Shakespears Sister
Encyclopedia
Shakespears Sister/Shakespear's Sister (both spellings are in use, as detailed below) is a British
-based synth-pop-rock band formed by Irish-born singer–songwriter
Siobhan Fahey
in 1988, with plaudits including a BRIT Award
and Ivor Novello Award
. It was Fahey's first musical outing since leaving Bananarama
, and initially a solo project. American backing vocalist and guitarist Marcella Detroit
began working with Fahey in 1989 which led to a partnership and Shakespear's Sister became a duo as of their 1989 hit single "You're History
". After a string of hit singles and two successful albums, tensions between Fahey and Detroit led to a split in 1993. Fahey resumed as the sole member until 1996. In 2009, after a 13-year hiatus, Fahey resurrected the band to release a new album, Songs from the Red Room
.
, which was in turn a reference to Virginia Woolf
's work A Room of One's Own
. The precise spelling and punctuation of the band's name has evolved over the years, initially losing the final "e" from "Shakespeare" when a friend made a woodcut logo for Fahey with the name carved as "Shakespear", a once common spelling of Shakespeare's name
. The apostrophe
, originally appropriately placed, was used on the cover art of early releases including the album Sacred Heart
and reappeared on the later Best of compilation; although it has often been dispensed with since, both versions of the band's name (i.e. with or without apostrophe) may be found in official documentation pertaining to the band, including cover artwork.
, also went top ten, though two follow-up singles "Run Silent" and "Dirty Mind", both remixed for release, were less successful.
", which peaked at number 59 in the UK Singles Chart
. However, in January 1992, the duo released what would become their biggest hit single, "Stay". The single reached number one in the UK
, and remained there for eight weeks. It was also a six-week number one in Ireland
, and became their biggest US hit, reaching number four on the Billboard Hot 100
. The success of the single was enhanced by a campy, futuristic music video
directed by Sophie Muller
.
The duo released their second album, Hormonally Yours
, in February 1992. The album, named so because both women were pregnant during its recording, was a critical and commercial success, peaking at number three in the UK Albums Chart (and spending approximately one year on the chart altogether). Further singles "I Don't Care
", "Hello (Turn Your Radio On)
", a re-release of "Goodbye Cruel World
" and "My 16th Apology
" were also released from the album. The album itself was re-released in late 1992 with slightly different mixes of certain tracks. The album was certified Double Platinum by the BPI
in February 1993 for selling over 600,000 copies.
After a year-long worldwide tour throughout 1992, Fahey cancelled further European touring due to physical and emotional exhaustion and subsequently admitted herself into a psychiatric unit with severe depression
. Following this, Shakespear's Sister were nominated for several BRIT Awards
, including best group, best album, best video, best single and best female artist (for Fahey). However, out of these they only won Best Video for "Stay", which was voted for by the British public. At the 1993 Ivor Novello Awards
it was announced that Fahey and Detroit had split. Fahey was not present at the awards due to personal problems, however Detroit was present and was unaware of the split until the public announcement. According to Detroit, the pair have occasionally been in touch via e-mail since, but have not met in person since 1993.
to the film
The Flintstones
as well as "Waiting" for the Sadie Frost
/Jude Law
film Shopping
.
In 1996, Fahey resurfaced again as Shakespears Sister with "I Can Drive
", a single picked by the record company from her forthcoming third album, instead of Fahey's choice of "Do I Scare You". After the single peaked at number 30, London Records
declined to release the full album. Fahey later parted company with the label, and the album remained unreleased for almost a decade. 1996 also marked Fahey's divorce from Dave Stewart
, whom she had married in 1987.
, which had been recorded in 1995–1996. The album was finally given an independent release in 2004 on Fahey's own record label, SF Records. A greatest hits
CD–DVD retrospective (The Best of Shakespears Sister) was also released in late 2004, containing all of the group's singles and music video
s, as well as tracks intended for the #3 album. An additional compilation album, Long Live the Queens!
, featuring a track listing of remix
es and B-sides
, was released in late 2005.
The album was announced again on Fahey's official MySpace
in February 2008, and a release date was given in October 2009, along with the album's track list It was also revealed that the album would be released under the Shakespears Sister name instead of Fahey's own name.
Now titled Songs from the Red Room
, the album was finally released on 16 November 2009, on Fahey's own label, SF Records. Fahey performed her first live show in over a decade as Shakespears Sister in Hoxton, London on 20 November 2009, and she concluded a short UK tour in April 2010.
