The London-based pop trio gained traction performing impromptu gigs at small pubs and dance clubs. They connected with ex-Sex Pistols Steve Jones and Paul Cook, who let the fledgling group live above their rehearsal space. Cook produced their first demo, a cover of the 1975 disco song "Aie a Mwana," sung mostly in Swahili.
Why Bananarama? "We just wanted a silly name that expressed enjoyment and light heartedness," Dallin explained in a 1987 interview. "Our first single was sung in Swahili, so we thought of something tropical – bananas – and added 'rama' because it sounded silly." They got the idea for 'rama' from the Roxy Music song "Pyjamarama."
Their debut album, Deep Sea Skiving, was a hit in the UK, yielding Top 10 entries with "Shy Boy" and a cover of "Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye." They broke through in the US with their second album, Bananarama, when the lead single, "Cruel Summer," was featured in the hit movie The Karate Kid.
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