September 1, 2021, marks the 35th Anniversary of The Bangles’ single Walk Like an Egyptian. It’s a timeless hit that crossed generations.
The music of Walk Like an Egyptian is classic Rock that is edgy and dynamic. It has some musical parts that have a Middle Eastern sound. David Kahne produced the piece with intricacy and structure. The use of tambourine and guitar is harmonious and in sync with one another. The wavy rhythm gives the song a dynamic feel that has a gradual transition from the verse to chorus – and vice versa. One can listen to the tune many times and still enjoy it.
Vicki Peterson, Michael Steele, and Susanna Hoffs each sing a verse of the song. Their voices are phenomenal in this piece. All three perform with passion and enthusiasm.
Liam Sternberg wrote the song. The lyrics are catchy and easy to follow, with some comic relief. There are clever references to Egyptian/Middle Eastern culture, such as hookah and old paintings on the tombs, the bazaar men by the Nile, etc. The tune also has some humour to provide comic relief. The sentence “oh whey oh” adds a kick to the song. The same thing goes for the line leading up to the one-line chorus: “Whey oh whey oh, ay oh whey oh”- it also works as a segue in the single. The four-line paragraphs are well-structured and straightforward.
Happy 35th Anniversary to Walk Like an Egyptian!
