S.O.D. "Cruel Summer" by Bananarama

7/5/2016     This became an international hit after it was featured in the 1984 film "The Karate Kid." The girls made four versions of the new wave/synthpop tune, the other three being released in 1989 with a swing beat, 2001 on their album "Exotica" with a Latin flavor and another in 2009 as the B side to "Love Comes."  

     In the music video, shot on a hot August day in New York City, keep an eye out for how energetic these three vocalists are toward the last minutes.   Then find it on Wikipedia and check out the secret behind this, it's pretty crazy.  The tune has been covered quite a few times, most successfully by Ace of Base & Alliage.  Bananarama's version charted in 15 countries including seven U.S. charts and topped out at #10 on the Billboard Hot 100.

     The group originated in London and are still active, currently in their 37th year.  They have released 10 studio albums, 29 albums all together and 43 singles.  They currently hold the Guinness World Record for the most chart entries in the world for an all female group.