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.
Glitter Years
The Bangles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Down Sunset boulevard
Back in 1973
Why would he bother going home
His parents left him on his own
Who knows
Maybe they were out getting stoned
How we survived the glitter years
What did we do it all for
Do you remember the glitter years
We were the lost and lonely ones
We hid in the discotheques all night long
'Till we could see the morning sun
Denny was king,
he'd rock the place
Dressed like a working girl
from outer space
He was dancing like he wanted to dance
His life away
In December of '74 Denny wrecked
His father's car
Driving home that night he was singing
"You better Hang on to Yourself"
The above lyrics to The Bangles's song Glitter Years, recounts the story of a young man named Denny who makes his living on Sunset Boulevard in 1973. His parents had left him alone and he seems to have no interest in going back home. The chorus of the song asks how they all survived the glitter years and what they did it all for, while reflecting on the lost and lonely existence they led. They sought refuge and camaraderie in discotheques throughout the night and seemed to have found themselves through the communal experience of dance.
The song's reference to David Bowie's "Hang on to Yourself" is seen as a tribute, an ode to the music of the time and to those who lived through it. The lyrics capture the essence of the glitter rock era, which was characterized by flamboyant, glittery fashion, excess and a certain opulence, and a lot of great music. As with many of The Bangles's songs, the lyrics in Glitter Years deftly paint a picture of a particular moment in time, while also conveying something more universal and timeless.
In summary, The Bangles's song Glitter Years provides a nostalgic, wistful reflection on the glory days of the 1970s glitter rock era, while also celebrating the community that many found in music during that time.
Line by Line Meaning
Denny was working it real hard
Denny was trying really hard to make a living
Down Sunset boulevard
He was on Sunset Boulevard
Back in 1973
This happened in the year 1973
Why would he bother going home
He had no reason to go home
His parents left him on his own
He was abandoned by his parents
Who knows
It's uncertain why
Maybe they were out getting stoned
Perhaps his parents were out doing drugs
We were the lost and lonely ones
We were all lost and lonely
We hid in the discotheques all night long
We spent our nights in nightclubs
'Till we could see the morning sun
We stayed out all night
Denny was king,
Denny was the most popular
he'd rock the place
He could really make the place jump
Dressed like a working girl from outer space
He dressed very strangely
He was dancing like he wanted to dance
He was dancing with all his heart
His life away
He danced so much that his life was consumed by it
In December of '74 Denny wrecked His father's car
In December 1974, Denny crashed his dad's car
Driving home that night he was singing 'You better Hang on to Yourself'
He was singing a song while driving home
I don't really know
I'm not sure
How we survived the glitter years
I don't know how we managed to live through that time
What did we do it all for
I don't know why we did everything we did
Do you remember the glitter years
Do you recall that period of time?
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVID ODLE WHITE, MICHAEL SUSAN STEELE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind