Walk Like an Egyptian

"Walk Like an Egyptian" is a song made famous by the Bangles. It was released in September 1986 as the third single from the album Different Light.

Origin

Liam Sternberg wrote the song after seeing people on a ferry walking awkwardly to keep their balance, which reminded him of figures in Ancient Egyptian reliefs. The opening lyrics state, "All the old paintings on the tombs/They do the sand dance don't you know". The reference to the sand dance possibly refers to a music hall routine performed by Wilson, Keppel and Betty where Wilson and Keppel danced around in the postures portrayed on the reliefs wearing the fez while Betty watched.^[3]

Recording

By January 1984, Sternberg was finished cutting a demo version of the song with Marti Jones singing the lyric. He offered his song to Toni Basil, who turned it down.^[4] Lene Lovich recorded the first version of the song, but it went unreleased when Lovich decided to take a sabbatical from music to raise her family. From Peer Southern Publishing, David Kahne, the producer of Different Light, received a copy of the demo and liked it, especially Jones's "offhand quality".^[4] Kahne took the song to the Bangles who agreed to record it. He had each member of the group sing the lyrics to determine who would sing each verse, with Vicki Peterson, Michael Steele, and Susanna Hoffs singing lead vocals on the first, second, and third verses, respectively, in the final version. Kahne did not like any of Debbi Peterson's leads, and so she was relegated to backing vocals. This angered Peterson and caused tension within the group, as she felt the rest of the band was not supportive. The situation was exacerbated by the drumming in the song being done by a drum machine instead of by her, further diminishing her role in the song.^[2] (Peterson can be seen playing the tambourine during their 1986 performance on The Old Grey Whistle Test.^[5])

Chart performances

"Walk Like an Egyptian" was released as the third single from Different Light. It debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 in September 1986. The song reached a peak of number three on the UK Singles Chart in November 1986 and reached number one in the US on December 20, staying at the top of the Hot 100 for four weeks, carrying it over into January 1987. The song is the first song by an all-female group playing (mostly) their own instruments to top the Billboard singles chart.^[6] The success of the song and "Manic Monday" propelled Different Light to number two on the Billboard 200 chart, making it the group's most successful album.^[7]

On the American Top 40 Top 100 of 1987 radio show, host Casey Kasem reported the song was added to the album as a joke, to which he added, "Some joke. Here's the punchline: The Bangles' sand dance of the ancient pharaohs walks away with the pyramid prize of the year!" contrasting how the song was added to the album with how popular it became, as it topped the year-end Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, which is the chart the American Top 40 was using at the time.

Music video

The music video for "Walk Like an Egyptian" was nominated for Best Group Video in the 1987 MTV Video Music Awards.^[8] The street scenes were filmed in New York City. It featured people dancing in a pose similar to the pose depicted in the Ancient Egyptian reliefs that inspired songwriter Liam Sternberg; while most of them are ordinary people, some famous figures and objects were depicted dancing in that same pose through the use of simple special effects, like Lady Diana, Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi and the Statue of Liberty. In a popular scene from the video, Hoffs was filmed in a close-up where her eyes moved from side to side, looking left and right. When asked about the scene in an interview with online magazine PlanetOut.com, Hoffs explained that she was actually looking at individual audience members during the video shoot, which took place with a live audience. Looking directly at individual audience members was a technique she used to overcome stage fright, and she was unaware that the camera had a close-up on her while she was employing this technique, switching between one audience member on her left and one on her right.^[9]

1990 re-release

In 1990, "Walk Like an Egyptian" was re-issued as a single in the UK to promote the Bangles' Greatest Hits album. It featured new remixes for the song called Ozymandias Remix. With the group having parted ways by then, little promotion was made and it charted at a poor number 73 in the UK.

