Account bar highlight

[TPerry]

OK... I've been beating my head against the wall so now it's time to ask for help.
In the example provided (the highlighted by the green arrow section), I'm trying to change the background color when the cursor is over as well as the text (and only for the account section), but everything I've tried has not worked. Can someone give some guidance...pleeeeaaaasseee!

 

[Paul B]

.accountSideBar a:hover

 

[Shelley]

.accountSideBar:hover {background: code here;}

edit: Do I really have to even type it? more Ninja'd sir

 

[Shelley]

.accountSideBar a:hover

*revs up monster truck*

 

[TPerry]

.accountSideBar a:hover

THANKS!... now, you know anything good to get the splattered blood off the wall from my head impacting it?

 

[Ernest L. Defoe]

THANKS!... now, you know anything good to get the splattered blood off the wall from my head impacting it?

Have you tried club soda......that seems to be the thing mentioned in movies and tv shows that gets stains and stuff out.