Hazy Shade Of Winter – Bangles | Top 40 Chart Performance, Story and Song Meaning
Chart Performance: Pop (#2); 1988
Story Behind The Song By Ed Osborne
No, “less than zero” is not a seasonal temperature reference from Hazy Shade Of Winter. It’s the title of a movie adapted from Bret Easton Ellis’ shocking novel about a lost generation of L.A. teenagers.
The soundtrack album consisted of new takes on old tunes as well as some new songs. The most successful of the covers – musically and commercially – was the Bangles’ take on a Paul Simon composition which he originally recorded with partner Art Garfunkel.
S&G’s version of A Hazy Shade Of Winter climbed to #13 in 1966, and later showed up on their 1968 LP, Bookends. The Bangles’ 1988 recording featured fuzzed-up guitar courtesy of George Drakoulias, who went on to produce discs for the Black Crowes, the Jayhawks, and Tom Petty.
Winter found the Bangles in the middle of a hot streak, one that cooled down the following year after, ironically enough, a hit titled Eternal Flame.
This content and all Song Meaning articles were created and written by Top 40 Contributing Editor Ed Osborne. © 2024 Ed Osborne. All Rights Reserved. In addition to these song meaning articles, Ed has written our “Year in Music 1960s-1990s” articles.
Produced by:
- Rick Rubin
Lyrics Written by:
- Paul Simon
Ed Osborne
Hi. I got my first record at age two and never looked back, spending a decades-long career in radio and the music business. Even after years of reading about and listening to all types of music, I am still fascinated by it. Apart from that, I’m endlessly intrigued by art, nature, and the inner lives of people (and dogs).