FEATURE:
If She Knew What She Wants
The Bangles’ Different Light at Forty
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THERE may be some…
IN THIS PHOTO: The Bangles in 1986
debate as to which albums from The Bangles is very the best. I personally love their 1986 album, Different Light. As it was released on 13th January, I am marking forty years. However, when it comes to my favourite song of theirs, it will always be Eternal Flame. That was included on their 1988 album, Everything. I think the consensus is that their 1984 debut, All Over the Place, is their crowning glory. That Different Light is more commercial. However, think about the legacy of the songs on the album and how they are played to this day. The Prince-written Manic Monday. Walk Like an Egyptian. Walking Down Your Street. The amazing four-piece of Susanna Hoffs, Vicki Peterson, Michael Steele and Debbi Peterson released a phenomenal second studio album. I am a particular fan of Susanna Hoffs and follow her on social media. I just love her voice and feel some of the best moments across The Bangles’ career are defined by her – including Eternal Flame. However, let’s talk about Different Light. If their debut had a more 1960s-indebted sound, this was more Top 40. Some would say radio-friendly and commercial, though it was the U.S. group changing directions and evolving. If some in 1986 were not keen on this musical switch, in retrospect, Different Light is seen as a slick and refreshing album. One that still sounds great today. In terms of modern-day groups like The Bangles, I guess you could maybe point to HAIM. Paramore? I don’t think there is anyone exactly like them. That is a shame, as the connection in the group and their incredible back catalogue should inspire a contemporary tribute. Maybe nobody can touch The Bangles!
Bringing in new songwriters and collaborators, Different Light reached number two in the U.S. and three in the U.K. It was that move from L.A. street sounds and something rawer to a more polished sound that was a notable shift. I think that Different Light fitted more into the landscape of 1986. Think about the albums and artists from that time. Madonna and Peter Gabriel released incredible albums. I want to move to American Songwriter. They note how Different Light too The Bangles to the stratosphere. It was an immense album that make them a worldwide success:
“Pioneers” might not be the most accurate term. But it’s fair to say that the pop music landscape didn’t include a lot of groups like The Bangles in the early 80s. Only their fellow Californians, The Go-Go’s, were enjoying much success at the time as an all-girl band.
The Bangles, at least originally, featured more of a raw, rocking sound. Their 1984 debut album All Over The Place contained nine originals out of 11 songs on the record, including five songs that were written solely by bassist Vicki Peterson. Peterson shared vocals pretty evenly with Susannah Hoffs. Sound-wise, they hearkened back to 60s garage rock and power pop on the album.
A confluence of events helped change their sound and commercial prospects. First, Prince took a shine to them, and he offered them a song called “Manic Monday” that was pretty much ready to heat and serve. That song featured a softer, more pop-friendly tone than the first record.
In addition to that, the band’s writers just didn’t have as many original songs in the hopper that seemed single-worthy. Producer David Kahne saw the opportunity to take advantage of the anticipated burst of popularity. He commissioned some other songs that seemed perfect for mid-80s pop radio. Kahne also took the playing out of the band’s hands on these tracks, heavily relying on session instrumentalists to fill out the sound.
The Bangles struck gold on MTV with a series of increasingly popular videos. In the years after the record’s completion, some of the band members would express ambivalence about the direction Different Light took away from their rocking roots. But they couldn’t deny the triple-platinum success that assured them career-long prominence.
Revisiting ‘Different Light’
It’s understandable that The Bangles might not have loved the cover songs being chosen as the key singles. But they deserve credit for putting their stamp on them in undeniable fashion. Susannah Hoffs, who became the unofficial voice of the group because of her prominence on the big hits, deserves a lot of credit for that. (The media’s focus on her would cause problems for the band down the line.)
Hoffs injects sultriness into the narrator’s harried tale in “Manic Monday”. She captures the pathos in Jules Shear’s lovely character sketch “If She Knew What She Wants”. And she runs wild with the final verse of the novelty “Walk Like An Egyptian”.
But Hoffs’ leads wouldn’t have proven quite so effective without the gorgeous harmony vocals provided by the other members of the band (Vicki Peterson, her drummer sister Debbi Peterson, and bassist Michael Steele). The album tracks might not pop like the singles, but they’ve got heart and style. Steele’s solo lead on the downcast “Following” stands out from that pack.
When they returned in 1988 with Everything, they had ditched Kahne. But some lingering resentment about the division of labor eventually led to a hiatus. Their hearts might have belonged to a different musical era. But Different Light proved that The Bangles were right on time”.
I shall get to some reviews soon. In 2013, The Bangles’ Vicki Peterson was interviewed by Rediscover the 80s. She was asked, among other things, about Different Light and The Bangles in 1986. Filing videos for iconic songs that were played on MTV. How the band ascended to new heights and were known everywhere. I think, forty years later, Different Light still stands up:
“Q: Please tell us a little about when, how and why The Bangles came to be. Your voices blend so perfectly, was that the case right from the start? How did the band's name get chosen and evolve? Please tell us a little about the other members and what each of you brought to the group.
