Forgotten Classic Video of the Week

This week's video probably would've been a good one to post on Halloween but I...uh...forgot all about it, making it an even more perfect entry in my vault of Forgotten Classics! I give you "Stay" by Shakespear's Sister. (They spell Big Bill's name incorrectly, not me.)

This song was the only U.S. hit for Shakespear's Sister, and it actually got quite a bit of play on MTV. It's an odd song with an even odder video, centering around the two gals in the group fighting over a guy. Of course, it's not that simple...the guy is on his way out and one of the girls vying for his attention is actually the Angel of Death. That's ex-Bananarama babe, Siobhan Fahey, as the possibly epileptic, definitely freaky reaper.



I never knew who the other "Sister" was until I looked it up today. Her stage name is Marcella Detroit but, earlier in her career, she went by her birth name, Marcy Levy. I knew that name sounded familiar and, sure enough, it turns out that I do know her. She co-wrote and sang with Eric Clapton on one of my favorite songs, "The Core!" She was actually a band member and writing partner of Clapton's for many years.

Yay...I love when I unexpectedly make musical connections like this. Thank God for YouTube, Allmusic.com and liner notes!

Comments

Malcolm said…
Excellent pull from the vaults Beckeye! This is a song that I never get tired of hearing. When I first saw this video on MTV back in the day, I couldn't believe that the Angel of Death was Siobhan Fahey.

The British comedy duo French and Saunders do a wicked parody of Shakespear's Sister (called Dicken's Daughters). Here is the link for anyone who wants a good laugh:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=q8Yje9DOBq4
They always scared me, because they looked like escaped Robert Palmer girls.
Moxie said…
I don't remember this song or video at all, but I do seem to remember hearing about the group. Very trippy.
Ooo, to be a tee-shirt on that chest so that I might just touch her face!!

or, something like that. Bardy would've said it better if vids like this were allowed at the Globe.
Anonymous said…
Wow, flashbacks.
Artful Dodger said…
I love Shakespear's Sister. I still have this record. I remember by brother got it for me. And I have the song on my Ipod so I hear it often too. But it's been years since I've seen the video. Kudos Beckeye for bringing back the memories.
Scott said…
I used to think this was one of my hidden treasures from the '90s, but it turns out every freaking person I know loves it. Oh well.
anandamide said…
Another connection: if I'm not mistaken Siobhan Fahey was (is?) married to Dave STewart from the Eurythmics.....
Are you sure that wasn't a Rocky Horror Picture Show remake?
LoraLoo said…
Wow, I had totally forgotten about this song. Fabulous find!
Marcy Levy sang the hell out of that song and it was more duet, than harmony. I don't know which creeped me out more, the video or the odd lyrics.
Dale said…
This song still plays on my mp3 player as well as a few others of their tunes. I think she was the Dave Stewart wifey as Anandamide said. I remember that send up by F&S too that Malcolm linked to. Excellent fairly not forgotten classic Beckeye.
cube said…
Thanks for reminding me of this, but it does make me wonder how many other weird videos I have totally forgotten over the years.

It's a good thing you're on watch.

I can't believe I had a similar hairdo... Shakespeare's Sis' not the spastic grim reaper's!

malcolm: I've got to thank you for the F&S parody. Priceless!
Johnny Yen said…
How very cool! I loved her vocals on The Core.
Tootsie said…
That was a strange video.
eh, they both do a wicked good impersonation of drag queens....
and I, seemingly, do a wicked good impersonation of a functionally illiterate person.
Martin said…
Great song. I do need to track down that "lost album" that they released recently. It takes an amazing female vocal for me to take notice and the talent is there.