Song Stuck In My Head This Week - 12th February '11 - The Bangles - Going Down To Liverpool

Formed in December 1980 by Susanna Hoffs and sisters Vicki and Debbi Peterson, The Bangles went on to be one of the most successful girl groups of the 80s.

'Going Down To Liverpool' was the band's big breakthrough single. Written by Kimberley Rew and recorded by her band Katrina & The Waves, it was covered by The Bangles for their debut album 'All Over The Place' in 1984. With the help of its video featuring 'Star Trek' actor Leonard Nimoy as well as an opening slot on Cyndi Lauper's 'Fun' tour that year.

All of this helped them reach a wider audience as well as capturing the attention of Prince who went on to write their first massive mainstream hit 'Manic Monday'. That reached number two in the US and UK and was featured on their second album 'Different Light' which also contained their global number one smash 'Walk Like An Egyptian'.

Despite the huge success of the band, by 1988 tensions between the girls were at an all time high. Though the vocal duty was shared equally between the girls both the media and, to a degree, the record label were pushing Hoffs as the 'lead singer'. Shortly after the release in 1988 of their biggest selling single, 'Eternal Flame', the group disbanded.

After many years working on solo projects the girls got back together in 1999 to record a song for the soundtrack of 'Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me' and have worked together and toured ever since. This year will see them release a new album and, I hope, do an extensive tour to plug it as I would love to see them live.

In the meantime I'll leave you with footage of a live performance of 'Going Down To Liverpool' from 1984 which I hope you'll all enjoy and I'll catch you all next week!!

The Bangles - Going Down To Liverpool

Hey now
Where you going with that load of nothing in your hand
I said, hey now
All through this green and pleasant land.

I'm going down to Liverpool to do nothing
I'm going down to Liverpool to do nothing
I'm going down to Liverpool to do nothing
All the days of my life
All the days of my life

Hey there
Where you going with that UB40 in your hand
I said, hey there.
All through this green and pleasant land

I'm going down to Liverpool to do nothing
I'm going down to Liverpool to do nothing
I'm going down to Liverpool to do nothing
All the days of my life
All the days of my life.

Hey now
Where you going with that UB40 in your hand
I said hey now
All through this green and pleasant land

I'm going down to Liverpool to do nothing
I'm going down to Liverpool to do nothing
I'm going down to Liverpool to do nothing
All the days of my life
All the days of my life