The first Shakespears Sister single since 1996 ("It's a Trip") was released on 29 March 2010. It was released in EP form and included several remixes, as well as special bonus tracks. A physical release of Songs from the Red Room in the U.S. went ahead on 12 April 2010, followed by a deluxe edition double-CD with 8 bonus tracks on 3 May in the UK.
A DVD accompanying the album, titled S.F.T.R.R: Videos
, featuring promo clips and live tracks, was released in November 2010, and limited to only 100 copies and sold exclusively via Fahey's official website.
In November 2010, Shakespears Sister's biggest hit "Stay", re-entered the UK Chart nearly 19 years after its original release, it had been performed on The X Factor
and reached No 12 on the UK Official Chart and went into the Top 10 in Ireland.
To celebrate the 30th anniversary of Bananarama, the Shakespears Sister version of "Really Saying Something" was released as a limited edition single and digital download. During the same week, a new EP entitled "Dancing Barefoot" was released which includes a cover of the Patti Smith
song of the same name along with other previously unreleased tracks.
In September 2011 Shakespears Sister's third album #3 was remastered and expanded and re-released through the Shakespears Sister official website as a limited edition. To commemorate the re-release of #3, the single "Do I Scare You?", a collabration with the late Billy Mackenzie of the Associates was released. Fahey confirmed that the fifth Shakespears Sister studio album will be released in time for Christmas 2011. The new album is titled Cosmic Dancer
and will consist of studio tracks recorded over the last several years.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
-based synth-pop-rock band formed by Irish-born singer–songwriter
Singer–songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
Siobhan Fahey
Siobhan Fahey
Siobhan Fahey is an Irish musician and founding member of the 1980s British girl group Bananarama, and later formed the BRIT Award and Ivor Novello award winning musical outfit Shakespears Sister.-Career:Fahey was born the eldest of three daughters to Helen and...
in 1988, with plaudits including a BRIT Award
Brit Awards
The Brit Awards are the British Phonographic Industry's annual pop music awards. The name was originally a shortened form of "British", "Britain" or "Britannia", but subsequently became a backronym for British Record Industry Trust...
and Ivor Novello Award
Ivor Novello Awards
The Ivor Novello Awards, named after the Cardiff born entertainer Ivor Novello, are awards for songwriting and composing. They are presented annually in London by the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors and were first introduced in 1955.Nicknamed The Ivors, the awards take place...
. It was Fahey's first musical outing since leaving Bananarama
Bananarama
Bananarama are an English female pop duo who have had success on the pop and dance charts since 1982. Rather than relying on a two part harmony, the duo generally sings in unison, as do their background vocalists. Although there have been line-up changes, the group enjoyed their most popular...
, and initially a solo project. American backing vocalist and guitarist Marcella Detroit
Marcella Detroit
Marcella Detroit is a vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter. She was a member of the band Shakespears Sister, along with Siobhan Fahey of Bananarama. Detroit's soprano voice provided lead vocals on their biggest hit, "Stay," which was No...
began working with Fahey in 1989 which led to a partnership and Shakespear's Sister became a duo as of their 1989 hit single "You're History
You're History (song)
"You're History" is a song by the British pop act Shakespear's Sister, released in 1989. It was the first single to present the act as a duo, and also became their first hit, reaching number 7 in the UK Singles Chart.-Music video:...
". After a string of hit singles and two successful albums, tensions between Fahey and Detroit led to a split in 1993. Fahey resumed as the sole member until 1996. In 2009, after a 13-year hiatus, Fahey resurrected the band to release a new album, Songs from the Red Room
Songs from the Red Room
Songs from the Red Room is a 2009 album released by the Irish pop act Shakespears Sister.-Writing and development:Siobhan Fahey began writing the album in 2000 with former Shakespears Sister band members Clare Kenny and Stephen Gallifant with the intention of creating her first solo album...
.
Name
The band's name was adapted from the title of the song "Shakespeare's Sister" by The SmithsThe Smiths
The Smiths were an English alternative rock band, formed in Manchester in 1982. Based on the song writing partnership of Morrissey and Johnny Marr , the band also included Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce...
, which was in turn a reference to Virginia Woolf
Virginia Woolf
Adeline Virginia Woolf was an English author, essayist, publisher, and writer of short stories, regarded as one of the foremost modernist literary figures of the twentieth century....
's work A Room of One's Own
A Room of One's Own
A Room of One's Own is an extended essay by Virginia Woolf. First published on 24 October 1929, the essay was based on a series of lectures she delivered at Newnham College and Girton College, two women's colleges at Cambridge University in October 1928...
