The Bangles - If She Knew What She Wants (CBS)

Irresistably catchy, worse luck. I know there are some big fans back at Smash Hits HQ, so I'll probably get a beating for this, but really, it's even more drivelly than "Manic Monday", and there's all these nauseating little harmonies just where you'd most expect them. A bit like one of those Tracey Ullman jokey numbers. I bet they're lovely people but they do sing some awfully wet songs. (Shut your mouth - Deputy Ed.) (Sorrel Downer, Smash Hits, April 9, 1986)

With "Manic Monday" hardly dead and buried, why have CBS rushed this out? Luckily it is another gem with Susanna Hoffs turning out to be a more versatile singer than I'd imagined. There's touches of Dolly Parton in her plus a pure pop harmony and a rousing Californian chorus. A few years ago this would only have stood a chart chance in America but British pop is in such an awful state right now that the Bangles will soon be back to show us how it's done. 5/5 (Max Bell, No 1, April 5, 1986)

Madonna - Live To Tell (Sire)

A somnambulant ballad which contains all the dreariness of a wet weekend in Stockton with Jennifer Rush. Written by Her Elusiveness for her husband's new movie 'At Close Range', it's clearly a piece of background scene-setting. As a single it does to the ears what snooker does for the blind. (Mike Gardner, Record Mirror, April 19, 1986)

Madonna's first new single for a while is a bit of a surprise. After the immediacy of goodies like "Into The Groove", this is a remarkably subdued affair, with Mads crooning away mournfully over a dreamy, smoochy toon. A few listens is all it takes to take root in the brain, and it'll be Top Five before you can say 'Fleet Street Hacks'. And good luck to her - anyone who's that hated by the gutter press must have something going for them. 4/5 (Karen Swayne, No 1, April 19, 1986)

Skipetty skip. Like a virgin, HEY! touched....What's this? The ugly duckling's turned into a swan (er, metaphorically speaking, you understand). We've sunk two octaves, dropped the pinky and perky stuff, and moved in to give Lionel Richie a run for his money in the hankies-out-soppy-time corner. Not an area I care to linger in generally, but this is simple and melodic, soft and achingly sad, and I like it. (Sorrel Downer, Smash Hits, April 9, 1986)

Peter Murphy - Final Solution (Beggars Banquet)

This is a cover version of a record by Pere Ubu (a group fronted by an interesting fat man who did some mighty strange squealing and squawking five years ago). Pete Murphy, who left Bauhaus to do embarrassing things like dancing around in sand pits at ‘art happenings’ is now called Peter. Sounding more like David ‘Ziggy Stardust’ Bowie than ever, and making great gnash ‘n’ snarl club records like this. (Sorrel Downer, Smash Hits, November 20, 1985)

Yet another small-minded song, made on a big scale, this is apparently the third and final mix. Still better known for doing tape commercials than he is for his singing, Peter Murphy will remain on the periphery of pop stardom until he learns to stop imitating David Bowie and tries to find his own identity. As it stands, the only thing that could make this sound decent…is distance. (Mike Morris, No 1, December 14, 1985)

Hoodoo Gurus - Bittersweet (Chrysalis)

A rousing song packed with genuine energy by this up and coming "Phew! rock 'n' roll" band. With a vocalist who can sound like Paul King (when he wants to), they can't really go wrong, except for the fact that the 'Hoodoo' part of their silly name means 'bad luck bearer'. Eeek! (Sorrel Downer, Smash Hits, November 20, 1985)