Censorship

"Walk Like an Egyptian" was one of the songs deemed inappropriate by Clear Channel following the September 11, 2001 attacks.^[10]

The song was on a "list of records to be avoided" drawn up by the BBC during the Gulf War, along with "Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)", "Boom Bang-a-Bang" and "Sailing".^[11]

Use in other media

The song was used as the theme of the ending credits of the Japanese animated series JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders (based off the manga series JoJo's Bizarre Adventure) for the first 24 episodes.^[12]
The song was used in Totally Spies! The Movie.^[13]

Accolades

Year	Publisher	Country	Accolade	Rank
1986	Hot Press	Ireland	"Singles of the Year" (20)^[14]	4
1986	The Village Voice	United States	"Singles of the Year" (25)^[15]	16
2003	Giannis Petridis	Greece	"2004 of the Best Songs of the Century"^[16]	*
2003	Paul Morley	United Kingdom	"Greatest Pop Single of All Time"^[17]	*
2003	Pause & Play	United States	"Vault Of Fame" (Songs)^[18]	*
2005	Bruce Pollock	United States	"The 7,500 Most Important Songs of 1944-2000"^[16]	*
2009	Gilles Verlant and Thomas Caussé	France	"3000 Rock Classics"^[16]	*
2009	Radio Veronica	Netherlands	"Best Of The 80's" (100)^[19]	99

(*) indicates the list is unordered.

Track listings

1985 release 7" single

"Walk Like an Egyptian" (3:21)
"Angels Don't Fall in Love" (3:21)

12" maxi

"Walk Like an Egyptian" (extended dance mix) (5:48)
"Walk Like an Egyptian" (dub mix) (5:17)
"Walk Like an Egyptian" (a capella mix) (2:47)

1986 release 7" single

"Walk Like an Egyptian" (3:21)
"Not Like You" (3:05)

12" maxi

"Walk Like an Egyptian" (extended dance mix) (5:48)
"Walk Like an Egyptian" (dub mix) (5:17)
"Walk Like an Egyptian" (a cappella mix) (2:47)
"Angels Don't Fall in Love" (3:21)

Charts and sales

Weekly charts

Chart (1986–1987)	Peak position
Australia (Kent Music Report)^[20]	1
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)^[21]	6
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)^[22]	1
Belgium (VRT Top 30 Flanders)^[23]	1
Canada Top Singles (RPM)^[24]	1
Europe (Pan-European Charts)^[25]	7
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)^[26]	11
France (SNEP)^[27]	15
Germany (Media Control Charts)^[28]	1
Ireland (IRMA)^[29]	2
Italy (FIMI)^[30]	5
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)^[31]	1
Netherlands (Single Top 100)^[32]	1
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)^[33]	2
South Africa (Springbok Radio)^[34]	1
Spain (AFYVE)^[35]	1
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)^[36]	8
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)^[37]	3
US Billboard Hot 100^[38]	1
US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play^[38]	46
US Billboard Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales^[38]	15
US Cash Box^[39]	1

Chart (1990)	Peak position
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)^[40]	73

Year-end charts

Chart (1986)	Position
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)^[41]	48
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)^[42]	63
Netherlands (Single Top 100)^[43]	27
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)	23

Chart (1987)	Position
Australia (Kent Music Report)^[44]	7
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)^[45]	51
Canada (RPM Top 100 Singles)^[46]	25
Italy (FIMI)^[30]	38
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)^[47]	64
Netherlands (Single Top 100)^[48]	95
South Africa (Springbok Radio)^[49]	8
US Billboard Hot 100^[50]	1

Certifications and sales


Region	Certification	Sales/shipments
Canada (Music Canada)^[51]	Gold	50,000^{^}
Netherlands (NVPI)^[52]	Platinum	100,000^{^}
United Kingdom (BPI)^[53]	Silver	250,000^{^}
United States (RIAA)^[54]	Gold	1,000,000^{^}
^*sales figures based on certification alone ^{^}shipments figures based on certification alone ^xunspecified figures based on certification alone

