Saturday, June 27, 2015

Repost: Cyndi Lauper: She's So Unusual


Here is a repost of a post which originally appeared in December 2013.





Cyndi Lauper was one of the iconic musical stars of the '80s, and representative of the colorful, freewheeling, and individualistic quality of '80s culture.





Lauper was artistic from an early age, attending a special school for the arts-inclined. Her music career largely began as part of the late '70s, early '80s new wave music group Blue Angel. But most of the music listening public first became aware of her with her first big hit "Girls Just Want to Have Fun."  The video, a fun loving expression of '80s quirkiness, featured both pro-wrestler "Captain" Lou Albano, and Cyndi's real-life mom, Catrine. The 1983 album which featured the song was accurately titled She's So Unusual.




As a young noncomformist, Lauper experimented with outrageous clothing styles. She also experienced rejection, such as when she had rocks thrown at her by un-accepting peers who treated her individuality with contempt. However, when she reached her massive popularity in the '80s, this quirky individuality and wild fashion became one of her trademarks.

Sensitivity was also one of Lauper's qualities, as expressed through both the song "Time After Time," and its video. 



Lauper continued to express her quirkiness, individuality, and sensitivity in her next album, 1986's True Colors and the song of the same name.

In the years after her '80s fame, Lauper continued her creativity as a musician and performer, and continued to extoll individuality and tolerance. Recently, Lauper won rave reviews as the writer and composer of the musical Kinky Boots.




2 comments:

  1. I didn't know Cyndi Lauper was behind Kinky Boots. Blimey.

    I''ve never been a big fan of Cyndi Lauper - but having said that, Time After Time is one of the 80s best pop ballads.

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    1. Big D-- Thanks for commenting. At first, I found her voice less than appealing. But she became an "acquired taste" for me. I began to appreciate her quirks (including her voice), and appreciate her nonconformity and talent.

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