Since exploding into the charts in 1982 with their UK Top 5 Fun Boy Three collaboration, It Ain’t What You Do, Bananarama have released 11 studio albums and were listed in the Guinness World Records for achieving the world’s highest number of chart entries by an all-female group.

Flash forward and the group – now consisting of founding members Sara Dallin and Keren Woodward – is still going strong, having released their most recent album, ‘In Stereo’ and landing their highest chart placement since the ’80s, in 2019.

Today, we take a look back through Bananarama’s incredible catalogue as we rank all 11 studio albums.

Exotica (2001)

Bananarama’s eighth album, ‘Exotica’, isn’t exactly ‘bad’ – but it’s an anomaly in a catalogue of great pop music. So, what went wrong…

Things get off to a good start, with album openers If and Stars setting the tone for an electronic offering that builds on previous album, ‘Ultra Violet’, which saw a sporadic release six years earlier. However, as a whole ‘Exotica’ just doesn’t click.

There are high points; mid-tempo tracks Crazy and What You Gonna Do? standout, while a latin-inspired re-working of Cruel Summer proves a surprising highlight. However, re-recordings of three other tracks – Robert De Niro’s Waiting, I Heard a Rumour and Venus – don’t quite hit the mark.

Overall, there’s a handful of good stuff on ‘Exotica’, but compared to the rest of Bananarama’s discography, it doesn’t quite hit the mark.

Deep Sea Skiving (1983)

‘Deep Sea Skiving’, the first album from Bananarama, came almost two years after they released their debut single, Aie a Mwana, and is the result of the band exploring and honing their musical identity.

It comes with hits aplenty – Really Saying Something, Shy Boy, Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye are all great – and cuts like Boy Trouble are strong. But with such strong competition, it doesn’t invite too many revisits.

While we’re picking sides, we should clear up, however, that we’re fans of the group’s original, infamous ballad, Cheers Then – as much of a joy live as On Your Own was during early shows on the ‘An Evening With’ Tour. No matter how much the girls themselves dismiss it…

Please Yourself (1993)

Following the departure of Jacquie O’Sullivan in 1991, Sara and Keren hit the studio to record their first album as a duo, the ABBA-inspired ‘Please Yourself’.

Led by one of their very best, Movin’ On, the album is backed by slick (if slightly dated) production from Mike Stock and Pete Waterman and contains hits including Last Thing on my Mind – later covered by Steps – and Bananarama’s own cover of Andrea True Connection’s More, More, More.

There are several highlights – look to Is She Good to You, Only Time Will Tell and You’re Never Satisfied – but following a string of massive chart hits, ‘Please Yourself’ occasionally treads a little too close to ‘one-note’ territory for our liking.

Viva (2009)

A disco covers album that developed into a mix of new tracks and old cuts, ‘Viva’ was Bananarama’s first major-label effort in almost two decades and proved they’re still at the top of their game with the double-punch singles release of Love Comes and Love Don’t Live Here.

While the new songs are strong, it’s the covers that continue to grab our attention; a camp as t*ts version of The Three Degrees’ The Runner, Hi-NRG recording of iiO’s Rapture and harmony-laden take of Simon & Garfunkel’s The Sound of Silence all keep us coming back for more.

That’s not to say there aren’t hidden gems – check out the singles plus Tell Me Tomorrow, Dum Dum Boy, We’ve Got The Night and B-side Here Comes The Rain…

But we almost wish they’d pushed ahead with the disco album (complete with the unreleased Supernature recording) and saved the best of the originals for a second LP, complete with the ‘Now or Never EP’ tracks and, of course, Baby It’s Christmas.

Bananarama (1984)

Following a strong debut is never easy, but Bananarama triumphed with their second, self-titled effort, led by classic hits Cruel Summer and Robert De Niro’s Waiting…

Produced by Steve Jolley and Tony Swain, who helmed previous singles Shy Boy and Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye, ‘Bananarama’ has more hits than misses; Rough Justice, State I’m In and Dream Baby (which deserved to stay on ‘The Original Line-Up Tour’ setlist) are great.

However, King of the Jungle is somewhat undercooked and Link remains unnecessary, leaving the original, eight-track (plus Link) ‘Bananarama’ more an experimental collection of the group finding their identity than a fully-formed album.

