Photo: Gsashburn, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Our Bangles Albums Ranked list looks back at one has the most successful all female rock groups in classic rock history that got their start in the 1980s. The Bangles were one of those bands that everyone loved. They were not an overnight success as their first album released in 1984 just sort of creeped on into into the public eye. They were definitely noticed but they were not a household name. Yet, that all changed with the release of their second album entitled Different Light in 1986. An album that featured the hit single “Walk Like an Egyptian,” which just blew up all over the place. The classic lineup of The Bangles consisted of Susanna Hoffs on rhythm guitar, lead and backing vocals,Vicki Peterson on lead guitar, lead and backing vocals, Debbi Peterson on drums, lead and backing vocals and ex Runaways bassist Michael Steele on bass guitar and backing vocals.
The Bangles would become a very successful rock and roll band with the release of their second album and the hit single “Walk Like an Egyptian.” The video would be played constantly on MTV as the song just became a part of pop culture. The Bangles would follow-up the very successful Different Light album two years later in 1988 with a wonderful album entitled Everything. That album featured an even more successful song entitled “Eternal Flame,” which would become their biggest selling single of their career on a world wide basis. Sadly, as the band had become so popular and so loved, the group broke up. Susanna Hoffs embarked on a solo career releasing a handful of crafty pop albums.
Eventually, The Bangles would reunite many years later for the soundtrack to the motion picture Austin Powers. That single song reunion sparked the girls to go back on tour together. A few years later, The Bangles returned with their first new studio album since the 1988 Everything album entitled Doll Revolution. The Bangles would release one more album as of this writing in 2011 entitled Sweethearts of the Sun. However the group released the record as a trio as Michelle Steele was no longer part of the band.
Our Bangles albums ranked list takes a look at the five studio Bangles albums released throughout their career. We have also included the outtakes album and Rarities album Ladies and Gentlemen… The Bangles which we just absolutely love.
# 6 – Ladies And Gentlemen… The Bangles!
The Bangles have released many compilation albums over the years. Most of those albums just mixed all the singles and some key album tracks on to one super Bangles CD. However this great 2014 release entitled ladies and Gentlemen!… The Bangles was more than just a greatest hits LP. This album includes four unreleased demos done in the early 80s plus a couple of unreleased live songs, a few instrumentals and other Rarities. Plus the cover is Simply Amazing. For Bangles fans, this is a must CD to own.
# 5 – Sweetheart of the Sun
The Bangles album Sweetheart of the Sun was released in the fall of 2011. It’s a lengthy record containing 12 brand new songs. All of the songs were written by members of The Bangles with the exception of the album’s closing cut “Open My Eyes,” which was written by Todd Rundgren. This is a fabulous album by Susanna Hoffs, Debbie Peterson and Vicki Peterson. Standout tracks included the album opener “Anna Lee,” “Under a Cloud,” Mezmorized,” and the beautiful song “Through Your Eyes.” Bangles fans were well aware of this album release but many people were not. The album did break into the US Billboard top 200, but it stalled at number 148. It’s a shame more people I’m going to wear this album especially fans of 60s music because it was that decade that really fueled the style of this wonderful reunion album.
# 4 – Doll Revolution
In 2003, The Bangles released their first new studio album in 15 years. The album was originally released in the spring in Europe and Japan and not until the fall in the United States. This is the longest-running Bangles album as it contains 15 songs. The album also includes a great cover of the Elvis Costello song “When I was Cruel.” The album contains songs that individual members of the band had released and their offshoot groups after the Bangles head broken up. There were no big hits in the US from this album although they did have a top 40 hit in the UK with the song “Something That You Said.” If your a Bangles fan, you’re going to love this album. I think if you just love pure pop rock and roll we highly recommend you picking up this wonderful Bangles reunion album entitled Doll Revolution.
# 3 – All Over The Place
The Bangles album All Over The Place was the band’s debut album. It was released in 1984. The album was played heavily on college radio FM album-oriented rock and had become a particular favorite of critics right away. The album opened up with a wonderful song written by Susanna Hoffs and Vicki Peterson entitled “Hero Takes A Fall,” with a spectacular lead vocal by Susanna Hoffs. That song was followed by a cover of the Emitt Rhodes tune “Live,” sung by Debbie Peterson. The album also contained a great cover of the Katrina and the Waves song “Going down to Liverpool.” This was a great debut album. We wonder if any of them really expected the success that was soon to follow.
# 2 – Everything
It was tough to choose between the Bangles Everything album and Different Light for our number one spot. They are both spectacular albums although with a slightly different vibe between both of them. The Bangles Everything album was released in 1988 and served as the follow up to their breakthrough record Different Light. The Everything album itself was not as successful on the Billboard top 200 as the Different Light album. The Everything album peaked at number 15 on the US Billboard top 200, while Different Light had peaked at number two. However, just like the Different Light album the Everything album featured two top 10 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 with one of them hitting number one in the song “Eternal Flame.” Not only did the song “Eternal Flame,” hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States, it also hit number one in Australia, Ireland, The Netherland, Sweden and the United Kingdom .it became their biggest selling single of all time.
“Eternal Flame,” was not the initial single from the record. The great rocking song “In Your Room,” served as lead single. The song “In Your Room,” hit number five on the Billboard top 100. Let me tell you, if ever there was a great album opening track, it was “In Your Room.” Two more singles entitled “To Be With You” which peaked at number 30 on the Billboard Hot 100 and I’ll Set You Free which didn’t chart were released from the album. The Everything album was one of those CDs that got hundreds of spins in my car CD player in the 1980s.
# 1 – Different Light
We close out our Bangles Albums Ranked list with the band’s Different Light album. This was the one that but the Bangles on the map. Five singles were released from the album. Four of them broke the Billboard Top 40, three of them broke the Billboard top 20, two broke the Billboard top 10 and one went all the way to number one. That’s a pretty successful album. The album’s lead single was written by Prince and was originally composed for the group Vanity 6 which was not the most musical group that ever came around. Instead, The Bangles recorded the song and millions of young men fell instantly in love with Susanna Hoffs. It was a fabulous single that peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100.
Most bands would be very much satisfied with a number two single. However, The Bangles were not done. The album’s next song “If She Knew What She Wants” was another amazing recording that once again featured lead vocals by Susanna Hoffs. Yet it was the third single that rocketed the band to extreme fame with their first number record of their career in the legendary recording of “Walk Like An Egyptian.”
Bangles Albums Ranked article published on Classic RockHistory.com©2021
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![Rob De Luca of Spread Eagle, Sebastian Bach & UFO: 10 Albums That Changed My Life From humble East Coast origins to grandest stages worldwide, veteran bassist Rob De Luca has seen and done it all. De Luca first hit the local Boston rock and metal scene in the late 80s after meeting guitarist Paul DiBartolo, bonding over Van Halen before forming Bang. Regional success came quickly, but eventually, the members of Bang went their separate ways, with De Luca and drummer Tommi Gallo heading to NYC and hooking up with Ray West and, later, DiBartolo to form Spread Eagle. By 1990, Spread Eagle was on the fast track, with a contract through MCA Records and a self-titled debut album poised to crush skulls. But poor timing and MCA's sad indifference left Spead Eagle out in the cold despite being a hard-boiled answer to Guns N' Roses's West Coast sleaze. Spread Eagle's first chapter came to an end in '95. As for Rob De Luca, his nimble fingers and gift for melody and songwriting kept him moving forward. Soon, he found a gig with former Skid Row frontman Sebastian Bach and the legendary outfit UFO. And in 2010, after coupling up with Ray West and his cousin Rik De Luca, Spread Eagle retook flight. During a break from Spread Eagle's increasingly busy touring schedule, Rob De Luca dialed in with ClassicRockHistory.com to run through the ten albums that changed his life. But only after adding, "I made a playlist of these songs, including some I've written or co-written. Do you hear any of these albums' influence on me?" Listen here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3LWJuhDrE8JmzhsmTeIDUq 10) Gentlemen by Afghan Whigs (1993) Here's an entry that was so important to me. This may be the darkest break-up album of all time. Greg Dulli has been in many projects, but I feel Gentlemen is his zenith. Somewhat undefinable at times but always profound and honest. Listen to "Gentlemen," "Fountain and Fairfax," and "What Jail Is Like." 9) In on the Kill Taker by Fugazi (1993) By this time, I had been sucked in and spit out by the major-label record industry. Glam came and went; grunge was history, too. I was searching for new sounds. When I heard Fugazi's twin guitar approach, I knew this was what was missing. Fugazi may be considered a less polished sound than the albums above; however, once you "get it," it hits you like a ton of bricks, and there's no going back. From the moment I heard Fugazi, I went to every NYC show after. It's easily some of the best concerts of my life, and possibly my favorite bassist in Joe Lally. And their DIY ethics refused to charge us more than $5 a show! In on the Kill Taker is a powerful album demonstrated in songs such as "Smallpox Champion," "Great Cop," and "Public Witness Program." 8) Appetite for Destruction by Guns N' Roses (1987) I discovered many of these albums (sometimes long) after they were released. However, I was at the right place at the right time for this one. Steve Ostromogilsky had a Berklee College of Music lunch card and used to sneak out sandwiches for me. One day, he invited me to hang out at his place and listen to music. As we got off the train, he put Sony Walkman headphones on my ears and said, "Hey, check out this brand-new group." A song like "It's So Easy" was so different from the popular Sunset Strip sound at that time. Me and about 499 other informed rockers were lucky enough to see them on their first East Coast tour at the sold-out Paradise on Commonwealth Avenue, Boston (the same street Aerosmith started on). I saw Gn'R every tour after until I took a break when Buckethead joined. Gn'R is the band I've been lucky enough to see the most times live, almost 100! Everyone on this album is just stellar. Axl [Rose] had the tones, power, melodic sensibilities, and foresight to do what no other singer did then. Slash's playing was beyond memorable. Duff [McKagan] is one of the most underrated bassists in rock history, and learning his Appetite basslines is a masterclass. Steven [Adler] had the natural swing, and Izzy [Stradlin] was the secret weapon songwriter. Everything that's been heralded about this gem is deserved and true. Check out "It's So Easy," "Out Ta Get Me," and "Mr. Brownstone.' 7) Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd (1975) Another contender for my favorite album and band of all time. Using The Beatles machine (same recording studio, engineer, record label), Pink Floyd made what I feel is their strongest, most cohesive album (my second favorite of theirs would be Animals). This list mainly consists of bands with an instantly recognizable sound. Floyd is certainly no exception to that! This album included a solid handful of undeniable rock radio classics, bookended by two halves of the mind-blowing song "Shine on You Crazy Diamond.' That song was written about former band member and founder Syd Barrett. It would be hard to live in a world without this album. Check out "Welcome to The Machine," "Shine on You Crazy Diamond (parts 6-9),' or even better yet, listen to the whole thing in one sitting! 6) Decade by Neil Young (1977) About this time, I started playing guitar. As a beginner, it was comfortable jamming to this album because the chord changes were simple—a great "first ten years" retrospective of Neil's stunning, unique songwriting. Neil is a treasure who always writes from the heart and stands up for what's right. Check out "Southern Man," "A Man Needs a Maid," "Down by The River," and "After the Goldrush." 5) Highway to Hell by AC/DC (1979) When I heard this album, I was firmly "me." My life would be 100% focused on hard rock music forever. AC/DC are like air; they're ubiquitous. Everyone knows them and their incredible songs. However, as a young teen in Wilmington, Delaware, I only had WMMR 93.3 FM Philadelphia and a few friends to inform me about the world of Rock outside my bedroom. AC/DC had not gone mainstream, and their albums were available primarily in the USA as imports. To put things more in perspective, I only knew two people in the world who had heard of AC/DC. A friend had an import that we played in Steve Buckley's basement, which sounded ripping. When Highway to Hell was released, WMMR started spinning the title track, and I immediately bought the album, listening to it every single day after school. Then WMMR announced AC/DC was coming to the Spectrum in Philly, supporting Ted Nugent! I liked Ted but loved AC/DC, so my good friend Mick Cummins and I bought tickets, and he drove us up to the Spectrum (where we saw most of our concerts). Bon Scott was in fine form, and the band went over great. Although the crowd knew Ted better, Angus [Young] wouldn't let anyone upstage him. I'll never forget it! Unfortunately, Bon would be gone in 6 months. Check out "Walk All Over You," "Touch Too Much," "Shot Down in Flames," and "If You Want Blood (You Got It)." 4) Toys in the Attic by Aerosmith (1975) By the time I heard this, I was now in my teens. I had a childhood friend up the street, Jim Linberg (we're still good buddies). His older sister had a great album collection, including Toys in The Attic. Once I heard that groove, my taste changed. I lost interest in rock music that didn't have some sort of "swing" feel to it. I think Rocks is a slightly better Aerosmith album (and possibly my favorite album of all time), but both are perfect or very close. Check out "Uncle Salty," "Adam's Apple," "No More No More," "Round and Round," and "You See Me Crying." 3) Alive! by Kiss (1975) When I was still a little kid, I asked for Cheech and Chong's Up in Smoke album for Christmas. The entire family came over for an enormous feast, and I dropped the needle. When my mother heard the content, she turned off the album and said I had to exchange it. My mom was cool, but I was young and knew much more about life than she suspected. Anyway, the next day, she drove me back to the store. In the music section, promoted on an "endcap" was a Kiss Alive! display. I had never heard of Kiss, but that cover picture told me I had to have it! My first foray into hard rock. Check out “Strutter.” I went through my Kiss phase very quickly, I believe in a matter of months because I discovered the previous entry, Aerosmith's Toys in the Attic. 2) Honky Chateau by Elton John (1972) When I was a wee lad, my parents bought a used Volkswagen camper van from my uncle Ozzie. My favorite Elton John album is Yellow Brick Road, but Honky Chateau is great and easily one of his best. It sent me down a lifelong rabbit hole of loving everything about the 1970s partnership between Elton and lyricist Bernie Taupin. The simple beauty of voice, the master songwriting, the perfect backing band, the clear, unobtrusive recordings, and always Bernie's incredible lyrics. The day this album was released, Elton became an unstoppable force that conquered the music industry. Check out "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" and "Rocket Man." 1) Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles (1967) Another tape that was included in the VW Camper. The van had a bunch of music tapes, and one was Sgt Pepper. I was too young to understand the sophistication of the music, but that was one of the many skills of The Beatles. They attracted listeners at every level, even little kids. I still feel that immediate connection to Sgt Pepper; now, I hear so much more. It's an album that changed the world and the world of music. Check out "Lucy in The Sky with Diamonds," "A Day In The Life," and "Fixing a Hole."](http://www.classicrockhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Shutterstock_1815495569-1-300x200.jpg)
