The song, “Na Na Hey Hey (Kiss Him Goodbye)”, was originally recorded by Steam in 1969
Paul Leka (1943-2011), Gary DeCarlo (1942-2017) and Dale Frashuer (1942-1998) wrote the song “Na Na Hey Hey (Kiss Him Goodbye)” and recorded it under the name of Steam. It was their very first single released in November 1969 and it went to No.1 in America, No.6 in Canada and No.9 in the UK. The track featured on their self-titled debut album, released in 1970 that would become their only material as the group parted at the end of the year, never to reform.
The song has been covered by a handful of acts, including Canadian band The Nylons, but most notably by British girl group Bananarama in 1982 for their debut album, “Deep Sea Skiving”. The track was released as the fifth and final single in February 1983 and went to No.5 in the UK, four places higher than the original. It made the top 40 in Australia and No.101 in America just prior to the girls achieving their first US top ten hit with “Cruel Summer” later that same year.
But which version is the best? STEAM’s original or BANANARAMA’s cover?
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