Venus

Bananarama's "Venus" is a cover of the Dutch rock band Shocking Blue's song of the same name. - Their rendition was released in 1986 and reached No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. - It was the first single from their third studio album "True Confessions". - The cover was produced by the successful Stock Aitken Waterman team, who have also worked with notable '80s and '90s acts like Rick Astley and Kylie Minogue. - Aside from its chart-topping success in the U.S., it also reached a high point of No. 8 in Bananarama's native UK.

Shocking Blue's original "Venus" was released as a single in 1969. - It was the first song from the Netherlands to hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S. and one of the few Dutch singles to reach that mark thereafter. - Although it was initially released in 1969, it wasn't until 1970 that it rose to prominence in America. - The song was written by the band's guitarist Robbie van Leeuwen, who also served as the vocal arranger. - The distinctive guitar sound is accomplished using a fuzz box, which was a popular effect in late 1960s and early '70s rock music.

The American rock band Television's interpretation of "Venus" is quite different from the original and Bananarama's cover. - Their version, which goes by the name "Venus De Milo", is found on their album "Marquee Moon" which was released in 1977. - The song features the band's trademark guitar-driven sound and has been described as post-punk and art punk. - The lyrics are less straightforward than the Shocking Blue and Bananarama versions. It's more about the emotive resonance, with words seeming to be chosen as much for sound as for their meaning. - Despite its different style and content to other versions, Television's take on "Venus" is still highly appreciated in rock circles.