If you want to be the one that categorizes “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” as Cyndi Lauper’s signature song you’re within your rights. However, I have but one ditty of hers on this countdown and which one for me is a no-brainer.
“Time After Time” is an exquisite love song. With the exception of my favorite wrestling manager Captain Lou Albano being in the music video, Lauper’s debut “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” kind of annoyed me and my first impression of Lauper lukewarm at best.
That changed in January 1984 with the release of “Time After Time” as her second single. It was one of the most profound songs of the 80s and also one of its most distinguishable.
While I’m not always in agreement with mainstream media when it comes to preference of 80s music, Lauper’s tune earned critical acclaim. In 2000 Rolling Stone ranked it 66th on its list of the 100 Greatest Pop Songs of all-time. She won the 1984 American Music Award for Best Female Performance and was nominated for 1985 Song of the Year of the Grammys.
Chart Success: Time After Time reached number-one on the Billboard Top 100 and stayed on the chart for 20 weeks. It finished 17th on the Billboard year-end Hot 100 for 1984.
Great Lyrics: In a decade of such wonderful cheesiness, these lyrics were pretty deep.
“After my picture fades and darkness has
Turned to gray
Watching through windows–you’re wondering
If I’m OK
Secrets stolen from deep inside
The drum beats out of time–If you’re lost you can look–and you will find me
Time after time”
Fun Fact: Lauper’s record company (Epic Records) originally wanted Lauper to release this song as her first single. However, she refused; determining doing such would forever label her a ballad singer and pigeon hole her career. It was a brilliant decision. “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” was released first and became an anthem—pretty much for girls.
Bonus- Albano also made an appearance in this video—as a cook.
♦♦♦♦♦
PREVIOUS ENTRIES
100. Hall & Oates – I Can’t Go For That (No Can D0)
99. Michael McDonald – I Keep Forgetting
97. The Police – Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic