Embrace the cold! Vocal ANALYSIS of The Bangles "Hazy Shade of Winter"

[@JayManJax]

You should hear the studio version of this one, their harmonies are incredible.

[@tildessmoo]

I was going to say, I have two problems with this concert version. One is that the intro didn't make it into the video - I love the contrast - and the other is that the mixing is a bit off, making the guitar a bit too quiet and the harmonies don't match quite as well as the studio version.

[@eauhomme]

Absolutely! While I like the original Paul Simon version, their studio cover was absolutely flawless and took the song to another level.

[@twwraistlin]

I thought the same thing but then I noticed that they are quite a bit older in this video, which made me think this is after their reunion. They're probably just a bit out of practice for singing/playing in the perfect harmony they once had....just a thought...

[@cjmillsnun]

@@twwraistlin Spot on. This was the return to Banglonia gig. Literally their first gig after reforming.

[@templestark4779]

Yeah. I've become you like live better E, which I respect. But studio can deliver exactly what the song is supposed to sound like and as Jayman says, the harmonies are sublime in the studio version.

[@VFLPlus]

They never got the respect they deserved. Four pretty young women, so that was always the focus. Not least from the record company. They could all sing beautifully, all play instruments very well, and they all wrote songs. So glad you are appreciating them and validating those amazing harmonies.

[@T00LF00L]

Yes they did. The Bangles were huge, at the top of the billboards.

[@Plethora_of_Paucity]

1 pretty young woman. 3 dudes.

[@llarryamrose3980]

Have you heard their demos & rarities album? Definitely some things in there that the record company didn't have the guts to let us hear at the time.

[@garysmith9823]

So much truth in your comment.

[@louisorlando9694]

They definitely should be in the RRHOF ❣️🎸🎶

[@Snookynibbles]

“Suzanna Hoff’s voice is sultry”. There’s a whole lot of sultry with heartthrob ❤ Suzanna Hoffs.

[@darkdavey]

Yes please

[@jurgenschmidt2759]

The Bangles are fantastic and all we boys were in love with especially Susanna Hoffs. Probably THE female group of the 80's, so much talent, attitude and grit. One idea though, why not for the really short songs like this, do a comparison of the studio and a live recording? If you want to hear more of Susanna shining - Eternal Flame

[@MichaelB769]

This ^^ So much this! Yes please.

[@randallwright1973]

Agreed. I really prefer the studio version because you can REALLY hear the harmonies. This live version was good but felt a little flat. But that could just be me.

[@cissyiniguez]

​@@randallwright1973Considering it was 25+ yrs since they originally did it, it is a little flat, but still not bad at all

[@erinhansen2110]

Another vote for Eternal Flame.

[@bobcole612]

I’m a bass player, so I was always drawn to Micki Steele, but Susanna is great also.

[@HobDobson]

This version of "Hazy Shade of Winter" showcases the fact that these ladies were always the real deal.

[@fishhuntadventure]

You mean like they actually can sing live?! LOL Bangles is outside my ‘typical’ genre selections (as is Billy Joel, but he’s great) but I had the cassettes as a kid LOL due to the sonic and lyrical components. So many ‘award winning’ groups/singers today sound like crap.

[@mikkobarros8436]

@@fishhuntadventure Unlike many metalbands (Bruce of Ironmaiden), bangles actually sing the songs they do. >:(

[@mikkobarros8436]

@@fishhuntadventure or well, Pearl Jam and 90s FNM are only metal song I have see that actually sing live. Others are horrible, including Iron Maiden.

[@kenholway4714]

@@fishhuntadventure and they didnt need their tuning fixing electronically. They were bang on the notes back then.

[@sarahhollister150]

Eternal Flame is a great song by The Bangles to listen to. Suzanna's singing is beautiful and the harmonizing is angelic

[@stevepalmer3465]

I second that. Just checked it out.

[@jeffreytucker905]

She recorded it stark naked.

[@PunkN_JTM]

Yep . Manic Monday, Walk Like an Egyptian

[@PunkN_JTM]

​@@jeffreytucker905*

[@wtritt5818]

There is a live version from the Arsenio Hall Show in 1989 that would be a good choice.

[@bobcole612]

The Bangles were one of best harmonizing bands of the 80’s. Give a listen to Manic Monday, and focus on the harmony vocals of Vicki and Debbie Peterson, and Michael Steele. Just about perfect.

[@bobbycollins6783]

I believe Manic Monday was written by Prince.

[@bobcole612]

@@bobbycollins6783 yes, it was. There’s a video somewhere of him performing it.