Order of precedence
Preceded by "Funkytown" by Pseudo Echo "You Keep Me Hangin' On" by Kim Wilde	Australian number-one single February 9, 1987 (1 week) February 23, 1987 (1 week)	Succeeded by "You Keep Me Hangin' On" by Kim Wilde
Preceded by "Don't Leave Me This Way" by The Communards with Sarah Jane Morris	Belgian Ultratop 50 Flanders number-one single December 27, 1986 – January 10, 1987 (3 weeks)	Succeeded by "Suburbia" by Pet Shop Boys
	Belgian VRT Top 30 Flanders number-one single (first run) December 27, 1986 – January 3, 1987 (2 weeks)	Succeeded by "Suburbia" by Pet Shop Boys
	Dutch Top 40 number-one single December 6, 1986 – January 10, 1987 (5 weeks)	Succeeded by "Showing Out (Get Fresh at the Weekend)" by Mel & Kim
	Single Top 100 number-one single December 13, 1986 – December 27, 1986 (3 weeks)
Preceded by "In the Army Now" by Status Quo	German number-one single December 22, 1986 – January 12, 1987 (4 weeks)
Preceded by "Suburbia" by Pet Shop Boys	Belgian VRT Top 30 Flanders number-one single (second run) January 17, 1987 (1 week)
Preceded by "Everybody Have Fun Tonight" by Wang Chung	*Canadian RPM* number-one single** January 24, 1987 (1 week)	Succeeded by "Can't Help Falling in Love" by Corey Hart
Preceded by "The Way It Is" by Bruce Hornsby & the Range	*US Billboard* Hot 100 number-one single** December 20, 1986 – January 10, 1987 (4 weeks)	Succeeded by "Shake You Down" by Gregory Abbott
	*US Billboard* Hot 100 Airplay number-one single** December 20, 1986 – January 10, 1987 (4 weeks)	Succeeded by "Shake You Down" by Gregory Abbott
	*US Cash Box* number-one single** December 20, 1986 (1 week)	Succeeded by "Everybody Have Fun Tonight" by Wang Chung
Preceded by "The Lady in Red" by Chris de Burgh	South African number-one single January 24, 1987 – February 14, 1987 (4 weeks)	Succeeded by "Everybody Have Fun Tonight" by Wang Chung
Preceded by "Shake You Down" by Gregory Abbott	Spanish number-one single April 18, 1987 – May 9, 1987 (4 weeks)	Succeeded by "Multimix" by The Communards
Preceded by "That's What Friends Are For" by Dionne & Friends 1986	*US Billboard* Hot 100 best-selling single of the year 1987**	Succeeded by "Faith" by George Michael 1988

