Blog battle: Bangles vs. Go-Go's

Are you ready for a full-fledged blog battle with my arch-nemesis, pop critic Sean Daly? Today, we're taking on the burning issue for all red-blooded power-pop fans from the 80s:

Which was the better group -- The Go-Go's or The Bangles? We drew straws and I'm here to defend The Bangles. (Click here to read Sean's defense of the Go-Go's).

Top 5 reasons why the Bangles are better than the Go-Go's:

5. Their name: Let's get down to basics -- even their name is better. The Go-Go's? Hmmm. Suggests the 60s to me, not the 80s. On the other hand, "bangles" were one of the ultimate 80s accessories. For trivia buffs, the first name of the band was The Supersonic Bangs (later shortened to Bangs then changed to Bangles because of another band already was called the Bangs.) The Go-Go's? I don't see any other band wanting to steal that name.

4. Favored by royalty: Which band did Prince -- the elite 80s icon -- pen a tune for? Umm, that'd be The Bangles, Bob. "Manic Monday" was composed by his Royal Purpleness, and it became a #2 hit in the U.S. back in 1986.

3. Greatest cover song: The only reason to watch the movie "Less Than Zero" is the chills you get when you hear the beginning notes of the Bangles' "Hazy Shade of Winter," a cover of the classic tune by Simon and Garfunkel. In fact, the cover is better than the original, thanks to the signature guitar work that rivals any other riff from the 80s.

2. Pop culture goddesses: If I asked you to "walk like an Egyptian," you'd do it, wouldn't you? No hesitation whatsoever. That's the pop power of the Bangles. It's also possibly one of the sexiest videos of the 1980s. Don't believe me? Catch the eye-shimmies from my favorite Bangle by rewatching it now.

1. Oh, Susanna!: Say what you want about Belinda Carlisle, but there is no sexier female musician in the 80s than Susanna Hoffs of The Bangles. How hot is she? Remember "Manic Monday" -- it was written by Prince as a gift to Hoffs because the dude was totally smitten with her. (Did it help woo her? Nah, but what a classic story.) And in 1986, the movie The Allnighter should have been a total box office bomb. It wasn't and you know why: Because it starred sexy Susanna.

Sean, just say "mercy" and admit you've been old-schooled by a Jedi master.

Comments

[Spiky Sandy]

My husband and I had Eternal Flame sung at our wedding. I still get teary when I hear it.

One point for the Bangles!

[Dr John]

Susanna..Yes she IS yummy!! very easy on the eyes , even with 80s hair. Hazy Shade of Winter is still one of my favourite Bangles tunes ( I have a rare live version of it )the video done for the movie is well done ...If there were a thread for us photographers on the page..." Bands I would like to have photographed, Bangles would have been top of the list ( Bananarama close second ) If you do a Bangles-cast ; I have a nice Bangles item for a fun draw.

[80sfan]

No comparison in my book. The Bangles rule!

[Greg Williams]

I vote the Go-Gos, because I could never STAND the Bangles.

- Never liked Manic Monday
- Never wanted to Walk Like an Egyptian
- Always wanted to blow out the Eternal Flame
- ALWAYS had the hots for Gina Schock
- Go-go's had a much better drummer in Gina (I remember Debbi trying to do a drumroll on Letterman for a Top 10 list way back in the NBC days...Middle School marching bands did better)
- Belinda Carlisle and Jane Wiedlin had successful solo careers and Jane even appeared in "Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure"
- I can't stand Suzanna Hoff's nasal-like vocals (reminds me of the Nanny chick - I can't stand, same reason)
- The Bangles were founded based on the SUCCESS of the Go-Gos
- The Go-Gos have more memorable music you can hear on the local 80's station. The Bangles? One.

I think the Go-Gos set the standard for other all-girl bands to follow.

I side with Sean on this one.

[razor9edge]

I have to go with the "Go-Gos" on this one... The Bangles have only three songs that people want to hear... well.. two really.

The Go-Gos had better chart success and probably get more airplay today.

As far as Prince goes -- yes, he penned "Manic Monday", but he also was responsible for the heinous "Bat Dance".

[Greg Williams]

I yak when I hear "Raspberry Beret" myself...

[lyndal]

Damn straight The Bangles version of Hazy Shade of Winter is better than the original (or any other cover). I still put it on as a 'rev up' song before going out and hop around like a mad thing.
As much as I love HSofW I hate Eternal Flame - I think becoming a 'wedding song' is a kiss of death.

