The Bangles

Released: March 3, 2003

Songwriter: Elvis Costello

Producer: Brad Wood

[Intro]
One must tear off ones own head

[Verse 1]
Who dries your eyes when you cry real tears?
Who knows or cares what imitation is?
Only you do
You can paint his nails
Make him wear high heels
Why waste time altering the hemline?
Or do you?

[Chorus]
Tear of your own head
Tear of your own head
It's a doll revolution

[Verse 2]
You can bat your lashes
You can cut your strings
Pull out his hair
With your moveable fingers
It looks so real
But one won't do
So collect the set
Dress him in pink ribbons
Put him in a kitchenette
How does this feel?

[Chorus]
Tear of your own head
Tear of your own head
It's a doll revolution

[Post-Chorus]
What's that sound?
It'll turn you around
It's a doll revolution
They're taking over
And they're tearing it down
It's a doll revolution
(Revelation)

[Verse 3]
You can pull and pinch him
'Til he cries and squeals
You can twist his body
'Til it faces backwards
Plastic features
Could make somebody a pretty little wife
But don't let anybody tell you
How to live your life
Broken pieces

[Chorus]
Tear off your own head
Tear off your own head
It's a doll revolution
Tear off your own head
Tear off your own head
It's a doll revolution

[Post-Chorus]
What's that sound?
It'll turn you around
It's a doll revolution
They're taking over
And they're tearing it down
It's a doll revolution

[Outro]
It's a doll revolution
Revolution (revolution)
Tear off your own head
Tear off your own head (revolution)
Tear off your own head
Tear off your own head

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

Doll Revolution

From the album

Doll Revolution (2003)

The Bangles popular songs

Tear Off Your Own Head (It’s a Doll Revolution)The Bangles

The Bangles

Doll Revolution