Vocal Coach reacts to The Bangles - Eternal Flame

[@jatin7361]

As a young man in the 80's, I know for a fact that those deep gazes into the camera by Ms. Hoffs were directed squarely at me. I'll never believe otherwise. And truly she is just a phenomenal vocal talent.

[@RealDiehl99]

You are mistaken, sir. I'm fairly certain they were directed at me🤣

[@jatin7361]

@@RealDiehl99 lol, get in line, pal!

[@Dreyno]

@@jatin7361I’m sorry to be the one to tell you but it was me who she was gazing at with undisguised love and, indeed, lust.

[@mrsanity]

@@Dreyno You're all wrong about MY eternal flame!

[@alexandrorocca7142]

Sadly, that was a major issue for the harmony of the band. She wasn't supposed to take all the attention, and the other girls were not happy about it.

[@spacep0d]

It's official; I can't watch a Bangles video without falling in love with Susanna Hoffs again. And again. And again.

[@LordCommanderEdTN]

Eternal Flame is by far the best super ballad since it was released in 1989. On a scale of 1 to 10 Eternal Flame scores 1 million

[@pallekanin91]

I must agree. And Susanna Hoffs is stunning

[@DavidTateVA]

It took me many years to realize just how musically talented this band was. I think their cover of Hazy Shade of Winter was their best, but Manic Monday (written by Prince) and the novelty hit "Walk Like an Egyptian" were both seriously good.

[@stefannemeth5050]

Had the exact same thoughts. 🙂

[@CHRnorton]

Look up the 1986 Pennsylvania concert, A great life show!

[@melvynobrien6193]

When I saw them they couldn't play their instruments and sounded like shite. The parody WALK WITH AN ERECTION is far superior to their crap.

[@XtraSparklesPls]

Yes! Loved them all! Especially the Simon & Garfunkel's Hazy Shade of Winter remake.

[@chasestreet8082]

As gorgeous as they were talented, the Bangles were an iconic group of the '80s! Like tons of other people have already said, I was a young teenage boy when their popularity really took off, and I was totally in love with them. I dare say its almost criminal that more people today don't know them, so I greatly appreciate your reaction! Thanks so much for taking the time to check this out!!

[@bertieborough]

Eternal Flame was written by Susanna Hoffs with Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly. It was released in 89 when I was 32, and Susanna, apparently, recorded her vocals for the track in the booth naked to try to capture that raw, fragile tone to her voice that, in part, propelled that song into the lexicon of "Hall of Fame" songs.

[@akchuck100]

Yes, The producer told her 'I have produced for Olivia Newton-John, and when she wanted to capture that emotional intimacy of a song to make it a 'Hit', she would record it in the nude.' Susana tried it and felt that it worked. The producer later confessed that he had never produced anything by Olivia Newton-John, and had made it all up, but Susanna thought that, non the less, it had worked so well for 'that' song, that she did the same for all the singles from that album so as not to upset the karma/balance/whatever of the album. (According to a bio video on Susana Hoff that I watched earlier this week) As a young man myself (11 months younger than her), That image REALLY made my day.

[@conan5885]

I don't think there was one single 80's teen in the whole world that wasn't in love with Susanna Hoffs. The most beautiful smile in the universe 😍 I know i've been in love with her for the last 37 years.... Their harmonizing is completely off the chart's in this one. This was THE 1989 ballad. It was everywhere.

[@Aaryq]

My brother and I both had a huge crush on all 4 of the Bangles when we were growing up. I still love this song. It's one of their very best. The way she looks to the left or right is a heart melter.

[@headlibrarian1996]

Hoffs does that a lot in her videos.

[@teddtarr]

Probably their most underrated track, IMO, is: " If She Knew What She Wants". Hope you get to hear it ( original studio recording) while you're still able to hear it w/o a hearing aid. It has a great 12-stringer instrumental break.

[@williamwassing]

Is it me or is she EXTREMELY BEAUTIFUL ? And that voice... WOW

[@WedrownyGrajek]

It's not you. It's her! 😍🩷

[@jaymazza69]

I remember seeing them live at Great Woods in Mansfield, MA (now called the Xfinity Center) around 1989. It was an outdoor venue. Great place to see a performance. They were absolutely amazing. At some point during the concert, the girls sang together acapela. The blending of the harmonies of their angelic voices, unspoiled by instruments, was truly something special to hear. You got to appreciate what truly excellent vocalists they were.

[@safespacebear]

She's so gorgeous it is distracting and then you hear her sing 😍

[@wvu05]

I saw her on some VH1 thing at the turn of the century (either a countdown or I Love the 80s), and she actually looked better then than in the 1980s.

[@arenson9]

I can't tell if you're talking about Susanna or Beth!

[@akchuck100]

That is what broke-up the band. They were all 'stars', but could not cope with Susana being 'The' Superstar of the group.

[@hobblobber3914]

@@wvu05 She's still to this day super pretty. Fairly active on IG as well lol

[@garysmith9823]

Thank you for this reaction. This is also an excellent melody just as a melody. Susanne was the lead singer on most of their stuff, but they were an actual equal shares band. Pretty women making pretty sounds usually get unfairly dismissed as lightweights.

[@jerrymonopoli4634]

hoffs and the bangles were the tops

[@brianorzel1873]

If you haven't heard it (you probably have), they do an amazing cover of Simon and Garfunkel's "Hazy Shade of Winter".

[@akchuck100]

ah, yeh, Everyone born before 2K knows that. And those born after 2K now it too, they just don't know that they know it.

[@RoGueNavy]

To this day, when Susannahits that crescendo of "FLAME", I get massive chills. Literally every time. Three and a half decades have passed, and every time I hear the song, it has the exact same effect. Nobody does it like Susanna. And she's also still as stunningly beautiful.

[@christymcdaniel3906]

Susanna could hardly do that anymore

[@AgunziLFC]

My first " celeb " crush, she is so stunning, even now.

[@ridgemanron]

The song that really launched them was one called 'Manic Monday'. Susannah was in the same studio building where Prince was recording a song of his own, and perhaps he was smitten by her, for he actually gave her 'Manic Monday' while he kept a record titled 'Kiss' for himself. No surprise that Kiss went to #1, but at the same time, 'Manic Monday' went all the way to #2. What a gift he gave her !

[@fnjesusfreak]

I believe he stole the stage once when they were performing "Hero Takes The Fall", and did the solo at the end.

[@ridgemanron]

@@fnjesusfreak I saw a special report on 60 Minutes that revealed Prince having stored many thousands of never heard songs at a building in Minnesota which if they were released as a new album each year by his estate, would seemingly never end because of their mind boggling total. P.S. - A bit of trivia concerning 'The Bangles'. Originally, they were going by the name 'The Bang', but then found out a male group in New Jersey had the rights to the name and had the girls make it 'The Bangles' instead. Being a girl group, I believe the word 'Bangles'' was a better descriptive name for them, since 'Bang' reminds me more of a 'heavy metal' type group.

[@emerje0]

@@ridgemanron Helps that "bangles" are a type of jewelry, both earrings and bracelets.

[@stjohnsmythe91]

I've always though that Manic Monday was just a re-hash of Party Like It's 1999 with different lyrics.

[@RareRootsOfJoyMelbourne]

This song hit right when I was in the throes of learning how to sing and I looooooved this song SO much. I probably sang it 1000 times back in my youth. I haven’t heard it in years. Thank you for bringing it back to me 🎶

[@spunkybrewster1972]

Susanna Hoffs.....a smoke show then, and STILL smoldering to this day.

[@Partner737NG]

Do not forget that Billy Steinberg also wrote ”I ll stand by you” of The Pretenders

[@dougel4709]

I adore The Bangles!!! 🤩 I'm a couple of your videos behind, but when I saw this one i skipped straight ahead! It did my heart good listening to the beyond beautiful song with you. They have some other great ones out there for when you're ready to do more. "Manic Monday". Of course "Walk Like An Egyptian". But I'd most like to see you do "Hazy Shade Of Winter" next!! Thank you for this treat, Beth!!! 💚💜

[@melancholiac]

The line "Do you feel the same" is masterful and unexpected. Ultra-melodic.

[@davidkettell5726]

Every man of my age 70+ would be lying if he said he did not have a crush on Susanna , it is wonderful to see her and Beth in the same screen. It is the eye contact that draws you in to her and you simply can never escape. All these ladies could sing but of course Susanna got the most press because she was the hottest

[@TheAyeAye1]

Thank you for reacting song and performance. They were easily the best thing to come out of the paisley underground scene back in the Eighties. Their writing and musicianship have always been vastly underrated. That was mostly because they were attractive women who didn't go the punk route in their music and clothing.

