Walk Like an Egyptian

"Walk Like an Egyptian" is a song by the American band the Bangles. It was released in September 1986 as the third single from the band's second studio album, Different Light (1986). It was the band's first number-one single, being certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), and was ranked Billboard's number-one song of 1987.

"Walk Like an Egyptian"
North American 1986 12-inch vinyl picture sleeve
Single by The Bangles
from the album Different Light
B-side	"Angels Don't Fall in Love" "Not Like You"
Released	September 1, 1986 (1986-09-01)[1][2]
Studio	Sunset Sound Factory, Los Angeles
Genre	Pop rock[3] new wave[4] novelty[5]
Length	3:24
Label	Columbia Bangle-a-lang Music
Songwriter(s)	Liam Sternberg
Producer(s)	David Kahne
The Bangles singles chronology
"If She Knew What She Wants" (1986) "Walk Like an Egyptian" (1986) "Walking Down Your Street" (1986)
"Everything I Wanted" (1990) "Walk Like an Egyptian (remix)" (1990) "The Eternal Mix" (1990)
Music video
"Walk Like an Egyptian" on YouTube

Composition

Liam Sternberg said he was inspired to create the song while on a ferry crossing the English Channel. When the vessel hit choppy water, passengers stepped carefully and moved their arms awkwardly while struggling to maintain their balance, and that reminded Sternberg of the depiction of human figures in ancient Egyptian tomb paintings. He wrote the words "Walk like an Egyptian" in a notebook. Later, Sternberg looked back in the notebook and, composing the melody with a guitar, he put together an up-tempo song with lyrics about Egyptian hieroglyphs, the Nile River, crocodiles, desert sand, bazaars and hookah pipes and then segued into modern scenes of blonde waitresses, school children and police officers.^[6]

Recording

Sternberg finished a demo version by January 1984 with the singer Marti Jones, featuring percussion with kitchen implements. He offered it to Toni Basil, who turned it down.^[7] Lene Lovich recorded the first version of the song, but it was unreleased when she decided to take a break from music to raise her family. David Kahne, who like Sternberg was affiliated with Peer International Publishing, was the producer of Different Light. He received a copy of the demo and liked it, especially Jones's "offhand quality",^[7] and took the song to the Bangles, who agreed to record it.

Kahne had each member of the group sing the lyrics to determine who would sing each verse; Vicki Peterson, Michael Steele and Susanna Hoffs sang lead vocals in the final version on the first, second and third verses, respectively. Kahne disliked Debbi Peterson's leads, so she was relegated to backing vocals, which angered her and caused tension within the group. The situation was exacerbated by the use of a drum machine in place of her drumming, further diminishing her role in the song.^[8] She plays the tambourine during their 1986 performance on BBC's The Old Grey Whistle Test.^[9] The whistling in the song was played by a machine.^[10]

Critical reception

Di Cross of Record Mirror considered "Walk Like an Egyptian" an example of the Bangles "adopting an eastern flavour amidst the statutory guitars, jangly noises, and quaint vocals, sucking in the candyfloss pop of some predictably inoffensive lyrics", which the reviewer deemed a style regression in the band's career.^[11]

Chart performance

"Walk Like an Egyptian" was the third single released 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 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.^[12]

Music video

The music video for "Walk Like an Egyptian" was nominated for Best Group Video at the 1987 MTV Video Music Awards.^[13] It shows the Bangles performing the song at a concert and scenes of people dancing in poses similar to those depicted in the Ancient Egyptian reliefs that inspired Sternberg. Most of these people were filmed on the streets of New York City, although special effects were used to modify photos of Diana, Princess of Wales and the then Prince Charles, the Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, and the Statue of Liberty.

