✦ Manic Monday – US Single: 1985

A sparkling pop gem gifted by Prince under the pseudonym Christopher — launching The Bangles into global stardom and creating one of the defining singles of 1986.

✦ — SUMMARY

Released in the US on December 23, 1985 by Columbia Records (catalogue 38‑05757), “Manic Monday” became the breakout single from The Bangles’ album Different Light. Written by Prince under the pseudonym Christopher, the song was originally intended for Apollonia 6 before being passed to the band.

Produced by David Kahne, the track pairs jangly guitars with bright harmonies and a wistful lyric about the grind of the working week. Backed with “In A Different Light”, the single became a massive international hit, peaking at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 — held off the top spot by Prince’s own “Kiss,” creating a rare moment where Prince competed with himself on the charts.

Issued in multiple US styrene pressings (Pitman and Carrollton), plus promo 7" and 12" variants, “Manic Monday” remains one of the most beloved Prince‑penned songs of the 1980s.

✦ — HIGHLIGHTS

• Released December 23, 1985 (US)

• Written by Prince (as Christopher)

• Lead single from Different Light

• Produced by David Kahne

• Peaked at #2 in the US, UK, and Germany

• Blocked from US #1 by Prince’s own “Kiss”

• Issued in Pitman & Carrollton styrene pressings

• Promo 7" and 12" variants released

• Certified Silver (UK) and Gold (Canada)

✦ — TRACK DETAILS

7" Single (US) — Columbia 38‑05757

Side A

• Manic Monday — 3:03

Written by Christopher (Prince)

Produced by David Kahne

Side B

• In A Different Light — 2:50

Written by Susanna Hoffs & Vicki Peterson

Produced by David Kahne

✦ — US VARIANTS

• 7", 45 RPM, Styrene — Pitman Pressing (38‑05757)

• 7", 45 RPM, Styrene — Carrollton Pressing (38‑05757)

• 7", 45 RPM, Promo — (38‑05757)

• 12", 33⅓ RPM, Promo — Columbia CAS 2249

All variants share the same A/B‑side pairing.

✦ — REISSUES & GLOBAL VARIANTS

• Multiple 7" and 12" singles worldwide (1985–1986)

• European and Japanese editions with regional artwork

• Included on Different Light (1986) and later compilations

• Digital availability via standard reissues

✦ — PRODUCTION AND CONTEXT

• Written by Prince under the pseudonym Christopher, used during the Under the Cherry Moon era

• Originally intended for Apollonia 6

• Produced by David Kahne for Different Light

• The Bangles’ harmonies and guitar pop elevated the track into a signature hit

• Prince’s authorship was widely known within industry circles but not officially credited on the single

• The song’s success helped propel Different Light into multi‑platinum territory

✦ — CHART PERFORMANCE

United States

• Billboard Hot 100 — #2 (20 weeks)

United Kingdom

• #2 (13 weeks)

Germany

• #2 (18 weeks)

Belgium

• #19 (7 weeks)

Netherlands

• #24 (6 weeks)

✦ — CERTIFICATIONS

• BPI Silver (UK) — March 1, 1986

• Music Canada Gold — June 27, 1986

✦ — ALT TEXT (SEO)

Four‑panel portrait artwork of The Bangles with colourful backgrounds, featuring the title “Manic Monday” beneath the band’s multicoloured logo.

✦ — DISCOGRAPHY SIDEBAR

Apollonia 6 (unreleased version) — 1984

Manic Monday — 1985

Different Light — 1986

✦ — PRINCE ERA MINI‑TIMELINE

1984 — Prince writes “Manic Monday”

1985 — Song given to The Bangles

Dec 1985 — US single release

1986 — “Kiss” blocks “Manic Monday” from #1

✦ — GLAM FLASHBACK

A perfect pop moment shaped quietly by Prince, “Manic Monday” became The Bangles’ breakthrough and one of the great crossover stories of the 1980s. A gift from Minneapolis that turned into a global anthem.

✦ — COPYRIGHT NOTICE

All images, artwork, logos, and related materials referenced or displayed in this entry remain the property of their respective copyright holders. They are included strictly for historical, educational, and archival purposes under fair‑use principles.

✦ — SOURCES

Prince Vault

Columbia Records catalogue

Billboard chart archives

BPI & Music Canada certification databases

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsmVgoXDq2w

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