Cyndi Lauper: Showing her true colors

Cyndi Lauper was a pop music dynamo and MTV-favorite singer who later won a Tony Award for her songs for the stage musical "Kinky Boots." But she wanted more than to just have fun. The subject of a new documentary on Paramount+ called "Let the Canary Sing," Lauper talks with correspondent Anthony Mason about how music made her tumultuous home life better; how she had to be convinced about her breakout record, "Girls Just Want to Have Fun"; and about criticism from producer Quincy Jones that she was a "troublemaker."
@cyndilauper
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[@SirBarth]

"Yeah, but...something that's undeniable. Something that nobody could tear down." In my opinion - She's DONE THAT a thousand times over. She IS amazing.

[@shelld1261]

Amen ❤

[@mbords01]

Like the old saying:" She dances to her own beat and well....."

[@carolyndukeanderson8880]

My thoughts exactly!!

[@beckyfinch5518]

This! A million times this.

[@BassByTheBay]

I remember thinking she was just a fun, kinda silly pop star when "Girls Just Wanna" came out, but that silly pop star went on to record two of the most beautiful and timeless songs of the 20th century. If she had only ever recorded "Time After Time" and "True Colors", she'd still be a legend who created music that will continue to endure for generations to come.

[@zackwilliams9912]

She should get the Kennedy center honors for her contributions to pop music and the culture

[@HenriettaHudson-we4wv]

IKR???

[@Markyajv]

Who would you pick to honor her by singing one of her songs? After Adam Lambert's "Believe" for Cher, which blew me away, it's a tough choice. I've heard many good covers at the KCH.

[@kindspirit7]

I would love to see Cher return the favor and sing True Colors and Patti Labelle to sing Time after Time.

[@Markyajv]

@@kindspirit7 Have you seen the Cher and Cyndi duet of If I Could Turn Back Time/Time After Time video? If not it up on YT. It's great. Funny - Patti was just on Kelly Clarkson the other day. They did On My Own... Well Kelly, as usual, respectfully sang back up. But it was still good to see 80 yr old Patti still with the great hair and nails and butterfly movements as she sang.

[@kindspirit7]

@@Markyajv yes! It is great. I believe it is from one of those Divas Live specials on VH1 years back.

[@jennalonsdale3629]

She needs to be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame!

[@nicolekenna7822]

Agreed ❤

[@jcsk8]

Urgent!

[@joannasjoyfuljourneys]

Definitely!! Long Overdue!!!

[@neilouellette3004]

No. She only had 2 hits that topped above #20 on the Pop Charts. That's it. Not enough for Hall of Fame. Not even close.

[@Thecommitted]

@@neilouellette3004she actually had 9 top 20 hits, 6 that were top 5

[@cmcl5543]

Cindy Lauper is so unique, so original, so multitalented.

[@danielbelardino7662]

So UNUSUAL 🎵✨️🎶

[@Avacado721]

And not straight resorting to selling sexualization

[@beagoodhuman44]

I adore her. Cyndi Lauper helped me get though my childhood. I was a child with undiagnosed autism in a horribly dysfunctional family. I always felt alone. Cyndi helped me feel understood and even happy with her words. I couldn't find that anywhere in my life. Her freedom in her self expression captivated me and gave me hope. I will always be grateful and hope to see her live someday. Thank you Cyndi.

[@SomeGuy-mg5jy]

🙏🏻❤️

[@Deb_BG]

I hope your wish comes true.

[@kristinafisher2555]

Same 😢

[@carenlissner454]

That's beautiful. So many suffered in silence back then. I've never heard a bad word about her. She really breathed some life into the '80s.

[@JeffDeMarcus-wk3fb]

My wife met her in the 80's on a New York street...she was super friendly and wore many colors ...

[@TheGeekMonster]

She is as quirky, adorable, and unique as ever. Her voice is pure NYC.

[@Contiresidence]

I love what she said “ I am her ancestors-I am her” that is profound for all of us to realize😊happy summer

[@lz8484]

I thought so too! She is enlightening !

[@spencerdawson6536]

I was a HardRock/Metal Head during the period Lauper’s Hits were released and in the youthful mode of flatly rejecting all Pop Music output but there was something magical and transcendent about Time after Time and True Colors. The expressiveness of her voice and the depth of the lyrics was undeniable.

[@trashyraccoon2615]

I’m glad you kept an open mind. Hard Rock and Metal are really just pop songs with different treatment and styling. It’s all basically popular music, there’s no real difference there, musically speaking

[@MrMarkdevir]

I was too in the 80's and I can't agree more with every word you said.