In a popular scene from the video, Hoffs was filmed in a close-up where her eyes moved from side to side, looking left and right. When asked about the scene in an interview, she explained that she was looking at individual audience members during the video shoot, which took place with a live audience. Looking directly at individual audience members was a technique she used to overcome stage fright and she was unaware that the camera had a close-up on her while she was using this technique, switching between one audience member on her left and one on her right.^[14]

1990 re-release

In 1990, "Walk Like an Egyptian" was re-issued as a single in the UK to promote the Bangles' Greatest Hits album. It included new remixes for the song called Ozymandias Remix. It charted at number 73 in the UK.

Airplay restrictions

"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. In researching this, Snopes found that the list was simply suggestions regarding songs to be sensitive about when deciding what to play.^[15] It was also included in a "list of records to be avoided" drawn up by the BBC during the Gulf War.^[16][why?]

Accolades

Year	Publisher	Country	Accolade	Rank
1986	Hot Press	Ireland	"Singles of the Year" (20)[17]	4
1986	The Village Voice	United States	"Singles of the Year" (25)[18]	16
2003	Giannis Petridis	Greece	"2004 of the Best Songs of the Century"[citation needed]	*
2003	Paul Morley	United Kingdom	"Greatest Pop Single of All Time"[19]	*
2003	Pause & Play	United States	"Vault of Fame" (Songs)[20]	*
2005	Bruce Pollock	United States	"The 7,500 Most Important Songs of 1944–2000"[citation needed]	*
2009	Gilles Verlant and Thomas Caussé	France	"3000 Rock Classics"[citation needed]	*
2009	Radio Veronica	Netherlands	"Best of the 80s" (100)[21]	99

(*) indicates the list is unordered.

Track listings

7-inch single

1. "Walk Like an Egyptian" (3:21)
2. "Not Like You" (3:05)

12-inch single

1. "Walk Like an Egyptian" (extended dance mix) (5:48)
2. "Walk Like an Egyptian" (dub mix) (5:17)
3. "Walk Like an Egyptian" (a cappella mix) (2:47)
4. "Angels Don't Fall in Love" (3:21)

Personnel

Personnel are sourced from Sound on Sound.^[22]

• Susanna Hoffs – lead and backing vocals, electric rhythm guitar
• Vicki Peterson – lead and backing vocals, electric lead guitar
• Michael Steele – lead and backing vocals, bass guitar
• Debbi Peterson – backing vocals
• David Kahne – E-mu Emulator II, LinnDrum programming, "dog head" shaker

Charts

Weekly charts Weekly chart performance for "Walk Like an Egyptian" Chart (1986–1987) Peak position Australia (Kent Music Report)[23] 1 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[24] 6 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[25] 1 Canada Top Singles (RPM)[26] 1 Europe (Pan-European Charts)[27] 7 Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[28] 11 France (SNEP)[29] 15 Ireland (IRMA)[30] 2 Japan (Oricon)[31] 83 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[32] 1 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[33] 1 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[34] 2 South Africa (Springbok Radio)[35] 1 Spain (AFYVE)[36] 1 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[37] 8 UK Singles (OCC)[38] 3 US Billboard Hot 100[39] 1 US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play[39] 46 US Billboard Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales[39] 15 US Cash Box[40] 1 West Germany (GfK)[41] 1 Weekly chart performance for the 1990 re-issue Chart (1990) Peak position UK Singles (OCC)[42] 73

Year-end charts 1986 year-end chart performance for "Walk Like an Egyptian" Chart (1986) Position Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[43] 48 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[44] 63 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[45] 27 UK Singles (OCC)[46] 23 1987 year-end chart performance for "Walk Like an Egyptian" Chart (1987) Position Australia (Australian Music Report)[47][48] 7 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[49] 51 Canada Top Singles (RPM)[50] 25 European Top 100 Singles (Music & Media)[51] 27 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[52] 64 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[53] 95 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[54] 39 South Africa (Springbok Radio)[55] 8 US Billboard Hot 100[56] 1 West Germany (Official German Charts)[57] 28 All-time charts All-time chart performance for "Walk Like an Egyptian" Chart (1958–2018) Position US Billboard Hot 100[58] 165

