They first recorded it on their 1987 album Wow! with their original line-up, after Siobhan Fahey was replaced by Jacquie O'Sullivan, Bananarama re-recorded the song for the Rain Man soundtrack.

"Cruel Summer" was a U.K. number eight hit in 1983 and a U.S. Billboard Hot 100 number nine hit in 1984.

Bananarama covered the song and scored a major hit worldwide: the song was number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for the week of September 6, 1986 and it was also the top single of 1986 in Australia.

Combo, Fun Boy Three & Bananarama

The track was co-written and produced by Youth. The single is considered by Bananarama to be their biggest commercial flop in the UK, just missing the top 75 of the UK singles chart.