[@nandy1256]

Maybe you're just not too hard/metal rock enough

[@spencerdawson6536]

@@nandy1256 Absolutely Right! I was in the Ratt/Dokken/Yngwie/BonJovi camp - not in the True Metal/Thrash world.

[@hnc52]

It's hard not to love Cyndi.

[@jc0730]

I adore you, Cindy. You were THE voice of the 80's and you continue to create today!

[@hendyfamlin1]

I enjoy her music and shes a cool human but there were a lot of voices of the 80s. MetallicA came out in the 80s

[@ThumbdownMan]

Looking good for 70.

[@yvonneplant9434]

Madonna will be 66 in August.

[@ThumbdownMan]

@@yvonneplant9434 Madonna looks 75.

[@acooksla]

I believe she has had work done, seems like it

[@lynnyhen]

I had no idea she was 70, she looks amazing!

[@acool6401]

You can’t look that good without having work done.

[@SomeGuy-mg5jy]

It makes me sad that she doesn't see herself as a great artist. I wish she knew how much she meant to me and my generation. I've loved her since her debut. To me, she's not only a great artist, she's Living Art. Her singing, songwriting, clothes, hair, makeup, everything she touches is Art. She inspired me so much in my teens. She taught me that whatever I dreamed up, I could do. I owe you a big Thank You, Cyndi.

[@wardarcade7452]

I would agree but OTOH, those performers who DO believe themselves to be 'great artists' often get complacent which results in the stagnation of their creativity- if Miss Lauper ever had that happen, it would be tragic because her being a creative, innovative artist has been the one constant in her life that's gotten her through its challenges from the beginning.

[@Chris-sj5lj]

Love this woman and so grateful that this artist has colored my life for 40+ years! stay fierce Cyndi!

[@man2th]

I got to meet her last night in Dallas....She is everything you would hope she is! ICON! LEGEND!

[@Contiresidence]

My wife and I went to see Cher-------I must say we love Cher----BUT Cyndi opened for Cher and it was over for me--she is unreal--

[@joannasjoyfuljourneys]

Wow!!! Saw her in concert a few years ago and she was phenomenal!!!

[@user-ze8it1gp8y]

Cindy, you touched a whole generation and helped them grow up.

[@IntriguedLioness]

When I lived in New York City I learned the lore of how she sang with a group called the Blue Angels and had actually blown out her vocal cords at the time. There is a Blue Angels song, if anyone cares to look it up on KZbin, called "I'm gonna be strong". Cindi's voice is crystal clear and that is one of my favorite of her many wonderful recordings. I was a child when Cyndi Lauper's "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" came out and we would dance and rejoice in her effervescence. We also danced around to "she bop* before we even out what the song was really about! 😊 *And for a 70-year-old she freaking rocks at life!*

[@Markyajv]

Ahhhh! I have that Blue Angel album on my music player. I'm gonna be strong is actually a cover of a Gene Pitney song. "Yes I'm gonna be strong and let you run along and take it like a man. When you say it's the end I'll just hand you a line I'll smile and say don't you worry I'm fine And you'll never know Darling after you kiss me goodbye How I'll break down and cry, cry, cryyyyyyyyy! "

[@JillKnapp]

Cyndi is an absolute monster of a singer-- the way she sings that song is truly, genuinely awesome. She's so, so, *so* good, and criminally underrated.

[@IntriguedLioness]

​@@Markyajvthanks for letting me know about the cover. I should have known, but the songs were just stored on my mp3. That's one thing you have to give good old-fashioned album covers!

[@Markyajv]

@@IntriguedLioness My pleasure. Anything to keep joy and happiness alive in the world...or just one person... And I've done my job. Peace.

[@elvisfan61]

I love when Anthony Mason interviews singers. Cyndi is one-of-a-kind. Saw her in concert a couple of times and she can wail!

[@larrydeleau8538]

In a room that had Michael Jackson, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Biily Joel, Diana Ross. .Cyndi provided the most memorable moment...ponder on that..😊

[@thelevisullivan]

I saw an interview Billy did with Howard Stern recently where he said that while recording the song, Cyndi was telling him “this song sounds like a Pepsi commercial.” 😂

[@hendyfamlin1]

Not much to ponder..some women are just real cool

[@larrydeleau8538]

@@hendyfamlin1 👍

[@marilynH66]

Cyndi Lauper’s hit songs were played by radio stations all throughout the day when I was in college. This video and her songs brought back sweet memories from the 80’s!

[@mikelkirby2791]

I love Cyndi Lauper. We collectively love Cyndi Lauper. She truly helped with "the fabric of my life". Thanks!

[@DoctorJoanieTool]

Makes me cry. What a life. What an artist.

[@steveconn]

Time After Time in a way the best song out of the eighties. Keep flying, Cyndi!

[@jolyfrye1871]

I still listen 2 Time after Time. 💽

[@hendyfamlin1]

Do you know how many songs there were in the 80s ? Guess ya had to be there.

[@steveconn]

​@@hendyfamlin1I was ages five to fourteen in the eighties. Remember pretty well, thanks 😊

[@spdodger]

She put out an incredible blues album about 15 years ago -- Memphis Blues. I would often play it and ask if people recognized the artist. So, so good.

[@acool6401]

She is so beautiful. ♥️

[@laughteraddict1003]

Her live version of Money changes everything. Wow !!!!

[@oldschoolel]

Oh my Cyndi, I have been your fan for 40 years (since I was 5)!

[@gnolalegna6432]

Me too!!! I told the neighbor kids my name was Cyndi Lauper and they would knock on the door asking if Cyndi could play.

[@NeilTruick]

I was 20 years old when "Girls" came out. After the first time I first heard "True Colors", I said to myself, "Legend." She was that different and that special. I so want a little part of her to say to herself, "I did the damn thing." Because she did and we love her for it.

[@divatalk9011]

From pop classics like Girls Just Wanna, emotional ballads like Time After Time, soaring gay rights anthem like True Colors and history making run on Broadway, Cyndi is an undeniable talent

[@czuback31]

Please Please Please put this woman in the Rock N Roll hall of fame! I think her influence is underestimated. So many of the artists that you listen to today were inspired by her to push their own boundaries in music. And if you are unfamiliar with her work past the 80s I recommend you finding "Hat Full of Stars" or "Sistesr of Avalon". Amazing albums

[@ronaldschwigel-kh7pb]

a 1980s pop legend.

[@jt4928]

Cyndi Lauper is amazing. I hope she continues to put out more pop/dance/rock music, plus, more Broadway scores. She has so much more to say!

[@conchitascharms1438]

I remember all of Cyndi Lauper’s music videos playing on MTV when I was just a girl and she was and is definitely a part of my favorite memories growing up in that era 😌 Blessings 😇

[@loveagainstgods5116]

Her album hat, full of stars is still one of my all-time favorite albums in the world

[@cosmic_pursuit]

Yo me too!! Who let in the rain

[@carlblando]

Sally’s Pigeons❤

[@kindspirit7]

I never understood how it was not a bigger album because most of the songs were meaningful and well written but her label did not do much to support her for this album or Sisters of Avalon. Really was a shame because Who Let in the rain and Sallys Pigeons and title track were great songs among others.

[@DaveVargas90012]

Always loved her...long live Cindi Lauper!

[@annasahlstrom6109]

I've loved Cyndi Lauper since I was 2.5! I wanted to be just like her. She was so cool and had awesome clothes.

[@girlie89]

I love her accent!

[@Cathy-xi8cb]

We all sound like that, women from Queens of a certain age and culture. You are welcome!

[@marytheresejacksonlutz2533]

I do too

[@WastedTalent-]

@@Cathy-xi8cb I'm from Suffolk County, Long Island and that accent bled into the next generation from their parents who were from Queens.

[@joymcguire]

Brilliant performer!

[@laurie5098]

I was a teen in the 80s. Cyndi Lauper was a huge part of who I was then. I adopted her clothing style and I was her in the white tuxedo and orange hair for Halloween one year. I had that tuxedo until 2019! Her songs were fun when I was younger. Now at 59 years old, those same songs take on a whole new meaning, a deeper meaning. What a coincidence that her hair style and color in this segment is so close to mine! She is wonderful!

[@JamesVandevanter]

I was more blues/rock/r&b at the time but True colors and Time after time caught me. Then a PBS concert with Rick Derringer was incredible. Great songs are great songs no matter where they come from.

[@jaydiarae]

I love her accent and personality. I could listen to Cyndi talk for hours. Such an incredible person.

[@Zen_17k]

Cyndi Lauper is simply amazing!

[@Smackwater587]

Loved the segment on Cyndi. Anthony Mason is great with artists!!!!

[@tq2769]

One of the greatest voices ever. And one of the most beautiful souls ever. Absolutely adore this woman.

[@flashflame4952]

From the first time I heard Cyndi's voice, I was totally hooked! Been a fan of hers ever since. The song 'True Colors' is one of most beautiful songs I've ever heard. Keep on keeping on Cyndi!

[@sherri419]

I love Cyndi Lauper she did so many great songs and is a great singer!

[@bmw3842]

I loved Madonna and Cyndi during the 80's they fed off each other .I lived in Greenwich Village 1992 -1994 111 4th Ave New York ,New York 10003

[@TempeSoldier123]

What a time to live in NYC. Why did you move? What do you remember about the time the most??

