"Walking Down Your Street" by The Bangles

Song#:  3018
Date:  02/14/1987
Debut:  95
Peak:  11
Weeks:  16
Genre:  Pop, Rock



Pop Bits:  The third single from the band's album Different Light, "Walk Like an Egyptian," was a surprise #1 hit that ended up being the top charting single of 1986. A follow-up single was needed and this next track was selected. It nearly became their third Pop Top 10, but it stopped just short at the dreaded #11 spot. The song also made a minor #33 showing at AC. It would be the last single released from the album, which would eventually be a triple-platinum seller.

ReduxReview:  This was the last track available on the LP that hadn't been released as a single where Susanna Hoffs sang the lead vocal, so it was inevitable that the label was going to push this out as a single as they were beginning to promote her as the face/leader of the group. Yet despite being a label ploy, the tune was the proper choice for a follow-up. None of the remaining tracks with other members handling the lead vocals were single contenders, so this jaunty, fun tune had to get the job done. It indeed did by nearly cracking the Top 10. Was it as memorable as their other hits? Nope. But it helped extend the life of the album for a bit longer.

ReduxRating:  6/10

Trivia:  This song was co-written by band member Susanna Hoffs along with Louis Gutierrez and producer David Keane. It was the first Bangles song to hit the Pop chart where at least one member was credited as a writer. Hoffs and Gutierrez had been in a relationship and both had bands that were considered part of the Paisley Underground genre of music. Hoffs was in The Bangs (later The Bangles) while Gutierrez was in The Three O'Clock, whose lead singer/songwriter Michael Quercio actually coined the term Paisley Underground. Just as The Bangles' career was taking off, The Three O'Clock signed with I.R.S. Records and issued out their 1985 album Arrived Without Traveling. The well-received disc included a song that Querico co-wrote called "The Girl with the Guitar (Says Oh Yeah)." It was inspired by Susanna Hoffs. After a second I.R.S. album failed to gain an audience, Hoffs then recommended the band to Prince, who signed them to his Paisley Park label (Guitierrez was no longer in the band by this point). A 1988 album was released that included a Prince composition, but nothing much came from the disc and the band split.

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