Walk Like an Egyptian by The Bangles Lyrics Meaning – Unraveling the Iconic Tune’s Timeless Allure
Lyrics
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
(Whey 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
(Whey 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 wanna find all the cops
They’re hanging out in the donut shop
They sing and dance (oh whey oh)
They 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
(Whey oh whey oh, ay oh whey oh)
Walk like an Egyptian
Walk like an Egyptian
In the grand tapestry of ’80s pop anthems, The Bangles’ ‘Walk Like an Egyptian’ stands out as a cultural mosaic, vibrant with hidden nuances and an undeniably catchy hook. It’s a track that once dominated the airwaves, but beyond its infectious beat and whimsical charm, what lies at the heart of this timeless classic?
Let’s dive into the heart of this hieroglyphic hit, peeling back layers that reveal more than just a playful dance craze. From political undertones to a seemingly frivolous yet profound meditation on life, ‘Walk Like an Egyptian’ is a musical Sphinx whose riddles are begging to be solved.
The Sarcophagus Opens: A Look Inside the Enigmatic Lyrics
Upon first blush, the lyrics seem almost nonsensical – a hodgepodge of references to ancient Egypt and modern life. Yet, when delving deeper, one can see a clever juxtaposition of the timeless and the temporal, perhaps symbolizing the cyclical nature of history and the universality of the human experience.
The opening lines ‘All the old paintings on the tombs / They do the sand dance don’t you know?’ immediately transport listeners to a world steeped in ancient mystery, only to jolt them back to reality with quotidian scenes – waitresses, school kids, businessmen – all performing the titular ‘walk,’ suggesting a unifying thread in our daily hustle.
Strutting Across History: The Song’s Hidden Political Commentary
While the track radiates playful energy, one cannot ignore the political climate it was created in. The ’80s were a time of global tension and upheaval, with the Cold War’s grip still tight. In ‘Walk Like an Egyptian,’ there’s a subtle nod to international relations, with ‘the party boys call the Kremlin’ and ‘the Japanese with their yen’, hinting at the dance we all do around cultural and political power structures.
It’s as if The Bangles are offering a satirical take on the geopolitical situation, suggesting that no matter our differences, we are joined in a collective performance – each of us, in some way, ‘walk[ing] like an Egyptian.’
Life’s Rhythmic Cadence: The Iconic Moves That Bind Us
Beyond the geopolitical allusion, the song captures a more personal thread – the rhythm of life itself. The metronomic cadence of ‘Slide your feet up the street, bend your back’ speaks to the routine motions we all go through, a choreography of survival in a complex, ever-moving world.
Moreover, phrases like ‘So strike a pose on a Cadillac’ encapsulate the blend of aspiration and escapism that were hallmarks of the ’80s ethos. It’s a snapshot of a time when image, style, and the flash of success defined the collective consciousness.
Memorable Lines that Transcend Time
Woven within the fabric of ‘Walk Like an Egyptian’ are lyrical threads that linger long after the song ends. ‘They snap their teeth on your cigarette’ and ‘Foreign types with the hookah pipes say’ are lines that paint vivid pictures, capturing imagination with an almost cinematic flair.
These memorable moments in the song stick with us because of their ability to evoke a place, an attitude, or a slice of life with poetic economy, truly the hallmark of great lyrical writing.
An Anthem for the Ages: Why We Still Walk Like Egyptians
Ultimately, ‘Walk Like an Egyptian’ endures not only for its bouncy melody and catchy chorus but for its enduring relevance. The song’s depiction of a world where everyone has their own ‘walk’ speaks to our individuality and the collective beat to which we all march.
In an era where the world feels more connected and divided than ever, the tune’s essential message – that we’re all in this dance of life together – resonates with poignant clarity. It’s a reminder that sometimes, to find common ground, we must look back to the ancients, and yes, ‘walk like an Egyptian.’