[@TheSouprGrrl]

⁠@@bobbycollins6783 Yeah, he said in an interview back then that his ability to write 1 million songs a day was by changing up stuff he’d already written. Manic Monday was 1999 replacing the bassline with a piano.

[@PunkN_JTM]

@@bobcole612 he wrote a lot of stuff.....

[@brheinfeldt]

​@bobbycollins6783 yes, and "kissing Valentino..." was a sly little joke reference he put in the lyrics. Valentino is supposedly the nickname for his... little friend... so to speak. 😉

[@paulbewlay4527]

Susanna is still active on social media...still as talented as ever! Glad to see you starting on the Bangles; this live version is nothing compared to what they did in the studio. Several other songs are awesome, namely Eternal Flame, If She Knew What She Wants, Walk Like An Egyptian, Manic Monday all were huge hits. They were underrated and considered 'pop' manufactured talent, they really had more talent than anyone gave them credit for at the time. This is a case where being seen as 'eye candy' might have hurt them overall. BUT, I do still LOVE to watch them AND listen to them!

[@cjmillsnun]

The point with the studio is if they weren't happy, they'd do it again. So it will always be perfect. Don't get me wrong, there was no manipulation with their voices on the recording, but I'm guessing each layered track had more than one take on each track.

[@sethgibster6623]

Eternal Flame! Eternal Flame! Eternal Flame! Eternal Flame! Eternal Flame! The Bangles do a shimmeringly beautiful song called Eternal Flame. I think you'd love Susannah Hoff's voice on this track, it tugs on the heartstrings with such achingly delicate purity it could make angels weep.

[@diosyntaxa]

I second this, it's super beautiful

[@cjmillsnun]

Not just Susanna's voice, but the harmonies again. They compliment her voice perfectly.

[@ujohnlynch2341]

Oddly enough, the best live version of Eternal Flame is on Aresenio Hall Show in early 1989.

[@richeardley127]

The Bangles were one of my favorite bands of the eighties and their songs are still all over my play lists. Susanna's voice is amazing and featured on the song Eternal Flame (highly recommended). Also, 'Walk Like An Egyptian' is a very fun song in which each verse features a different vocalist on lead, so you get a good isolation of each of the voices that create this amazing harmony. Thanks for featuring them on this video, loved it.

[@cjmillsnun]

Walk like an Egyptian has 3 verses and a drum track. Poor Debbi was left holding a tambourine and doing backing vocals. That was a deliberate decision by the producer (Liam Sternberg) and caused some bad feeling in the band.

[@davidbewick9208]

@@cjmillsnun Producer was David Kahne on the album and it was his choice. He auditioned them for the verses and the order.

[@roxannekabotsky2997]

The Bangles were so talented, each and every one. Still my favorite group.

[@zacharyalvernaz7916]

One of the best covers of all time. And a great showcase of harmonies.

[@greg2976]

Agree 1000%.👍

[@TherealSeriousMoonlight]

Speaking as a male who was a certain age when the Bangles were originally active, Susanna's voice isn't the only aspect of her I'd describe as _sultry_ ! Great song! Great reaction! If no one else has mentioned it, "Hazy Shade of Winter" is a Simon and Garfunkel song.

[@strathadam1]

Pretty sure the eye roll in the "Walk Like an Egyptian" video probably helped kickstart puberty for a lot of folks at the time.

[@brheinfeldt]

​@strathada 🙋 guilty!!&!

[@redpine8665]

FACT@@strathadam1

[@Diamond_Skies]

She mentions that it's a cover IN THE VIDEO.

[@jfree336]

Her side eye is legendary

[@BobSakamoto]

This is an exceptional Christmas gift. The Bangles are so seriously underrated as at the time many considered them a gimmick girl band. But listen to this, and find the weakest member. You won't. Cream on top (heard that before, right?) is that Elizabeth totally nailed the performance's quality. I'm the same way - this performance should be at least 3 or 4 times longer, even though the song as written isn't. I'm always wanting it not to stop when it reaches the end. People may want to check out the official video - though filled with movie scenes, the mix is much better.

[@indesignkat]

That's the thing, though... it stops before you want it to. That fits perfectly with the theme of the song. It's about life. In the springtime of our lives the fields are ripe and flowers are blooming, but that's not now. The sky has that hazy shade of winter. And at the end of the song, there's a patch of snow on the ground. The end is near. Not to be all doom and gloom, but this song hits me really hard because it's so beautiful and energetic and at the same time the lyrics hit you like a brick.

[@Out_of_My_Head]

Gimmick girl band? They had been around for a while before they did this cover, Walk Like an Egyptian or Eternal Flame. If they had gotten together and had a label earlier, there probably would have been people comparing the Go-Go's to them and trashing them on that basis. They just got a better break later on than the Go-Go's.

