I would never describe myself as someone who could 'pick hits' in advance, but when "She's So Unusual" came out, I was working in the record store and one early morning going through a stack of mail I opened an LP mailer with a promo copy in it. I was alone in the store and just on the basis of the cover - I had NO idea of who Cyndi was, I hadn't read any advance hype or anything - I put on the LP and *cranked it up*.
I was pretty much blown away, thinking, "if this record isn't a hit there ain't no justice in the world."
The cover photo was by Annie Leibovitz. I haven’t really dug into that side of the story yet (I already go over my self-imposed 10-minute reading time limit every time 😁), but you’re right, the cover is spot on. She and the album were perfectly in tune with the moment and destined for success. You nailed it! 😃 Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts, Hugh. Have a great weekend!
Thanks, Andy. Writing the backstories behind important songs like these is always a pleasure. Really appreciate you reading, reacting, and sharing. Have a great weekend!
I was a huge Cyndi Lauper fan (still am!) I listened to this whole album obsessively! I had the picture disc back then, and regret that I sold it while I was in college! I did recently buy a used blue vinyl reissue.
I wasn’t really into Cyndi Lauper when the album first came out, except for “She Bop,” which I loved. But over time, I’ve become a fan of her, the person. She’s got such a sharp sense of humor. I found myself chuckling watching and reading her interviews. I really admire people who know how to put things in perspective.
Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts, Kristin. Wishing you a great weekend!
Loved the song but thought it was about dancing the bop! No doubt I was dancing to this in nightclubs and aerobics classes as well as listening to it on the radio, as it was everywhere.
Tipper Gore made songs like this even more popular. Having done a short stint in Washington DC in the early 80s, my view is that she should have focused her ire on men in politics. The kids were fine, the politicians were completely out of control!
Same here, Ellen 😁. I usually pick songs because there’s something musically interesting going on, in this case, it was the remix and Arthur Baker. But once I started digging, I thought, “Whoa, this episode is going in a very different direction.” 😁
And you’re right about Tipper Gore. It was a lot of noise over nothing, classic misdirection. Feels like we’re living through another wave of that right now. Thanks for reading & sharing your thoughts Ellen! Wishing you a great start of the week!
I loved this album when I was a kid (although at 13 I didn’t grok what she was singing about on “She Bop”) and almost wore out the cassette I played it so much!
I’m glad you touched on her Blue Angel period. If you’ve never heard “I’m Gonna Be Strong”, it’s definitely worth a listen and her vocals are incredible: https://youtu.be/7MBijekSzDQ
To your point about female artists breaking taboos and celebrating their own sexuality, I covered “She Bop” and four other songs from the Filthy Fifteen list back in February in an installment of the Five Faves series. You can find it here: https://open.substack.com/pub/joyinthejourney/p/five-faves-the-filthy-fifteen
I loved both of those 12” versions of Lauper songs, particularly Arthur Baker’s remix of “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun”. That was 🔥 🔥🔥
Can’t believe I somehow missed your brilliant Filthy Fifteen write-up, Mark, such a perfect companion to this episode. Thanks for the reminder! As for Blue Angel, I’m definitely going to check them out. I’d never heard of the band before diving into this week’s research. Really appreciate you reading and sharing your thoughts. Have a great weekend!
I was surprised it took that long when I came across it in my research, definitely a case of “well deserved.” Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts, Dan! Wishing you a great weekend!
Certainly an iconic figure of the 8os, but also a brave artist who doesn't shy away from the controversial. The album I really rate is her 2008 dance pop collection Bring Ya To The Brink, expecially when it mixes the dancefloor with social commentary on a track like Raging Storm; a reminder that the dancefloor can be a place of solidarity and strength as well as escapism.
I’ll have to give that one a listen, beyond the first couple of albums and singles, I haven’t followed her career closely. Thanks for the tip, Paul! And thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts. Have a great weekend!
I would never describe myself as someone who could 'pick hits' in advance, but when "She's So Unusual" came out, I was working in the record store and one early morning going through a stack of mail I opened an LP mailer with a promo copy in it. I was alone in the store and just on the basis of the cover - I had NO idea of who Cyndi was, I hadn't read any advance hype or anything - I put on the LP and *cranked it up*.
I was pretty much blown away, thinking, "if this record isn't a hit there ain't no justice in the world."
So I got that one right, anyway!
The cover photo was by Annie Leibovitz. I haven’t really dug into that side of the story yet (I already go over my self-imposed 10-minute reading time limit every time 😁), but you’re right, the cover is spot on. She and the album were perfectly in tune with the moment and destined for success. You nailed it! 😃 Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts, Hugh. Have a great weekend!
I've had a couple of those, myself, Hugh (and, only a couple)! When you win the A&R exec ribbon for a record, grab it'n'go!😁👍
I didn't know this backstory, so this has been very educational and fun. I need to listen to that album more closely. Thanks for such a great post!
Thanks, Andy. Writing the backstories behind important songs like these is always a pleasure. Really appreciate you reading, reacting, and sharing. Have a great weekend!
I was a huge Cyndi Lauper fan (still am!) I listened to this whole album obsessively! I had the picture disc back then, and regret that I sold it while I was in college! I did recently buy a used blue vinyl reissue.
I wasn’t really into Cyndi Lauper when the album first came out, except for “She Bop,” which I loved. But over time, I’ve become a fan of her, the person. She’s got such a sharp sense of humor. I found myself chuckling watching and reading her interviews. I really admire people who know how to put things in perspective.
Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts, Kristin. Wishing you a great weekend!
You have a great weekend too!
Nice write up!
Thanks for reading & reacting Joe! Wishing you a nice start of the week!
Loved the song but thought it was about dancing the bop! No doubt I was dancing to this in nightclubs and aerobics classes as well as listening to it on the radio, as it was everywhere.
Tipper Gore made songs like this even more popular. Having done a short stint in Washington DC in the early 80s, my view is that she should have focused her ire on men in politics. The kids were fine, the politicians were completely out of control!
Same here, Ellen 😁. I usually pick songs because there’s something musically interesting going on, in this case, it was the remix and Arthur Baker. But once I started digging, I thought, “Whoa, this episode is going in a very different direction.” 😁
And you’re right about Tipper Gore. It was a lot of noise over nothing, classic misdirection. Feels like we’re living through another wave of that right now. Thanks for reading & sharing your thoughts Ellen! Wishing you a great start of the week!
I loved this album when I was a kid (although at 13 I didn’t grok what she was singing about on “She Bop”) and almost wore out the cassette I played it so much!
I’m glad you touched on her Blue Angel period. If you’ve never heard “I’m Gonna Be Strong”, it’s definitely worth a listen and her vocals are incredible: https://youtu.be/7MBijekSzDQ
To your point about female artists breaking taboos and celebrating their own sexuality, I covered “She Bop” and four other songs from the Filthy Fifteen list back in February in an installment of the Five Faves series. You can find it here: https://open.substack.com/pub/joyinthejourney/p/five-faves-the-filthy-fifteen
I loved both of those 12” versions of Lauper songs, particularly Arthur Baker’s remix of “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun”. That was 🔥 🔥🔥
Can’t believe I somehow missed your brilliant Filthy Fifteen write-up, Mark, such a perfect companion to this episode. Thanks for the reminder! As for Blue Angel, I’m definitely going to check them out. I’d never heard of the band before diving into this week’s research. Really appreciate you reading and sharing your thoughts. Have a great weekend!
Thanks Pe, I had a lot of fun with that one! Thanks for reading and for the restack!
I haven’t listened to a lot of Blue Angel but I’ve always appreciated the vocals on that particular track
Love She Bop and Cyndi Lauper! So glad she finally made it into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
I was surprised it took that long when I came across it in my research, definitely a case of “well deserved.” Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts, Dan! Wishing you a great weekend!
Certainly an iconic figure of the 8os, but also a brave artist who doesn't shy away from the controversial. The album I really rate is her 2008 dance pop collection Bring Ya To The Brink, expecially when it mixes the dancefloor with social commentary on a track like Raging Storm; a reminder that the dancefloor can be a place of solidarity and strength as well as escapism.
I’ll have to give that one a listen, beyond the first couple of albums and singles, I haven’t followed her career closely. Thanks for the tip, Paul! And thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts. Have a great weekend!
One of my top Cyndi songs, thanks for sharing this with us!
Likewise 😁 Thanks for reading & reacting Vince. Have a great weekend!