I Love Cyndi Lauper

I love Cyndi Lauper.

(It feels so good typing that, I’m going to type it again.)

I LOVE CYNDI LAUPER!

(Oh yes! The freedom in professing my love! I know girls just want to have fun, but I’m coming right out with my feelings, Cyndi. You know where I stand. I’m not playing any games!)

Why do I love Cyndi Lauper so much? That’s hard to say for sure. I suppose it is a combination of a lot of things. First off: I love the 80s. Some of my first memories of music were Cyndi Lauper songs (and Amy Grant singing about names of God in other languages and angels watching over me). I dreamed of the day when those lyrics from Lauper songs would apply to my own sweetheart. I remembered learning in Sunday School that Jesus could return at any time and the world as we knew it would come to an end. I wasn’t sure how I felt about that and didn’t really want Jesus to randomly arrive – at least until my career in the NBA was over. Cyndi represented an era when life had so much promise.

Then, there was her music. Her songs were so passionate, tender and emotional. They were full of longing, pain and beauty. I even loved “Girls just want to have fun” – a song which pretty much had nothing to do with me, but was so full of life I could help but to want to be part of it. I never got the sense that Cyndi was singing a song for the heck of it. Rather, I felt like she poured her heart into every word.

It wasn’t only about the music, but also the person. There was just something about Cyndi Lauper. Perhaps it was mostly about her looks (I had never seen anyone with pink hair before), but I think it went deeper than that. The title of her debut album summed it up perfectly: She’s so unusual. Despite how different she was, I never felt like she was putting on an act. I felt like she was being herself no matter how weird she came across. I loved her for it and still do.

Having said all that, here are my five favorite Cyndi Lauper songs in reverse order.

5. True Colors

Strange video aside – in this song it’s almost like Cyndi’s arms are reaching out from the airwaves to give the listener a big hug.

4. The Goonies ‘R’ Good Enough

Goonies, WWF and Cyndi Lauper – what more can you really ask for?

3. Girls Just Want to Have Fun

How much does it say about this song that a guy would like it so much? Knowing the guy is me – maybe not so much.

2. All Through the Night

Another song that absolutely tears at the heart-strings AND Cyndi does it while looking like a zombie on “The Walking Dead”.

1. Time After Time

One of the most beautiful and memorable music videos of all time.

If you watched any of those videos, I hope you enjoyed them! Also, if you are able to do a better job of putting your finger on what made her so fabulous, I would love to hear your thoughts!

 

Category: Gallery, Musings