Last Thing on My Mind (Bananarama song)


"Last Thing on My Mind" is a song written and recorded by English girl group Bananarama. The song is featured on their album Please Yourself and was released as the album's second single in the UK in 1992. It was produced by Mike Stock and Pete Waterman, two-thirds of the Stock Aitken Waterman trio. Pete Waterman said in 2002 the song was influenced by Mozart. The single met with little success, peaking at number seventy-one in the UK Singles Chart. However, the song later became a bigger hit when a [|cover by the band Steps] was released as a single in 1998 and peaked at number six in the UK Singles Chart.

Music video

The music video features the two girls dressed in suits, ties, and gloves as they meet in a high-class European cafe where they chat, giggle, and whisper into each other's ears. These scenes are intercut with scenes of each of the girls being caressed or hugging a male companion in an upscale bedroom. The video ends with the two girls leaving together in a limousine. The video was directed by Zowie Broach.

Formats and track listings

Album version - Please Yourself

  1. "Last Thing on My Mind" – 3:35
7" CD - UK
  1. "Last Thing on My Mind" – 3:35
  2. "Another Lover" – 3:31
CD Maxi single - UK
  1. "Last Thing on My Mind" – 3:34
  2. "Another Lover" – 3:31
  3. "Venus" – 7:25
  4. "I Heard a Rumour" – 5:53

    Credits and personnel

;Vocals
;Personnel
Credits adapted from the liner notes of Please Yourself.

Charts

Steps version

British group Steps recorded a version of "Last Thing on My Mind" on their debut studio album, Step One.

Background and release

Following the release of their debut single 5,6,7,8, "Last Thing on My Mind" was released as their next single and became their first top 10 in the United Kingdom. The song became the group's first top 10 single in the United Kingdom charting at number six, outselling and outpeaking the original version. The song was produced by Pete Waterman and lasts for a duration of three minutes, 5 seconds. The two main verses are performed by Faye and Claire, respectively, whilst Lisa performs the bridge, after the instrumental. The chorus is performed by the entire group, and the song features no solo male voice.

Critical reception

CantStopThePop described the song as an "out-and-out party song" with "elements of disco heartbreak in the lyrics", adding that it "absolutely radiates joy". Geir Rakvaag from Dagsavisen said in his review of Step One, that the song "could have been made by ABBA". Gary James from Entertainment Focus described it as "pure pop heaven", adding, "although when you stop dancing and start listening to the lyrics it’s actually about an unexpected break up; classic Stock and Waterman."

Chart performance

"Last Thing on My Mind" debuted at number six on the UK Singles Chart on 26 April 1998, and after fluctuating inside the top 10 for three weeks, it re-peaked at number six in its fifth week. It spent a further week in the top 10, and collectively had a chart run of 14 consecutive weeks. Following their debut single "5,6,7,8" becoming their first top 40 hit, peaking at number 14 in November 1997, their subsequent 15 single releases all charted within the top 10, however "Last Thing on My Mind" was the only one to not make the top five prior to their split in 2001. "Last Thing on My Mind" is the fifth best selling song of Steps career, and it was certified silver by the British Phonographic Industry on 29 May 1998 for shipments of 200,000 copies.
In Europe, the song debuted at number 41 in the Flanders region of Belgium on 9 May 1998. It jumped to number four the following week, and reached number one in its third week, a position it held for 10 consecutive weeks. In the Wallonia region, the song did not achieve the same success, peaking at number 16 in its second week, and remaining on the chart for five weeks. "Last Thing on My Mind" peaked at number 13 in the Netherlands, number 30 in France, and number 59 in Sweden. Elsewhere, the song peaked spent three non-consecutive weeks at number five in Australia, and peaked at number 24 in New Zealand.

Promotion

The music video for "Last Thing On My Mind" was directed by Phil Griffin. The video, which was filmed in Cuba, features Lee picking up all the band members in his convertible. When they sing the chorus, each member is singing a scene is similar to ABBA's Mamma Mia. The final scenes of the video are set around a pool where the band perform the full dance routine.

Formats and track listings

Album version - Step One

  1. "Last Thing on My Mind" – 3:04
CD single - Europe
  1. "Last Thing On My Mind" – 3:04
CD single - France
  1. "Last Thing On My Mind" – 3:04
  2. "Last Thing on My Mind" – 3:01
CD single - UK and Europe
  1. "Last Thing On My Mind" – 3:04
  2. "Last Thing On My Mind" – 5:39
  3. "A Love to Last" – 3:42
  4. "Last Thing on My Mind" – 3:00
12" Promo - UK
  1. "Last Thing On My Mind" – 5:39
  2. "Last Thing On My Mind" – 3:04
  3. "Last Thing On My Mind" – 5:39
Maxi single - Australia
  1. "Last Thing On My Mind" – 3:04
  2. "Last Thing On My Mind" – 5:39
  3. "A Love to Last" – 3:42
  4. "Last Thing on My Mind" – 3:01
  5. "5,6,7,8" – 3:22

    Remixes

A-side: "Last Thing on My Mind"

;Recording
;Vocals
;Personnel
Credits adapted from the liner notes of Step One.

B-side: "A Love to Last"

;Recording
;Vocals
;Personnel
Credits adapted from the liner notes of "Last Thing on My Mind".

Charts and certifications

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications

Notable cover versions