Sara Dallin and Keren Woodward have known each other since they were four years old. That friendship would stick for life. They would grow up to become the pop trio, later a duo, Bananarama, which would see them reach international stardom.

Really Saying Something tells their story, from close childhood friends to moving out of home into London youth hostels. How they became obsessive about nightclubbing where they met everyone who was anyone in the UK music scene. From there they rose to success, some of it possibly through osmosis from being around talented musicians, as they starting writing songs. The rest is history.

The pair’s endless stories of friendships with stars, legions of fans, success in a tough (male-dominated) industry and how much fun they’ve had despite hiccoughs in health and relationships, make you feel like Dallin and Woodward have led pretty charmed lives.

There is quite exhaustive detail in this book about seemingly innocuous events/episodes (hand-making their clothes as kids and teens) while yet other, well-known events are glossed over. The high-profile split with third member, Siobhan Fahey, barely rates a mention.

Unfortunately I found the prose quite flat, procedural and a tad uninspiring. The authors deserved every bit of the success they gained but it’s a shame the story of their rise isn’t more inspiring.

Reviewed by Drew Turney