[@kurtsaxton823]

You forgot to add Michael Steele is one of the original runaways.

[@Out_of_My_Head]

@@kurtsaxton823 to whom are you addressing your question?

[@ExtraFancy96]

We absolutely need some Simon and Garfunkel on here! Most magical harmonies

[@lchris33]

Yes, I know Elizabeth did another cover, Sounds of Silence by Disturbed which was great. But I don't think she's actually done an original S & G. They had some amazing lyrics, along with other songwriters of that era such as Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell -don't think she's covered them yet either, lol.

[@Polyphemus47]

She doesn't seem to be as impressed by lyrics, as vocal style. I love the artists you mentioned. @@lchris33

[@lchris33]

@@Polyphemus47 S & G and Joni Mitchell both have incredible vocal styles. Bob Dylan would be an interesting case because his voice is distinctive but definitely not classically "beautiful."

[@jonathanroberts8981]

Much musically to appreciate in S&Gs work. I note that on the original of this song alone, just on the first three “time”s, there are three different notes in the harmony.

[@tomr6090]

Thans for confirming for me that I have some sort of memory left! I thought Simon and Garfunkel right away but then doubted myself. The first though is usually correct, as is with most things in life, right? Instinctual gut feeling, and our instinct trumps the intellectual parts of the brain. Thanks so much for this trip down memory lane for me! This guitar riff is KILLER!! I used to 'air guitar' it when I first started self-taught air guitar lessons, haha! I was abour 3 -5 years old? My 'flowerchild' mom loved playing (on the old Hi-fi, a piece of furniture like a 'wooden jukebox') and singing S&G and many other bands' albums while housecleaning at our house. I learned so much music when I was a wee youngster! How blessed I was and continue to be in life, generally speaking. Funky, 'hippie rock, Doo-wops, country, and on and on of more types of music. I was exposed to a very musically well-rounded blend of all kinds of music! The Salvation Army man. Memories. Santa with the little red bucket on a tripod outside stores collecting donations, pocket change for the needy that helped the Army teach people how to help themselves. God helps those who help themselves, I heard once long ago. Blah, blah, blah. Hey! Peeps! Wanna laugh like h3ll at some kind of risqué songs by two very funny, and cute women? Check Garfunkel and Oats on YTube. My caution though, not all their songs are appropriate for all audiences. Happy New Year everyone! Hey! Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas (but I think I'll skip this one this year!) Cool, funny Bangles tune. Or was that The Waitresses? Check that for a laugh too. Elizabeth, keep up your great, very insightful analyses of all music! I, and probably many others, appreciate what you are doing, which helps keep this music go forward to the next generation(s)

[@MichaelG5500]

This was originally a Simon & Garfunkel song released in October of 1966. The Bangles also had this song used as part of the Less Than Zero soundtrack in 1987.

[@ostlandr]

And The Bangles' cover totally blew it out of the water. Still love the S&G version though.

[@MoMoMyPup10]

Well, the arrangement they came up with this way was specifically for the movie, and had only played it on stage, never recording it until this.

[@RandomGuyDan]

I bought the CD back in the 80's because of this song.

[@georgeharris6851]

Well, the song was on the Less Than Zero soundtrack. RDJ played a totally messed up character, which reflected his life at the time.

[@CorpseBride64]

LTZ was a phenomenal film. Really hit home for some of us, who have loved ones that struggle with addiction.

[@2Quietus]

Bangles were in an elite group of awesome female bands of the late 70's and thru the 80's. I'm 56 now and I've always leaned primarily toward Rock, Hard Rock, and Metal but also have a deep appreciation of just damned good music in general. Bangles, and so many more from that era, fall into that category. Just an awesome time for bands in general!!

[@larrybremer4930]

I love their songs, but the shocker was I once attended a triple bill concert where Berlin opened for the dual headliners of Chicago followed by the Bangles topping the bill. Both Chicago and the Bangles were honestly lifeless live at that show, but Berlin, holy smokes their opening act completely outclassed both headliners.

[@ebrowne72]

One of my favorite covers. They took Paul Simon and made it ROCK.

[@greg2976]

👍👍💯💯

[@poino87]

An Aussie band, bodyjar, did a little more rocking version in the 90's

[@michaelbeasley5783]

One of the best riffs. Ever. One of THE best covers. Ever.

[@Jimbarola]

A Simon and Garfunkel song brought back to life.