[@melvynobrien6193]

They couldn't play their instruments or sing in tune when I saw them in Toronto. Total shite.

[@johndogwater]

The tone of Sue Hoffs voice is just so gorgeous.

[@moranjackson7662]

I just noticed that the Bangles are one of my favourite bands of the 80's. So many good songs! This Song was and is so great. As is Walk like an Egyptian.

[@harveyspecter589]

My wife and I started going out when this song was released and still love it - we love the fact you like it!😊

[@TheNotedHero]

Susanna Hoffs, one of my first crushes! And still a total babe to this day! The Bangles were such a fun band, heaps of hits.

[@arthurcamargo8416]

The Runaways (who were not the first) was an all female rock band in the US. They included artists such as Joan Jett, Lita Ford, and Miki Steele who went on to be the Bassist for the Bangles. Susanna Hoffs definitely had the voice for this song and it remains a favorite to this day! (Walk Like and Egyptian is a close second because it is such a fun song to sing!)

[@stevenvarner9806]

Micki Steele was actually one of the three founding members of The Runaways, along with Jett and drummer Sandy West.

[@melvynobrien6193]

I saw Joan Jett pelted off the stage at the Police Picnic in Toronto; she was total shite.

[@dr.s.]

Susanna has released a new album just a while ago, with a killer cover of Under My Thumb by the Stones. She sounds really cute, and I don't mean that in any way negative. The tone of her voice just gives you a good mood.

[@dampersand]

I've heard The Bangles countless times throughout my life but never paid any particular attention to their music. Somehow since watching your video I think I've become a massive fan of them.

[@homerkenobi1914]

Thanks for this! I was 17 when this was released. I have it multiple Spotify playlists so I still hear it all the time and listen to the very last fade-out harmonizing. You can mention Susanna Hoffs to just about any guy who was 12-25 at that time and the reaction is always the same, that they love this song and love her. I’m not sure how she could make it feel so personal but she did. There’s a sweetness to it that’s unmatched.

[@FunYl]

She's such an amazing singer! Her vocal control, the way she switches so seamlessly...gives me chills! ❤

[@XtraSparklesPls]

As a teen in the 80s I have belted this out more times than I remember. I also, have no idea when she breathes.

[@johnjohn37371]

The Bangles were really big for fair amount of time, as were Vixen and of course The Go-Go's, but for me, The Runaways will always be the original girl "rock" band...

[@cydrych]

Yeah, The Runaways we’re out 6 years before The Bangles. The Go-Go’s were out 3 years before The Bangles. So calling The Bangles the original is just plain wrong and dismisses the accomplishments of those who can before them. The Pleasure Seekers were out a decade before The Runaways in 1964. Fanny was about the same time.

[@johnjohn37371]

@@cydrych Completely forgot about The Pleasure Seekers...tbf, don't really know their music. And I was thinking Fanny was about the same time as The Runaway's, but I should've mentioned them, they were a solid band.

[@gahrie]

There was an all girl British heavy metal group called Girl's School, and an all girl pop group called Bananarama before the Bangles. Out around the same time as the Bangles was Wilson Phillips with the two daughters of Brian Wilson from the Beach Boys and the daughter of Michelle Phillips from the Mamas and the Poppas.

[@johnjohn37371]

@@gahrie I didn't mention bands like Bananarama and Wilson Phillips because they were all vocalists...I tried to mention bands with full instrumentation, like Girls School, they still are a great band...I knew I would forget some.

[@rksnj6797]

The Runaways original bassist was Mikki Steele who's also the bassist for The Bangles.

[@fredlin6303]

The Bangles blossomed from the MTV era where videos were just as important as the music. Though I like their materials but this song really shined. Susana Hoffs was the Bangles for me. This song best represented her talent as an accomplished song writer and soulful singer.

[@jamiemacdonald436]

Nice bit of trivia Beth. Susanna was also in the fictitious band Ming Tea in all three Austin Powers movies. 😊🍿

[@TheAyeAye1]

Okay. Gotta go look for clips from the movies.