. The precise spelling and punctuation of the band's name has evolved over the years, initially losing the final "e" from "Shakespeare" when a friend made a woodcut logo for Fahey with the name carved as "Shakespear", a once common spelling of Shakespeare's name
Spelling of Shakespeare's name
The spelling of William Shakespeare's name has varied over time. It was not consistently spelled any single way during his lifetime, in manuscript or in printed form...
. The apostrophe
Apostrophe
The apostrophe is a punctuation mark, and sometimes a diacritic mark, in languages that use the Latin alphabet or certain other alphabets...
, originally appropriately placed, was used on the cover art of early releases including the album Sacred Heart
Sacred Heart (Shakespears Sister album)
Sacred Heart is the debut album released by UK/US pop music duo Shakespear's Sister. Released in August 1989 on FFRR Records, the album peaked at no.9 in the UK and was certified Gold by the BPI in October 1989 for sales of over 100,000 copies....
and reappeared on the later Best of compilation; although it has often been dispensed with since, both versions of the band's name (i.e. with or without apostrophe) may be found in official documentation pertaining to the band, including cover artwork.
1988–1990: Sacred Heart
Originally conceived as a Fahey solo project, Shakespear's Sister's first release was the double A-sided single "Break My Heart (You Really)"/"Heroine" in October 1988. In 1989, with Shakespear's Sister now presented as a duo of Fahey with Marcella Detroit, the next single, "You're History", became a top-ten hit in the UK. The debut album, Sacred HeartSacred Heart (Shakespears Sister album)
Sacred Heart is the debut album released by UK/US pop music duo Shakespear's Sister. Released in August 1989 on FFRR Records, the album peaked at no.9 in the UK and was certified Gold by the BPI in October 1989 for sales of over 100,000 copies....
, also went top ten, though two follow-up singles "Run Silent" and "Dirty Mind", both remixed for release, were less successful.
1991–1993: Hormonally Yours
Shakespears Sister returned in October 1991 with the release of the single "Goodbye Cruel WorldGoodbye Cruel World (Shakespears Sister song)
"Goodbye Cruel World" is a song by female duo Shakespears Sister. It was written by group member Siobhan Fahey, Fahey's husband Dave Stewart , and American drummer Steve Ferrera. Marcella Detroit did not co-write the song due to being heavily pregnant at the time, and only contributed vocals...
", which peaked at number 59 in the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
. However, in January 1992, the duo released what would become their biggest hit single, "Stay". The single reached number one in the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, and remained there for eight weeks. It was also a six-week number one in Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
, and became their biggest US hit, reaching number four on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
. The success of the single was enhanced by a campy, futuristic music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
directed by Sophie Muller
Sophie Muller
Sophie Muller is a British music video director, noted for her long-time collaborations with artists like Sophie Ellis-Bextor, No Doubt, Sade, Shakira, Shakespears Sister, Garbage, Blur, Annie Lennox and Eurythmics.-Background:...
.
The duo released their second album, Hormonally Yours
Hormonally Yours
Hormonally Yours is the second album released by pop duo Shakespears Sister. The album, released on London Records in 1992, became a critical and commercial success in the UK and achieved a modest level of success in the U.S...
, in February 1992. The album, named so because both women were pregnant during its recording, was a critical and commercial success, peaking at number three in the UK Albums Chart (and spending approximately one year on the chart altogether). Further singles "I Don't Care
I Don't Care (Shakespears Sister song)
"I Don't Care" is a song by British based female duo Shakespears Sister, from their successful 1992 album Hormonally Yours.The song incorporates a segment of the poem "Hornpipe" by Dame Edith Sitwell , which is a surreal poem that attempted to capture the flow of a sailors jig...
", "Hello (Turn Your Radio On)
Hello (Turn Your Radio On)
"Hello " is a song by the British based pop duo Shakespears Sister and was the penultimate single released from their second album Hormonally Yours. The single peaked at no.14 in the UK singles chart....
", a re-release of "Goodbye Cruel World
Goodbye Cruel World (Shakespears Sister song)
"Goodbye Cruel World" is a song by female duo Shakespears Sister. It was written by group member Siobhan Fahey, Fahey's husband Dave Stewart , and American drummer Steve Ferrera. Marcella Detroit did not co-write the song due to being heavily pregnant at the time, and only contributed vocals...
" and "My 16th Apology
My 16th Apology
"My 16th Apology" is a song by British/American female duo Shakespears Sister, from their successful 1992 album "Hormonally Yours". Near the end of the song, Siobhan Fahey quotes Alexander Pope's Essay on Criticism with: To err is human, to forgive is divine....