[Sherrie]

Even Simon and Garfunkel did the Bangles version of "Hazy Shade of Winter" on their reunion tour, clearly recognizing it superiority over the original. That beginning guitar riff gets me hyped up every time I hear it, and I agree that it was the very best thing to come out of "Less Than Zero". I gotta say the Bangles win.
Sherrie

[Bassnote]

The Go-Go's; better songs and more hits, and my five year old daughter loves the song 'Vacation'.

[Danjoke]

my immediate answer was the gogos, but then after reading your reasons, and thinking about it, i have to go with the bangles. definitely hazy shade of winter rocks, and they are definitely hotter. so i changed my mind and i go with the bangles!

[bluegrasswriter]

Hoffs is nice, but no one can beat the talent and beauty of Vicki Peterson. For no other reason, the Bangles would win this competition....

[eponymous]

Hero Takes a Fall and Goin' Down to Liverpool are their best original songs, as far as I'm concerned.
Glad to see others share my affection for their rendition of Hazy...the S and G original goes better with the book "Less than Zero" and the song is truly the best thing about that lousy film adapatation. I wish someone would redo that and do it right.

[Doug]

The Bangles album All Over the Place was way better than anything the Go Go's put out, and I like the Go Go's. I can't stand Walk Like an Egyptian, it is too bad that a lot of people remember them by that song, because they had so many great songs. It is tough picking between Susanna Hoffs and Belinda Carlisle. Susanna has a great face, but when Belinda was thin, she had the superior body.

[Yashmak]

I have to vote Go-Go's, but must admit that my opinion is heavily biased by a gigantic teenage crush I had on Belinda Carlisle.

[Jess]

Yeah, but Prince penned a tune for Sinead O'Connor as well. hmmm...there's no accounting for taste. I do have to vote for the Bangles though

[Ceejay]

Actually, "Going Down to Liverpool" was written by Kimberly Rew (of Katrina and the Waves) and was done originally by them. Great song, and the Bangles' cover version is awesome - better than the original, I think.
And as much as I like the Bangles, I'm a Go-Gos fan first and foremost.

This is kind of a Jeannie vs Bewitched battle... can't deny either one. :)

[Connie Conspiracist]

Keeping in mind that...

1. The Go-Go's wrote and played their own songs (something Bangles couldn't/didn't do until Everything)...

2. The Go-Go's opened the door for chick bands that played their own instruments (the Bangles road on their coat tails)

3. The Go-Go's weren't glam (whereas the Bangles attempted to be)

4. Who needs a cover song like HSofW, when you can pen YOUR OWN hits like the Go-Go's.

5. Belinda's solo career went much further than any of the Bangles.

6. The Go-Go's are a group of much more attractive women then the Bangles.

7. Ain't no band in the world fight like the Go-Go's do, and still manage to repeatedly break up and get back together only to produce great music!

Long live the Go-Go's!

[George Ashburn]

Oh, It's easily The Bangles.

Over twenty years ago, I was watching the Manic Monday video and thought "Oh My God! Who Are They?" and became totally smitten by the four of them. I developed a crush on all Susanna, Vicki, Debbi & Michael. (BTW, Susanna became my biggest crush, and is still that today.)

Have you seen Susanna lately? She turns 48 in January and is STILL Drop Dead Gorgeous. (That photo you have of Susanna is from not that long ago. She still looks good in short skirts in her 40's.) She still has every quality that drove boys, teenagers & young men crazy back in the 80's; only now they are more refined.

[Valentine]

The Bangles wrote and played their own songs from the beginning contrary to popular belief, it was only because they had success with songs that they didn't write that they are pigeonholed for not writing their own songs. The EP had one cover, the first single were originals, and the first full-length album had two cover songs.

The Bangles also had more chart success than the Go-Go's ever did- with two #1 hits, two #2 hits, and a #5 hit as well as an additional three top 40 hits. Yes the Go-Go's had a #1 album, but their chart success was minimal as far as singles went.

The Bangles were NOT founded upon the success of the Go-Go's. Vicki Peterson had formed a band before the Go-Go's hit it big and though it wasn't yet the Bangles, the Bangles are just another incarnation of a band that Vicki formed in high school.

Just stating some facts since so many people have a preconception of the Bangles that is just wrong.

and I do like the Go-Go's...Jane was a sweetheart when I met her as were Vicki Peterson and Susanna Hoffs of the Bangles when I met them a while ago.

But the Bangles- tops in my book!

[Melissa]

What do the two bands really have in common besides playing instruments and having vaginas? Would we even be having this debate about two all-male bands? That said, the Go-Go's were the ones who threw the grenade into the bunker and opened the door for everyone else from the Bangles to Courtney Love. You can't deny them their place in history, and for that alone they get my vote.

[Melissa]

"The Bangles were NOT founded upon the success of the Go-Go's. Vicki Peterson had formed a band before the Go-Go's hit it big and though it wasn't yet the Bangles, the Bangles are just another incarnation of a band that Vicki formed in high school".