[@markcarloestabillo5461]

We'll she's married to the director of the movie. Lucky SOB.

[@harveyspecter589]

We loved this song since the 80s when my now wife and I would dance to it at school discos! - great video to a great song - thank you!

[@peter11venkmann]

In the 80's when we all felt that heart beating.

[@joeblow26]

Actually if you're talking about '80s style girl bands the Go-Go's came out in 1978 while the Bengals first hit the scene in 1981. Both bands are legends!

[@user-tc5pl3zw3h]

From an "older" american's perspective, having heard all of the Bangles' music as it was released to something we use to call "radio", Suzanna Hoffs' voice is the sweetest, girliest thing I've ever heard. Her pronunciation of the letter "O" may be the sexiest sound in histry.

[@michaelkeaton32]

I really like the piano in the background the the percussion. Really a beautiful song with layers. Plus her voice is so sweet - something about it feels so authentic, and I love how she doesn't try to be fancy.

[@ericlennert6883]

AWWW Susanna Hoffs HUGE HUE Crush on her, Great singer too

[@Gabrielnobre]

By the way, always loved this song since I was a kid. Her voice is soooo goood....to me is like a delicate doll...almost unreal....

[@BringItMAGA]

This song conveys that feeling when you are new with someone and you are on the precipace. Is he the one? Beautiful.

[@JayyeStone]

I always enjoy hearing your technical analysis plus seeing the passion in which you approach your reactions. When can we expect another single on Spotify?

[@TimKCSportsFan]

She is still a stunner visually and vocally. However, all the women in that group have great singing voices. Check out Walk Like an Egyptian in order to get the full breadth of their vocal talents.

[@ldmax]

Always the focus on Suzanna. Can we appreciate what fantastic musicians they all were? Just out of this world.

[@tadmurphy7436]

Hey Beth, it's been a while but I'm still here you're watching. Still can't sing but I'm trying to learn what you teach. This was awesome so happy to see it. The Bangles are one of my favorite bands ever. And eternal flame is one of my all-time favorite songs. Of any genre. Susanna's voice is off the charts. That was fun. As always you're awesome keep traveling. Roar. ❤️💚☘️🇺🇦

[@rksnj6797]

Love The Bangles, especially this song! The bassist Mikki Steele was the original bassist in The Runaways which included Joan Jett and Lita Ford.

[@headlibrarian1996]

I thought her name was (oddly) Michael not Mikki.

[@hackapump]

That’s true. The funny part is she found The Runaways to be such a shitty experience she vowed to never join another girl band. And then she heard The Bangles, and realised she just had to be in that band. She’s a killer player and a great songwriter too, arguably the best musician in the band.

[@ldmax]

@@hackapump Michael Steele was the least known, but the most talented of the four.

[@charlie0871]

This video reminds me of the days when it was on constant rotation on MTV, and radio stations everywhere! I am not to proud to say that my memories of that time brought me to tears as I sat and reminisced to the sound of her beautiful voice, singing this amazing and appropriately-named song! I will always carry a torch for Susanna Hoffs, every man my age does, I suppose.

[@joemckinley754]

Micki Steele, the bassist, was a founding member of The Runaways...a band that also gave us Joan Jett and Lita Ford.

[@caspervanelli6502]

I love their harmonies, all beautiful voices and definitely underrated imho

[@marioct130]

This is absolutely lovely... Susanna has performed this song with other accompanists... and she has a fairly recent album of covers..

[@tomratcliff3755]

Nostalgia makes me happy. Not that I was into Pop at the time, but some songs broke my prog barriers and left an impression. Plus she (and they) really was a good singer.

[@garycarver5005]

This song perfectly fits Susanna's yearning vocal style 😊

[@immagood2]

Good lord, Beth. I love the way you expound on voice, music, and the bangles. Well done!

[@garysmith9823]

For what it's worth, Ms. Hoffs is still putting out good work. She also started a health regime in her Thirties and did not get a bunch of of plastic surgery, so she looks older but still extremely attractive. As opposed to Madonna who went the other way and no longer looks like a human.

[@icdogg2361]

She looks and sounds amazing at age 64. I know people always say things like that about older celebrities but in her case it is actually true.

[@garysmith9823]

@@icdogg2361 Indeed

[@user-cs4fg1rm5k]

Susanna Hoffs teamed up with Scotish rock band Travis a few years ago on a song of theirs.

[@Drummerjeffkazee]

I'm still in love with Susanna Hoff after all these years ❤😊

[@davidkettell5726]

Are not all of us

[@silverlobo2135]

Salutations Beth, Glad that you finally got around to listening to the incredibly talented femmes of the "Bangles". While most people think of Ms. Hoffs as the main lead vocalist, the band has many songs where the others have leads in them. For example, 'Walk Like an Egyptian' is sang mostly by Vicki Peterson, though most think is Susanna. "Hazy Shade of Winter" is one of their best songs where all their voices did lead vocals to a harder-edge rock version of Simon & Garfunkel's "A Hazy Shade of Winter". It did much better than S & G's version. An interesting fact, Ms. Hoffs outfit in this video was the inspiration for Apollonia's outfit in "Purple Rain" and Prince's in both "When Doves Cry" and "Raspberry Beret". Yes, I knew Ms. Hoff was the voice of Courtney Amber, but that's in "Clifford the Big Red Dog' and not the "Powerpuff Girls" (4:35 - 4:39). You failed to notice / mention when Ms. Hoffs is singing,"... is this burning an Eternal Flame", her voice is in a vibrato as it spikes up with power and intensity to her head voice exercising her diaphragm control so well. (5:17 - 5:26) The dichotomy of 'huskiness' and 'airiness' in her voice gave her a sultriness that made instant fans of many young boys and grown men in the 80's. But all Bangles members had a sense of sultriness and attractiveness to men of the era.

[@kajlennartsson4234]

Thank you Beth. For your interesting and positive reaction videos. ❤❤

[@deputybluevein93]

Your first line statement made me back out straight away. Have a good life love, goodluck with your profession

[@bobcharles1204]

I always loved her voice and the entire band as well

[@Actorclown]

Clifford the Big Red Dog not The Powerpuff Girls just FYI. Huge crush on her when I was a teenager from her beauty to her singing.

[@chadbennett7873]

Oh Beth, the Bangles were not the original girl band. Try listening to Fanny ... one of the most kick-ass bands ever and I saw them multiple times in the 1970's at the Whisky-a-Go-Go, The Troubador and other Hollywood venues. You REALLY out to check them out ... they're known as the Godmothers of Rock! They wrote most of their own compositions and just amazing. The Millington Sisters (guitarist and bassist) are still kicking it and making great music.

[@charlize1253]

The Runaways also came before the Bangles ("Cherry Bomb" was their big hit), but they flamed out quickly because the lead singer fell into drugs. However, the other three people in the group were Joan Jett on lead guitar, Lita Ford on rhythm guitar, and Micki Steel on bass (who became the bass player for the Bangles). You might have heard of them.

[@lancerx1759]

Sussana Hoffs still rocks my world

The best women group ever existed, I love their songs a lot. This music was sounding when I was at 19 or 20 years old, magnific.

[@bothellkenmore]

She's very active on Twitter and worth a follow. She released an album and a novel earlier this year. I like her more now than I did in the 80's.

[@RolandDeschain1]

Susannah Hoffs is still extremely beautiful. She has defied Father Time in a fairly profound way.

[@orrivanswaeyestaert1991]

Just like almost all TV preformances back then, this is play-backed. It is 100% the same as the record. But still a great song.

[@tomdeeke]

Love your reaction videos. Thanks for sharing them.

[@BethRoars]

Glad you like them!

[@josefschiltz2192]

@@BethRoars A treat is viewing the older Susanna singing this 'Live at the Whisky in 2016' The joy is really there as she nails it - after she had actually lost that younger range. It is still one of her - though modified for her older vocal range - standards, with or without the other Bangles. It's interesting to compare. I'd love to see your opinion on the changes.

[@BethRoars]

I HAVE AN ALBUM COMING OUT! I'm so excited to share it with you. Available for preorder now! Pre-saves on Spotify really help me out as it tells the algorithm to send to more people :) Preorder Fable here: www.bethroars.com/shop Pre-save my first single Power Of The Wolf on Spotify distrokid.com/hyperfollow/bethroars/power-of-the-wolf

[@Mesercus]

liked it!

[@MiguelRamirez-ey9xk]

Thank you, Beth for your accurate analysis of the Bangles' performance of this song.

[@robertsandoval5574]

It's about time. Finally. Her voice is truly amazing.

[@ulvsbane]

This is one of my my absolute favourite songs of all times. And I usually listen to hard rock and heavy metal.

[@d05wtt]

I miss the ‘80s so much.

[@paulrt3]

Some other girl "rock bands" you can check out if you haven't already are: "The Go-Go's" - their song "Head over Heels" is a good one, "The Runaways" from the 70's, "Luscious Jackson", "BarlowGirl", "Vixen", and "The Donnas" to name a few. But the Bangles are a great group. This song is one of my favorite slow songs from the 80's.

[@marguskiis7711]

Flame was actually written pretty much by Hoffs herself. Steinberg helped with some lyrics. Tom Kelly wrote the melody and Kelly is superb vocalist himself, so the song is pretty demanding. The drummer Debbie Peterson sang the lead back vocals, you hear clearly.

[@celtasnake]

Saw The Bangles live a few years ago, in a small venue in Long Island, it was fantastic.

[@mattmunn71]

I had such a crush on Susanna when I was a teenager, actually I still do in my 50's. She does a wonderful version of A Different Drum.

[@HeavyMetalBluegrass]

Absolutely love this track. Thanks for your insightful reactions.

[@reedthompson8365]

My favorite among the many great songs by this wonderful band.

[@stuartcarden1371]

I sang this on a ferry to france when I was 5 or 6, not knowing there were a group of french exchange students behind me. When I finished they all clapped. I've loved the song ever since 🥰

[@robvandeklundert8588]

i was a teenager in the 80's, and i immediately fell in love with Susannah. Every time i hear her voice i am falling in love again...

[@kevinmauch5622]

Susanna co-wrote this with Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly.

[@JEmmertz]

I think I kind of overdosed on this one when it was new and fresh: You heard it just about everywhere, and I listened to it all the time. It is still extremely good and unique in so many ways.

[@joeblow26]

was written by Susanna Hoffs with the help of songwriters Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly, not just Billy!

[@ZSAZSS09]

The song was released in 1988, i was 32, and fell for the group instantly. It' was different from the rest of the music at that time

[@emes1845]

Nice song. The bridge is exceptional, best part of the composition. Tangentially, anyone seen how Susanna Hoffs looks today? 64 and GORGEOUS, and it appears to me (I could be wrong) sans cosmetic alterations. Some people hit the genetic lottery and she won big-time 🤏✨😱!

[@davidbewick9208]

Susanna was in Ming Tea as Gillian Shagwell in the Austin Powers films directed by her husband. She is also Susie in Sid and Susie, Sid is Matthew Sweet

[@paulmartin2348]

I was 14 years old when "Different Light", their second album, was released and have been a fan ever since. To me the way Susanna Hoffs sings is so attractive, even sexy, with the register changes and breathiness.

[@Wiley_Coyote]

Tonewise, the most similar singer I've heard to Susanna Hoffs is Lauren Mayberry (she looks a lot like Hoffs too). Mind you, I'm talking about Mayberry's singing (and just her tone--their genres of music are pretty different). Her speaking voice is very Scottish, so that sounds different too.

[@mcgee227]

Ive been in love with Susanna Hoffs since the 80s. When I see her or hear her sing. I still get butterfly in my stomach even at 57.

[@robertsandoval5574]

Thank you so much for doing The Bangles. Susanna Hoffs has one of the most beautiful voices in the world. She's also very easy on the eyes. She has been my favorite female rock star since I was in high school, back 250 years in 1988. It's not fair to classify her by her sex. She's also one of my rock stars ever.

[@jesuslovesbass3944]

My understanding is that the rest of the band isn't singing or playing on this song at all. This is strictly a Susann Hoffs solo, something that helped to drive the breakup of the band.

[@christymcdaniel3906]

She was Courtney Amber in Clifford, not Powerpuff girls

[@Lee-vp8vs]

Susanna Hoffs is a genuine vampire who bathes in the blood of virgins. She still looks incredible. She is still putting out music and she is an author now I believe.

[@michaelvickery5547]

Thank you so much for this wonderful analysis and appreciation

[@nanalynne]

You have a beautiful voice too, Beth!