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The original version of the song was recorded by Motown group the Velvelettes in December 1964. An alternate version recorded in October/November had been discarded. Produced by Norman Whitfield, the Velvelettes' version was released on Motown's V.I.P. label on December 27, 1964, and was a minor hit for the group in early 1965. "He Was Really Sayin' Somethin'" peaked at number 64 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, and at number 21 on the then recently reinstated Billboard R&B Singles chart. The single was the second most successful release for the Velvelettes, a minor Motown act which never released a full-length album.
"Throw a Farewell Kiss", composed by Whitfield and Holland and produced by Whitfield, had been recorded in October 1962 and was issued as the B-side of "He Was Really Sayin' Somethin'". Six years later, Whitfield had the Temptations record "Farewell Kiss" for their 1971 album Sky's the Limit.
The 1982 single became the second consecutive top-five hit for both Bananarama and Fun Boy Three, peaking at number five in the UK Singles Chart. It also received heavy play on the then-young MTV network in America. "Really Saying Something" was both groups' second chart entry in Australia, peaking at number seventy-four. The B-side, "Give Us Back Our Cheap Fares", has been issued on CD for the first time on the 2007 UK reissue of Deep Sea Skiving as one of five bonus tracks. It also became the group's third single to chart in America but only became a minor hit peaking at #108.
In 2004, a remixed version of the song by Solasso was released as a promotional single. It was later included on Bananarama's album Drama.
Track listing
UK 7″ single (NANA1)
"Really Saying Something" – 2:41
"Give Us Back Our Cheap Fares" – 2:44
US 7″ single (LD201)
"Really Saying Something" (US version) – 3:44
"Give Us Back Our Cheap Fares" – 2:44
UK 12″ vinyl (NANX1)
"Really Saying Something" (extended mix) – 5:40
Remixed by Fun Boy Three
"Give Us Back Our Cheap Fares" (extended version) – 4:25
UK 12″ vinyl – stickered limited edition (NANX1)
"Really Saying Something" (extended mix) – 5:40
"Aie A Mwana" (extended version) – 5:46
US 12″ vinyl (LLD101)
"Really Saying Something" (extended US version) – 7:50
"Aie A Mwana" (extended US version) – 6:46
"Aie A Mwana" (dub mix) – 4:38
German 12″ vinyl (6400 606)
"Really Saying Something" (extended mix) – 5:40
"Give Us Back Our Cheap Fares" (extended version) – 4:25
In late February 2011, Siobhan Fahey's current project, Shakespears Sister announced that they were releasing their own version of "Really Saying Something", as a special anniversary single, celebrating 30 years since Bananarama recorded their first single. The single was available exclusively on Shakespears Sister's website as a digital download and a limited edition CD single. Copies of the CD single are no longer in production, and it is now one of Shakespears Sister's rarest collectibles to date. Fahey produced the single with her designer Anthony Walton, in an attempt to promote her forthcoming live releases.
UK single sleeve
CD2 cover