The week of April 26, 1986, offered up a bonanza of 80s musical goodness atop the Billboard Hot 100.
In the top spot for the second straight week was Prince’s ‘Kiss,’ followed by Robert Palmer’s ‘Addicted to Love’ and Pet Shop Boys’ ‘West End Girls.’ Now there’s a trio of songs that simultaneously take you back several decades but still work like gangbusters today.
At #4, dropping from its peak at #2 a week earlier, was The Bangles’ ‘Manic Monday.’ This made it a particularly good week for Prince, who wrote this track and gave it to the band allegedly because a) he liked their song ‘Hero Takes a Fall’ and/or b) he wanted to have sex with Susanna Hoffs. I’m guessing it was both.
‘Manic Monday’ was the lead single of The Bangles’ excellent sophomore album Different Light and the band’s top-charting track until ‘Walk Like an Egyptian’ hit #1 that December.
The Bangles’ version isn’t all that different from Prince’s, but it is sped up a bit and given their guitar pop treatment. They also improved the bridge, in my opinion.
Six o’clock already, I was just in the middle of a dream
I was kissin’ Valentino by a crystal blue Italian stream
But I can’t be late, ’cause then I guess I just won’t get paid
These are the days when you wish your bed was already made
[Chorus]
It’s just another manic Monday (Ooh-oh)
Wish it were Sunday (Ooh-oh)
‘Cause that’s my fun day (Ooh-oh)
My I-don’t-have-to-run day (Ooh)
It’s just another manic Monday
[Verse 2]
Have to catch an early train, got to be to work by nine
And if I had an aeroplane, I still couldn’t make it on time
‘Cause it takes me so long just to figure out what I’m gonna wear
Blame it on the train, but the boss is already there
[Chorus]
It’s just another manic Monday (Ooh-oh)
Wish it were Sunday (Ooh-oh)
‘Cause that’s my fun day (Ooh-oh)
My I-don’t-have-to-run day (Ooh)
It’s just another manic Monday
[Bridge]
Of all of my nights, why did my lover have to pick
Last night to get down? (Last night, last night)
Doesn’t it matter that I have to feed the both of us?
Employment’s down
He tells me in his bedroom voice
“C’mon, honey, let’s go make some noise” (I can’t resist)
Time, it goes so fast (When you’re having fun)
[Chorus]
It’s just another manic Monday (Ooh-oh)
Wish it were Sunday (Ooh-oh)
‘Cause that’s my fun day (Ooh-oh)
My I-don’t-have-to-run day (Ooh)
It’s just another manic Monday (Ooh-oh)
Wish it were Sunday (Ooh-oh)
‘Cause that’s my fun day (Ooh-oh)
It’s just another manic Monday
Meet Me In Montauk 