Shocking Blue vs. Bananarama | Face Off

In the 17^th edition of Face Off (2026), Shocking Blue and Bananarama face off for the best rendition of “Venus.”

 

Ah, let the Face Off begin! In Face Off, musicians compete to determine who delivered the best version of a song. In most cases, the musicians perform the same song or a remix, rearrangement, or variation.  Each performance will be evaluated for vocal or instrumental performance, production, and so forth. After blurbing about each performance, I will briefly deliberate and deliver a verdict about who wins the Face Off.  Draws and ties are acceptable, but in most cases, one band, group, or musician will get the edge. In the 17^th edition of Face Off (2026), Shocking Blue and Bananarama face off for the best rendition of “Venus”. May the best musician win!

 

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Table of Contents
1. Shocking Blue, “Venus”	2. Bananarama, “Venus”
Deliberation	Verdict

 

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1. Shocking Blue, “Venus”

At Home → Red Bullet → 1969

Dutch 🇳🇱 rock band Shocking Blue, specifically lead singer Mariska Veres (1947 – 2026), ‘said what they said’ in their unforgettable classic, “Venus.” “Venus” is the sixth track on the band’s 1969 album, At Home. It peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100.  It also reached number one in various other countries. The Recording Industry Association of America certified the single gold. Guitarist Robbie van Leeuwen (b. 1944) composed “Venus.”

So, what “Venus” the sugar, honey, iced tea? Oh, lots of shh-! The opening rhythmic guitar is awesome, ‘setting the tone.’ ‘Course, the bass line and drum groove are ‘none too shabby’ either! Other positive notes regarding “Venus.” The psychedelic rock elements are rad 🤘. The lead vocals are commanding – filled with spirit and swagger.  The melodies are incredibly tuneful, while the lyrics are memorable to the nth degree. Veres describes her as “The summit of beauty and love / And Venus was her name.” In the second verse, “Her weapons were her crystal eyes / Making every man mad.” Ooh-la-la! The crème de la crème is the chorus:  

“She’s got it

Yeah, baby, she’s got it

Well, I’m your Venus

I’m your fire, at your desire

Well, I’m your Venus

I’m your fire, at your desire.” 

“Venus” doesn’t require extensive analysis.  This is a rock-solid rock classic, PERIOD.  Great vocals, memorable melodies and lyrics, and a striking backdrop make this a one-of-one gem.

Appears in:

Shocking Blue, Venus: Throwback Vibez No. 100 (2026)

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2. Bananarama, “Venus”

True Confessions → London Records Ltd → 1986

Those lyrics, written by Robbie van Leeuwen (b. 1944), are iconic! Irish English pop group Bananarama (Sara Dallin, Keren Woodward, and formerly Siobhan Fahey) scored a big-time, unforgettable hit with “Venus” in 1986. “Venus” is the sixth track on the trio’s gold-certified album, True Confessions. Their version of “Venus,” which reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, is a cover 👀. Fun fact: the original was released by Dutch rock band Shocking Blue in 1969 and also topped the pop charts 🤯. Both renditions are starkly different. Bananarama embrace the dancefloor with their spirited take.

Although it dates back to the late 1960s, “Venus” sounds unapologetically ‘80s in Bananarama’s hands. It begins with the accompaniment, turned up something fierce. The keys, synths, and electric guitar are in overdrive. Also, the boxy, quintessential ‘80s drums are locked and loaded, like, BOOM! They hit you right in the chest; you feel every stroke! The rhythm is relentless.  As ornate and over-the-top as “Venus” is, it feels right. This assertive sound was intentional, and the ladies eat it up with their exuberant, personality-filled vocals.  The source material was already great from Shocking Blue: “Goddess on the mountaintop / Burning like a silver flame / The summit of beauty and love / And Venus was her name.” Yep, Venus is big mythologically.  Bananarama ensures it remains piping hot, with female-power-filled verses (“Her weapons were her crystal eyes / Making every man mad”), and the crème de la crème, the chorus, excerpted earlier.  What’s clear is that Venus has “got it,” and so does Bananarama, sublimely making “Venus” their own. 40 years later, this version still slaps… hard!

Appears in:

Bananarama, Venus: Throwback Vibez No. 67 (2026)

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Deliberation

Ah, we’ve arrived at the deliberation! To Deliberate is “to think about or discuss issues and decisions carefully.” With that definition courtesy of my go-to, Merriam-Webster, briefly break down these two distinct performances with some notes!

1. Shocking Blue, “Venus”

2. Bananarama, “Venus”

Guitarist Robbie van Leeuwen composed the 1960s classic. “Venus” peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100. Mariska Veres performed the lead vocals. “Venus” was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America. Shocking Blue’s original rendition has a psychedelic pop-rock flavor. No Grammy nominations.

Bananarama can thank Mr. van Leeuwen for awesome source material… Like Shocking Blue, Bananarama also saw “Venus” reach the number one spot the Billboard Hot 100 👀. Sara Dallin, Keren Woodward, and formerly Siobhan Fahey share vocal duties. “Venus,” in the hands of Bananarama,  currently has no certification from the Recording Industry Association of America. Bananarama’s cover takes us to the dancefloor; it’s a totally different vibe. No Grammy nominations.

 

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Verdict

 

After much deliberation, yo boi, The Musical Hype, has reached a verdict. In the case… I mean, in the Face Off between Shocking Blue and Bananarama, Shocking Blue WINS! The cover was the version I was most familiar with, being an 80s baby (1986, represent). But Shocking Blue is responsible for a highly decorated original. Bananarama superbly made “Venus” their own, but, they owe frontwoman Mariska Veres and guitarist/composer Robbie van Leeuwen a lot of credit. And with that said, stay tuned for the next Face Off, whenever it may be published 😉! 

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Shocking Blue vs. Bananarama: Face Off No. 17 (2026) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; London Records Ltd, Red Bullet; fotografoedsonj ed, Marlon Schmeiski from Pexels; Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Gordon Johnson from Pixabay]

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