BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1985
“Manic Monday” is a song by the American pop rock band The Bangles, and the first single released from their second studio album, Different Light (1986). It was written by American musician Prince, using the pseudonym “Christopher”. Originally intended for the group Apollonia 6 in 1984, he offered the song to The Bangles two years later. Lyrically, it describes a woman who is waking up to go to work on Monday, wishing it were still Sunday where she could relax.
The song, which was released on Monday January 27, 1986, by Columbia Records, received generally positive reviews from music critics and some comparisons with The Mamas & the Papas’ “Monday, Monday”. It became The Bangles’ first hit.
“Manic Monday” debuted at number eighty-six on the Billboard Hot 100, on the week ending January 25, 1986, and reached a peak of number two, on the issue dated April 19, 1986, being blocked from the top of the chart by Prince and the Revolution’s single “Kiss”. In the United Kingdom “Manic Monday” debuted at number eighty-five on February 8, 1986, and entered the top forty, at number twenty-four, on February 22, 1986. The song eventually reached its peak position, at number two, the next month. In Germany, the single debuted at number twenty-nine on March 17, 1986, reaching the top ten in the next three weeks, and its peak, also at number two, on April 14, 1986, where it stayed two weeks. It remained in the top ten for four more weeks leaving the charts on July 20, 1986.
In Switzerland “Manic Monday” debuted at number twelve on March 30, 1986, becoming the highest debut of the week. It reached its peak two weeks later at number four, where it remained another week. In the Netherlands, the single debuted at number forty-three on February 22, 1986; and managed to reach the number twenty-four. It stayed on the chart for seven weeks. In Norway, “Manic Monday” debuted at number nine in the tenth week of 1986, becoming the second highest debut of the week. It also reached the number four two weeks later, where it stayed another two. The song also peaked within the top five in the Austrian, the Irish, and the New Zealand charts.
Prince has used the pseudonym “Christopher” only one time for writing credits of ‘Manic Monday’.
It’s a reference to “Christopher Tracy,” a character he played in the motion picture ‘Under The Cherry Moon’ (1986) although he never used the full name ‘Christopher Tracy’ as a writing or production alter ego.
SIDE A:
A Manic Monday (Extended Version) 4:40
Written-By – Christopher
SIDE B:
Manic Monday 3:04
Written-By – Christopher
In A Different Light 2:51
Written-By – S. Hoffs*, V. Peterson*
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
U.S. CHART HISTORY:
Year | Single | Chart | Position |
---|---|---|---|
1986 | Manic Monday | U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | #2 |
1986 | Manic Monday | U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary | #10 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: CBS – CBSA 13.6796, CBS – A 13.6796
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Maxi-Single
Country: Europe
Released: 1985
Genre: Rock
Style: Pop Rock
CREDITS:
Producer – David Kahne
NOTES:
Special Version From The CBS LP: Different Light
Find the 12″ on DISCOGS
EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (DC)
Cartridge: Ortofon 2M
Stylus: Ortofon OM Stylus 30
Platter: Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Bellari VP130 Tube Phono Preamp
Tube: Tung-Sol 12AX7ECC803-S Gold Electron Tube
Soundcard: ESI Juli@
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Brother MFC-6490CW Professional Series Scanner
SOFTWARE USED:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator
RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
MP3 (320kbps)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
Thank you, Paul.
Thank you very much Paul.
This was originally recorded by Vanity 6 – it’s so odd it was removed from their album.
Such a classic tune showing Prince’s diversity as a song writer.
Thank you for the amazing quality rip!
Cheers.
Great post, Paul! An absolutely phenomenal song. Love the Bangles and love that they worked with Prince on this one. 🙂
Didn’t know he also wrote this monster hit.
On his last show in Atlanta he played over 40 songs, quote from Billboard Magazine:
“According to one fan,
Prince’s final show
was “more like church
than a concert.”
His name was Prince and he will be FUNKY for ever and ever!
I remember hearing this song a lot on the school bus back in the day. For a while it seemed that just about everything Prince touched turned to gold. I remember early on knowing Prince wrote it, and being a bit surprised, I don’t think I’ve ever heard an extended version. For some odd reason that demo reminds me of Concrete Blonde.
It would be cool to hear all of the original studio versions of the hit songs Prince wrote for other people, properly mastered and mixed.
I agree Joey that would be really cool 🙂
Sounds great, better than the Japanese remastered CD. Thank you.
Thank you David 🙂
The original demo is on YouTube… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8da5Ls7RZWQ
Thanks for the link Newmusicmark very interesting.
Always great to see The Bangles 🙂
Yes.. this was originally for the Apollonia 6 album, as was 17 Days.
I can’t hear anyone else singing this except Bangles it’s perfect for them 🙂
One of my personal favs can’t even remember if Prince even recorded this live or in the studio but i can’t imagine his voice would suit this song. Many thanks!
I read that Prince has about 2,000 unreleased songs so who knows their may be a Prince version in there somewhere would be cool to hear his take on it 🙂
There is a Prince & Apollonia version that escaped from the Vault a few years ago. It’s a bit labored compared to The Bangles version.
Manic Monday along with Raspberry Beret, are in my opinion, 2 of the most perfect pop songs Prince ever wrote.
Thanks for the rip Paul.
Perfect posting for today Paul. My Monday isn’t all that manic, but I really wish it was still the weekend. Thank you for this rarity. I think I do remember hearing a longer version on the radio back in the day, but that was the only time. So looking forward to hearing this as it may trigger the memory once more. Thanks for doing a marvelous job bringing these associated Prince singles back into our consciousness once more. Your work always makes me and others so very happy. I can’t tell you enough how appreciative I really am. You are… Read more »
You’re welcome Jeff. Have a great one my friend 🙂
Thanks Paul. Brings back memories.
You’re welcome Omar 🙂