The Bangles were one of the new generation of independent all-women bands t… Read Full Bio ↴The Bangles were one of the new generation of independent all-women bands that followed The Go-Go's in the early 1980s. Consisting of Susanna Hoffs (guitar, vocals), Debbi Peterson (drums, vocals), sister Vicki Peterson (guitar, vocals,) and Annette Zilinskas, who was later replaced by Michael Steele, (bass, vocals). The band was formed in Los Angeles in 1981 as The Supersonic Bangs, later shortened to The Bangs. They were forced to change their name to the Bangles when a band from New Jersey, also named the Bangs, threatened to sue. Early in their career they were associated with the Paisley Underground scene in Los Angeles. The single 'Manic Monday', written by Prince launched their international career. After 3 successful albums ("All Over The Place", "Different Light" and "Everything"), The Bangles broke up.
Susanna Hoffs released two solo albums in the 90's (a third album remained unreleased). Vicki Peterson joined the Continental Drifters. Debbie Peterson had a short-lived career with Siobhan Maher as Kindred Spirit, while Michael Steele lived in semi-retirement in California.

The Bangles reconvened in 2000 and recorded a reunion album, released in 2003, on Koch Records called "Doll Revolution". By lucky coincidence(?) their single 'Eternal Flame' had since been covered by, and become a hit record for, Atomic Kitten which helped to rekindle interest in its original artist.

"Sweetheart of the Sun," The Bangles first album of original material since "Doll Revolution" was released September 27, 2011. The Anna Lee (Sweetheart Of The Sun) Songfacts states that the album was recorded in various home studios - those of Vicki Peterson and Susanna Hoffs as well as the Hollywood Hills home studio of singer-songwriter Matthew Sweet, who produced the record.

They continue to play live sporadically. In January 2018, they played their first show since 2016 at Honda Center in Anaheim. It also was their first gig with original bassist Annette Zilinskas since 1983.

Be With You
The Bangles Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Out my window
The rain starts to fall
And the wind blows
Through an empty hall
In the mirror
Reflections of you

In the distance I hear a sound

Is that you coming around

Oh, what you gonna do
I think I should be with you
A love that's overdue
Oh I think I should be with you

Thought I saw you
In a stranger's face
Should I call you
Or should I walk away
'Round the corner
Is around the world

Is that you looking at me
Or am I living a dream

And when I'm lost in a dream
You are all I can see
All alone in the night I'm waiting for you
Every moment I'd die
Just to look in your eyes
The dream is alive

I'm waiting
Oh my, how I try

To make you see that
I should be with you

Overall Meaning

The Bangles’ song “Be With You” is a love song with the theme of a person who is waiting for someone they love to come around. The opening scene shows rain falling outside and the sound of wind blowing through an empty hall. The person reflecting in the mirror sees their loved one’s reflection. The chorus states the singer’s desire to be with the one they love because their love is overdue. They heard a sound from a distance and wondered whether it is the person they are waiting for finally coming around. They saw a stranger’s face and thought it might be their loved one. The song is an expression of love, hope, and longing that suddenly springs to life.

The song presents the idea that the person singing is in love with someone and is trying to capture their attention. The lyrics give the sense that they are waiting for their loved one to come to them. The lyrics show that the person is in a state of expectation and anticipation. The line “All alone in the night, I'm waiting for you” clearly illustrates the person’s state of mind. In another verse, she asks herself whether to call her loved one or to walk away when she thinks she saw them.

In conclusion, The Bangles' "Be With You" is a love song that portrays a person waiting for her loved one to come to her. The song lyrics are filled with a sense of longing and hope, and the music captures the mood of the emotions perfectly. It's a song that anyone feeling the pangs of unrequited love can relate to.

Line by Line Meaning

Out my window
Looking out the window

The rain starts to fall
It is raining

And the wind blows
Wind is blowing hard

Through an empty hall
The hallway is empty

In the mirror
Looking in the mirror

Reflections of you
Seeing a reflection of someone special

In the distance I hear a sound
Hearing a sound from afar

Is that you coming around
Wondering if it is that special someone

Oh, what you gonna do
Wondering what to do

I think I should be with you
Feeling like they should be with that special someone

A love that's overdue
Realizing that they have been waiting for love for a long time