[@ericvanvlandren8987]

Rarely is a cover better than the original (in my opinion). This is one of the exceptions - and that is saying a lot because the original is an all time classic. Happy holidays Elizabeth! 😘✨🎼

[@chriswheeler8143]

Yeah, it's the song I always think of as the exemplar for cover being better than original.

[@marlachristensen2076]

There is another cover I am fascinated with. Dream Theater's cover of Elton John's "Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding." First of all, this is perhaps one of the most difficult songs I believe I think to do a cover on. Though, personally, I am not a huge fan of Dream Theater's original music, a lot of people are. I particularly like their cover of this song though.

[@ericvanvlandren8987]

I will check it out. Thanks for the tip!

[@roberteltze4850]

@@chriswheeler8143 The top examples of covers outshining the original are Jimi Hendrix covering All Along the Watchtower and Johnny Cash covering Hurt. But this certainly comes close to those. A good cover needs to reimagine the song not try to copy it.

[@Polyphemus47]

I'd like to know your criteria. This has never moved me like the original. A different take on the song for sure, and I love this one, but it's almost an apples to oranges comparison.

[@doctor8342]

Almost 50 and still Susanna Hoffs is still perfection, she is every Gen X males favorite....

[@berndeckenfels]

Almost 50?

[@jeffmcclure4047]

66 dude. born in 1959. This concert was 6 years ago so she is 60 in this.

[@doctor8342]

@@jeffmcclure4047 I AM almost 50....

[@bjdog42]

Susanna Hoffs' sultry voice, mesmerizing eyes & flirty onstage presence became one of the sources of contention that led to the Bangles' eventual breakup. I liked Miki Steele but did date a girl that looked a lot like Susanna before the Bangles became famous so I definitely got the excitement over her. "If She Knew What She Wants", "Manic Monday" & "Eternal Flame" all showcase her voice quite well.

[@thomasnovak9119]

I was a big fan of the Bangles in the late 80s and early 90s, I always thought this was their masterpiece because of the quality of harmony. I knew that it was a Simon & Garfunkle song but the way they did it blew me away. I remember clearly hearing it on the radio while driving through the Sierra Nevada mountains on the way to a ski resort with my dad. Sends chills down my spine today thinking about that.

[@nadineduke1765]

I have always thought the same thing about this song, that it was too short! This has been my favorite Bangles song since forever.

[@dipsydoodle7988]

I'm so glad you did this. Hearing your analysis of their beautiful style and voices is almost a vindication for always feeling this band was way underated. Great talent, great technique, beautiful voices, they have a ton of fantastic music and harmonies for days. Every one of them is a fabulous vocalist individually, but together, something magical happens.

[@aaradia]

They were totally underrated! Way more talented and skilled than the other big 80's all female band IMO. (I am not mentioning that band by name, because I am not trying to tear down others, but I can imagine anyone who was around back then knows who.)

[@paulthomas9271]

@@aaradiaBananarama😊

[@aaradia]

Not who I was thinking of, but it fits. I am thinking of the band that where most of the members learned to play their instruments after they formed the band.🙃

[@dipsydoodle7988]

@@aaradia 🤫

[@ghostgirl6970]

One of my dear friends is MADLY in love with Susannah Hoffs. To me she has one of the most distinctive voices of that decade. The Bangles are criminally underrated sometimes.

[@kingdomsupes1]

Love The Bangles and loved this reaction. They were absolutely one of the stand out bands of the 80's. Their harmonies were always on point.

[@lindawalters2710]

Bangles are so underrated and amazing. Also, if you want sultry please do Mazzy Star. Start with Fade Into You. Hope Sandoval's voice is truly one of the greatest female voices I've heard.

[@keithbate9405]

The live version on the UK music programme "Jools Holland " is my favourite version of that wonderful delicate song so beautifully sung by Hope S.

[@wickedPrints3256]

My favorite Bangles song! I know it's a cover but it's so haunting and that riff!

[@FlowStateNewOrleans]

You'll hear/read dismissive comments about Walk Like An Egyptian. It's a silly song. But the way they use the different women's voices in it is just brilliant. I hope you'll give it a listen. Great harmonies and more members than just Susannah doing lead vocals.

[@randallwright1973]

I still love that Walk Like an Egyptian was used as the ending theme to one season of the anime JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure. That’s how influential the song is.

[@garyarnett1220]

I second that, they each get a verse.

[@michaelvielhaber9342]

@@garyarnett1220three of them do, anyway

[@garyarnett1220]

@@michaelvielhaber9342 Yeah, they needed one more verse.

