Amiga Quartett - Bangles

The GDR record company Amiga released so-called 'Amiga Quartett' EP's, featuring several tracks from a certain act. In this case, an EP from 1989 mopped up a few single and album tracks from the American band The Bangles. They were enjoying great success with 'Eternal flame' in 1989, something that didn't escape the attention of the Eastern German record company bosses. Their music was deemed suitable for the youth behind the iron curtain. The B-side of this EP features two tracks from the album 'Everything'. 

After Germany's reunification Amiga ceased to exist. In fact, it looks like this was the last interesting - to me at least - EP's from the label. Nine more followed, from artists like Monika Herz, Jürgen Hart, Neneh Cherry and Udo Jürgens. Amiga was sold to BMG National Berlin in 1994. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7153
Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, 3 March 2024
Tracks: 'Eternal flame', 'In your room' / 'Something to believe in', 'Some dreams come true'

Everything I wanted - The Bangles

The Bangles basically split up in 1989. When the record company CBS released 'Greatest hits' in 1990, they did so to fulfil the band's contractual requirements.

The album was promoted with a new single, the song 'Everything I wanted' that was described as previously unreleased, however it had a limited release previously as the B-side to their single 'I'll set you free' in Australia. The single was not a success, just like the album that only made the top 10 in the UK and Australia.

My collection: 7" single no. 1239
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, 1990
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Everything I wanted' / 'In your room'

I'll set you free - The Bangles

'I'll set you free' was released as the fourth and final single from the Bangles' 1988 album 'Everything'. The track was remixed by Bernard Edwards, making it 24 seconds longer than the album version and featuring a vocal introduction by Susanna Hoffs.

Although the three previous singles were a big success, this single stalled at number 74 in the UK singles chart. It was also a minor hit in Australia, reaching number 81. No promotional film was made for the single, as the band had all but broken up.

My collection: 7" single no. 993
Found: HMV, London, October 16, 1989
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'I'll set you free (remix)' / 'Watching the sky'

Be with you - The Bangles

After the huge success of the single 'Eternal flame', the Bangles had to come up with another single to reach the higher regions of the singles charts. The predictable choice would have been another ballad, but fortunately they chose to be original and release the uptempo 'Be with you'.

Released in the summer of 1989, the single couldn't match the success of its predecessor: it didn't chart in the Netherlands and got to number 23 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 970
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, August 29, 1989
Cost: 3,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Be with you' / 'Let it go'

Eternal flame - The Bangles

Written by Susanna Hoffs with Tom Kelly and Billy Steinberg, 'Eternal flame' was inspired by two eternal flames: one for Elvis Presley that Michael Steele saw when the band was at Graceland, and one at a local synagogue in Palm Springs which Steinberg attended as a child. Steinberg: 'Susanna was talking about The Bangles having visited Graceland, and she said there was some type of shrine to Elvis that included some kind of eternal flame. As soon as those words were mentioned, I immediately thought of the synagogue in the town of Palm Springs, California where I grew up. I remember during our Sunday school class they would walk us through the sanctuary. There was one little red light and they told us it was called the eternal flame.'

Released as a single from the Bangles' 1988 album 'Everything', it reached number 1 in the USA, the UK, the Netherlands, Australia, Ireland, Norway and Sweden.

My collection: 7" single no. 734
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, February 7, 1989
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Eternal flame' / 'What I meant to say'

Hazy shade of winter - The Bangles

'Hazy shade of winter' was written by Paul Simon and recorded by Simon & Garfunkel in 1966 for their 1968 album, 'Bookends'.

The Bangles recorded a harder-edged cover the song for the soundtrack of the 1987 movie 'Less than zero'. It was released as a single and subsequently reached number 2 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 11 in the UK singles chart and number 13 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1460
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 27, 1991
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Hazy shade of winter' / 'She's lost you' (Joan Jett & the Blackhearts)

Walking down your street - The Bangles

It didn't happen very often - even in the UK - that a single was released in two different limited editions, but in the case of the Bangles, it did happen. 'Walking down your street' was first released as a double single featuring the previous single 'Walk like an Egyptian' as disc number 2, but then there was also this edition: a gatefold sleeve with a 'highlights of the year' foldout.

The single peaked at number 16 in the UK singles chart and number 33 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 2663
Found: Record fair, June 30, 1996
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Walking down your street' / 'Return post'

Following - The Bangles

'Following' was the fifth and last single to be taken from the Bangles' very successful album 'Different light'. In the UK, it was released in a limited edition poster sleeve. I bought this single without knowing the song just because of this poster sleeve - I love limited edition versions as I've stated before on this blog.

The single reached number 55 in the UK singles chart, but failed to chart in other territories.