Certifications and sales

Certifications and sales for "Walk Like an Egyptian"

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[59]	Gold	50,000^
Netherlands (NVPI)[60]	Platinum	100,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[61]	Gold	400,000‡
United States (RIAA)[62]	Gold	500,000^
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. ‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

In popular culture

The song was used as the ending credits theme for the first 24 episodes of the Japanese animated series JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders (based on the third part of the manga series JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, which is set on a travel from Japan to Egypt).^[63]

The song was also used in Totally Spies! The Movie,^[64] in season 3 of Eastbound & Down and during the closing credits of Asterix & Obelix: Mission Cleopatra by Alain Chabat, one of the biggest successes in French cinema box-office history.

In Family Guy, Carter Pewterschmidt is shown listening to the song while singing different lyrics that relate to his life.

The song was used in a episode of the Sopranos featured in a pizza parlor where Christopher and Jackie Junior both meet each other

See also

• List of Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles of 1986
• List of Billboard Year-End number-one singles and albums
• List of Hot 100 Airplay number-one singles of the 1980s
• List of number-one singles in Australia during the 1980s
• List of Cash Box Top 100 number-one singles of 1986
• List of Dutch Top 40 number-one singles of 1986
• List of number-one hits of 1986 (Flanders)
• List of number-one hits of 1986 (Germany)
• List of number-one singles of 1987 (Canada)
• List of number-one singles of 1987 (Spain)

