Oh, Manchester, So Much To Answer For

Not only is this the hardest-rocking item in the Bangles' catalog, it's also easily their best single. It made it to #2 on the Hot 100, as did "Manic Monday" (which got stopped by its songwriter, Prince, and his "Kiss"). Compare that pair to their two #1s - the dated-upon-recording "Walk Like An Egyptian" and the fairly execrable "Eternal Flame" - and weep a little. But as for "Hazy Shade": those harmonies! Those hot licks!* (The Bangles were, frankly, underrated as musicians.) And the fact that they took a Simon & Garfunkel song from the land of pussydom and made it rawk, putting their stamp on it and making it entirely their own (a la Aretha's "Respect").

*Soto informs me the lead is actually played by George Drakoulias, who went on to produce the Black Crowes, among others.