" were also released from the album. The album itself was re-released in late 1992 with slightly different mixes of certain tracks. The album was certified Double Platinum by the BPI
British Phonographic Industry
The British Phonographic Industry is the British record industry's trade association.-Structure:Its membership comprises hundreds of music companies including all four "major" record companies , associate members such as manufacturers and distributors, and hundreds of independent music companies...
in February 1993 for selling over 600,000 copies.
After a year-long worldwide tour throughout 1992, Fahey cancelled further European touring due to physical and emotional exhaustion and subsequently admitted herself into a psychiatric unit with severe depression
Clinical depression
Major depressive disorder is a mental disorder characterized by an all-encompassing low mood accompanied by low self-esteem, and by loss of interest or pleasure in normally enjoyable activities...
. Following this, Shakespear's Sister were nominated for several BRIT Awards
Brit Awards
The Brit Awards are the British Phonographic Industry's annual pop music awards. The name was originally a shortened form of "British", "Britain" or "Britannia", but subsequently became a backronym for British Record Industry Trust...
, including best group, best album, best video, best single and best female artist (for Fahey). However, out of these they only won Best Video for "Stay", which was voted for by the British public. At the 1993 Ivor Novello Awards
Ivor Novello Awards
The Ivor Novello Awards, named after the Cardiff born entertainer Ivor Novello, are awards for songwriting and composing. They are presented annually in London by the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors and were first introduced in 1955.Nicknamed The Ivors, the awards take place...
it was announced that Fahey and Detroit had split. Fahey was not present at the awards due to personal problems, however Detroit was present and was unaware of the split until the public announcement. According to Detroit, the pair have occasionally been in touch via e-mail since, but have not met in person since 1993.
1994–1996
Fahey continued as Shakespears Sister by herself, and in 1994 she recorded "Prehistoric Daze" for the soundtrackSoundtrack
A soundtrack can be recorded music accompanying and synchronized to the images of a motion picture, book, television program or video game; a commercially released soundtrack album of music as featured in the soundtrack of a film or TV show; or the physical area of a film that contains the...
to the film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
The Flintstones
The Flintstones (film)
The Flintstones is a 1994 American live-action comedy film based on the Hanna-Barbera cartoon television series of the same name about a Stone-Age man, his family and his best friend. The film was directed by Brian Levant, written by Tom S. Parker, Jim Jennewein and Steven E...
as well as "Waiting" for the Sadie Frost
Sadie Frost
Sadie Frost is an English actress, who currently runs fashion label Frost French and has designed the kitchens for a new development in the East End of London.-Biography:Frost was born Sadie Liza Vaughan in London...
/Jude Law
Jude Law
David Jude Heyworth Law , known professionally as Jude Law, is an English actor, film producer and director.He began acting with the National Youth Music Theatre in 1987, and had his first television role in 1989...
film Shopping
Shopping (film)
Shopping is a 1994 film written and directed by Paul W. S. Anderson about a group of British teenagers who indulge in joyriding and ramraiding...
.
In 1996, Fahey resurfaced again as Shakespears Sister with "I Can Drive
I Can Drive
"I Can Drive" is a song recorded by Shakespears Sister. The song is technically a solo effort by band member Siobhan Fahey after the departure of bandmate Marcella Detroit, and ultimately proved to be the final single released by Shakespears Sister while with London Records. . It was co-written and...
", a single picked by the record company from her forthcoming third album, instead of Fahey's choice of "Do I Scare You". After the single peaked at number 30, London Records
London Records
London Records, referred to as London Recordings in logo, is a record label headquartered in the United Kingdom, originally marketing records in the United States, Canada and Latin America from 1947 to 1979, then becoming a semi-independent label....
declined to release the full album. Fahey later parted company with the label, and the album remained unreleased for almost a decade. 1996 also marked Fahey's divorce from Dave Stewart
David A. Stewart
David Allan Stewart , often known as Dave Stewart, is an English musician, songwriter and record producer, best known for his work with Eurythmics. He is usually credited as David A. Stewart, to avoid confusion with other musicians named "Dave Stewart".-Early life:Stewart was born in Sunderland,...
, whom she had married in 1987.
2003–2005: #3, The Best of Shakespear's Sister and Long Live the Queens!
In 2003, Fahey regained the master tapes for the unreleased album #33 (Shakespears Sister album)
#3 is the third album released by British pop music act Shakespears Sister. Following the release and subsequent success of the duo's prior album Hormonally Yours, band member Marcella Detroit left the act. Thus #3 is technically a solo record by remaining member Siobhan Fahey, much in the way...
