently included on their self-titled second album a year later.
Why did Taylor Swift write Cruel Summer? ›
Ultimately, it could be about one of Swift's public relationships or about a romance she's kept completely private. Swift's then-boyfriend Joe Alwyn was the muse for many of "Lover"'s tracks, so some fans think he's the most likely source of inspiration for this track, too.
When did Cruel Summer come out Bananarama? ›
Likewise, Bananarama's "Cruel Summer," was also a big hit for the group. The song was released in 1983 and was their first Top 10 song on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and was featured in the movie "The Karate Kid" in 1984.
What song did Taylor sue Olivia for? ›
"I think Olivia is still mad at Taylor for suing her over 'Deja Vu'," kinesiology freshman Anya Ng said.
Why is Cruel Summer so popular? ›
Basically, “Cruel Summer” had its own bespoke narrative. For one thing, it's one of Swift's best pop-qua-pop songs of the past decade, a throwback to country-era Taylor songs of teen longing but with more modern production.
Is Cruel Summer by Bananarama or Taylor Swift? ›
Bananarama released a song called 'Cruel Summer' 36 years before Taylor Swift did — and they wish she had covered their version instead. Bananarama members say they haven't heard Taylor Swift's "Cruel Summer." The British-Irish girl group released a song with the same name in 1983.
What was Bananarama's biggest hit? ›
Bananarama enjoyed huge success across the rest of the 1980s, and scored a Billboard Number 1 in 1986 with their Stock Aitken and Waterman-assisted version of Shocking Blue's song Venus.
Why did Cruel Summer become a single? ›
“No one understands how this is happening, but you guys have streamed 'Cruel Summer' so much right now in 2023 that it's, like, at the top—it's, like, rising on the streaming charts so crazy that my label just decided to make it the next single.”
After breaking into the Top 10 in July, “Cruel Summer” has finally made it to No. 1, becoming Swift's 10th track to top Billboard's Hot 100 chart.
Why does Taylor Swift have Easter eggs? ›
The original Easter egg, Swift began incorporating hidden messages in her album's lyric booklets by capitalizing specific letters. The codes would either offer a hint at who the song was about (See: Stephen), or nod to a specific experience she had.
What did Taylor Swift get a degree on? ›
Even though the highly decorated singer and songwriter never received her college diploma, New York University honored her with a doctorate in fine arts just last year.
Is Cruel Summer LGBTQ? ›
Queer Plotline Timeline
In season one, the gay boys go dancing at a gay club where there are many LGBTQ characters in the background. It's not until the end of the season that we learn Mallory's real feelings for Kate.
Is Cruel Summer inappropriate? ›
Because of the abduction plot, you can expect to see a teen girl confined and abused by an adult man, as well as her loved ones grieving in various ways. Sexual visuals are generally confined to kissing, some of it quite passionate, but there are verbal references to teens and others having sex ("screwing").
How old is Mr Martin in Cruel Summer? ›
He was 31 when he died, according to the tombstone Kate smashes. (It was like June 14, 1963 - June 22, 1994, or thereabouts.)
Which Olivia song sounds like Cruel Summer? ›
Explore the alleged similarities between "Cruel Summer" and "Deja Vu" by Olivia Rodrigo, and why they should be appreciated as unique songs. Discover the contrasting emotions and the competition between music fans. Let's celebrate both tracks!
Why is Deja Vu similar to Cruel Summer? ›
However, I personally think that it's very easy to see the parallel between them. Cruel Summer has an iconic bridge, with a structure of 3 half-sung, half-yelled lines, followed by a louder yelled line, and then repeated. This exact structure is used for the bridge of deja vu.
Is Deja Vu sampled from Cruel Summer? ›
Interscope Records sent "Deja Vu" to contemporary hit radio stations in the United States five days later, and for radio airplay in Italy on April 23. In July 2021, Swift, Jack Antonoff, and St. Vincent, the writers of "Cruel Summer", received writing credits on "Deja Vu" for its interpolation of the former.
Is Cruel Summer sampled? ›
Olivia Rodrigo's 'Deja Vu' sample of Taylor Swift's 'Cruel Summer' | WhoSampled.
