BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1986
“Walk Like an Egyptian” is a song made famous by American band The Bangles. It was released in 1986 as the third single from the album Different Light. It was a million-selling single and became Billboard’s number-one song of 1987.
“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 their own instruments to top the Billboard singles chart. 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.
“Walk Like an Egyptian” was one of the songs which were claimed to have been banned by Clear Channel following the September 11, 2001 attacks. Snopes in researching this found that the list was simply suggestions regarding songs to be sensitive in regards to when playing. It was also included in a “list of records to be avoided” drawn up by the BBC during the Gulf War.
SIDE A:
Walk Like An Egyptian (Extended Dance Mix) 5:49
SIDE B:
Walk Like An Egyptian (Dub Mix) 5:19
Walk Like An Egyptian (A Capella Mix) 2:48
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
U.S. CHART HISTORY:
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Walk Like An Egyptian | U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | #3 |
| 1987 | Walk Like An Egyptian | U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play | #46 |
| 1987 | Walk Like An Egyptian | U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play Maxi-Singles Sales | #15 |
| 1987 | Walk Like An Egyptian | U.S. Billboard Hot 100 1987 Year End | #1 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Columbia – 44-05935, Columbia – 44 05935
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Single
Country: US
Released: 1986
Genre: Electronic, Rock, Pop
Style: Pop Rock
CREDITS:
Art Direction – Lane/Donald
Engineer – Keith Cohen
Mastered By – Wally*
Producer – David Kahne
Remix – Steve Beltran
Written-By – L. Sternberg*
NOTES:
Special Version From The Columbia Lp: “Different Light”
Find the 12″ at DISCOGS
VINYL RESTORATION BY:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net
EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (DC)
Cartridge: Ortofon 2M
Stylus: Ortofon 2M Bronze
Isolation: Auralex Acoustics ISO-Tone Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Bellari VP130 Tube Phono Preamp
Tube: Tung-Sol 12AX7 TubeGold Pins
Soundcard: Novation Audiohub 2×4 Audio Interface
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner
SOFTWARE USED:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling: iZotope RX Advanced 2, ocenaudio
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
It’s only after reading some of the comments that I begin to realize how much I’ve missed in re: pop culture. For example, names I’ve never heard of, controversies that never touched me. Out of sight, out of mind.
I feel like I’ve been living in a bubble. Under a rock. Damn.
Anyways, thanks for your fine music, Paul.
I love this song, even more because of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders. Thanks a dozen!
Thanks so much for both Bangles posts!
I found a clean copy of this one several years ago and digitized it myself. My equipment is far from junk, but this particular record suffered from some truly horrific sibilance. I don’t know if that was specific to my pressing or if your equipment isn’t as sensitive to it or if you have a way of taming it after the fact, but your transfer sure smokes mine.
Thank you!
🙂 Thanks again Paul !!!!!!!
Yeah, music banned because of ”possible” associations with nasty things as war and attacks.
BUT still, televise them including bombing and fleeing people. 24/7 for all to watch in horror, young and old, as war was not behind parental buttons on most teeveesets.
Sorry for this rant, I can not help but confrontate with idiotic discrepansies in our global society sometimes.
On this note: Anyone fighting modern contrails here by the way? There right above your head and since a few years are blocking our sunshine.
Oh, oh, again sorry.
Hi Paul,
Nice post.
Do you have
https://www.discogs.com/Bangles-Walk-Like-An-Egyptian/release/1466634
With Ozymandias 12″ Remix
and a friendly reminder to post the 7 inch mix of ONJ I emailed you about a couple of months ago, when time permits.
Warm Regards
Ray
Great memories of this classic. I like the dub on the b-side too.
Thanks Paul 🙂
You’re welcome Mark 🙂
Fantastic post paul, loved the Bangles especially this song with it’s cool video and catchy lyrics…..Loved the dance!
Manic Monday, If She Knew What She Wants and Eternal Flame, too many great tracks to mention.
Also loved Susanna Hoffs (as Gillian Shagwell, rhythm guitar and backing vocals) in the group Ming Tea with Mike Myers (as Austin Powers, lead vocals, guitar).
By the way Paul do you have the Italian 7″ of Simon Le Bon with Susanna Hoffs – Follow In My Footsteps, it came out in 1989.
John, I don’t have the Simon Le Bon single hopefully I can grab a copy at some point they are a bit pricey and most are located in Italy so shipping is pricey too.
This is to me a classic 12″ mix.
One of the most iconic songs of the 80’s, this mix does get you jumping to walk “like an Egyptian.” From it’s catchy opening all the way to long outro this is a well remixed version that doesn’t repeat the hook.
This is one my favorite all time 12″ singles, and already in my vast collection.
Thanks
You’re welcome Dj Veteran 🙂
Such a fun song Paul. I love all the versions here; I even have the a capella mix on a Rhino compilation too! I always joke, “Walk like an Eclip-tion” for my cat, Eclipse. Any chance to put my feline into a song (Yes, I’m that obsessed!) Anyway, I love that you bring back all the records that were HUGE on the radio but with mixes that never see the light of day. Creative jocks and mix-masters always used the full 12-inch to manufacture a creative mix. I miss those days. Especially because so much time and effort and LOVE… Read more »
Thank you, Jeff. After the disgust of yesterday, I wanted to post something upbeat and fun. This song always makes me smile 🙂
Thanks Paul.
You’re welcome Omar 🙂
Great song and rip! I call BS on the accusation that the song was banned/restricted multiple times. There is no proof other than Wikipedia (which is often shoddy).
The song was played so, so much even after its peak.
Thanks, Paul!
-Fred
There were several songs that Clear Channel banned in the days after 9/11 and “Walk Like An Egyptian” was one of them. A quick Google search does bring this up.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2001_Clear_Channel_memorandum
The Walk Like An Egyptian Wikipedia mentions the ban but does not refer to the Wikipedia article you mentioned (which is quite stupid of Wikipedia to not reference itself). However, the 2 Wikipedia articles contradict each other…the Bangles’ link states it was a ban while your link mentions it was not an outright ban but rather as suggestion. This is another example of why Wikipedia has little trust to being factual.
Anywway, thanks for the link!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2001_Clear_Channel_memorandum
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walk_Like_an_Egyptian
Both of these links are in agreement, and neither of them indicates that there was an outright ban. I find Wikipedia to be very trustworthy, specifically since the clear majority of the facts are backed up with one or more authoritative references.
Also, Thank You So much, Paul!!