When You're a Boy

Susanna Hoffs | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 2, 1991)
• Original Release Date: January 29, 1991
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B00000272P
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #145,330 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

UK reissue of this 1991 solo album from the Bangles's Susanna Hoffs. When You're a Boy begins with the Billboard Top 40 single "My Side of the Bed", includes the track "Unconditional Love" (co-written by Cyndi Lauper), and ends with a cover of "Boys Keep Swinging", the 1979 song written by David Bowie and Brian Eno. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Debut from Susanna proves she can go it alone, February 25, 2002

By 

Daniel J. Hamlow (Narita, Japan) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: When You're a Boy (Audio CD)

Susanna Hoffs was the prettiest and best known Bangle so it was no surprise that she came out with a solo album following the band's abrupt fade-out. For anyone who made mix tapes or programmed Bangles CDs sung by Susanna only, Ms. Hoffs' solo effort is a dream come true, as it is a worthy showcase for her sugary voice.

I will say straight out that there isn't too much Bangles-like sounds on her songs, meaning that she knew that it was time to go on to other things. It's more pop, but made palatable by her unique vocal stylings. The single "My Side Of The Bed" demonstrates that she could hold her own away from her bandmates.
"No Kind Of Love" and "Wishing On Telstar" are solid songs that lead to her cover of Cyndi Lauper's "Unconditional Love," which reminds me why I liked "If She Knew What She Wants."

The upbeat "This Time" could have made it on a Bangles albums with a bit of tinkering. It could also have been used by Belinda Carlisle during her Heaven On Earth phase. "Only Love" in comparison might have ended up on Carlisle's Live Your Life Be Free. Interesting how like Belinda Carlisle, Susanna moved from a rock sound to a more pop-oriented sound. Glad that ace songwriter Diane Warren had something sterling to give to Susanna.

The Doorsy organ and influence is a nice touch on "It's Lonely Out Here." And "Made Of Stone" has an 80's new wave touch in some parts. Finally, the title track is derived from her cover of David Bowie's "Boys Keep Swinging," which she does decently.
Not much filler to speak of, and a more than decent solo effort that deserved to do better.

Her album was produced by David Kahne, who produced the first two Bangles albums. Oh yes. Among the backing vocals is a certain Juliana Hatfield. That name sounds familiar.... Oh yeah, I remember now. Just kidding.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE MOST UNDERRATED POP ALBUM OF ALL TIME!, February 8, 2008

By 

Anton Klimov "anton" (moscow) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: When You're a Boy (Audio CD)

This album is pure magic. It's more pop than Bangles but it's incredibly stylish pop, the production is eclectic and sometimes very pseudo-60's, the song are beautiful (most of them should be N1 hits in the perfect world) and Susanna frankly never sung better than here! This album deserved to sell millions but there's never justice in show-biz. I can't think of a single pop record more criminally underrated than WHEN YOU'RE A BOY.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Susanna is "my girl"!, June 8, 2000

By 

"andyambitious" (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: When You're a Boy (Audio CD)

"when you are a boy" is a fabulous album with very deep going lyrics. The melodies will catch you! The album shows that Susanna and her voice are unique no matter if she sings as the lead singer of the Bangles or solo. Every song is great, my personl fave is "My side of the bed". Check it out, u'll luv it!