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.
Bell Jar
The Bangles Lyrics
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And checks out the faces
We think she's all the seven wonders of the world
But there's a sadness
Hidden in the bizarre
Moonlight and madness
Living in a bell jar
'Cause sorrow is a magnet
Everything comes to her like it was meant to be
But she's frustrated
Leaving things as they are
What she created
Living in a bell jar
She feels so at home
She's never alone
But she's oh so lonely
What is the crime
In knowing your mind
Set it free
Attached to a mirror
In her glass-sided prison
She writes the note that will excuse her from this world
It's complicated
Living in a bell jar
She suffocated
Living in a bell jar
The Bangles’ song “Bell Jar” tells the story of a woman who seems to have everything going for her. She walks into a room and people are instantly charmed by her. However, as the song progresses, we learn that the woman is actually deeply unhappy. The comparison to the seven wonders of the world suggests that she is viewed as a rare and exceptional beauty, but she hides a deep sadness inside. The metaphor of the bell jar suggests that the woman is trapped inside and unable to escape the feelings of loneliness and frustration that plague her.
The verses reveal more about the woman’s daily experience. She dresses in black, symbolizing grief and sorrow, and everything around her seems to come to her as if it was meant to be. However, she is frustrated by her circumstances and seems to have created a life for herself that only keeps her in the bell jar. She is constantly surrounded by people, but even that fails to alleviate her loneliness. She is so at home in her familiar surroundings that she has become trapped. The reference to suffocating and the image of a glass-sided prison give the impression that the woman is struggling to breathe within her own life. Ultimately, she is “excused” from the world, presumably through suicide, as we hear she “writes the note” that will explain her departure from existence.
Overall, “Bell Jar” tells a story of a person who appears to have everything yet is trapped inside of her own life. It is a poignant and melancholy tale that speaks to the human condition. The song provides a message of coming to terms with one’s own thoughts and emotions to avoid trapping oneself within an artificial existence.
Line by Line Meaning
She walks in the room
The girl enters the room
And checks out the faces
She looks around at the people
We think she's all the seven wonders of the world
People admire and think highly of her
But there's a sadness
She feels sad
Hidden in the bizarre
Her sadness is not obvious
Moonlight and madness
She experiences darkness and insanity
Living in a bell jar
She feels trapped and isolated
She dresses in black
She wears black clothes
'Cause sorrow is a magnet
She attracts sadness and pain
Everything comes to her like it was meant to be
Things happen to her like they were predetermined
But she's frustrated
She feels angry and annoyed
Leaving things as they are
She doesn't take action and leaves things unchanged
What she created
Her situation and circumstances
Living in a bell jar
She feels trapped and isolated
She feels so at home
She feels comfortable and familiar
She's never alone
She's always with herself
But she's oh so lonely
She feels lonely despite being alone
What is the crime
There is nothing wrong
In knowing your mind
In being aware of your thoughts
Set it free
Release your thoughts and ideas
Attached to a mirror
She is fixated on her reflection
In her glass-sided prison
She feels trapped behind a glass wall
She writes the note that will excuse her from this world
She writes a suicide note
It's complicated
The situation is difficult and complex
Living in a bell jar
She feels trapped and isolated
She suffocated
She dies
Living in a bell jar
She feels trapped and isolated
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DEBORAH MARY PETERSON, VICKI PETERSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind