Deep Sea Skiving is Bananarama's debut album and features their first five singles: Aie A Mwana, Really Sayin' Somethin', Shy Boy, Cheers Then and Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye. The album was first released in England in March 1983 and peaked at #7, #85 in Australia, #63 in the USA and #22 in Canada. It remains Bananarama's biggest selling album behind 1988's Greatest Hits Collection.
The north American issues were modified to include the US single version of Really Sayin' Something which is longer at 3:44, and a different version of Shy Boy 3:33 and Aie A Mwana was not included on the album. Another variation is found on the Japanese print - which included the Japanese-only single He's Got Tact which was written as a jingle for a motorcycle advertisement.
Part of the charm of the Deep Sea Skiving album is the quirky cover sleeve that completes the sea theme (photographed by Bay Hipisley); the inner sleeve features an assortment of black and white photos of the band, including baby photos. This inlay is only available on the LP editions. Early editions of Deep Sea Skiving were issued with a free bonus 12" record of Cheers Then (a ploy to shift left-over Cheers Then singles which had sold poorly). Regional variations include the omission of 'Aie A Mwana' and a rearrangement of the track order. The Japanese issue also includes the track 'He's Got Tact' on the LP edition.
UK
1983 Decca RAMA1
Released: March 1983
UK chart position: 7
