"Following" is a song by American

pop rock Pop rock (also typeset as pop/rock) is a fusion genre and form of rock music characterized by a strong commercial appeal, with more emphasis on professional songwriting and recording craft, and less emphasis on attitude than standard rock musi ...

band

the Bangles The Bangles are an American all-female band, all-female pop rock band formed in Los Angeles, in 1981. They are known for hit singles during the 1980s that made them one of the most successful pop rock groups of the decade. The band’s biggest ...

, released in 1987 as the fifth and final single from their second studio album, '' Different Light'' (1986). The acoustic ballad carries vocals by

Michael Steele Michael Stephen Steele (born October 19, 1958) is an American politician, attorney, and political commentator who served as the seventh lieutenant governor of Maryland from 2003 to 2007 and as chair of the Republican National Committee (RNC) f ...

, who composed the song.

Background and style

"Following" is one of two songs on '' Different Light'' on which

sang lead vocals, the other one being a cover of

Big Star Big Star was an American rock band formed in Memphis, Tennessee in 1971 by Alex Chilton (vocals, guitar), Chris Bell (vocals, guitar), Jody Stephens (drums), and Andy Hummel (bass). They have been described as the "quintessential American ...

's "

September Gurls "September Gurls" is a song by the American Rock music, rock band Big Star, written by frontman Alex Chilton and featured on their second studio album, ''Radio City (album), Radio City'', released in February 1974. It was also released as a sing ...

". The song was written solely by Steele, her first original composition released with the Bangles. Musically, "Following" is radically different from the rest of Bangles' material, being a folky acoustic ballad featuring minimal instrumentation. Its lead instrument is an acoustic guitar. "Following" also features hovering, atmospheric keyboard sounds. The musical input from the other three Bangles members on the song appears to be limited to occasional wordless, atmospheric backing vocal textures. Lyrically, the song deals with the subject of jealousy, paranoia and obsession that follows the breakup of a relationship. Sung in first person, the narrator starts with the accusations of stalking by the ex-lover. The gender of the ex-lover is not explicitly stated, although ambiguities in the lyrics suggest that the narrator may be referring to a female ex-lover (or a situation involving another, similar type of love triangle). As the song progresses, it is revealed both the narrator and the ex-lover accuse each other of obsessive behavior and paranoia. Steele half sings, half talks the lyrics, taking an approach similar to folk singer

Bob Dylan Bob Dylan (legally Robert Dylan; born Robert Allen Zimmerman, May 24, 1941) is an American singer-songwriter. Described as one of the greatest songwriters of all time, Dylan has been a major figure in popular culture over his nearly 70-year ...

or rock/jazz artist

Rickie Lee Jones Rickie Lee Jones (born November 8, 1954) is an American singer, musician, and songwriter. Over the course of a career that spans five decades and 15 studio albums, she has recorded in various musical styles including rock, R&B, pop, soul, an ...

. Steele has indicated that ''Following'' was derived from personal experience, stating in a 2003 internet chat: "Yeah, it was about my high school sweetheart."

Release and reception

"Following" was chosen as the band's fifth single from their successful ''Different Light'' album, and was released in April 1987 around Europe. It was never released in the USA. It would become the band's only single with Michael Steele on lead vocals. For its single release, the track was edited from the album version, eliminating most of the outro. The single's

B-side The A-side and B-side are the two sides of phonograph record, vinyl records and Compact cassette, cassettes, and the terms have often been printed on the labels of two-sided music recordings. The A-side of a Single (music), single usually ...

was "Dover Beach", a track from their 1984 album '' All Over the Place''. The 12" single also included the "Bangles Hit Mix", a megamix including the band's previous four singles off ''Different Light'' and "Going Down To Liverpool" from their debut album. The single was also released in two special editions, one including a poster of the single cover, and another including four badges. No music video was done to support the release and the group did little promotion for it. "Following" peaked at #55 in the UK, and was a top 40 hit in Ireland, peaking at #22. It failed to chart in other European territories where it was not promoted.

Charts

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Following (The Bangles Song) 1987 singles The Bangles songs Columbia Records singles 1986 songs Song recordings produced by David Kahne