The Bangles/Susanna Hoffs: Top 50 Songs

The Bangles/ Susanna Hoffs Top 50 Songs

The all-girl group originally known as the Bangs formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1981. The lineup consisted of sisters Vicki (guitar) and Debbie Peterson (drums) with Susanna Hoffs (guitar) and Annette Zilinskas (bass). All four handled vocals. After the release of a 1982 EP entitled The Real World, Annette was replaced by Michael Steele, from the all-female band the Runaways. The group released three albums in the ‘80s before going on hiatus. They reconvened for albums in 2003 and 2011. Susanna Hoffs launched a solo career in 1991. She has released five solo albums and three collaborative albums of cover songs with Matthew Sweet. Check out the DMDB Music Maker Encyclopedia entries for the Bangles and Susanna Hoffs for more information. Click here to see other acts’ best-of lists.

Awards:

Top 50 Songs Dave’s Music Database lists are determined by song’s appearances on best-of lists, appearances on compilations and live albums by the featured act, and songs’ chart success, sales, radio airplay, streaming, and awards. DMDB Top 1%: 1. Walk Like an Egyptian (1986) DMDB Top 2%: 2. Eternal Flame (1988) DMDB Top 5%: 3. Manic Monday (1986) DMDB Top 10%: 4. Hazy Shade of Winter (1987) 5. In Your Room (1988) 6. Hero Takes a Fall (1984) 7. If She Knew What She Wants (1986) DMDB Top 20%: 8. Walking Down Your Street (1988) 9. Be With You (1988) 10. Following (1986) 11. My Side of the Bed (Hoffs, 1991) 12. Going Down to Liverpool (1984) Beyond the DMDB Top 20%: 13. All I Want (Hoffs, 1996) 14. Something That You Said (2003) 15. Something to Believe In (1988) 16. I’ll Set You Free (1988) 17. More Than Meets the Eye (1984) 18. Return Post (1986) 19. Live (1984) 20. Angels Don’t Fall in Love (1986) 21. In a Different Light (1986) 22. James (1984) 23. Restless (1984) 24. Song for a Good Son (2003) 25. All About You (1984) 26. Where Were You When I Needed You? (1984) 27. Make a Play for Her Now (1988) 28. September Gurls (1986) 29. To Sir with Love (Hoffs, 1996) 30. Glitter Years (1988) 31. Tear Off Your Own Head (It’s a Doll Revolution) (2003) 32. Trouble (Hoffs/Sweet, 2013) 33. We Belong (2009) 34. Willin’ (Hoffs/Sweet, 2009) 35. You Can Close Your Eyes (Hoffs/Sweet, 2015) 36. Sunday Morning (Hoffs/Sweet, 2006) 37. Stuck in the Middle with You (Hoffs, 1996) 38. He’s Got a Secret (1984) 39. I Will Take Care of You (2003) 40. Good Day Sunshine (2006) 41. Cinnamon Girl (Hoffs/Sweet, 2006) 42. You’re So Vain (Hoffs/Sweet, 2009) 43. Free Fallin’ (Hoffs/Sweet, 2013) 44. What’s So Funny ‘Bout Peace, Love, and Understanding (Hoffs/Sweet, 2015) 45. I Got Nothing (1985) 46. Raining (Hoffs, 2012) 47. Beekeeper’s Blues (Hoffs, 1996) 48. Only Love (Hoffs, 1991) 49. Boys Keep Swinging (Hoffs, 1991) 50. Bell Jar (1988) Resources and Related Links: DMDB Encyclopedia entry for the Bangles DMDB Encyclopedia entry for Susanna Hoffs Dave’s Music Database: “Acts’ Profile Pages and Best-of Lists” First posted 3/14/2023.

 

Bangles “Following” released

Following The Bangles

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The Bangles hit #1 with “Walk Like an Egyptian”

Walk Like an Egyptian The Bangles

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Bangles Different Light released

Different Light Bangles

Released: January 13, 1986 Peak: 2 US, 3 UK, 8 CN, 2 AU, 13 DF Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): 3.0 US, 0.3 UK, 3.66 world (includes US and UK) Genre: pop/new wave

Tracks: Manic Monday [3:06] In a Different Light [2:52] (18 DF) Walking Down Your Street [3:04] Walk Like an Egyptian [3:24] Standing in the Hallway [2:56] (38 DF) Return Post [4:22] (3 DF) If She Knew What She Wants [3:49] Let It Go [2:32] (38 DF) September Gurls [2:45] (22 DF) Angels Don’t Fall in Love [3:23] (8 DF) Following [3:21] Not Like You [3:06] (38 DF) Total Running Time: 38:48 The Players: Susanna Hoffs (vocals, guitar) Vicki Peterson (vocals, guitar) Michael Steele (vocals, bass) Debbi Peterson (vocals, drums)