My collection: 7" single no. 1217
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, April 22, 1990
Cost: 3,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Following' / 'Dover beach'

Walking down your street - The Bangles

Following up the massive hit 'Walk like an Egyptian' was quite a chore for the Bangles, as they didn't have a lot of these unusual tracks on their album 'Different light'. In the end, the record company opted for 'Walking down your street', in a slightly remixed version when compared to the album version. In the UK, they released the single in a limited edition double pack with 'Walk like an Egyptian' as the free second single.

Of course, this single scored less well. It peaked at number 16 in the UK singles chart and number 33 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 504
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1987
Cost: 10 guilders
Tracks: 'Walking down your street' / 'Return post' // 'Walk like an Egyptian' / 'Not like you'

If she knew what she wants - The Bangles

I wrote about 'If she knew what she wants' once before, but that was a UK pressing, and a limited edition double single to boot. This single, which I'd bought some time earlier, is the Dutch pressing, with a completely different sleeve.

A different sleeve, but no different tracks: both were taken from the Bangles' 1986 album 'Different light'. The single did not chart in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 1610
Found: Record fair, March 28, 1992
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'If she knew what she wants' / 'Angels don't fall in love'

Walk like an Egyptian - The Bangles

I was a bit surprised to find this 7" single, as it is different from the 'normal' release of 'Walk like an Egyptian', which features the track 'Angels don't fall in love' on the B-side. This UK pressing features a remix of the A-side, which as far as I know has not been released on any other format since then.

The single was written by Liam Sternberg. It was originally offered to Toni Basil, who turned the track down. David Kahne, who was producing the Bangles' album 'Different light', took the song to them, and they agreed to record it. Susanna Hoffs, Vicki Peterson and Michael Steele all sing lead vocals on a verse. 'Walk like an Egyptian' went on to become a number 1 hit in the USA, Germany, Australia and the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 4214
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 0,66 euro
Tracks: 'Walk like an Egyptian' / 'Walk like an Egyptian (Ozymandias 7" remix)'

Manic Monday - The Bangles

With 'Manic Monday' the Bangles finally had a worldwide hit single on their hands. The song was written by Prince in 1984 and originally recorded as a duet for the Apollonia 6 album, but the song was eventually pulled. Two years later, as he was attempting to 'court' singer Susanna Hoffs of the band, Prince, using the pseudonym Christopher, offered the song to them to record their version.

The single reached number 2 in both the UK singles chart and the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, as well as reaching number 24 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 2019
Found: Sounds Familiar, London, October 19, 1993
Cost: 20p
Tracks: 'Manic Monday' / 'In a different light'

Hero takes a fall (remix) - The Bangles

'Hero takes a fall' is a single from the Bangles' debut album 'All over the place'. The song was written by Susanna Hoffs and Vicki Peterson from the band.

The single did not chart, but it did give the band some exposure. So much so, that they performed as an opening act for Cyndi Lauper and Huey Lewis and the News in 1984. It also won the attention of Prince, who would write their first hit: 'Manic Monday'.

My collection: 7" single no. 4197
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 8, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Hero takes a fall (remix)' / 'Tell me'

If she knew what she wants - The Bangles

This limited edition double single features not one, but two hit singles. Although 'hit' singles may be overstating things a bit. 'Hero takes a fall' was originally released in 1984 and only managed a number 96 placing in the UK singles chart. 'If she knew what she wants' was a bit more successful, reaching number 31 in the UK and Australia, but also number 30 in Austria, number 29 in the USA, number 20 in Switzerland and number 17 in Germany!

'If she knew what she wants' was the second single taken from the Bangles' 1986 album 'Different light', the album that would later bring forth the biggest hit of the group's career: 'Walk like an Egyptian'.

My collection: 7" single no. 3165

Found: House of Rhythm, London, January 18, 2000

Cost: 1,5 pounds

Tracks: 'If she knew what she wants' / 'Angels don't fall in love' // 'Hero takes a fall (remix)' / 'James'

Going down to Liverpool - The Bangles

Kimberley Rew wrote 'Going down to Liverpool' for her band Katrina and the Waves. The Bangles recorded a cover version on their 1984 album 'All over the place', which was released as a single. The video to accompany the single featured Star Trek actor Leonard Nimoy, which helped a lot in the publicity department.

Still, the single only managed a number 56 placing in the UK singles chart, and didn't chart in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 2585

Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, December 23, 1995

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Going down to Liverpool' / 'Dover beach'

In your room - The Bangles

The Bangles had to come up with some new hit to follow up charttoppers like 'Walk like an Egyptian' and 'Hazy shade of winter'. Expectations were high when they released their new album 'Everything' in 1988. The chart performance of the first single from that album was slightly disappointing: it only made number 35 in the UK, while it didn't even chart in the Netherlands. The girls probably didn't mind, because the single made number 5 in America.

And it wouldn't take long until follow-up single 'Eternal flame' would take over the number one spot in various countries...

My collection: 7" single no. 3596

Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, March 14, 2009

Cost: 0,66 euro

Tracks: 'In your room', 'Bell jar'

Download: Album 'Everything', including both tracks