If She Knew What She Wants

Album: Different Light (1986)
Charted: 31 29
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song was written by Jules Shear and originally recorded by the American singer-songwriter on his 1985 album The Eternal Return. His version is essentially a love song, written in the third person. The Bangles rewrote the lyrics when they covered the tune the following year, changing them to the third person.
  • This was the second Jules Shear song in quick succession to come to the public attention, following Cyndi Lauper's hit cover of his "All Through The Night." However, Jules was more interested on working on his own material than becoming a songwriter for hire. He recalled in a Songfacts interview: "People started calling up to see if I had other songs and stuff. Fortunately, they called up my manager, and he would send over some songs. I don't know. All of a sudden I was hot. But I was working on my own album and I don't remember it affecting anything. I was just trying to get it done. I was more interested in what my record would sound like."

Comments: 1

  • Jinny from Brighton , United KingdomA great song!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Concert Disasters

Concert DisastersFact or Fiction

Ozzy biting a dove? Alice Cooper causing mayhem with a chicken? Creed so bad they were sued? See if you can spot the real concert mishaps.

Kip Winger

Kip WingerSongwriter Interviews

The Winger frontman reveals the Led Zeppelin song he cribbed for "Seventeen," and explains how his passion for orchestra music informs his songwriting.

Divided Souls: Musical Alter Egos

Divided Souls: Musical Alter EgosSong Writing

Long before Eminem, Justin Bieber and Nicki Minaj created alternate personas, David Bowie, Bono, Joni Mitchell and even Hank Williams took on characters.

Lajon Witherspoon of Sevendust

Lajon Witherspoon of SevendustSongwriter Interviews

The Sevendust frontman talks about the group's songwriting process, and how trips to the Murder Bar helped forge their latest album.

Andy McClusky of OMD

Andy McClusky of OMDSongwriter Interviews

Known in America for the hit "If You Leave," OMD is a huge influence on modern electronic music.

Motley Crue

Motley CrueFact or Fiction

Was Dr. Feelgood a dentist? Did the "Crüecifixion" really happen?