The Bangles – Manic Monday

“Manic Monday” – Single by the Bangles from the album Different Light. B-side “In a Different Light”
Released: January 27, 1986

Prince wrote “Manic Monday” in 1984, and recorded it as a duet for the band Apollonia 6’s self-titled album; however, he eventually pulled the song. Two years later, he offered the single to the Bangles under the pseudonym “Christopher”, a character he played in the 1986 film Under the Cherry Moon. It was rumored by various writers that after Prince listened to the band’s 1984 debut album All Over the Place, he gave the song to Bangles rhythm guitarist Susanna Hoffs, in hopes of winning her affection.

“Manic Monday” was a breakthrough for the Bangles, setting them on a course for stardom. Their 1984 album was well received and got them gigs opening for Cyndi Lauper and doing a song for The Goonies soundtrack, but they struggled to get airplay outside of their Southern California stronghold, and none of the songs from their debut charted.

“Manic Monday,” with the Prince pedigree, was an easy sell to radio and MTV. Their next single, “If She Knew What She Wants,” was a modest hit, but the next one, “Walk Like An Egyptian,” was a sensation, named by Billboard as the #1 song of 1987 in America.

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Susanna Hoffs sang lead on this track, but she wasn’t their lead singer: all four members of the group shared vocal duties. They took pains to make sure each member was represented equally, which is clear on the album and single art where their individual photos are displayed in an even grid. Despite their efforts at equality, Hoffs got most of the press attention, with many assuming she was the group leader. This caused considerable discord, especially after “Eternal Flame,” another Hoffs lead vocal that was a huge hit. It played out with the band breaking up in 1989 and Hoffs going solo. On her own, she never came close to the success she attained with the Bangles; in 1998, at her behest, they got back together.

On two occasions, Prince joined the Bangles on stage to perform this song with the group: first on May 14, 1986 at the Warfield Theatre in San Francisco, then on October 20, 1986 at The Palace in Hollywood, where he also played some guitar on “Hero Takes A Fall.”

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