Rating: 3.950 out of 5.00 (average of 28 ratings) Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

About the Album: The Bangles’ first album, All Over the Place, “ earned them a smattering of radio and MTV airplay” AM on the strength of the song “Hero Takes a Fall.” With their sophomore effort, however, “they were aiming for much higher stakes” AM and reached them. At least commercially. “Certainly the album’s Top 40 sound was a departure from their earlier ‘60s-style sound.” WK “Different Light turned the Bangles into bona fide pop stars” AM although the cynic, such as AllMusic.com’s Mark Deming argued that the effort “transformed a spunky and distinctive band into a comparatively faceless vehicle.” AM The Hit Singles…and Beyond Different Light generated four top-40 singles in the U.S. and had a minor hit with “Following” in the UK. Beyond the singles, the album also offered “the Doors-ish, carnival-like keyboards and quirky guitars of Standing in the Hallway and Return Post.” SL They also cover September Gurls (with lead vocals by Michael Steele), originally recorded by Big Star, the shoulda-been-big band from the 1970s whose jangly pop influenced Tom Petty and R.E.M. “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.” SL “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.’” SL Here are more details about the singles.

Manic Monday Bangles

Writer(s): Prince Released: 12/23/1985 as a single Peak: 2 BB, 3 CB, 3 GR, 5 RR, 43 AR, 2 CO, 2 UK, 2 CN, 3 AU, 4 DF Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- US, 0.25 UK, 0.30 world (includes US + UK) Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, 129.25 video, 267.44 streaming

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

About the Song: Considering how omniprescent the all-girl group became on MTV, it’s laughable to call them “faceless.” Susanna Hoffs in particular became the go-to-crush for every ‘80s teenage boy. Sure, the album “was considered a slicker, more commercial move for the Bangles at the time of its release” SL it “sounds surprisingly fresh in hindsight.” SL Infatuation for Hoffs was actually a major catalyst in launching the success of the album. Fresh off his superstar-making-turn with 1984’s Purple Rain, Prince wrote Manic Monday for the Bangles, reportedly because he was enamored with Hoffs. AM Read more about his version here. The song’s “baroque, keyboard-dominated sound was a far cry from anything the Bangles had recorded before, and…Hoffs’ breathy voice and her bandmates’ fine harmonies fit the song like a glove.” AM The song was the lead single from the album, reaching #2 on the Billboard Hot 100.

If She Knew What She Wants Bangles

Writer(s): Jules Shear Released: 4/14/1986 as a single Peak: 29 BB, 28 CB, 19 GR, 28 RR, 24 AC, 4 CO, 31 UK, 31 AU, 13 DF Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, 12.63 video, 9.05 streaming About the Song: The follow-up single, If She Knew What She Wants, was another top-40 hit. It was also written by someone outside the band – in this case, Jules Shear. He recorded it for his second solo album, 1985’s The Eternal Return. The Bangles crossed paths with Shear on several occasions in 1985, serving as his faux backing band when he performed his single “Steady” on American Bandstand, and co-writing thei song “I Got Nothing” for the soundtrack of The Goonies. Peter Bothum of the Wilmington, Delaware paper News Journal, described the song as ‘what the Byrds would have sounded like if they were chicks,” NJ effectively countering Deming’s assertion that “Manic Monday” led the band “away from the '60s-influenced pop/rock that was their strongest suit.” AM In fact, Slant magazine’s Sal Cinquemani emphasized how much the album eluded to the ‘60s: “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…were deftly matched with the then-current new wave and rock rhythms of the early ’80s.” SL

Walk Like an Egyptian Bangles

Writer(s): Liam Sternberg (see lyrics here) Released: 9/1/1986 as a single Peak: 14 US, 11 CB, 12 RR, 1 CO, 3 UK, 11 CN, 12 AU, 3 DF Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): 1.0 US, 0.25 UK, 1.3 world (includes US + UK) Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, 132.6 video, 187.45 streaming

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

About the Song: It looked like the Bangles’ Different Light might have run out of steam after two singles. While “Manic Monday” had reached #2, “If She Knew What She Wants” peaked at #29, suggesting a third single might not even make the top 40. Instead, the Bangles emerged with one of the most iconic earworms of the 1980s – the chart-topping Walk Like an Egyptian. The “slice of ’80s-pop kitsch” SL was named Billboard magazine’s song of the year. Like its predecessors, this was another song written outside of the band. Liam Sternberg was part of the ‘70s music scene in Akron, Ohio. He worked with Jane Aire & the Belvederes and wrote songs for Rachel Sweet, but didn’t find mainstream success. “Walk Like an Egpytian” was an anomaly as it would be his only top-40 songwriting credit. While riding a ferry boat across the English Channel, he noticed that as people struggled to maintain their balance, they held up their arms like they were doing Egyptian movements. SF He recorded a demo of the song with singer Marti Jones in 1984. He offered it to Toni Basil, who had a #1 hit in 1982 with “Mickey,” but she turned it down. Lene Lovich recorded the song, but she decided to take a break from music to raise a family and the song went unreleased. Dave Kahne, who produced the Bangles’ Different Light album, got a copy of the demo and presented it to the Bangles. He had each of the four members sing the song, eventually opting to have Vicki Peterson, Michael Steele, and Susanna Hoffs each sing a verse. WK Kahne didn’t like Debbie Peterson’s vocal, so he relegated her to backing vocals. She was even more angry when a drum machine was also used instead of her drumming. WK As for the whistling in the song – none of them do it. It was done by machine. WK The band didn’t think the song would be released because it was “a goofy romp” and “too weird.” SF