[@thx3188]

Walk Like An Egyptian was also the song that began to drive them all apart. The studio made them audition for verses with the intent of showcasing Susanna over the others and only pretending like the others had a chance. They trained the camera on her during the video on top of it all and it drove the spike into the fissure that had been building. When Eternal Flame came along the others were through with it and the band broke up shortly after. (clearly they have since gotten over it)

[@rbkn8068]

I was in love with Michael when they were popular. She is still a lovely lady and her voice is gorgeous.

[@AlbeniztoZappa]

65 yr old semi-pro guitar player. I learned guitar playing every Simon and Garfunkel song. Enjoyed this song. Forward 20 yrs i hear the Bangels. This is what this song is supposed to be!

[@fredinaz]

Simon and Garfunkel songs were one of the main things I wanted to play when I first learned, but I realized Paul used way more chords than most writers. But it was good incentive to learn more chords and how to finger pick so I could play their songs! Paul is the goat.

[@clannad99germany70]

Oh Susanna Hoffs, she is the one, and even over 60 now, she still sounds so great when singing and looks so pretty.

[@NathanWind99]

Yes, Susanna's voice is sultry 🥰🥰. Girly but husky and even scratchy at times. She did some great solo work and a lot of covers of classic songs with Mathew Sweet.

[@metalmark1214]

All I can say about the Bangles. Susanna Hoffs 👀❤️🤪. Guys will know what I mean.

[@dmitryowens]

She's so gorgeous.

[@JS-og8oj]

The side look.... swoon

[@cjgia4898]

Lol. Every guy I know, same. Lol. She is a looker tho.

[@Greenchileaddict]

No. No we don't. Please elaborate. 😂

[@justinstafford8966]

🚶👍🏻🇪🇬

[@alangarde2928]

Oh The Bangles! Such an unexpected delight. I'm glad to see them get such critical appreciation as despite the mostly light nature of their songs, the talent and skill they put into them is something to behold. They make it look simple, but it really really isn't. I love the warmth of all their voices and the way they work together. Each has such a distinctive voice and yet they layer onto each other seemlessly but you never lose the individuals. The whole of the album 'Everything' is a showcase of their different sounds as each takes lead vocals and shows their individual strengths. Some of my favourite songs on the album (like Complicated Girl and Glitter Years) show how Steele's amazing voice could shine through on lead vocals and the others (especially Hoffs whose voice is so distinctive) could pull back. It's kind of staggering how they had four vocalists and song-writers without a weak link.

[@Mongo61]

Susanna Hoffs is great and I can't wait to hear Elizabeth's reaction. Everyone check out those Under the Covers albums she did with Matthew Sweet.

[@ostlandr]

You should listen to the studio version next, just for your own enjoyment. And for "all the feels" listen to their "Eternal Flame." Could have been totally soda-pop sappy, but they owned it. Major slow-dance song back in the day, and one I sing to my Lady Wife to this day.

[@bphat68]

I love to listen to your entire reaction before commenting because you always notice things I might have otherwise mentioned, like the sultry quality of Susannah's voice and their amazing harmonies together. Really good band and strangely underrated considering their string of hits.

[@jackstrawjr2963]

Great performance by the band, absolutely love the aggressive tone Michael's getting out of that bass!

[@davidfarrow875]

Oh.....Susanna Hoffs.... Back in the mid 1980s her voice, her incredible looks, I just melted every time I heard or saw her. I always have a soft spot for a brown eyed brunette, but Susanna Hoffs, she pressed every button and flipped every switch.... And even now, at 64, she is still gorgeous. Jay Roach is a truly lucky man !!! The Bangles produced some memorable songs from those years - Manic Monday, Walk Like an Egyptian, Eternal Flame to name but three. Thank you Elizabeth for awakening so many special memories from my late teens / early twenties. Susanna is but two years older than me and a man could dream....!!!!

[@clintmorrison5863]

My favorite Bangles song!

[@tizzy789]

"In Your Room" by The Bangles such a dream inspiring song.

[@TheDirtRoadChapel]

My favorite song from the Bangles. Love the drive, tension, and harmonies.

[@lawrenceandheatherwells3109]

Possibly the best all female rock band ever, and I greatly appreciate your recognition of their stunningly beautiful sound. Their musicianship was tight and more than adequate for them to sing over with their harmoniously heart stirring songs. I will echo others in saying they were under appreciated despite high charting hits. It is unfortunate they did not put out more music. I realize after looking yhem up on youtube that I have never listened to their last three studio albums so I am looking forward to reconnecting with the Bangles.

