Bangles “Following” released

Following The Bangles

Writer(s): Michael Steele (see lyrics here) Released: April 6, 1987 First Charted: April 18, 1987 Peak: 24 CO, 55 UK, 1 DF (Click for codes to charts.) Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, 0.21 video, -- streaming

Awards: Click on award for more details.

About the Song: The Bangles broke through on their second album, Different Light, in 1986. The album was fueled in America by four top 40 singles – the Prince-penned “Manic Monday” (#2), “If She Knew What She Wants” (#29), “Walk Like an Egyptian” (#1), and “Walking Down Your Street” (#11). The album reached #2 and triple platinum status. In the UK, a fifth single was released from the album. “Following” didn’t have the commercial success of its predecessors, but was a gorgeous acoustic ballad that deserved attention. It was written and sung by bassist Michael Steele, who also took the lead on the album’s cover of “September Gurls” by Big Star. This was Steele’s first original composition released with the Bangles WK and the band’s only single featuring her on lead vocals. As a “folky acoustic ballad featuring minimal instrumentation” WK the song was “radically different from the rest of Bangles’ material.” WK Lyrically, it deals with “jealousy, paranoia and obsession that follows the breakup of a relationship” WK with the narrator stalking her ex. Steele has confirmed it was about her high school sweetheart. WK In an album review, PopRescue.com notes that the song “was perhaps a bit off-kilter with their other tracks.” PR It’s “slofter than anything we’ve heard so far” PR but features “some great guitar work” PR and is “a nice contrasting track” PR with “a kind of ethereal drifting sound to it.” PR Resources: PR Pop Rescue WK Wikipedia Related Links: First posted 3/16/2023.