Walking Down Your Street Bangles

Writer(s): Susanna Hoffs, Louis Gutierrez, David Khane Released: December 1986 Peak: 11 BB, 9 CB, 7 GR, 8 RR, 33 AC, 3 CO, 16 UK, 56 AU, 17 DF Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, 3.50 video, 2.59 streaming About the Song: After two songs helmed by Hoffs, “Egyptian” also focused some attention on the other members since each verse was sung by a different member. The album’s fourth top-40 hit, though, returned the focus to Hoffs. Not only did she sing lead on Walking Down Your Street, but she co-wrote the song.

Following Bangles

Writer(s): Michael Steele (see lyrics here) Released: 4/6/1987 as a single Peak: 24 CO, 55 UK, 1 DF Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, 0.31 video, 2.19 streaming

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

About the Song: Different Light marked bassist Michael Steele’s first lead vocals, WK most notably on Following. It was Steele’s first original composition released with the Bangles WK and the band’s only single featuring her on lead vocals. It is “a dark acoustic ballad reminiscent of Joni Mitchell’s brand of ’70s folk.” SL 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 It was “radically different from the rest of Bangles’ material.” WK In an album review, PopRescue.com notes that the song “was perhaps a bit off-kilter with their other tracks.” PR It’s “softer 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 The song was released as a single in the UK where it was a minor hit, reaching #55.

Resources/References AM AllMusic.com review by Mark Deming FB Fred Bronson (2007). The Billboard Book of Number One Hits (4th edition). Billboard Books: New York, NY. Page 656. NJ News Journal (9/30/2011). “Nightlife: 25 years later the Bangles are still making us do the ‘Walk’” by Peter Bothum PR Pop Rescue SL Slant Magazine (6/30/2003). “Vital Pop: 50 Essential Pop Albums” by Slant staff SF Songfacts page for “Walk Like an Egyptian” WK Wikipedia page for Different Light WK Wikipedia page for “Walk Like an Egyptian” WK Wikipedia page for “Following” Related DMDB Links: First posted 2/3/2011; last updated 8/9/2025.

Bangles “Hero Takes a Fall” charted

Hero Takes a Fall The Bangles

Writer(s): Susanna Hoffs, Vicki Peterson (see lyrics here) First Charted: August 11, 1984 Peak: 59 AR, 10 CO, 96 UK, 2 DF (Click for codes to charts.) Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, 1.3 video, -- streaming

Awards: Click on award for more details.

About the Song: The all-girl group the Bangles formed in Los Angeles in 1981. They would reach massive commercial success in the mid-‘80s with the #1 songs “Walk Like an Egyptian” and “Eternal Flame” as well as the Prince-penned #2 song “Manic Monday.” However, they didn’t find fame immediately, getting started on an indie label and gaining an audience with college rock audiences before going mainstream. Originally known as the Bangs, they were formed by sisters Vicki (guitar) and Debbie Peterson (drums) with Susanna Hoffs (guitar) and Annette Zilinskas (bass). All four handled vocals. In 1982, they released an EP entitled The Real World. Annette left the band and was replaced by Michael Steele, from the all-female band the Runaways. It was this lineup which released All Over the Place, the band’s first full-length album, in 1984. The album “openly embraces the folk-rock and garage rock influences that fueled their earliest music” AMG although it also showed “some of their rough edges were already being buffed away.” AMG The lead single, “Hero Takes a Fall,” was written by Susanna and Vicki “about how arrogance can lead to downfall, especially in matters of the heart.” SF Vicki explained, “We were thinking along very classical lines of classical tragedies where there’s often a flaw to the hero…There’s often an Achilles heel, something that takes him down at some point, and we were interested in that concept.” SF Hoffs said, “When I look back on my writing relationship with Vicki I think that song was kind of a milestone in terms of our collaboration, where we just we sat down with an idea in mind to do something that had a good beat and would really be fun to play live. We ended up releasing it as a single and it got a lot of airplay on the college radio circuit. Having been playing on the club scene in LA, we started to kind of elevate from playing smaller venues up to small theaters.” SF Resources: AMG All Music Guide SF Songfacts Related Links: First posted 3/11/2023.