Top 10 Alert!
Song#: 3684
Date: 10/15/1988
Debut: 73
Peak: 5
Weeks: 20
Genre: Psychedelic Pop, Rock
Pop Bits: The Bangles had been on a roll since releasing their second album, 1986's Different Light. That triple-platinum #2 effort spawned a pair of Pop Top 10 hits including the #1 "Walk Like an Egyptian." They followed the album up with a one-off single from the Less Than Zero soundtrack, "Hazy Shade of Winter," which became their third Pop Top 10 getting to #2. After that hit, the band went back into the studio to record their third LP. For Everything, they chose to work with producer Davitt Sigerson and when completed, this first single was issued out. Written by band member Susanna Hoffs along with hit makers Tom Kelly and Billy Steinberg, the song took a leisurely climb up the Pop chart finally peaking at #5. The tune would also reach #5 on the Alt Rock chart. It was a good way to kick off the album.
ReduxReview: This swirling piece of psychedelic pop complete with sitar, tympani, and Middle Eastern-influenced synth-string fills that cascade at the end, was right up my alley. I loved it from the first listen and thought it was their best song to-date. While I'm not sure I'd rank it #1 now, I still absolutely adore the tune. It is a lot of fun and the retro 60s feel to it still rings true. I also like the original video for the song, which played up the tune's psychedelic mood. It was well-written and slickly produced and deserved its Top 10 status.
ReduxRating: 9/10
Trivia: One song on Everything was titled "Glitter Years." It was written by band member Michael Steele and David White. It has been mentioned that Steele's inspiration for the song was her days with the all-female band the Runaways. That band was originally formed as a trio in 1975 with Steele, Joan Jett, and Sandy West. Unfortunately, Steele's time in the band was short as she ended up getting fired. Later in '75, the classic lineup of Jett, West, Lita Ford, Jackie Fox, and lead singer Cherie Currie was solidified. Since Steele's time in the Runaways was quite brief, it is a little doubtful that "Glitter Years" was about being in the band. The more likely scenario is that the song was a paean to the glitter/glam rock of the late-60s and early-70s, which was typified by such artists as David Bowie, Marc Bolan, and Roxy Music. The song even references some of the fashion from glam rock including the main character Denny being "dressed like a working girl from outer space." Then to top it off, near the end is someone who sounds like Bowie, which points to Steele being inspired by him and other artists of that glam period.
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