26/06/2025
In 1984, a mysterious demo cassette arrived at The Bangles' management office with no name attached. The track was titled "Manic Monday," and it came from a songwriter who went only by “Christopher.” The band, then gaining attention on the Los Angeles club circuit, was curious. The demo sounded like something crafted by an expert pop composer, melodic, moody, and instantly catchy. What they did not know at the time was that it had been written by Prince.
Prince had first seen The Bangles at one of their early shows in Hollywood and had been captivated by their energy and style, especially the vocal charisma of Susanna Hoffs. He admired their blend of retro jangle pop and modern edge, and he believed they had the potential to break out nationally. But Prince had his own way of doing things. He did not approach the band personally. Instead, he used the alias “Christopher,” a name he had previously used for a character in the film "Under the Cherry Moon." That was how he submitted "Manic Monday" to The Bangles, anonymously.
The demo’s production quality was remarkably high, featuring layered harmonies and a dreamy, chiming arrangement. Vicki Peterson later recalled how everyone in the band instantly knew the song had serious potential. But they kept asking, who is “Christopher”? Susanna Hoffs, though curious, focused on nailing the vocals when the band went into the studio to record it for their second album, "Different Light."
It was not until the recording had been completed that they learned the truth. Prince himself revealed it, casually and without ceremony. One afternoon, The Bangles received word from their management that the song had come from Prince, and that he had been following their music. He had wanted to collaborate, but he did not want his name to influence their decision. He wanted the music to stand on its own.
Susanna Hoffs was floored. “We were stunned that Prince even knew who we were,” she said in a later interview. “He didn’t need to do that. He believed in the song, and he believed in us. It felt like someone had reached down from the heavens and handed us this opportunity.”
The timing could not have been more perfect. "Manic Monday" became the breakout single for The Bangles in early 1986, reaching No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. Ironically, it landed one position below Prince’s own hit "Kiss" that same week. The connection between the two artists became a quiet footnote in pop history, one based not on publicity or fanfare, but on musical intuition and trust.
Prince never asked for public credit beyond the pseudonym. He had no interest in taking the spotlight away from the band. His only involvement was the song itself and his private satisfaction in seeing it succeed. It was one of the rare occasions where Prince, a notoriously meticulous creator, handed over a fully written track with no strings attached.
Later, when The Bangles toured, they often included a tribute to Prince in their set, especially after his passing. But back in 1984, it had all started with a cassette, a fake name, and an artist quietly lifting another up.
In an industry full of competition, Prince’s anonymous gift to The Bangles was a moment of generosity that helped launch their career without asking for anything in return.