[@joergojschaefer3521]

So the charismatic opera singer Elizabeth Zharoff meets the bangles, who meet Simon and Garfunkel... Sounds like the setting list for a music festival 🎶🎸🥁🎤 #letsgettoit

[@FoxRogers]

Ok that "inner smile" just gave me a much better way of understanding how to brighten my voice and life my palate, THANK YOU

[@maxknows189]

what i love about the bangles was that they were similar to the go go's and sounded like a punk band, (go go's were punk) at the start but they lost there bassist and needed a new one and steele came along and told them if they weren't going to be serious don't even talk to her, she came from another group called the runaways who both joan jett and lita ford had made a name as solo projects, so they agreed and became serious and prince saw them and had already wrote manic monday and told susanna that she was the perfect voice for it and gave the song to them and the rest was history

[@TroublesomeOwl]

i'm sure you know, but for those that don't, the Go Go's spawned Belinda Carlisle's career just to add another big name to this list

[@maxknows189]

@TroublesomeOwl I would love her to react to her solo stuff, heaven on earth would be were to start

[@alexhanning2692]

If anything the Bangles were a lot more Beatles than punk

[@maxknows189]

@alexhanning2692 the admitted to wanting to be like the Beatles, but they sounded like female Descendents or adolescents compare their demo unreleased stuff you can hear it clearly, they got a lot better when Steele came along

[@reboot3332]

One of the most underrated bands of the 80's. Had such a boyhood crush on Susannah Hoffs not just for the looks but for that incredible voice. Hope you get to Eternal Flame one day, that is one of, if not the best songs they did.

[@tonogtube]

Susanna Hoffs has a beautiful, unmistakable voice.

[@paulschirf9259]

I'm glad you did a live version with Michael Steele on bass. She was a founding member of the Runaways and joined the Bangles shortly before they recorded their first full length album. She is retired now and was replaced by Annette Zeilinskas, who was actually a founding member of the Bangles who left after their initial 5-song EP. Cool story and she's great too, but Michael Steele was always so awesome to me.

[@highheartwellness]

Great reaction and commentary about the song and their voices. Love how all four of these women play instruments and sing. The band could have easily featured only Susanna as the lead, but they do something like this when they are all singing together - it's so good! Would love to hear your reaction to If She Knew What She Wants, or with variations of singing lead, like "Be With You" (Debbie), Different Light (Vicki) and September Gurls (Michael)

[@jcparker500]

So glad you did this one (and not Walk Like an Egyptian). Hazy Shade is my favorite song by them. Manic Monday is another one for good harmonies. Suzanna Hoffs is definitely known for being "sultry" - you nailed that one.

[@class5bodyworks]

Manic Monday was written by Prince and given to the Bangles.

[@paulevans3564]

Hello! I love your series. I’m not sure if this is the best place to post requests but I have one: Knife Party by Deftones. I think their lead vocalist Chino is awesome in his own right, but this song also has an amazing operatic guest vocalist. I find it truly astonishing, one of the greatest I think I’ve heard. I think it would make for a great review. Thank you for considering!

[@jacquesdespadas]

One of the serious songs they should be known for, if “Walk Like an Egyptian” hadn’t overshadowed them all. You can’t know the Bangles without WLaE!! 😍😍😍

[@jonasfermefors]

I think that's the only song of theirs I really don't like. It feels like a B52's song and it doesn't really showcase their voices either.

[@mlwsf]

I was always fond of their cover of Big Star's September Girls, I mean, how many people even know who Big Star is let alone be bold enough to attempt a cover? I am sure that went over well with the A&R people looking for the next hit. lol

[@cjmillsnun]

WLaE is really the one of theirs I don't like. It had a backing track rather than them playing and didn't feature Debbi Peterson. One of my favourites is Going Down to Liverpool.

[@tedcole9936]

For me, it’s “If She Knew What She Wants”

[@stevenmeyer9674]

@@jonasfermefors Me too. I don't get all the comments saying this version is better than S&G original. I guess everyone has their preference. Their vocals are great but the music is a hot mess.

[@justintuesday8483]

Never loved live versions of this song, I loses so much of the qualities I love they got from studio production. Great analysis!

[@edwardziff3274]

Nice to hear commentary from someone who knows what they're talking about for a CHANGE.

[@MrDportjoe]

A band best heard first then seen always LOOK good on stage and SOUND even better!! OH and basist Micki Steele was the FIRST bass player for The Runaways, leaving that band in 1976 and that led to Jackie Fox (Fuchs if you recall her run on Jeopardy), taking over.

[@clintlandrum9498]

I loved the way they ended this. Beautiful and powerful.

[@petenieto1575]

After all these years, Susanna Hoffs is still my #1 crush of all time😍

[@slhanks4]

I remember the first time I saw this video on MTV. I was smitten by the lovely Susanna Hoffs, but more importantly - this is just a beautiful song and the vocals couldn't be any better. Side note - I am a drummer and I use this track as part of my practice playlist.

