Manic Monday
"Manic Monday" is a song by the American pop rock band the Bangles, and the first single released from their second studio album, Different Light (1986). It was written by American musician Prince using the pseudonym "Christopher" and was originally intended for the group Apollonia 6 in 1984. Lyrically, it describes a woman who is waking up to go to work on Monday, wishing it was still Sunday so she could continue relaxing.
"Manic Monday" | ||||
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![]() Artwork for US 7-inch single, also used for continental European and Australasian releases | ||||
Single by the Bangles | ||||
from the album Different Light | ||||
B-side | "In a Different Light" | |||
Released | January 27, 1986[1] | |||
Recorded | 1984 (original Apollonia 6 version, duet with Prince); 1985; Sunset Sound Factory[2] (The Bangles’ version) | |||
Genre | Pop rock[3] | |||
Length | 3:03 | |||
Label | ||||
Songwriter(s) | Prince | |||
Producer(s) | David Kahne | |||
The Bangles singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Manic Monday" on YouTube |
The single, released by Columbia Records on Monday, January 27, 1986, received generally positive reviews from music critics and some comparisons with the Mamas & the Papas' "Monday, Monday". It became the Bangles' first hit, reaching number two in the United States and the United Kingdom, as well as in Austria, Canada, Germany and Ireland, and peaked within the top five in Australia, New Zealand, Norway and Switzerland. It was later certified silver in the UK by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI).
Background and composition
Prince wrote "Manic Monday" in 1984, and recorded it as a duet for the band Apollonia 6's self-titled album; however, he eventually pulled the song.[5] Two years later, he offered the single to the Bangles under the pseudonym "Christopher",[6][7] a character he played in the 1986 film Under the Cherry Moon.[8] It was rumored by various writers that after Prince listened to the band's 1984 debut album All Over the Place, he gave the song to Bangles rhythm guitarist Susanna Hoffs, in hopes of winning her affection.[9][10][11] Prince's original demo recording of the song would not be released until it appeared on the 2019 demo compilation Originals.[12]
Susanna Hoffs on "Manic Monday" |
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"When I first heard that 'oh whoa' melody I thought of the Velvet Underground. Then when I heard the title I thought of Jimi Hendrix [who sang 'Manic Depression']. But then with the Monday part & the harmonies I thought of the Mamas & the Papas. It has a lot of the elements of emotion & style that [the Bangles] connect to. And [young people] really pick-up on the nursery rhyme appeal[:] like 'Sally Go 'Round the Roses', [there's] a nice simplicity to it."[13] |
In an interview with MTV UK in 1989 Debbi Peterson explained why Prince gave them the song: "[Prince] really liked our first album. He liked the song 'Hero Takes a Fall', which is a great compliment, because we liked his music. He contacted us, and said, 'I've got a couple of songs for you. I'd like to know if you're interested,' and of course we were. One of the songs Prince brought to the group was 'Manic Monday', written under the pseudonym of Christopher." Peterson talked about the evolution of what Prince brought them: "It was a Banglefication of a Prince arrangement. He had a demo, that was very specifically him. It was a good song, but we didn't record it like 'This is our first hit single! Oh my God! I can feel it in my veins!' We just did the song, and the album, and then sat back and thought about it."[14]
A pop song written in D major, "Manic Monday" moves at a tempo of 116 beats per minute and is set in common time.[15] The song has a sequence of G–A7–D–G–A7–D as its chord progression.[15] Lyrically, the song is about someone waking up from a romantic dream at six o'clock on Monday morning, and facing a hectic journey to work when she would prefer to still be enjoying relaxing on Sunday—her "I-don't-have-to-run day".[2] Actor Rudolph Valentino is referred in the first verse.[2]
Reception
Critical response
Some of them compared the song with the single "Monday, Monday" by the band the Mamas & the Papas.[16][17][18] In a review for AllMusic, Mark Deming said that the single "was a far cry from anything the Bangles had recorded before";[19] while Matthew Greenwald, also from the website, said
It's a clever and deceptively simple pop narrative, an infectious pop confection ... There is also an excellently written bridge that shows Prince/Christopher to be an excellent craftsman, and, to their credit, the Bangles carry it off with style and wit?[16]
Robert Hilburn from Los Angeles Times called the song "a candidate for best single of the year".[17] The Guardian music critic Dorian Lynskey commented about the painful rhyming of "Sunday" with "I-don't-have-to-run day."[4]
Mark Moses from The Phoenix said "the lack of lyrical substance is so glaring that Prince's lame 'Manic Monday' seems like a thematic highlight".[20] Greg Baker of The Miami News wrote in the album's review that "the song should put the Bangles on the 'pop 'n' roll' map".[21] A writer in Toledo Blade noted that "Manic Monday" was "infectious" and, along with "If She Knew What She Wants", both were "refreshingly melodic".[22] Chris Willman from the Los Angeles Times commented: "The first single 'Manic Monday' represents slumming songwriter Prince's attempt mostly successful save for the inevitable getting down interlude to concoct a modern day Mamas and the Papas hit."[18]
Chart performance
"Manic Monday" debuted at number 86 on the Billboard Hot 100, on the week ending January 25, 1986,[23] and reached a peak of number two, on the issue dated April 19, 1986,[24] behind Prince and the Revolution's single "Kiss".[24][25] In the United Kingdom, "Manic Monday" debuted at number 85 on February 8, 1986, and entered the top 40, at number 24, on February 22, 1986.[26] The song eventually reached its peak position, at number two, the next month.[26] In Germany, the single debuted at number 29 on March 17, 1986, reaching the top 10 in the next three weeks, and its peak, also at number two, on April 14, 1986, where it stayed two weeks.[27] It remained in the top 10 for four more weeks, leaving the charts on July 20, 1986.[27]
In Switzerland, "Manic Monday" debuted at number 12 on March 30, 1986, becoming the highest debut of the week.[28] It reached its peak two weeks later at number four, where it remained another week.[29] In the Netherlands, the single debuted at number 43 on February 22, 1986; and managed to reach number 24.[30] It stayed on the chart for seven weeks.[31] In Norway, "Manic Monday" debuted at number nine in the 10th week of 1986, becoming the second-highest debut of the week.[32] It also reached the number four two weeks later, where it stayed another two.[33] The song also peaked within the top five in the Austrian,[34] the Irish,[35] and the New Zealand charts.[34]
Track listing and formats
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Credits and personnel
- Susanna Hoffs – lead vocals, acoustic guitar
- Prince as "Christopher" – writer, composer
- Vicki Peterson – electric guitar, backing vocals
- Michael Steele – bass, backing vocals
- David Kahne – producer
- Debbi Peterson – drums
- Source:[2]
Cover versions
In 2020, Billie Joe Armstrong, vocalist of Green Day, covered the song for his No Fun Mondays series. Susanna Hoffs plays the guitar and provides backing vocals that, according to Andrew Trendell of NME, "match Armstrong's silky sentimental side".[38] Ryan Reed wrote for Rolling Stone that the version replaces the "twinkling synths and clean strums with palm-muted crunch".[39]
Charts and certifications
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
Certifications
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References
- "ON THIS DAY IN 1986, "Manic Monday" was released!". The Bangles Official Facebook Page. January 27, 2014. Retrieved July 24, 2014.
- Different Light (Cassette). The Bangles. Sunset Sound Factory: Columbia Records. 1986. FCT 40039.CS1 maint: others (link)
- Lamb, Bill. "Kelly Clarkson – Never Again". About.com. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved August 18, 2019.
David Kahne is responsible for over 2 decades of pop-rock classics from seminal work with the Bangles ("Manic Monday," "Walk Like an Egyptian," "Going Down to Liverpool") to more recent production efforts for the Strokes.
- Lynskey, Dorian (March 14, 2003). "Interview: The Bangles". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on January 9, 2014. Retrieved August 10, 2010.
- Nilsen, Per (1999). Dance Music Sex Romance: Prince: The First Decade. Wembley. p. 171. ISBN 0-946719-64-0. OCLC 52532272.
- "Prince's mania sets in". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc (98): 41. January 25, 1986. ISSN 0006-2510.
- Tucker, Ken (February 7, 1986). "Bangles prove they'remote than a girl group". The Spokesman-Review. Cowles Publishing Company.
- van Slooten, Johan (1997). 500 Nr. 1 hits uit de Top 40 [500 Number 1 Hits in the Top 40] (in Dutch). III. Netherlands: Haarlem. p. 234. ISBN 978-90-230-0944-3. OCLC 68449075.
- Hoffmann, Frank W. (2005). Ferstler, Howard (ed.). Encyclopedia of recorded sound Vol. 1, A-L (2nd ed.). New York City: Routledge. p. 69. ISBN 0-415-93835-X. OCLC 648136753.
- Klosterman, Chuck (2006). Chuck Klosterman IV: A Decade of Curious People and Dangerous Ideas. New York: Scribner. p. 305. ISBN 0-7432-8488-7. OCLC 65425972.
- "Spin: Jane's Addiction: 18 Years of Crazy Sex, Hard Drugs, Loollapalooza Drama & Visionary Music". Spin. Spin Media LLC (19): 66. August 2003.
- "Prince Estate Releases Never-Before-Seen 'Manic Monday' Video". Billboard. Retrieved June 23, 2019.
- Escondido Times-Advocate 6 March 1986 "Bangles Have Arrived - Via Bus: now pit stops are high on the charts" by Jonathan Taylor p.15 (North County Magazine)
- Feldman, Christopher (2000). Billboard Book of Number Two Singles. Watson-Guptill. p. 200. ISBN 0-8230-7695-4.
- "The 1980s : piano, vocal, guitar". Hal Leonard Europe. 2006. ISBN 1-84609-361-9.
- Greenwald, Matthew. "Manic Monday – Bangles". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved July 31, 2010.
- Hilburn, Robert (April 19, 1986). "Robert Hilburn Summer Pop Has Arraived on Airwaves". Los Angeles Times. Tribune Company. Archived from the original on November 3, 2012. Retrieved August 9, 2010.
- Willman, Chris (January 19, 1986). "Drawing A Bead on the Bangles". Los Angeles Times. Tribune Company. p. 78. Archived from the original on November 3, 2012. Retrieved August 9, 2010.
- Deming, Mark. "Different Light – Bangles". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved July 31, 2010.
- Moses, Mark (February 16, 1986). "Off the record". The Phoenix. Phoenix Media/Communications Group. p. 48.
- Baker, Greg (February 20, 1986). "Bangles get a bead on superstardom". The Miami News. The McClatchy Company. p. 28.
- "All-Female Bangles: A Breath Of Fresh Air". Toledo Blade. Block Communications. March 2, 1986. p. 44.
- "Billboard". Billboard Hot 100: Week Ending January 25, 1986. Billboard Publications Inc (98): 62. January 25, 1986. ISSN 0006-2510.
- "Billboard Hot 100: Week Ending April 19, 1986". Billboard. Nielsen Company. April 19, 1986. Archived from the original on May 19, 2014. Retrieved July 31, 2010.
- Chan, Anna (April 6, 2020). "Billie Joe Armstrong Covers a Bangles Hit, With Some Help From Susanna Hoffs". Billboard. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
- "Bangles: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
- "Cnartverfurlong > Bangles > Singles". Media Control Charts (in German). Musicline.de. Archived from the original on October 9, 2012. Retrieved July 31, 2010.
- "Schweizer Hitparade – Singles Top 75". Schweizer Hitparade (in German). Hung Medien. March 30, 1986. Archived from the original on November 11, 2012. Retrieved August 3, 2010.
- "Bangles – Manic Monday (Song)". Schweizer Hitparade. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on November 29, 2009. Retrieved August 3, 2010.
- "Dutch Top 40: Week 10 of 1986". MegaCharts. Stichting Nederlandse. Retrieved August 9, 2010.
- "Bangles – Manic Monday (Song)". MegaCharts. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on October 24, 2012. Retrieved August 3, 2010.
- "Norwegian Singles Chart: Week 10/1986". VG-lista. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved August 3, 2010.
- "Bangles – Manic Monday (Flabben)". Norwegian Charts. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on September 6, 2012. Retrieved August 3, 2010.
- "Bangles – Manic Monday". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on October 25, 2012. Retrieved July 31, 2010.
- "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Manic Monday". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
- "Manic Monday – The Bangles". Amazon.com. Amazon Inc. Retrieved July 31, 2010.
- "Manic Monday (Extended "California" Version) by the Bangles". Yahoo! Music. Yahoo!. Retrieved August 1, 2010.
- Trendell, Andrew (November 25, 2020). "Billie Joe Armstrong – 'No Fun Mondays' review: a snapshot of 2020 told through cover songs". NME. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
- Reed, Ryan (April 6, 2020). "Billie Joe Armstrong, the Bangles' Susanna Hoffs Cover 'Manic Monday'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
- Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (Illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 26. ISBN 0-646-11917-6. N.B. The Kent Report chart was licensed by ARIA between 1983 and June 19, 1988.
- "Austriancharts.at – Bangles – Manic Monday" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
- "Ultratop.be – Bangles – Manic Monday" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
- "Top RPM Singles: Issue 9672." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
- "European Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Eurotipsheet. Vol. 3 no. 12. March 29, 1986. p. 14. Retrieved September 7, 2020.
- "Nederlandse Top 40 – Bangles" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
- "Dutchcharts.nl – Bangles – Manic Monday" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
- "Charts.nz – Bangles – Manic Monday". Top 40 Singles.
- "Norwegiancharts.com – Bangles – Manic Monday". VG-lista.
- "SA Charts 1965–March 1989". Archived from the original on May 5, 2012. Retrieved September 1, 2018.
- "Swisscharts.com – Bangles – Manic Monday". Swiss Singles Chart.
- "Bangles Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
- "Bangles Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
- "Offiziellecharts.de – Bangles – Manic Monday". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
- Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (Illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 438. ISBN 0-646-11917-6. N.B. The Kent Report chart was licensed by ARIA between 1983 and June 19, 1988.
- "Top 100 Singles of '86". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved September 7, 2020.
- "European Hot 100 Singles – Hot 100 of the Year 1986" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 3 no. 51/52. December 27, 1986. p. 29. Retrieved September 7, 2020.
- "End of Year Charts 1986". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved September 7, 2020.
- "Top 20 Hit Singles of 1986". South African Rock Lists. Retrieved September 7, 2020.
- "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1986". hitparade.ch (in German). Retrieved October 23, 2019.
- "Top 100 Singles". Music Week. London, England: Spotlight Publications. January 24, 1987. p. 24.
- "Billboard Top 100 – 1986 – Longbored Surfer – Charts". Archived from the original on December 19, 2011. Retrieved April 2, 2011.
- "Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts 1986" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved October 23, 2019.
- "British single certifications – Bangles – Manic Monday". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved September 7, 2020.