Had the original release included follow-up single The Wild Life and some of the B-side cuts from that era, it could have edged higher up our ranking.

In Stereo (2019)

Ten years after their last album, ‘Viva’, and shortly after reuniting with founding member Siobhan Fahey for the group’s first tour together, Bananarama’s 11th studio album and sixth duo effort was both a surprise and a triumph.

Kicking off with the should’ve-been Summer anthem Love In Stereo, ‘In Stereo’ is a reminder that Bananarama as a duo are by no means secondary to their classic trio years.

Singles Stuff Like That and Looking For Someone stand strong alongside the group’s four-decade discography, while album cuts I’m On Fire, Intoxicated, Tonight and Got To Get Away are all highlights.

Moreover, the era gave Sara and Keren the opportunity to revisit their duo catalogue, with hits like Love Comes, Move In My Direction, Look On The Floor (Hypnotic Tango), Movin’ On and even Every Shade of Blue returning to their live setlist.

WOW! (1987)

After working with legendary production trio Stock Aitken Waterman on ‘True Confessions’, Bananarama called on the team to helm the entirety of their fourth LP, ‘WOW!’.

Featuring the group’s most iconic run of singles – I Heard a Rumour, Love in the First Degree, I Can’t Help It and I Want You Back – the album showcases the group’s most straightforward pop music so far.

While the formula was a success on the charts, it reportedly brought about tensions behind the scenes, with Siobhan and SAW clashing creatively on a number of tracks, leading to her decision to depart Bananarama. Disagreements aside, the music speaks for itself and remains a firm fan favourite.

True Confessions (1986)

The jewel in the original line-up’s crown, ‘True Confessions’ showcases the best of Bananarama, bringing together the girls’ signature zero-f**ks-given attitude with solid pop music.

While the campaign got off to a shaky start with lead single Do Not Disturb – a great pop track FYI – the group’s fortunes soon shifted with the release of Venus, Bananarama’s first Stock Aitken Waterman-produced track.

There are plenty more highlights – six-minute opener True Confessions is a standout, while singles A Trick of the Night and More Than Physical are underrated gems. ‘True Confessions’ is quintessential Bananarama.

Ultra Violet (1995)

Bananarama’s first album away from a major label, ‘Ultra Violet’, remained unreleased in the UK until 2020 – but it remains one of the group’s all-time best.

From the singles I Found Love and Every Shade of Blue, to stellar album cuts like Rhythm of Life, Prove Your Love, System and Don’t Stop Me Now, Bananarama were on fire while creating an album that’s a complete 180 from their previous effort, ‘Please Yourself’.

‘Ultra Violet’ might not have delivered strong numbers like its predecessors, but when it comes to consistency it’s an undeniable high in the history of the band.

Drama (2005)

By the time it came to album number nine, Bananarama had been away from the UK charts for 12 years – but that was all set to change with ‘Drama’ and lead single, Move In My Direction.

Released in July 2005, the track launched Bananarama back into the charts at No. 14, marking their highest entry since 1989, while second single Look On The Floor (Hypnotic Tango) was also a Top 40 hit.

Much like ‘Ultra Violet’, the quality throughout ‘Drama’ is unwavering; from the electronic Waterfall to thumping Feel For You and disco-influenced Don’t Step on My Groove, the LP delivers hit after hit and more than earns its status as Bananarama’s best duo album – and one of their all-time greatest.

Pop Life (1991)

Bananarama might be best loved for their classic run of hits with Siobhan Fahey in the ’80s, but when it comes to their strongest LP, that honour’s saved for their first album of the next decade, 1991’s ‘Pop Life’.

After promoting the group’s first ‘Greatest Hits’ album and touring the world with new member Jacquie O’Sullivan, the trio hit the studio to record their fifth album with producer Youth, who elevated their sound on the stellar ‘Pop Life’. There’s also input from previous collaborators Steve Jolley and Stock Aitken Waterman.

Launching the campaign with the slick Only Your Love, three more singles followed – Preacher Man, Long Train Running and Tripping On Your Love – before Jacquie departed. But the music remains and cements ‘Pop Life’s legacy as Bananarama’s number one album.