Walk Like an Egyptian

In the mid-1980s, a quirky pop song about ancient Egyptian tomb paintings became an unlikely global anthem. "Walk Like an Egyptian" was written by songwriter Liam Sternberg, who got the idea while watching passengers on a ferry struggle to keep their balance, their stiff, angled postures reminding him of figures in Egyptian reliefs. The Bangles recorded it for their second album, Different Light, released on January 13, 1986. Producer David Kahne brought a polished pop sheen that marked a shift from the band's earlier garage-rock sound.

The recording session at Sunset Sound Factory in Los Angeles was tense. Kahne used a LinnDrum drum machine instead of letting drummer Debbi Peterson play, which sparked friction. He also played an E-mu Emulator II, electric rhythm guitar, and even a dog-head shaker. The lead vocals were split across three band members: Susanna Hoffs, Vicki Peterson, and Michael Steele each sang a verse, while Debbi Peterson contributed only backing vocals. The song's distinctive sound came partly from the studio's custom API mixing desk.

Released as the third single on September 1, 1986, "Walk Like an Egyptian" climbed to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 on December 20, holding that spot for four weeks. Billboard ranked it the top song of 1987 in the United States. It also reached number one in Australia, Germany, Spain, Denmark, and the Netherlands, and peaked at number three in the UK. The single earned gold certification from the RIAA. On Spotify, it has accumulated over 339 million streams. The song's success propelled Different Light to number two on the Billboard 200, making it the Bangles' most commercially successful album. [edit]