The Bangles

Songwriter: Vicki Peterson

Producer: David Kahne

He's got a slow, slow ride
Got a camera inside
He takes a picture
Hangs it up to dry

And there's one girl named
And another disclaimed
All the time
You can't help feelin' ashamed

Given new reasons to survive
He keeps a number of them alive
There's a warning in the sky
A stranger passing by
And there's more than meets the eye to the guy

When you're so secure
Never feeling unsure
That's the time
To check behind your door

'Cause there's one thing said
When another is meant
He's around
Confusing you 'til the end

Seeing how changable you feel
Don't think this happiness is real
And it's hard to justify
The tangles you untie
There's more than meets the eye to the guy

The Bangles are an American pop rock band originally part of the Paisley Undergound movement that’s been described as “sunshiney Beatles pop”. They are best known for their internationally successful ‘80s singles “Manic Monday”, “Walk Like An Egyptian”, and “Eternal Flame” and have been called “perhaps the biggest all-female rock group of the 1980s”.

When their friend/bassist quit their band The Colours, sisters Debbi & Vicki Peterson’s newspaper ad was answered by Susanna Hoffs. They renamed themselves The Bangs and released “Getting Out Of Hand” on their own record label in 1981. Airplay on KROQ FM attracted Miles Copeland (IRS Records / Go Go’s) who signed them to his short-lived label Faulty Products and became their manager. When a New Jersey band claimed ownership of the name The Bangs, they changed their named to The Bangles and released their self-titled debut EP. Bassist Annette Zilinskas was added to the group in time to be included on the artwork, but not on the recordings. The Bangles then toured with English Beat.

Zilinskas was replaced by ex-Runaways bassist Micki ‘Michael’ Steele before the group’s 1984 debut album All Over The Place, released on Columbia Records. Despite its two singles “Hero Takes A Fall” and the Kimberly Rew-penned “Going Down To Liverpool” modestly charting only in the UK, the album still reached #80 in the US thanks to college radio airplay, MTV exposure, a tour with Cyndi Lauper and good reviews. Prince took an interest in the band after seeing the music video for “Hero Takes A Fall” and offered them two songs – “Manic Monday” and “Jealous Girl”.

more tracks from the album

All Over the Place

From the album

All Over the Place (1984)

The Bangles popular songs

More Than Meets the EyeThe Bangles

The Bangles

All Over the Place