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.
Crash And Burn
The Bangles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Checking out the scene-o
Feeling so mean-o
Sometimes I wish I could crash and burn
Winding through the hot night
Without my headlights
20/20 hindsight
Crash and burn
And I never ever felt so lonely
Crash and burn
Can't look them in the eye
Just want to drive and drive and drive
Going nowhere
And I don't care
Can't wait 'til I get there
Sometimes I wish I could crash and burn
Fifty, sixty, seventy, eighty, ninety
Gotta be a place where they can't find me
Watching all those bridges burn behind me
And if I can't see
What's passing me
Nothing's gonna touch me and I'll fly
I wish I could crash and burn
On my Philco
I hear an echo
There was a wreck-o yesterday
And by tomorrow
They'll clean the char-o
And wash the tar and trouble away
I wish I would
I wish I could
I wish I would
The Bangles' song "Crash and Burn" is a powerful ode to the feeling of discontentment and restlessness. The lyrics follow a person on a road trip from L.A. to Reno, who is "checking out the scene-o" and simultaneously feeling "so mean-o." The person wishes they could "crash and burn," which seems to refer to a desire to escape from everyday life and responsibilities. They are driving without headlights, and, in hindsight, they realize that this was a reckless choice. However, the risks seem worth it, as the person feels lonely and disconnected from everyone around them. They are driving to get somewhere – anywhere – and they don't care where that is, as long as it's away.
The song's chorus repeats the phrase "crash and burn," emphasizing the idea of self-destruction or self-imposed isolation. The person cannot even "look them in the eye," whoever "they" might be. All they want to do is "drive and drive and drive" until they reach a place where they can't be found. They want to leave behind all the bridges they've burned and all the troubles that accompany them. The lyrics suggest that this person is seeking a fresh start, and the only way to achieve that is by hitting rock bottom.
Overall, "Crash and Burn" is a poignant song about the human desire to escape from the mundanity of life. It acknowledges the loneliness and disconnection that we all feel at times, and suggests that sometimes the only way to move forward is by hitting a low point and starting anew.
Line by Line Meaning
L.A. to Reno
Driving from Los Angeles to Reno
Checking out the scene-o
Observing the surroundings
Feeling so mean-o
Feeling rebellious
Sometimes I wish I could crash and burn
Sometimes, she wishes to suffer the repercussions of her rebellious nature.
Winding through the hot night
Driving through a hot, dark night on a winding road.
Without my headlights
Driving without lights on.
20/20 hindsight
Reflecting on the past with perfect vision.
Sometimes I wish I could crash and burn
Sometimes, she wishes to face the consequences of her risky driving behavior.
Crash and burn
To fail spectacularly, potentially leading to personal destruction.
And I never ever felt so lonely
Feeling incredibly isolated and alone during a crisis.
Crash and burn
To fail spectacularly, potentially leading to personal destruction.
Can't look them in the eye
Cannot face the judgment of others for one's actions.
Just want to drive and drive and drive
The desire to escape one's problems by driving for an extended period.
Going nowhere
No specific destination planned for the drive.
And I don't care
Apathy towards priorities and responsibilities.
Can't wait 'til I get there
Eagerness for the driving journey to continue, despite the lack of a destination.
Sometimes I wish I could crash and burn
Sometimes, she longs for an end to her troubles.
Fifty, sixty, seventy, eighty, ninety
Driving at an increasingly fast pace.
Gotta be a place where they can't find me
Desiring a location where others cannot locate me or hold me accountable for my actions.
Watching all those bridges burn behind me
Witnessing the destruction of relational bridges due to one's behavior.
And if I can't see
If she cannot see the consequences of her actions.
What's passing me
The true impact of her behavior on those around her.
Nothing's gonna touch me and I'll fly
A feeling of invincibility and detachment from the outside world.
I wish I could crash and burn
A desire for the relief that may come from facing the consequences of one's actions.
On my Philco
Listening to a Philco radio.
I hear an echo
Hearing a reverberation of a message relayed by the radio.
There was a wreck-o yesterday
There was a car accident yesterday.
And by tomorrow
The next day.
They'll clean the char-o
Cleaning the burnt remains of a car after a crash.
And wash the tar and trouble away
Removing the debris from the accident, and possibly symbolizing a fresh start.
I wish I would
Wishing for change or resolution of problems.
I wish I could
Longing for the freedom to face consequences.
I wish I would
Wishing for change or resolution of problems.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: ALECIA MOORE, BILLY MANN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind