Bananarama’s “I Heard A Rumour” is a high-energy “Hi-NRG” pop anthem that epitomizes the late-80s collaboration between the band and the production team Stock Aitken Waterman. Released in 1987, the song is a “pulsating and infectious” dance track that brought the band back to the top of the charts. It is a “glittering” example of the “PWL” sound that dominated the era.
Lyrically, the song deals with “gossip and betrayal,” as the narrator confronts a partner about a “rumour” she’s heard. The “playful yet assertive” tone of the lyrics makes it a “relatable” dance-floor anthem. It’s a “classic pop narrative” that is elevated by the song’s “relentless energy” and “catchy hooks.”
The production is “bold and electronic,” featuring “heavy drum machines,” “bright synths,” and a “driving disco beat.” The Stock Aitken Waterman “formula” is in full effect here, creating a “polished and commercial” sound that was designed for maximum “club and radio appeal.” It’s a “joyous explosion” of 80s dance-pop.
As always, the band’s “unison vocals” provide the track’s “melodic core.” The “bright and breezy” delivery of the trio perfectly complements the “fast-paced” production. The “call-and-response” sections and the “infectious” “oh-oh-oh” hooks make the song “impossible not to sing along to.”
“I Heard A Rumour” was a global hit, reaching #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and becoming one of their most successful singles. It remains a “beloved” part of their discography and a “shining example” of the 80s dance-pop era. It is a “fun and energetic” track that perfectly captures the “spirit of the late 80s” dance floor.