walk like an egyptian

The Bangles became the first all-female band to hit number one with this jokey tune that tore them apart. Liam Sternberg was inspired to write 'Walk Like an Egyptian' watching people trying to keep their balance walking on a ferry; he thought they looked like pictographs from Ancient Egypt. Toni Basil was offered the song; but she turned it down. The Bangles were recording 'Different Light' and their producer David Kahne brought it to them. They needed another song; so they agreed to do it. Drummer Debbi Peterson was originally going to sing it; but Kahne didn't like her vocals and had Susanna Hoffs, Vicki Peterson and Michael Steele each do a version. The final version of the song featured a lead vocal on a verse for everyone but Debbi, creating tension in the band. The use of a drum machine only made things worse. Despite this, 'Walk Like an Egyptian' became an international smash, going to the top of the charts in Australia, Germany, and the US. The song was banned by Clear Channel after the attacks on September 11, 2001; yet it became popular among protesters during the Egyptian Revolution of 2011. It remains a sore subject with the reunited Bangles.

http://www.thebangles.com/

All the old paintings on the tombs

They do the sand dance don't you know

If they move too quick (oh whey oh)

They're falling down like a domino

All the bazaar men by the Nile

They got the money on a bet

Gold crocodiles (oh whey oh)

They snap their teeth on your cigarette

Foreign types with the hookah pipes say

Ay oh whey oh, ay oh whey oh

Walk like an Egyptian

The blonde waitresses take their trays

They spin around and they cross the floor

They've got the moves (oh whey oh)

You drop your drink then they bring you more

All the school kids so sick of books

They like the punk and the metal band

When the buzzer rings (oh whey oh)

They're walking like an Egyptian

All the kids in the marketplace say

Ay oh whey oh, ay oh whey oh

Walk like an Egyptian

Slide your feet up the street bend your back

Shift your arm then you pull it back

Life is hard you know (oh whey oh)

So strike a pose on a Cadillac

If you want to find all the cops

They're hanging out in the donut shop

They sing and dance (oh whey oh)

Spin the clubs cruise down the block

All the Japanese with their yen

The party boys call the Kremlin

And the Chinese know (oh whey oh)

They walk the line like Egyptian

All the cops in the donut shop say

Ay oh whey oh, ay oh whey oh

Walk like an Egyptian

Walk like an Egyptian