Battle of the Blondes 

Was (Not Was) were a brilliantly eclectic group who, despite being critical faves, sadly only bothered the pop charts on a couple of occasions during the 80s and 90s. One of those times was the terrific House groover “Shake Your Head” in 1993 which featured the unlikely duo of Ozzy Osbourne and actress Kim Basinger on vocals. This wasn’t all that unusual for Was (Not Was) who had a penchant for unexpected guest vocalists like Mel Tormé, Wayne Kramer of MC5, and Frank Sinatra Jr.

Download: Shake Your Head (12″ mix) – Was (Not Was) feat. Ozzy Osbourne & Kim Basinger (mp3)

“Shake Your Head” originally appeared on their 1983 album Born To Laugh At Tornadoes in a very different version where Ozzy had the only vocal. However, they did record a demo featuring Ozzy with a young singer on the cusp of fame called Madonna. They never used it because, according to Don Was “I’ve always imagined the vocalists as extensions of ourselves, and I couldn’t relate to female vocals being our voice.” Though I’ve also read it was because they didn’t like her vocal and didn’t think she had much of a future.

Fast forward to 1993: Madonna is a superstar, and Was (Not Was) are putting together a best-of compilation album and think it would be good publicity to put out her original vocal on the new House mix of the track by Steve “Silk” Hurley. Unfortunately she refused to let them release it (perhaps she was miffed they’d rejected her 10 years before) so they turned to Kim Basinger who did have some musical previous having recorded an unreleased R&B album in the 80s that is rumoured to have been produced by her then-boyfriend Prince.

This version has never been officially released which is a shame, though much as I love Madonna I have to say I think the Kim Basinger version is better. Madge’s voice wasn’t the greatest in her early days and she sounds a bit wonky at times. Still a great record though.

Download: Shake Your Head (12″ mix) – Was (Not Was) feat. Ozzy Osbourne & Madonna (mp3)