Vicki: In late 1980, Debbi and I found ourselves all that remained of our post-high school band, and fortuitously met Susanna Hoffs through an ad in a newspaper. Yes, the first time we met to just see if we clicked, it was slightly magical. Our voices did have a natural blend and we shared that anachronistic passion for music of the '60s. We got the name "The Bangs" from an article on hairstyles in an old issue of Esquire magazine... we soon had to change it because of a New Jersey band (an all-boy band, no less) and thus added the extra consonants.
Our first bass player was Annette Zilinskas, who was 19 at the time, lovely and talented, but loved Rockabillly music more than the pop we were writing. We soon found Michael Steele who was purported to be the best female bass player in town, but was actually one of the best, period. Susanna had never been in a real band before, but she was creative and energetic, a good writing partner with an angel's voice.
Q: "Manic Monday" was the band's first big pop hit and it was actually written by Prince. How did The Bangles end up recording that song? How was it offered? How did the song evolve as you made it your own?
Vicki: Prince apparently saw our "The Hero Takes A Fall" video and became interested in the band, appearing mysteriously at shows and playing an encore or two with us. When we were in the studio, we got a message that Prince had a tape for us. There were two songs on the cassette - one of which was "Manic Monday". I think it was Apollonia, one of his "proteges", doing the vocals on his version. He told us we could just use the tracks and replace the vocals, but of course we tracked it ourselves from scratch.
"Manic Monday" was the first single released from their Different Light album in January of 1986 and climbed the charts eventually peaking at #2 in April. It became an international hit and also reached the top 5 in eight other countries. The song was written by Prince under his pseudonym Christopher and, coincidentally, was blocked from reaching #1 by another Prince song, "Kiss". This song often runs through my head on many Monday mornings. Here is the video for "Manic Monday" by The Bangles...
Q: Did you ever get any feedback from Prince to find out what he thought of your recording?
Vicki: Prince came to a rehearsal before the song came out and gave us the thumbs up (even though there was no keyboard player that day and I was playing the harpsichord figure on the guitar...and not well, I might add).
Q: Then you had a worldwide hit with "Walk Like an Egyptian". What can you share with us regarding how this song was conceived and created? How was it decided that you'd sing the first verse of the song
Vicki: This song was written by Liam Sternberg and its provenance is still a mystery to me. All I know is that David Kahne, our producer at the time, showed up at rehearsal with a tape of a demo of the song, sung with a droll charm by Marti Jones. I realized that we were never gonna write a song like that and there was nothing remotely like it on our album so far (or anywhere else, for that matter) and I agreed to try it in the studio. We had a sing-off for the verses, with Kahne as head judge. Don't know that I'd ever do it that way again.
"Walk Like an Egyptian" was released as a single in September of 1986 and quickly reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in December and held the top spot for four weeks. This was the first song by an all-female group playing their own instruments to reach the top of the Billboard Hot 100. It was a worldwide smash hit which also reached the top of the chart in at least six other countries. Vicki sings the opening verse and then the girls take turns singing the others. The song received heavy radio airplay and I always for some reason remember in the video the close-up on Susanna Hoffs' eyes when she looks from side to side. Here is that video for "Walk Like an Egyptian" by The Bangles...
Q: Again, did you have any feeling that this song might become the hugely successful pop hit that it did? What were your feelings about "Walk Like an Egyptian" when you first recorded it? What are your feelings about the song now 27 years later?
Vicki: I really didn't think the label would release it, but I did have a feeling that if they did, it wouldn't be ignored. There was a period in the '90s, when I was living in New Orleans and playing with the Continental Drifters, when I could not imagine myself ever singing the song again. Now, though, when we go out and finish the night with it, it's a blast. People just love it and have so much fun.
Q: How about the other hits from that album like "If She Knew What She Wants" or "Walking Down Your Street"? Any comments or details about those?
Vicki: "If She Knew What She Wants" is a smart, thoughtful song by the smart and thoughtful Jules Shear. I liked the idea of the vocals being performed in a call-and-response structure, and enjoyed the process of slightly changing Jules' original arrangement - which I always have to remember whenever I have the privilege of singing the song with Jules.
Different Light was released in January of 1986. It eventually went 3x platinum and reached #2 on the Billboard album chart. Including to the two covered earlier, it included four hit singles including "If She Knew What She Wants" which reached #29 in July of 1986 and "Walking Down Your Street" which reached #11 in April of 1987. The Bangles were as hot as any band in pop music at that time.
Q: Were you prepared for attention and all of the other things that come with the pop stardom? What are some of your best memories and coolest things you were able to do at the height of popularity for The Bangles?
