Hamptons 100 Songs of Summer #59 “Na Na Hey Hey” by Bananarama
When Fourth of July weekend comes to a close, we say goodbye to many of our summer visitors, just as they say goodbye to their East End vacations. In honor of this day, the Top 100 Songs of Summer countdown brings you the perfect tune.
Hamptons 100 Songs of Summer #59
“Na Na Hey Hey” by Bananarama
Recorded first by a fictitious band called Steam—comprising Paul Leka, Gary DeCarlo and Dale Frashuer—this classic goodbye song reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1969. It was covered several times over the years until all-girl British pop group Bananarama brought it back to the charts on their 1983 album Deep Sea Skiving. Their version of the song version made the top 10 in the UK and landed just short of the US Billboard Hot 100.
Despite it being less of a hit in America, “Na Na Hey Hey” became a near ubiquitous track at sports stadiums around the country. It has been covered, remixed and sampled by numerous groups and artists, including The Pioneers, The Supremes, and, most recently, Walé, who sampled it in the song “Chillin'” with Lady Gaga. Goodbye for now, summer friends.