Concert Band - Level 3 - Digital Download SKU: A0.1429858 By Bananarama. By Robert van Leeuwen. Arranged by John Ivor Holland. 20th Century,Disco,Film/TV,Pop. 45 pages. John Ivor Holland #1010492. Published by John Ivor Holland (A0.1429858). Venus is a song by Dutch rock band The Shocking Blue, released as a single in the Netherlands in the summer of 1969. Written by Robbie van Leeuwen, the song topped the charts in nine countries. It has since been covered dozens of times by many artists. In 1986, English girl group Bananarama covered Venus for their third studio album, True Confessions, with the single reaching number one in six countries and has been featured in numerous films, television shows, and commercials. Venus had been a part of Bananarama's repertoire for several years before they actually recorded it. The group's three members, Sara Dallin, Siobhan Fahey and Keren Woodward had the idea of turning the song into a dance tune, but they were met with resistance from their producers at the time, Steven Jolley and Tony Swain. The group brought the idea to the production trio of Stock Aitken Waterman, and it became Bananarama's first collaboration with them. The track was initially produced in an arrangement more faithful to the Shocking Blue original, but was reworked in hi-NRG style after Fahey suggested that their version should sound similar to Dead or Alive's You Spin Me Round (Like a Record). Turn back the clock with this great song, perfect for outdoor performances - there are solo spots for alto sax and trumpet, as desired and the key has been shifted up from the original E minor to make it more band-friendly.
