Released in the UK on 22 November 1980, Banana Republic is described in “Tales of Boomtown Glory” as a light reggae pop song. With its instantly recognisable bass-line (which according to Bob on the 2013 Live Rats tour, was put together after Pete had been “smoking some very heavy fucking shit”) it reached No 3 in the UK, Norway, Germany and Ireland.
But look beneath the thin pop veneer – the musical prophylactic as Bob describes it in “Tales…” - and the song swarms with some of the band’s most stinging lyrics, describing the Rats’ home country as a “Sceptic Isle”.
The success of Banana Republic in Ireland has always surprised me given that the song was so heavily critical of the country of the time. In “Is That It?” Bob describes it as a bitter song that attacked the people that he felt were destroying Ireland – the politicians, the religious leaders and businessmen.
“The purple and the pin-stripe,
Mutely shake their heads”
For Bob, it was a “sad song”.
After I Don’t Like Mondays, Banana Republic was probably the band’s biggest international hit being released across Europe, Japan, Australia and New Zealand, Africa, Bolivia (with a unique red picture sleeve – below) and Canada but it was banned in the US – for containing the word ‘whore’ apparently……!!!!!
Do you know what track was released in the USA instead of Banana Republic?
On the difficulties getting music back in the day. I remember V Deep being released and buying it from a small record shop in Prestatyn high street. They also had Mondo (which I hadn't bought on vinyl by then) for about £3 but I couldn't afford both! With my birthday coming up I asked them to put it aside and I'd be in at the weekend with my birthday money to buy it.
Come the fateful day, no one would drive me so I walked .... About 4 miles each way, just to get my copy of Mondo. I remember it was a gloriously hot June day but I was knackered by the time I got back!!!
It was not banned in the States, just not released as a single.But it was released as a single in Canada.Up All Night was the only single released from Mondo Bongo in the States.The Rats did not actualy release that many singles in the States.
Its my favourite single and much better than the album version.
It can be found on a German 12” as well.
Couldn't agree more...bob articulated it well in one of his recent interviews I seen in here recently....
I used 2 do dat 2....try 2 tape songs from d radio...highly illegal...I didn't have a turntable in 77...so I bought d 1st album on 4 track casette (which appears on my icon) again wen TFTT was released it came out on vinyl 1st....I went to my record shop looking 2 get if on casette, told by d record shop owner dat he would record it onto a casette for me, which of course I wouldn't accept, I wanted d "propper" artwork.. so I had 2 wait another few weeks... & I thought I was doin wrong taping songs from d radio????
Wow Suss - how do you remember all that detail (trying to tape the song, where the full page posted came from...)? I can barely remember last week!
And yes, it was Up All Night that was released in the US instead of Banana Republic - brownie points for everyone who got it right.
Heading there now. Look out for a new one in December. We are trying to deal with some of the issues!
Brilliant as ever, but did wonder for a minute if the weekend has been a goodie!! No photo of you at Burnley…….or did you give it a miss?😂😂
Should hope so...
This is (part of) my Room... oh yeah ...... well it was around 40 years ago
For anyone who's wondering what's he rambling on about now........
I'm guessing Up All Night for the US alternative? Did anyone ever get the Bongo Crazy album this single was to be included on?? 😂 Goes to show how late the album naming confirmation was.
I remember knowing the single was starting to get airplay but didn't have a clue how it sounded, so sat for hours with fingers poised on play/record for any track that didn't sound familiar. Eventually captured it (just after the drums but before the drug induced bass) on the Paul Burnett show on Radio 1. Must have at least 6 other songs that weren't Banana Repuplic at least partially recorded lol.
I had that advert above on my wall for years (Smash Hits full page ad). Never really took to the single cover if I'm honest. Song was very different though and I was pleased it got Rats back into top 3. Some of the lyrics gained more meaning over time for me (bit whooosh in 1980) and it was a firm favourite for me on the 2013/2014 tours, with the speeded up section just before winding it up at normal tempo.
As I was reminded over weekend....1980 to now is same as 1939 to 1980. Scary!!!
It's not like dat now...much improved....its a lovely Isle now....apart from our weather....Bob will have 2 write an updated version..
I can't believe they never changed the lyrics so it could be released like Dave as its such a strong song but it was never to be over there like Mondays.
I would imagine without cheating it would be go man go or another piece of red ?