Vicki: It was a bit of a surprise that many of the things we were asked to do following the album's success had absolutely nothing to do with music. My favorite moments were when we were thrown in with other musicians (during a TV show or awards celebration) and I could feel like a peer to some of my musical heroes.
Q: Your videos received lots of exposure on MTV back then. Did you enjoy making the music videos back then? What do you remember about working with Gary Weis, who directed a couple of your videos, and how those videos were made?
Vicki: I just ADORE Gary Weis. The Rutles was a big favorite of mine and I was so excited to be working with its director. I enjoyed working on his videos in particular, although the video for "Egyptian" was sort of smashed into a tour schedule and was a bit chaotic. We worked with a choreographer in Florida and then shot the performance bit in New York City. The way I remember it, Gary just went out into the streets and grabbed people and had them "walk like Egyptians" all while we were getting into costume for the performance/dance bits”.
A couple of reviews I want to get to before wrapping up. On 13th January, we will mark forty years of Different Light. In 2003, SLANT provided their impressions on one of the biggest albums of 1986. After Different Light, The Bangles would release Everything in 1988. If you have not heard this album before then do go and spend some time with it. I think it is fantastic and it actually does not sound dated. Many albums from that time do:
“Though it was considered a slicker, more commercial move for the Bangles at the time of its release, Different Light (the band’s sophomore effort) sounds surprisingly fresh in hindsight. From their Beatles-inspired moniker to their warm, Mamas & the Papas-esque harmonies, the band seemed determined to pay homage to the past. But their ‘60s-style pop melodies and classic rock references (check the Doors-ish, carnival-like keyboards and quirky guitars of “Standing in the Hallway” and “Return Post”) were deftly matched with the then-current new wave and rock rhythms of the early ’80s. “Following” is a dark acoustic ballad reminiscent of Joni Mitchell’s brand of ’70s folk, while the title track rollicks along with genuine pop-punk fervor. Guitarist Vicki Peterson’s voice might pale in comparison to Susanna Hoffs’s distinctive vocal, but her songwriting skills are clearly the strongest here: “I wanna paint your portrait/Hang your colors on my wall/Discussing form and content with my friends and drinks.” And while its biggest hits were written by other artists—the Prince-penned “Manic Monday,” the novelty tune “Walk Like an Egyptian” (a slice of ’80s-pop kitsch that sounds out of place here), and “If She Knew What She Wants”—album tracks like “Angels Don’t Fall in Love” and “Let It Go,” which were written by the Bangles themselves, are the glue that holds Different Light together”.
Let’s finish off with this review of as truly fantastic album. I do think there has been retrospection and more positivity towards an album that divided some in 1986. Given the longevity of it and how many of the songs are played today, there is no denying it is important and popular. A massive chart success for The Bangles, I do wonder if its members will think about it on its anniversary. It was a magic year for them:
“The Bangles were special because they had all the members on lead and backing vocals. Susanna Hoffs and Vicki Peterson also played guitars. Micki Steele played bass and guitars on some tracks while Debbi Peterson played the drums. They were all seasoned and had paid their dues. Hoffs was 27 years, Vicki Peterson was 28, Steele was 31 and was also known as the founder of The Runaways, before leaving them prior to their first album and Debbie Peterson was the youngest at 25.
Manic Monday
The song is written by “Christopher” and Hoffs. “Christopher” was a pseudonym for Prince. At 157.5 million streams on Spotify, it’s one of their biggest. Only “Eternal Flame” and “Walk Like An Egyptian” are bigger.
In a Different Light
My favourite track. It’s rocking from the start and the vocals remind me of “California Dreamin” from The Mamas And The Papas
Walking Down Your Street
This was a skip for me.
Walk Like an Egyptian
192 million streams on Spotify. It’s so overplayed these days, but goddamn it was infectious when it came out. The vocal melody was so unique. Press play and start walking like an Egyptian.
Standing in the Hallway
It’s pop rock, with a bit of rhythm and blues.
Return Post
A rare running time of 4.22 however the track was not their best.
If She Knew What She Wants
A Jules Shear cover from 1985 which has this 60’s feel.
The album standard slips towards the backend with tracks like “Let It Go”, “September Gurls”, “Angels Don’t Fall in Love” and “Not Like You” being seen as throwaways.
However the introspective acoustic cut, “Following”, written and sung by Steele, is excellent”.
A tremendous album that was a left-turn from their 1984 debut, Different Light brought them into households around the world. Released on 13th January, 1986, I discovered this album years later. Eternal Flame was the first song of theirs that hit me. However, I really love Different Light. Its title is appropriate. Getting to see the Los Angeles band in a new light. One that was perhaps a bit brighter. It does have that sound of California, whereas All Over the Place could be more about England, or even New York. Forty years down the line and Different Light still shines. A brilliant album whose hits and great deeper cuts make it an essential listen. Do go and check out this…
SIMPLY wonderful album.