The Bangles - Top 10 Underrated Songs

The harmonizing in music is nothing new however for them it’s like a superpower.

Make A Play For Her Now, co-written with the notorious Vinnie Vincent.

Mega Band!

The moment Glitter Years came up my response was "OOh, Glitter Years, Masterpiece"....then you said it too.

Brilliant video and I agree with all of it. I am a huge fan of the group and believe they were badly managed because their forte was straight ahead rock n roll.

Bell Jar is my all-time favorite Bangles song. Nice to see others appreciate it.

I find each of these songs to be utterly amazing, like most all of the Bengals releases. I have no musical background or training so I truly appreciated your clear concise analysis.

Dover Beach, Not Like You

The live 1986 version of "Angles don't fall in Love". is one of the best live songs ever. the audience went ballistic and I don't blame them, it was GREAT!

I agree that these songs are not only underrated, but are highly underrated.

I have been on a Bangles listening jag for weeks. Not only do I greatly admire their music: I simply love listening to the songs.

The songs on this list show high levels of compositional and harmonic skills, as well as an ability to change moods dramatically or subtly, and very effectively. While remaining highly musical and engaging through the changes in mood.

The altered chords are perfectly placed and not always displayed as artfully in other rock bands as they are here.

To me, this particular selection of songs fully justifies the often direct comparisons to the brilliance of the Beatles.

One could make a good case for The Bangles being one of the most underrated bands in history. They are not merely a great "all girl band", that are one of the greatest rock / pop bands ever.

Thanks SO much, Mekel, for making this video. The commentary is excellent. The Bangles are one of my favorite bands. I’ve been aware for decades of their superb songs that didn’t get the attention they merited because they weren’t singles.

I’m glad the group had such great success with their singles, but there are so many fantastic songs in their catalog that deserve recognition.

I agree about so many of your selections, especially “James” and “Crash and Burn.” I’ll post my own list of top 10 underrated Bangles songs in a separate comment. THANKS again!

You missed ONE crucial song: D O V E R B E A CH
His is - in my opinion - their finest moment ever !

James has always been a big favourite, Different Light too. Glitter Years and Crash & Burn have become growers for me... I didn't rate Everything highly the first time I played it. I do now. But I also have a feeling that something from Doll Revolution is going to get into my top 10 underrated...

More marvellous content, Mekel, thank you :-)

M. Steele hacked w/J. Jett in her early days. Yes.

The Bangs were amazing. If there was only some way to have clowned Vicki, Debbi, and Sue and let that band go on with Annette's harmonica play. And still have the Bangles. Just another reason this band should be in the Rock Hall. It's been cool to see Annette come back and play some shows with them again.

Debbie wrote a few songs but they don't get rated much

I totally agree with ‘Restless’!
These would be my top 3 from every record.

All Over the Place:
1. James
2. Tell Me
3. Restless

Different Light:
1. In a Different Light
2. Standing in the Hallway
Honorable mention: September Gurls
3. Let It Go

Everything:
1. Glitter Years (One of my fav's from their whole discography!!)
2. Watching the Sky (Kick ass hard rock track)
Honorable mention: Be with You
3. Crash and Burn

Doll Revolution:
1. Stealing Rosemary
2. Nickel Romeo
Honorable mention: Ride the Ride (brings back old school Bangles vibe!!)
3. Between the Two

Sweetheart of the Sun:
1. Ball N' Chain
2. Sweet and Tender Romance
Honorable mention: What a Life
3. Open My Eyes

Doll Revolution is so underrated imo, and should deserve more attention!
And Sweetheart of the Sun should have been promoted more, underrated album! And it's the one that got me obsessed with The Bangles <3

A real successful rock and roll band!

La mejor canción de todos los tiempos es Following y está muy infravalorada!!

Dover beach, silent treatment, angels don't fall in love, be with you, watching the sky (another great vicky song), what I meant to say (i have the extended version of everything :p)

I just recently found an old track of theirs, "Bitchen Summer" it just blows me away everytime I hear it

Excellent vid Mekel. Good job!

Michael Steele: Following (all time fav). Vicky Peterson (& S. Hoffs): Watching the Sky!

Very well scripted and structured video. Props.

Dover Beach , Real World , Something to believe in, Let it go , Restless ♥️

Were they the Biggest Girl group in USA OR THE WORLD SPICE GIRLS WOULD HAVE BEEN BIGGER I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT ( BUT NOT AS GOOD)

You said two of mine BELL JAR AND CRASH AND BURN I like Following this sounds like someone just strumming along and just putting words to it as you sit there

First time I heard Crash and Burn I was blown away. It's more than just an awesome piece of music, it's a work of art reflecting how people can get to the end of their rope and just not care about anything but making the pain stop, to the point of acting recklessly and wishing something "out of their control" happens to escape it all.

The last lyrics foreshadow the crash symbolized by the abrupt end to the music in mid chord. "Heard an echo", "there was a wreck-o", "by tomorrow, they'll clear the char-o, and wash the tar and trouble away". Extreme emotion wrapped up into a nice, neat package. Brilliant stuff.

The music gets your toes tapping too which is an amazing accomplishment for such a sombre topic.

Crash and Burn will stand the test of time as human emotions never change. It's as applicable today as it was 30+ years ago.

"Complicated Girl" by Michael Steele is another great and underrated song. In fact, all of her songs on the Everything album were great.

I love Bell Jar - great choice. I would include Complicated Girl (for personal reasons) and Everything I Wanted. Maybe I'll Set You Free as well.

I love the band!

Missing :
All About You
Dover Beach
More Than Meets the Eye
Following
Make a Play for Her Now

1. Dover beach 2. Single by choice 3. Restless 4. Crash and burn 5. James 6. He's got a secret 7. All about you 8. Watching the sky 9. Complicated girl 10. Make a play for her now

Complicated girl,, for me

May i add something?
Make a play for her now, Following, Doll Revolution (the whole album was underrated), even The Bangles as a band are underrated. Let me point out, denigration with veiled accusations of plagiarism. Several people on web are convinced that The Bangles ‘copied‘ Eternal Flame and Debbie Gibson was the real author of the song. I hope Debbie denies it on social media.

During the 80s I only really liked two bands,The Bangles and The Go-Gos. I never did get to see either in concert but I do have all their music and still enjoy listening to it.

I'm glad you included Post Return! When you see the band do it live in 1986, Vicki gets to kick up her heels and take her guitar work up to a whole new level. And her stage presence and interactions with the audience is superb. I just love the thing she does with her axe when turns into a real tigress. Oh, so cool and oh so GREAT.

Michael Steeles songs are my favorites, especially "Between the Two" and "Something to Believe In"

I have been listening to The Bangles for several years now, and it amazes me how good they are! The Syria Mosque concert in '86 is one of the best concerts I have ever seen! The band was incredible from beginning to end. Bangles music is a fine example of quality 80's rock! They were that good.

It's pretty easy to make an underrated song list by the Bangles, about 95% of them are underrated!!! But a few that come straight to mind, Watching the Sky, Live (my "closest to the Beatles" choice), Rain Song (though the C.Drifters version was better), Waiting for You (reminds me of the Searchers sound with Rickenbackers), The Real World, and my no.1, Dover Beach.
But everyone's top 10 will be different!

They looked sexy and cool back in their days and on top of that they could sing very well.