With their own sophomore album Different Light, released 40 years ago on Jan. 13, 1986 by Columbia Records, The Bangles suddenly started getting the well-deserved recognition that they themselves were due. While their debut, the auspiciously dubbed All Over the Place, established their debt to the jangly ‘60s influences that percolated alongside such fellow Paisley Underground greats as Rain Parade and The Three O’Clock, Different Light, true to its title, managed to meld their earlier inspiration with a more rock-centric approach that was easily compatible with the pop trends of It yielded no less than five charting singles, one of which, the instantly infectious “Manic Monday” was written by Prince under the pseudonym “Christopher” and originally intended for the group known as Apollonia 6.
“We were told that Prince saw the video for ‘Hero Takes A Fall’ and was taken with the band,” Peterson recalls. “He was famously supportive of women musicians and would mysteriously show up at performances with no advance notice, simply appearing in the wings. Sometimes our managers would let us know mid-show that he was there and wanted to play, but it always seemed somehow magical to me. He would join us onstage, singing ‘Manic Monday’ with us, or I would happily hand him my guitar so he could play an old rock ‘n’ roll song at the encore.”
Several other tracks on the album made a decided impression as well. The decidedly quirky “Walk Like An Egyptian” created a mild dance craze while making its ascent to the No. 1 chart position in the U.S. and other parts of the world.
Although it didn’t chart quite as high, the second single from the album, the overtly engaging “If She Knew What She Wants,” written and originally recorded by Jules Shear, also emerged as one of The Bangles’ signature songs. It was originally written in the first person, but for their version, the Bangles rewrote the lyrics in the third person because they felt it would be more appropriate. “Walking Down Your Street” emerged as another stand-out; while it didn’t reach the Top Ten, it was a simple yet sturdy offering that also marked the first time a sole composing credit was given to a member of the band — in this case, Susanna Hoffs.
“Different Light is a complicated album for me, because while it did light a fire under our career and allow us so many new opportunities, its production came close on the heels of 18 months of touring, and so in some ways, it felt rushed to me,” Peterson reflects. “We did not have sufficient time to write together (or individually) and the label was pushing hard for ‘singles.’ I am grateful for the songs that did come our way from other writers, but I would have preferred to have more of our own work on the album. That said, there are some fine, fine songs here!” From: https://rockandrollglobe.com/rock/the-bangles-different-light-turns-40/