[@billofalltrades2633]

I had the biggest crush on the drummer back in the day! Love the group! Great reaction! Love and prayers to you and your family, and all on the channel

[@Travelinmatt1976]

definitely should check out the album version

[@rccola5167]

They were a wonderful band. They looked like they were having the time of their lives. Thank you!

[@BrotherPraetus]

Great song, great band, amazing cover

[@colleenbrown3366]

They were so underrated. I never heard them live before, their sound was tight! And Susanna Hoffa was/is so pretty I don't think her voice was appreciated as much as it should have been. Great commentary.

[@BillyDee7]

This is the definitive version of this song. Love Simon & Garfunkel but The Bangles make Hazy Shade of Winter something special. Women's voices are just so beautiful.

[@rbwirth12]

When Susanna Hoffs sings solo toward the end, yeah, chills. 😊

[@aprilcot1973]

Highly recommend Eternal Flame. Susanna Hoffs voice is angelic & the harmonies are glorious. Brings back my Junior High crush. ❤

[@CorpseBride64]

You must check out the rest of their hits. Such a talented team and so much fun!! A jammin' old tune, that the Bangles made even better.

[@jthompson5341]

Very Cool!!! The Bangles did a smashing version of this tune(I like it better than the original). I’ve been thinking You should do a series of 80’s Classics! ABC(When Smokey Sings), Simple Minds(Alive and Kicking), Killing Joke(Eighties), Sugarcubes(Birthday), Men At Work(It’s a Mistake), The Motels(Only the Lonely), Echo & the Bunnymen(Lips Like Sugar), Siouxsie and the Banshees(Swimming Horses), etc.

[@mca7621]

Echo & the Bunnymen(Lips Like Sugar)! Yes, would love to see her react to that!

[@Harrydewulf]

I prefer the Bangles version too. Same with Doll Revolution.

[@Puddletownd]

When Suzanna hoffs says "walk like an egyptian" in that song I melt and fall in love. Had a crush on her since I first heard her do that. 🤪

[@jon-paulfilkins7820]

When I first heard Ghost's Square Hammer, this is the track I was reminded of. I am also a fan of their cover of "Going Down to Liverpool", Katrina and the Waves did the original and re-recorded it and I still can't work out which of the 3 versions is the best.

[@PyroCrazed]

Love this group, definitely a staple of the 80's. Many great songs, I like Walk Like an Egyptian.

[@sirkat344]

I like their version of this Simon/Garfunkel tune. First heard it via a friend in Portland. Made a video in which we used the opening part. I look forward to seeing this one.

[@coolworldpopculture]

Lordy. Loved them when I first heard them in the late '80s and love them still.

[@stevegirard-voiceaudiopodcasts]

In the 80’s, when the Bangles took all the wind out of The Go-Go’s sails and blew past them as the best all-girl group on the planet, I was in my mid to late 20’s… and I listened to them all the time! They did great covers, like September Gurls written by Alex Chilton & If She Knew What She Wants from Jules Shear - prob my fave. Yeah, Susanna was mucho caliente, but I just loved Michael Steele!

[@davidewing5605]

Wow! They took that old folk song I liked, and I bought it when I was a kid and shot it full of speed. This song now has a new life. They did a beautiful job singing this.. Dave In Sierra Vista AZ

[@aBeatleFan4ever]

The Bangles did a great job of covering the Simon and Garfunkel song... but the original will always be my favorite version. Elizabeth... you've now done this song, "The Sound of Silence" and "Bridge Over Troubles Water" all by other artists. I hope you do some of the original Simon & Garfunkel songs. "The Boxer" is fantastic - as are sooo many others. I think you would love "April Come She Will" or "For Emily Whenever I May Find Her" - and both have excellent live versions.

[@jpmnewyork]

Another vote for original S&G recordings. And the studio versions, not live, please.

[@Breadfan1280]

Ever since the 80’s I had a thing for Susanna Hoff and to this day, she is just a stunningly beautiful talent. Va va voom!

[@timkaldahl]

I would love to see Elizabeth perform Phantom of the Opera with Nightwish. Even better if Marko did a one time appearance for it.

[@gregmag66]

I saw them, oh gee, in ‘87 or ‘88 and they were amazing. Their vocals were spot on, I amazed at the accuracy of their harmonies, exactly like on the recordings. Great observation, incredible live band. Eternal Flame and Manic Monday from this same performance are other great examples of their skills.

[@Adam_Le-Roi_Davis.]

