Walk Like an Egyptian
- This article is about the song. For the dance that pre-dates the song see walking like an Egyptian.
Walk Like an Egyptian is the name of a #1 hit in the US from the Different Light album released by The Bangles in 1986.
The song was written by Liam Sternberg after seeing people on a ferry walking awkwardly to keep their balance as figures do in Ancient Egyptian reliefs. The opening lyrics state "All the old paintings on the tombs, They do the sand dance don't you know". The reference to the sand dance is possibly a reference to a music hall routine performed by Wilson, Keppel and Betty where Wilson and Keppel danced around in the postures portrayed on the reliefs wearing the fez while Betty watched. The video for "Walk Like an Egyptian" similarly featured people dancing in such a pose.
The perception that ancient Egyptians walked normally in such a way has been reflected in other items of popular culture such as the song "King Tut" performed by comedian Steve Martin. Ancient Egyptian sculptures reflect the subjects walking normally.
Sternberg offered his song to Toni Basil who turned it down. David Kahne, the producer of Different Light, took the song to The Bangles who agreed to record it. Kahne had each member of the group sing the lyrics to determine who would sing each verse with Susanna Hoffs, Vicki Peterson and Michael Steele each singing lead vocals on a verse in the final version.
"Walk Like An Egyptian" was released as the third single from Different Light. It debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 in September 1986. The song reached a peak of #3 on the UK Singles Chart in November 1986 and reached #1 in the US in late December staying at the top of the Hot 100 for four weeks. It also topped the Australian singles chart in 1987 and was a worldwide hit. The success of the song and "Manic Monday" meant that Different Light reached #2 on the Billboard album chart, making it the groups most successful album.
"Walk Like An Egyptian" was one of a List of songs deemed inappropriate by Clear Channel following the September 11, 2001 attacks presumably due to its reference to Egypt.
References
- See also Walking like an Egyptian.
- Jay Warner, On This Day in Music History: Over 2000 Popular Music Facts Covering Every Day of the Year Hal Leonard 2004 ISBN 0634066935 pages 272, 321, 356