Maybe so but when the Go-Go's started out, all-woman bands were literally laughed out of record company offices and couldn't get deals. It was only after the Go-Go's were signed to IRS and became a success that it changed, hence the "grenade" comparison.

[Connie Conspiracist]

"he Bangles wrote and played their own songs from the beginning contrary to popular belief, it was only because they had success with songs that they didn't write that they are pigeonholed for not writing their own songs. The EP had one cover, the first single were originals, and the first full-length album had two cover songs.

The Bangles also had more chart success than the Go-Go's ever did- with two #1 hits, two #2 hits, and a #5 hit as well as an additional three top 40 hits. Yes the Go-Go's had a #1 album, but their chart success was minimal as far as singles went."

Had those other artists not written those hit songs for the Bangles, we wouldn't be here discussing this right now, because nobody would know who the Bangles are.

[Valentine]

I think the Bangles would have made an impact either way, whether it was because of an outside songwriter or one of their own. Susanna Hoffs has one of those faces that couldn't escape fame, she's too pretty not to have achieved it. The Bangles had little control on what came out as a single, that was all the record company.

I will concede to Melissa that the Go-Go's were groundbreakers.

Internationally, the Bangles seem to have done better for themselves than the Go-Go's, though Japan seems to love EVERYONE. :)

I will not join in on the which band is prettier because all nine women are pretty.

Besides that the bands are friendly with one another, so the "rivalry" is a fan thing....

Bangles 4Ever!

:)

[WashDCInformant]

The Go-Go's!

I like The Bangles but GET REAL!

The Go-Go's RULE!

FOREVER!

They achieved their success w/every shred of their integrity intact w/o ever having sold out and allowed some 1/2 pint gender-f*ck like Prince to WRITE a song for them (unlike The Bangulls).

Can ANYone even name one of The Bangles?

The Go-Go's paid their rock & roll & pop dues and clawed their way to the top by sheer grit and determination, in the face of sexism, discrimination and against all odd.

I will worship each and ever one of The Go-Go's and adore them 'til the day I die!

PS My six year old daughter LOVES Go-Go's guitarist Jane Wiedlin. Think ANY kid these days gives a flying fart about The Bangles???

The Go-Go's FOREVER!!!

[Bang a Bangle]

Both had alot of pop hits, and I refuse to trash either band because both bands have given me great memories of the 80s. But as a Bangles fan with a 2 decade long crush on Susanna Hoffs, I'll say The Bangles were better. ;) It's a shame that casual fans of The Bangles only know of their big hits, because Eternal Flame isn't even in my top 10 favorite songs and WLaE is nearly dead last. Anyway, as a band, all of The Bangles could sing. Can we at least admit that no contemporary female bands or singers can even come close to either The Bangles or Go-Go's as musicians? It's really hard even calling the Pussycat Dolls a band anyway. They are closer to performers - like strippers dancing around a pole and lip-synching to the music. ;)

[CarloSP]

[QUOTE]The Bangles were NOT founded upon the success of the Go-Go's. Vicki Peterson had formed a band before the Go-Go's hit it big and though it wasn't yet the Bangles, the Bangles are just another incarnation of a band that Vicki formed in high school.[/QUOTE]

The Bangles were founded upon the success of The Go-Go's. Everyone knows that, you cannot deny it.
Also The Go-Go's were already famous before Vicky's HS band started. They belong to the early punk LA scene history. Cooler than The Bangles playing in Sue's mom garage.

While The Bangles had more success in Europe and Belinda Carlisle herself had more success than The Bangles in either Europe or worldwide, you gotta see who survived. There´s only one choice, The Go-Go's

The Go-Go's sold out concerts from 1990-2000 with no new album in 17yrs and that´s a hard thing to do. I don´t think Britney Spears can do that in 10yrs.

The Go-Go's in 2001 released God Bless The Go-Go's, critically well acclaimed but a flop commercially speaking. So it was Doll Revolution.

After 25yrs The Go-Go's still play music, record albums and they do it because they can and they want. $$$$$ also helps!

You may think I don't like The Bangles. In fact I like them. I discovered them before knowing anything about The Go-Go´s (I was a Belinda fan). I like them and also like Walk Like An Egiptian, it brings me a lot of
wonderful memories.

This reminds me of "Who's first, the chicken or the egg?".

BTW, I bet both groups would laught if they would see another The Go-Go's Vs The Bangles battle. All these women are not enemies, some of them are friends and they collaborate with each other: Vicky replaced Charlotte when she was pregnant, Susanna has done background vocals for Belinda, etc..

[Valentine]

According to "Return to the Valley of the Go-Go's.", the Go's formed in 1978, which would be after Vicki had formed her own band. Vicki would have been twenty at the time, therefore her high school band would have to have been formed earlier than 1978. I do not deny that the Go-Go's came before the Bangles in music history as far as who had hit first, but to say that the Bangles were FOUNDED on their success just doesn't ring true. Vicki would have formed her band either way since she had her own musical aspirations. Whether or not they would have been a hit probably does owe something to the Go-Go's opening the way first, but I refuse to accept that the Bangles were founded on their success. They were definitely noticed because of the Go-Go's success-that I can agree on, but not founded upon it.

[Sless Michaels]

Look...I loved Bewitched and I loved Jeannie.

I love the Go-Go's and I love the Bangles.

Which is Better? I'm not sure. But I do know that the Go-Go's are the "original", the same way I know that Bewitched was the original. Coke came first, then came Pepsi. The Bangles didn't have their first hit until 1985 (I think) and The Go-Go's had theirs in 1981 with "Our Lips are Sealed". So....although the Bangles had great music, I'd have to say the Go-Go's were the quintessential and first all-girl band that broke open the music world to female bands.

Also, the Go-Go's were really part of that very first "New Wave" wave in late 1979 and 1980. The Bangles music, is very heavily influenced by the 60's group "The Byrds". So again, in that respect, the Go-Go's were really leaders and innovators.

[Jerry Abrams]

Hi there!

I love the Bangles. It's good to see that they're reunited.

During the holidays, I saw a website that's featuring their performance of songs such as Manic Monday, Eternal Flame, Hazy Winter, etc. at the Brilliance of Berkeley event last June 2006.

Amazing, amazing videos!!!

Anyway, I just wanted to give you the heads up about their videos.

Just go to www.grapeflix.com and type Bangles in the search box.

You'll see several videos come up.

All of these are free. Don't mind the terms purchase/optional donation.

All that I needed to do to watch the videos and download some of them was just register. Registration was free and easy.

Oh - -and btw - - -I needed to use Internet Explorer to watch the videos.

[Robert Gydesan]

The Go-Go's came first. But like all first, they were just a rough draft. The Bangles came along and did it right. I don't believe the Go-Go's opened the door for any female artist. They were just lucky to be first. The Bangles would've made it whether the Go-Go's ever made it or not. It's called talent and drive folks. The Bangles had that and the Go-Go's coming first, well that was just timing and luck.

Who's the hotter babe? Hoffs can pass in her early 30's still. And the Peterson sisters still look great. I think the hard drugs took a toll on the Go-Go's. Wiedlin and Caffey look worn around the eyes and Carlisle's face has been so stretched out by surgery or botox (who cares which one) that she looks like an alien.

Musically? The Go-Go's sound is very generic. They basically have the same rift in every other song. They are a party dance band and that's about it. The Bangles music branched out into a lot more areas. Buy an album and see. So many layers going on. Any album that can have a folk gem like "Following" and a novelty pop ditty like "Walk like an Egyptian" on the same piece of vinyl warrants respect.

And who said the Bangles didn't write songs till the end? What early albums have you bought? Because the ones I have, they wrote the majority of the songs on them.

And the names. Well the Bangles name isn't exactly the coolest. There is no cleverness going on with it. But it is very girly. So I like it. The Go-Go's name is corny and you'd think they'd been embarrised to say it. Would you listen to a band called "The Stop-Stop's"? What's the difference?

[Wendy Patterson]

Are you kidding?!? The Go-Go's by far are the better band!!! All the Go-Go's fan comments explain why. They have the most staying power. They have gotten together and broken up enough times to know that. The original band is together now and still kicking so much ass!!! Just listen to God Bless The Go-Go's... it even outshines Beauty and the Beat! Jane Wiedlin and Charlotte Caffey are extraordinary composers. And outside of The Go-Go's Belinda Carlisle and Jane have wicked successful careers. I gotta give some love to Kathy Valentine and Gina Schock too... they are great to their fans and will always stop to sign autographs. My goddaughter is now 14 and she has grown up with The Go-Go's. She has even performed on stage with Jane. The Bangles are good, don't get me wrong... but they would be nowhere without The Go-Go's!!!

[Maria]

Whooo, I vote Go-Go's!
The Go-Go's gave me:
Vacation, all I ever wanted...
Vacation, haaad to geeeet away.
♥♥♥

[Hoffsfan]

Just because the Go-Go's came first doesn't mean that they are better. It just means that they are older. lol

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[Juliane Periard]

The BAngles are best in vocal harmonies and make songs...are the best female band ever!!! All memmbers sings and play!!