, which had been recorded in 1995–1996. The album was finally given an independent release in 2004 on Fahey's own record label, SF Records. A greatest hits
Greatest hits
A greatest hits album is a music compilation album of successful, previously released songs by a particular artist or band...
CD–DVD retrospective (The Best of Shakespears Sister) was also released in late 2004, containing all of the group's singles and music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
s, as well as tracks intended for the #3 album. An additional compilation album, Long Live the Queens!
Long Live the Queens!
Long Live the Queens! is the second retrospective album released by British pop music duo Shakespear's Sister. Closely following The Best of Shakespear's Sister CD/DVD set, Long Live the Queens! features various remixes, rarities and B-sides from the band, some of which were previously unavailable...
, featuring a track listing of remix
Remix
A remix is an alternative version of a recorded song, made from an original version. This term is also used for any alterations of media other than song ....
es and B-sides
A-side and B-side
A-side and B-side originally referred to the two sides of gramophone records on which singles were released beginning in the 1950s. The terms have come to refer to the types of song conventionally placed on each side of the record, with the A-side being the featured song , while the B-side, or...
, was released in late 2005.
2009–present: Songs from the Red Room
Fahey began writing new songs with former Shakespears Sister backing band members Clare Kenny and Stephen Gallifant in 2000, with the intention of creating her first solo album under her own name. The album was originally due to be released in 2000, and then again in 2005 with the title 'Bad Blood'. However, both releases were cancelled.The album was announced again on Fahey's official MySpace
MySpace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
in February 2008, and a release date was given in October 2009, along with the album's track list It was also revealed that the album would be released under the Shakespears Sister name instead of Fahey's own name.
Now titled Songs from the Red Room
Songs from the Red Room
Songs from the Red Room is a 2009 album released by the Irish pop act Shakespears Sister.-Writing and development:Siobhan Fahey began writing the album in 2000 with former Shakespears Sister band members Clare Kenny and Stephen Gallifant with the intention of creating her first solo album...
, the album was finally released on 16 November 2009, on Fahey's own label, SF Records. Fahey performed her first live show in over a decade as Shakespears Sister in Hoxton, London on 20 November 2009, and she concluded a short UK tour in April 2010.
The first Shakespears Sister single since 1996 ("It's a Trip") was released on 29 March 2010. It was released in EP form and included several remixes, as well as special bonus tracks. A physical release of Songs from the Red Room in the U.S. went ahead on 12 April 2010, followed by a deluxe edition double-CD with 8 bonus tracks on 3 May in the UK.
A DVD accompanying the album, titled S.F.T.R.R: Videos
S.F.T.R.R: Videos
S.F.T.R.R: Videso is a video compilation released by Shakespears Sister. The DVD was limited to only 100 copies and sold exclusively via Fahey's official website.-Track listing:# "Pulsatron"# "Pulsatron" # "Bad Blood"...
, featuring promo clips and live tracks, was released in November 2010, and limited to only 100 copies and sold exclusively via Fahey's official website.
In November 2010, Shakespears Sister's biggest hit "Stay", re-entered the UK Chart nearly 19 years after its original release, it had been performed on The X Factor
The X Factor (UK)
The X Factor is a British television music competition to find new singing talent. Created by Simon Cowell, it began in September 2004 and is contested by aspiring singers drawn from public auditions. It is the originator of the international X Factor franchise. The seven series of the show to date...
and reached No 12 on the UK Official Chart and went into the Top 10 in Ireland.
To celebrate the 30th anniversary of Bananarama, the Shakespears Sister version of "Really Saying Something" was released as a limited edition single and digital download. During the same week, a new EP entitled "Dancing Barefoot" was released which includes a cover of the Patti Smith
Patti Smith
Patricia Lee "Patti" Smith is an American singer-songwriter, poet and visual artist, who became a highly influential component of the New York City punk rock movement with her 1975 debut album Horses....
song of the same name along with other previously unreleased tracks.
In September 2011 Shakespears Sister's third album #3 was remastered and expanded and re-released through the Shakespears Sister official website as a limited edition. To commemorate the re-release of #3, the single "Do I Scare You?", a collabration with the late Billy Mackenzie of the Associates was released. Fahey confirmed that the fifth Shakespears Sister studio album will be released in time for Christmas 2011. The new album is titled Cosmic Dancer
Cosmic Dancer
-Writing and development:The tracks used on the Cosmic Dancer album were released via download on Siobhan Fahey's official web site over a period of years. These tracks were not given inclusion on Shakespears Sister's forth studio album, Songs from the Red Room, released in 2009...
and will consist of studio tracks recorded over the last several years.