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.
Following
The Bangles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Always following you around
You say I'm a hopeless case
Run an obsession into the ground
You call me a loser
You call me a shadowing fool
Look over your shoulder
So why do you call me
Why do you look for me
Why do your eyes follow me the way they do
You hold me responsible
Yeah, so I stand accused
Of causing all the trouble
After high school
(Between him and you)
You call me a loser
You call me a shadowing fool
But I was a good girl
Yeah, 'till you taught me
What it means to be true
Why do you call me
I know you look for me
Why do your eyes follow me the way they do
The Bangles's song "Following" is a complex portrayal of a tumultuous relationship between two individuals. The song speaks to the feelings of unrequited love and obsession that can arise when one person is consistently pursuing someone else who is not interested. The lyrics depict the singer as someone who is always following the other person around and is seen as a hopeless case. Despite being called a "loser" and "shadowing fool," the singer still wants to know why the other person is always looking for them and following them with their eyes.
The song also explores the idea of responsibility and blame. The singer feels accused of causing all the trouble in the relationship, even though they believe it is a shared responsibility. The line "But I was a good girl, yeah 'till you taught me what it means to be true" suggests that the other person took advantage of the singer and manipulated their feelings. Despite this, the singer still wants to know why they are being called and followed by this person.
Overall, "Following" is a powerful portrayal of the complexities of relationships and the feelings of obsession and blame that can arise. The music is upbeat and catchy, but the lyrics offer a deeper insight into the emotions and thoughts of the singer.
Line by Line Meaning
You think I'm crazy or something
You perceive me as irrational for always trying to be near you.
Always following you around
I keep pursuing your presence, never being too far from you.
You say I'm a hopeless case
You deem me as an individual who is beyond redemption and cannot attain happiness.
Run an obsession into the ground
Persistently indulging in an unhealthy interest towards you beyond reasonable limits.
You call me a loser
You call me a worthless person who is unable to achieve anything.
You call me a shadowing fool
You call me a person who follows someone persistently and without any purpose.
Look over your shoulder
You turn your head back to see if I am still following you.
And you say I'm haunting you
You think I am a ghost that keeps following you everywhere you go.
So why do you call me
Despite your negative opinion of me, why do you still try to contact me?
Why do you look for me
Why do you search for me and inquire about my whereabouts?
Why do your eyes follow me the way they do
Why do your eyes monitor my actions in such a discerning manner?
You hold me responsible
You consider me responsible for any adverse outcomes of our relationship.
Yeah, so I stand accused
I am charged with any accusations you may have about me.
Of causing all the trouble
I am held accountable for all the negative aspects of our connection.
After high school
Referring to a specific period in time as a point of reference.
(Between him and you)
Referring to a relationship that exists only between two specific parties.
But I was a good girl
I used to be a well-behaved and virtuous person.
Yeah, 'till you taught me
But you changed me by introducing me to the concepts and ideas of true love.
What it means to be true
Understanding and embodying the principles of authenticity and genuineness.
Why do you call me
Despite your initial negative reaction to me, why do you want to interact with me again?
I know you look for me
I am aware that you actively seek me out and try to regain my attention.
Why do your eyes follow me the way they do
Why do you observe my actions with such a keen and watchful gaze?
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MICHAEL SUSAN STEELE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Olivia 73captain73
You think I'm crazy or something
Always following you around
You say I'm a hopeless case
Run an obsession into the ground
You call me a loser
You call me a shadowing fool
Look over your shoulder
And you say I'm haunting you
So why do you call me
Why do you look for me
Why do your eyes follow me the way they do
You hold me responsible
Yeah, so I stand accused
Of causing all the trouble
After high school
(Between him and you)
You call me a loser
You call me a shadowing fool
But I was a good girl
Yeah, 'till you taught me
What it means to be true
Why do you call me
I know you look for me
Why do your eyes follow me the way they do
Songwriters: Michael Susan Steele
M. Groningen
Michael Steele is (in my book) one of the greatest musicians and songwriters. 'Following' is a wonderful example. So many among us wish to hear from her, hope to see some solo-material released. I hope she knows how much appreciation there is.
Tony England
I hope so, too, what a beautiful and unforgettable song this is.
Corazon del Oro
Michael Steele may be a Complicated Girl , but I can't help but love her (okay, "crush on her"); she goes way beyond mere technical competence and pop art, especially with Following and with Something To Believe In , and she may well be one of the most underrated artists of all time -- and no, that's not the plaintiff wail of a fanboy smitten by her appearance. Wikipedia reports that Michael Steele was born Susan Nancy Thomas (which I think is amazing, because my choir teacher and our school's band director was named Suzy (I can't remember whether it was "Susan" or "Susanne") Thomas. Maybe there's something magical about that name? I had a crush on her, too.
I had written a lot more, but it was somewhat off-topic, so I deleted that from this post.
I think Michael Steele connects with a vastly wider part of the human psyche than is popularly acknowledged, and through her music offers hope for a better tomorrow -- not by singing airheaded and hackneyed platitudes lauding pacifism and disarmament, not by adopting some pet cause and blathering about how bad someone or something else is being treated, but by simply telling -- without condemnation or judgment -- a very personal tale from a firsthand perspective: her songs are intimate, and because every "normal" person has -- at least at some point in his or her respective life -- "been there," she forms with her audience a sort of fellowship-bond.
OldWelshLady
Please don't delete yr writings because you think yr off topic, I really enjoyed reading yr post and would liked to read more, even if it was off topic. I too delete so much due to lack if confidence , but I should write as if just one person reads it, it was worth writing. Lots if love from Rachel. Xxx
BillsCovers55
I couldn't agree with you more on every point regarding Ms. Steele. She is highly regarded in the music industry and deservedly so. Inventive and brilliant. And yeah, I still have a crush on her.
Ber Mejía
This song is very good, a masterpiece.
Blue Sky
Magic song, magic voice 🌹
Francisco Cabrera Sequera
The BANGLES are the BEST of the years 80's and 90's.❤️❤️❤️❤️🎸🎶
fishhuntadventure
Which is saying a lot. Other than some country stuff most the eighties ‘popular’ music is a wasteland.
Carlos Lima
HAUNTINGLY BEAUTIFUL!!!