Music Review: The Bangles "Walking Down Your Street"
The Bangles
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Walking Down Your Street
Album: Different Light
Year: 1987
Susanna Hoffs passes by her crush’s house, hoping to talk to him in the eager “Walking Down Your Street.”
Ecstatic guitars open the single, setting a gushing tone. In the first verse, she has stayed awake many nights, staring at her walls. She craves to have a conversation with him about politics and talk about their shared love/hate relationship with pop culture.
In the chorus, she says she’s decided to be bold and casually stroll by his house. Each time she sees his home, she wonders what he’s doing and if she will ever be invited inside one day. It’s not something she’d thought she’d ever do, but she really likes him.
In the second verse, she fantasizes about the relationship they would have and every time she as so much as thinks of him, her face turns a beet red.
In the second chorus, the more she sees his house, the more she falls for him.
A striving guitar solo follows and leads into the bridge.
In the bridge, Debbi Peterson encourages her to knock on the door. Hoffs can’t believe she’s actually thinking about doing it.
In the pre-chorus, she says her feelings aren’t going to disappear. She has to have a date with him.
The chorus is sung three times to close the single.
Hoffs has talked to her crush enough to call him a friend. However, she’s uncertain if she will be welcomed into his home. None of her crushes have ever progressed beyond a casual “hello.” To have a conversation with him at least a couple times a week, is unheard of. All it takes is about ten steps and the push of a doorbell to make it happen.
Hoffs’ demure, blithe vocals are expectant and driven. She realizes what she’s doing can be considered stalking. However, it builds her courage each time. It’s a risky strategy but she will be able to “accidently” bump into him without the worrying about a clique of girls swooping him away.
The headstrong arrangement brushes off caution with a hearty shrug, driving to the eventual fateful moment.
The appealing “Walking Down Your Street” is an overlooked gem.
Album: Different Light
Year: 1987
Susanna Hoffs passes by her crush’s house, hoping to talk to him in the eager “Walking Down Your Street.”
Ecstatic guitars open the single, setting a gushing tone. In the first verse, she has stayed awake many nights, staring at her walls. She craves to have a conversation with him about politics and talk about their shared love/hate relationship with pop culture.
“Oh, oh I've had sleepless nights/Toss and turn, wake up burning/For what you inspire.”
In the chorus, she says she’s decided to be bold and casually stroll by his house. Each time she sees his home, she wonders what he’s doing and if she will ever be invited inside one day. It’s not something she’d thought she’d ever do, but she really likes him.
“So, I'm gonna walk right down your street/With a love that I can't hide/I've got one thing on my mind/Yeah, I'll even sacrifice my pride, 'cause I want you.”
In the second verse, she fantasizes about the relationship they would have and every time she as so much as thinks of him, her face turns a beet red.
“Oh, oh how I wish you would be mine/My pulse is weak, I'm blushing brighter/Then a valentine.”
In the second chorus, the more she sees his house, the more she falls for him.
“'Cause I've been walking down your street
With a love that I can't hide/I've got one thing on my mind/Yeah, I'll even sacrifice my pride/'Cause I can't stop the way I feel/So, I'll keep walking on, 'cause I want you.”
A striving guitar solo follows and leads into the bridge.
In the bridge, Debbi Peterson encourages her to knock on the door. Hoffs can’t believe she’s actually thinking about doing it.
“Walking down, down, down your street/Walking, down your street/Walking, down your street (walking)/Down your street (walking, down, down, down)/Oh no (walking) oh, oh oh.”
In the pre-chorus, she says her feelings aren’t going to disappear. She has to have a date with him.
“I can't stop the way I feel/So, I'll keep walking on.”
The chorus is sung three times to close the single.
Hoffs has talked to her crush enough to call him a friend. However, she’s uncertain if she will be welcomed into his home. None of her crushes have ever progressed beyond a casual “hello.” To have a conversation with him at least a couple times a week, is unheard of. All it takes is about ten steps and the push of a doorbell to make it happen.
Hoffs’ demure, blithe vocals are expectant and driven. She realizes what she’s doing can be considered stalking. However, it builds her courage each time. It’s a risky strategy but she will be able to “accidently” bump into him without the worrying about a clique of girls swooping him away.
The headstrong arrangement brushes off caution with a hearty shrug, driving to the eventual fateful moment.
The appealing “Walking Down Your Street” is an overlooked gem.