References

1. Smith, Robin (September 6, 1986). "The Bangles". Record Mirror. p. 8. The Bangles release their single 'Walk Like An Egyptian' this week.
2. "BPI".
3. Lamb, Bill. "Kelly Clarkson – Never Again". About.com. Archived from the original on March 6, 2012. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
4. Phares, Heather. "Various Artists – Just Can't Get Enough: New Wave Women". AllMusic.
5. Breihan, Tom (January 25, 2021). "The Number Ones: The Bangles' "Walk Like an Egyptian"". Stereogum. Retrieved October 10, 2022. ..."Walk Like An Egyptian" was still getting burn at functions like that. That's the power of a good novelty song.
6. Price, Mark J. (September 22, 2021). "Akron native's song 'Walk Like an Egyptian,' a smash hit for the Bangles, is still catchy after 35 years". Akron Beacon Journal. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
7. Bronson, Fred (2003). The Billboard Book of Number 1 Hits (5 ed.). Random House Digital. p. 656. ISBN 0-8230-7677-6 – via Google Books.
8. Alter, Gaby (September 1, 2009). "Classic Tracks: The Bangles' "Walk Like an Egyptian"". Mix. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
9. The Old Grey Whistle Test Vol. 3 (DVD). BBC Video. 2006.
10. Peterson, Vicki (November 9, 2018). "Vicki Peterson of the Bangles". Songfacts (Interview). Interviewed by Carl Wiser. Retrieved January 25, 2020.
11. Cross, Di (September 6, 1986). "Singles reviewed by Di Cross" (PDF). Record Mirror. London: Spotlight Publications Ltd. p. 10. ISSN 0144-5804. Retrieved November 6, 2023 – via World Radio History.
12. "Bangles – Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
13. "1987 Video Music Awards". MTV. Archived from the original on October 21, 2013. Retrieved September 1, 2009.
14. Stewart, Jenny (August 8, 2009). "PlanetOut Talks to Susanna Hoffs". PlanetOut. Archived from the original on August 12, 2009.
15. Mikkelson, David (March 29, 2011). "Clear Channel Banned Songs". Snopes. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
    - Murphy, Heather (September 17, 2001). "It's the End of the World as Clear Channel Knows It". Slate. Retrieved October 16, 2011.
16. Kirby, Mark (2000). Sociology in Perspective. Heinemann. p. 164. ISBN 0-435-33160-4.
    - "Unfit for Auntie's airwaves: The artists censored by the BBC". The Independent. December 14, 2007. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
17. "Hot Press Albums of the Year 1986: The Critics' Choice". Hot Press. Retrieved March 26, 2014 – via Rocklist.
18. "Village Voice – Pazz & Jop Lists > 1986: Singles". The Village Voice. Retrieved March 26, 2014 – via Rocklist.
19. "Paul Morley". Retrieved March 26, 2014 – via Rocklist.
20. "Songs". Pause & Play. Archived from the original on August 2, 2003.
21. "Radio Veronica". Retrieved March 26, 2014 – via Rocklist.
22. Doyle, Tom (May 2021). "Classic Tracks: The Bangles 'Walk Like An Egyptian'". Sound On Sound.
23. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 26. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
24. "Bangles – Walk Like An Egyptian" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
25. "Bangles – Walk Like An Egyptian" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
26. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 0766." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved May 30, 2014.
27. "Billboard – Hits of the World". Billboard. Vol. 98, no. 50. December 13, 1986. p. 56. ISSN 0006-2510.
28. Pennanen, Timo (2006). Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Tammi. ISBN 978-951-1-21053-5.
29. "Bangles – Walk Like An Egyptian" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
30. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Walk Like an Egyptian". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
31. Oricon Chart Book: Artist Series 1968–1987 (in Japanese). Tokyo: Original Confidence. 1988. ISBN 978-4871310215.
32. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 49, 1986" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
33. "Bangles – Walk Like An Egyptian" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
34. "Bangles – Walk Like An Egyptian". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
35. "South African Rock Lists Website SA Charts 1969 – 1989 Acts (B)". Rock.co.za. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
36. Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (in Spanish) (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
37. "Bangles – Walk Like An Egyptian". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
38. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
39. "Different Light – Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
40. "CASH BOX Top 100 Singles – Week ending DECEMBER 20, 1986". Cash Box. Archived from the original on October 2, 2012.
41. "Offiziellecharts.de – Bangles – Walk Like An Egyptian" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
42. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
43. "Jaaroverzichten 1986" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
44. "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1986" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
45. "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1986" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Hung Medien. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
46. "January to December 1986 > Top 100 Singles" (PDF). Music Week. January 24, 1987. p. 24. Retrieved April 11, 2022.
47. "Australian Music Report No 701 – 28 December 1987 > National Top 100 Singles for 1987". Kent Music Report, via Imgur.com. Retrieved January 24, 2023.
48. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 439. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
49. "Jaaroverzichten 1987" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
50. "Top 100 Singles of '87". RPM. Vol. 47, no. 12. Library and Archives Canada. December 26, 1987. Archived from the original on October 5, 2013. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
51. "European Charts of the Year 1987: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 4, no. 51/52. December 26, 1987. p. 34. Retrieved May 2, 2022.
52. "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1987" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
53. "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1987" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Hung Medien. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
54. "End of Year Charts 1987". Official New Zealand Music Chart. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
55. "Top 20 Hit Singles of 1987". Rock.co.za. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
56. "Top 100 Hits for 1987". The Longbored Surfer. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
57. "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts: 1987". Offiziellecharts.de (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Archived from the original on May 9, 2015.
58. "Hot 100 60th Anniversary". Billboard. Retrieved February 22, 2020.
59. "Canadian single certifications – Bangles – Walk Like an Egyptian". Music Canada.
60. "Dutch single certifications – Bangles – Walk Like an Egyptian" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Enter Walk Like an Egyptian in the "Artiest of titel" box. Select 1987 in the drop-down menu saying "Alle jaargangen".
61. "British single certifications – Bangles – Walk Like an Egyptian". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
62. "American single certifications – Bangles – Walk Like an Egyptian". Recording Industry Association of America.
63. Komatsu, Mikikazu (January 10, 2015). "Pat Metheny Group's 1987 Song "Last Train Home" Featured as New ED Song for "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure"". Crunchyroll News. Retrieved January 22, 2015.
64. "Various Artists – Totally Spies Bof". AllMusic. Retrieved March 2, 2015.