References

↑
- Lamb, Bill. "Kelly Clarkson – Never Again". About.com. The New York Times Company. Retrieved February 15, 2014. David Kahne is responsible for over 2 decades of pop-rock classics from seminal work with the Bangles ("Manic Monday," "Walk Like an Egyptian," "Going Down to Liverpool") to more recent production efforts for the Strokes.
- ""Walk Like an Egyptian" – The Bangles – 1986". Rolling Stone. Jann Wenner. Retrieved February 15, 2014. A three-and-a-half-minute slice of mainstream guitar rock with a touch of girl-group pop
↑ 2.0 2.1 Alter, Gaby (September 1, 2009). "Classic Tracks: The Bangles' "Walk Like an Egyptian"". Mix Online. Retrieved February 15, 2014. The Bangles add grit with rock 'n' roll bass and guitars, and sweetness with deadpan pop vocals.
↑ "Variety Shows". BBC Online. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
↑ 4.0 4.1 Bronson, Fred (2003). The Billboard Book of Number 1 Hits (5 ed.). Random House Digital. p. 656. ISBN 0-8230-7677-6.
↑ The Old Grey Whistle Test Vol. 3 (DVD). BBC Video. 2006.
↑ Stichting Nederlandse Top 40, 500 Nr. 1 hits uit de Top 40, Page 234, 9023009444
↑ "Bangles – Awards". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
↑ "1987 Video Music Awards". MTV. Viacom International. Retrieved September 1, 2009.
↑ Stewart, Jenny (August 8, 2009). PlanetOut Talks to Susanna Hoffs at the Wayback Machine (archived August 12, 2009). PlanetOut.com. Retrieved September 1, 2009.
↑ Murphy, Heather (September 17, 2001). "It's the End of the World as Clear Channel Knows It". Slate. The Slate Group. Retrieved October 16, 2011.
↑ "Unfit for Auntie's airwaves: The artists censored by the BBC". The Independent. December 14, 2007. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
↑ Komatsu, Mikikazu (January 10, 2015). "Pat Metheny Group's 1987 Song "Last Train Home" Featured as New ED Song for "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure"". Crunchyroll. Retrieved January 22, 2015.
↑ "Various Artists – Totally Spies Bof". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved March 2, 2015.
↑ "Hot Press Albums Of The Year 1986: The Critics’ Choice". Hot Press. Rocklist.net. Retrieved March 26, 2014.
↑ "Village Voice - Pazz & Jop Lists > 1986: Singles". The Village Voice. Rocklist.net. Retrieved March 26, 2014.
↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 "Bangles – Walk Like an Egyptian". Acclaimed Music. Retrieved March 26, 2014.
↑ "Paul Morley". Paul Morley. Rocklist.net. Retrieved March 26, 2014.
↑ Songs at the Wayback Machine (archived August 2, 2003). Pause & Play. Retrieved March 26, 2014.
↑ "Radio Veronica". Radio Veronica. Rocklist.net. Retrieved March 26, 2014.
↑ "Australia No. 1 hits -- 1980's". World Charts. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
↑ "Austriancharts.at – Bangles – Walk Like An Egyptian" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
↑ "Ultratop.be – Bangles – Walk Like An Egyptian" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
↑ "Walk Like An Egyptian – BANGLES" (in Dutch). Top 30. Retrieved February 15, 2014. Hoogste notering in de top 30 : 1
↑ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 0766." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved May 30, 2014.
↑ "Billboard – Hits Of The World". Billboard (Nielsen Business Media) 98 (50): 56. December 13, 1986. ISSN 0006-2510.
↑ Pennanen, Timo (2006). Sisältää hitin - levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Tammi. ISBN 978-951-1-21053-5.
↑ "Lescharts.com – Bangles – Walk Like An Egyptian" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
↑ "Officialcharts.de – Bangles – Walk Like An Egyptian". GfK Entertainment. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
↑ "The Irish Charts – All there is to know". Irishcharts.ie. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
↑ 30.0 30.1 "I singoli più venduti del 1987" (in Italian). Hit Parade Italia. Creative Commons. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Bangles - Walk Like An Egyptian search results" (in Dutch) Dutch Top 40. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Bangles – Walk Like An Egyptian" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
↑ "Charts.org.nz – Bangles – Walk Like An Egyptian". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
↑ "South African Rock Lists Website SA Charts 1969 – 1989 Acts (B)". Rock.co.za. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
↑ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (in Spanish) (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
↑ "Swisscharts.com – Bangles – Walk Like An Egyptian". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
↑ "Archive Chart: 1986-11-15" UK Singles Chart. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
↑ 38.0 38.1 38.2 "Different Light – Awards". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
↑ CASH BOX Top 100 Singles – Week ending DECEMBER 20, 1986 at the Wayback Machine (archived October 2, 2012). Cash Box magazine. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
↑ "Bangles: Artist Chart History" UK Singles Chart. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
↑ "Jaaroverzichten 1986" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
↑ "Single Top 100 over 1986" (PDF) (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
↑ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1986" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Hung Medien. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
↑ "Forum – ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts – Top 100 End of Year AMR Charts – 1980s". Australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
↑ "Jaaroverzichten 1987" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
↑ "Top Singles – Volume 47, No. 12, December 26 1987". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
↑ "Single Top 100 over 1987" (PDF) (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
↑ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1987" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Hung Medien. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
↑ "Top 20 Hit Singles of 1987". Rock.co.za. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
↑ "Top 100 Hits for 1987". The Longbored Surfer. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
↑ "Canadian single certifications – Bangles – Walk Like an Egyptian". Music Canada.
↑ "Dutch single certifications – Bangles – Walk Like an Egyptian" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers.
↑ "British single certifications – Bangles – Walk Like an Egyptian". British Phonographic Industry. Enter Walk Like an Egyptian in the field Keywords. Select Title in the field Search by. Select single in the field By Format. Select Silver in the field By Award. Click Search
↑ "American single certifications – Bangles – Walk Like an Egyptian". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH

Additional sources used:

Allmusic song review
Jay Warner, On This Day in Music History: Over 2000 Popular Music Facts Covering Every Day of the Year Hal Leonard 2004 ISBN 0-634-06693-5 pages 272, 321, 356

External links

The Bangles' official website

The Bangles

Susanna Hoffs Vicki Peterson Debbi Peterson Annette Zilinskas Michael Steele

Studio albums	All Over the Place Different Light Everything Doll Revolution Sweetheart of the Sun

Extended plays	Bangles

Compilations	Greatest Hits

Singles	"Getting out of Hand" "The Real World" "Hero Takes a Fall" "Going Down to Liverpool" "Manic Monday" "If She Knew What She Wants" "Walk Like an Egyptian" "Walking Down Your Street" "Following" "Hazy Shade of Winter" "In Your Room" "Eternal Flame" "Be with You" "I'll Set You Free" "Everything I Wanted" "The Eternal Mix" "Something That You Said" "Tear Off Your Own Head" "I Will Take Care of You" "Light My Way"

Videography	Greatest Hits Return to Bangleonia

Related articles	Discography The Runaways Kindred Spirit Continental Drifters

Book Category

Billboard Year-End number one singles (1980–1999)

1980: "Call Me" – Blondie 1981: "Bette Davis Eyes" – Kim Carnes 1982: "Physical" – Olivia Newton-John 1983: "Every Breath You Take" – The Police 1984: "When Doves Cry" – Prince 1985: "Careless Whisper" – Wham! featuring George Michael 1986: "That's What Friends Are For" – Dionne & Friends 1987: "Walk Like an Egyptian" – The Bangles 1988: "Faith" – George Michael 1989: "Look Away" – Chicago 1990: "Hold On" – Wilson Phillips 1991: "(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" – Bryan Adams 1992: "End of the Road" – Boyz II Men 1993: "I Will Always Love You" – Whitney Houston 1994: "The Sign" – Ace of Base 1995: "Gangsta's Paradise" – Coolio featuring L.V. 1996: "Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix)" – Los del Río 1997: "Candle in the Wind 1997"/"Something About the Way You Look Tonight" – Elton John 1998: "Too Close" – Next 1999: "Believe" – Cher

Complete list (1946–1959) (1960–1979) (1980–1999) (2000–2019)

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure by Hirohiko Araki

Manga	Phantom Blood Battle Tendency Stardust Crusaders Diamond Is Unbreakable Vento Aureo Stone Ocean Steel Ball Run JoJolion

Anime	OVA Film TV series Season 1 Stardust Crusaders

Video games	Heritage for the Future Vento Aureo Phantom Blood All Star Battle Eyes of Heaven

Related	Characters Dio Brando “Voodoo Kingdom” “JoJo (Sono Chi no Sadame)” “Bloody Stream” “Stand Proud” “Roundabout” “Walk Like an Egyptian” “Last Train Home”