Eternal Flame: The Story Behind The Bangles' Iconic Hit Song

June 10, 2026 00:03:18
Eternal Flame: The Story Behind The Bangles' Iconic Hit Song
Heart Banter by David Gittlin
Eternal Flame: The Story Behind The Bangles' Iconic Hit Song

Jun 10 2026 | 00:03:18

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Show Notes


“Eternal Flame” is another song that came into my head from out of nowhere. It just started playing in my mind on its own. I remembered the song, but I had never heard of (or don’t remember) an all-girl band called The Bangles. The group was popular in the 1980s. Susanna Hoff, their lead singer, wrote Eternal Flame with songwriters Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly. The idea came from a Cyndi Lauper song Hoff admired, and from the eternal flame shrine near the Elvis Presley tomb in Graceland, where The Bangles saw it.

“Eternal Flame” became one of The Bangles’ biggest hits, reaching #1 in nine countries, including the USA in 1989.

I still don’t know why “Eternal Flame” barged unannounced into my head, but I’m glad it did. The song is BEAUTIFUL.

Here’s my cover.

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Episode Transcript

[00:00:08] Close your eyes? [00:00:11] Give me your hand, darling? [00:00:16] Do you feel my heart beating? [00:00:20] Do you understand? [00:00:23] Do you feel the same? [00:00:27] Am I only breathing? [00:00:33] Is this burning and eternal flame? I believe it is meant to be doubted? [00:00:47] I watch you as you are sleeping? [00:00:52] You belong with me? [00:00:55] Do you feel the same? [00:00:59] Am I only breathing? [00:01:04] For is this burning and eternal flame? Say my name? [00:01:15] Sun shines through the rain? [00:01:18] O life so lonely? Then come and ease the pain? [00:01:27] I don't wanna lose this feeling? [00:01:33] O, O, Say my name? [00:01:56] Sunshine through the rain. [00:02:03] Come and. [00:02:08] I don't wanna lose this feeling? [00:02:14] Oh, Give me your hand? [00:02:33] Do you feel my heart beating? [00:02:37] Do you understand? [00:02:40] Do you feel the same? [00:02:45] Am I only dreaming? [00:02:49] Or is this burning? [00:02:54] An eternal place? [00:03:06] Sam.

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