This is my favourite song by 'The Bangles' I know that others will probably prefer, "Eternal Flame", "Walk Like an Egyptian", "Going Down to Liverpool" (which, if you know the geography of the U.K. is quite a difficult task), etc, but for me this is their best. Yes, Elizabeth, it is Suzanne Hoffs who has the sultry tones, I always thought that she would make a great 'Torch' singer.

[@1011010100011]

Eternal Flame is almost literally a "torch" song!

[@Adam_Le-Roi_Davis.]

@@1011010100011 😁

[@Ryecrash617]

I'm so glad you got to analyze this song. It's one of my top 10 favorite songs of all time.

[@tedcole9936]

Elizabeth, you said something fascinating (paraphrasing) “… a listener will be drawn to either the louder voice or the higher voice -depending on their upbringing primarily.” I’d REALLY like to hear more about this! Does it, for example, relate to having two parents, one with a higher voice, perhaps the other with a louder voice??? As with all art, I believe the seer/hearer is fully half of the process, so I’m really interested in what you said here. Can you expand on that idea?? Here, or in some future video? I really appreciate your insights!!

[@patrickbooth9780]

Listen to the studio version-it is amazing.so lush with vocals.

[@tonydeluna8095]

One of my all time favorite songs from them is Magic Monday. One of their best songs from the 80s

[@jonthomas8569]

I love the thorough breakdown of the vocals. I've long thought The Bangles were amazing, and it's nice to hear someone do such a great job explaining why. I take voice lessons for fun, and I find this incredibly helpful for myself.

[@gwydion56]

Absolutely a great live version of this song, but you should also check out the studio version, which is one of my all-time favorite videos. Scenes from "Less than Zero", but the recording quality is great. Not a thing wrong with hearing the live first on this one, but even if you don't review it, be sure to also enjoy the studio version of this one. Both versions are just amazing.

[@Johnny_Socko]

The biggest loss is that this live version does not have the a capela intro, which The Bangles actually fought producer Rick Rubin to keep on the studio version. I think that intro, however brief, gives another whole dimension to the song.

[@bonnielee78]

@@Johnny_Socko I love that part but also this version appears to be a bit slower than the original. The tempo of the original is what I love so much about it. Also, the part after the quieter part had lyrics i'd never heard before (at your convenience/unpublished rhyme/vodka and lime). Not sure what that was all about ?!?

[@Johnny_Socko]

@@bonnielee78 That one verse was removed from the song for reasons that are not clear to me, however it was reported at the time that The Bangles sent a case of vodka and lime to Paul Simon as an apology (which he accepted).

[@darkiee69]

Susanna Hoffs can melt a heart of stone with her smile. ❤

[@t.b.m.b.]

Liz, you HAVE to know the band Mudvayne. Songs with cutting and unique vocals from vocalist Chad Gray, impactful lyrics, heavy and vibrant sound. "Forget to Remember, "Death Blooms", "Happy?" are amazing tracks. Starting with "Dig" would be spectacular!

[@crossefire01]

Dig may give her nightmares. Both the sound and the theme. LOL But nothing can generate more energy while doing hard work than Dig.

[@edubfromktown]

Awesome tune and one I've listened to over an over since the initial release. Does not get much better... especially LIVE performers!!

[@fredinaz]

Susanna Hoffs got a lot of press since she is the lead singer, but all of them are great musicians with great voices. Vicki Peterson, also on lead guitar, is amazing!

[@AndyViant]

They really did a classic with this, turned it into an absolute banger!

[@JG-fv9bv]

Hoffs is 65 years old and STILL looks as good as she did at 25

[@patmartin99]

Perfect description of Susanna's voice - sultery

[@seanj3667]

Even as a metalhead, I always loved the original version of this song. It sounds good live, but I kinda wish the original video, with the clips from Less than Zero, was featured.

[@metalmamasue3680]

Same here. I love this song and others by these ladies. What I really want to see is Elizabeth react to Dream Theater's Pull Me Under. And epic, epic prog rock/metal masterpiece. Petrucci, Labrie, Portnoy, what a song. One of my all time faves. Some Lamb Of God would be amazing like Descending, my favorite by them but I love a lot of their songs. Something about Descending speaks to me on a deep level.

[@stephenriggs8177]

Can't believe it took me eight days to see this one. My favorite Bangles song. Paul Simon gave it his thumbs up, too.

[@lateknightr3038]

the bangles were so under rated ..they kicked ass..everyone was in love with suzanna hoffs after the walk like an egyptian video came out..i like manic monday written by prince and hazy shade of winter the best of their radio hits. walk like an egyptian was catchy and was a good video.eternal flame was ok too. i guess all the radio hits were good