[@arianemariano3807]

So humble. She’s such an inspiration. REAL & RAW. Love her. ❤

[@JacobElyachar]

I love Cyndi Lauper! I am so grateful that I got to see her live in Kansas City in 2015 and she did not disappoint.

[@shttc900]

So interesting she still feels like she hasn't created a legacy! I'd love to see her release some sort of ballad soon that cements her status to herself.

[@divatalk9011]

She’s signed up with the same group who made the ABBA hologram show , so who knows

[@tigergreg8]

She is so loved and admired by so many people. I've never heard anyone say anything negative about this woman, because she just doesn't exude negativity. Her music just makes my heart feel good, and isn't that what music is all about.

[@jamiemacdonald436]

Words simply can't express how I feel about Cyndi. 🥰

[@maxibrown41]

Cyndi Lauper is the REAL deal. She’s always been the ‘low key’ Baddest! Don’t sleep on that track from The Goonies! It’s Good Enough for Me!🎼

[@pamelamays4186]

In the 80's my rock heroes were Cyndi, Pat, Tina, Madonna and Joan.

[@helgafever768]

Madonna did success in the 90's and 00's as well

[@Australia958]

MADONNA ha ancora successo adesso...👍💯🤩

[@rovertaw22]

Taylor can't hold a candle to those ladies. Add Heart and Stevie too

[@susanolsen7248]

Fortunate to have grown up on her music in a time when female artists were really breaking out. And really lucky to have seen her live 35 years later! WOW. She is truly an artist!! Can’t wait to see this documentary.

[@matthewfarmer2520]

I love Cindi Lauper music 🎶 she rocks, i even have her country music cd call Detour. It's great have her greatest hits on CD. I remember We Are The World when all American artists got together to do this one time only , my mom bought me the lp record in 1985 i was 9.

[@jankyme]

Hearing Cyndi belt the words out on We are the World STILL gives me chills now just like it did way back then. Truly magical!

[@johnellharris1366]

Miss Lauper is a certified legend I never tire of girls just wanna have fun.She made the 80’s electric excellent time.

[@cstramaglia3384]

Thank you for this. Love you Cyndi for all you've shared with us. ❤

[@keithbannister9271]

I just love that she is still humble and classy!! What a remarkable human being ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@dynchristianson3425]

One of the best most powerful voices.

[@PhoebeFayRuthLouise]

I remember singing along to those songs with my college friends-great music!

[@felicecinque]

Beautiful interview. Cyndi is a national treasure.

[@Belluser-we1uc5cb2l]

1983 I was 17 watching her on MTV❤

[@gnolalegna6432]

She’s so beautiful. I remember deep in my adolescence dark depression listening and singing along to true colors on repeat, balling my eyes out.

[@krissantos5170]

Cyndi Lauper the conduit to melody, harmony & symphony ❤️

[@4biz]

cyndi lauper is an inon&legend.shes my era.

[@CG68810]

People used to look at her like a cartoon character but the fact is that her voice is amazing. She clearly had amazing talent to be able to write these substantiative songs and musicals. There was always an innocent about her too. Definitely one of the icons of the 80s.

[@michaeldoyle4922]

Always been a fan, I remember seeing Blue Angel at The Fast Lane in Asbury Park in 1981, she had such a powerful, voice and amazing energy on stage.

[@chantalbanon7185]

You and I grow up at the same time. I loved your true colors. It sent such happiness to my life. Thank you, Cindy ❤

[@lp-xl9ld]

I probably discovered her when I was in graduate school (1984-1987); I was driving my father's car and had the radio on...and "Girls Just..." came on. I nearly went off the road. I've loved her since.

[@Jane_Dow]

Even now, Cyndi's voice, songs & personality hold strong for me ! Be your self, thats a great message for a lot of us !

[@river4462]

Always love Cyndie

[@morrisparrish76]

You coulda mentioned the numerous versions miles Davis did of her song “time after time”!

[@ladonnatomana9110]

I just luv Cyndi Lauper 🥰 Her music is unique ‼️

[@kellyburnett1833]

As a person who just turned 58, Cyndi’s songs are etched in my brain. She said that doesn’t even feel like her and I relate to that for sure when I look at photos of me from back then… I am a completely different person, life tends to do that and for me I feel that no one really saw my true colors except for my Mom and Grandma and Grandpa and they aren’t here anymore, and it hurts every day.

[@taeylorbrooks8074]

Cyndi was the first artist I fell in love with. Ste gave me permission to be odd weird and different! Thank you Cyn! . I love you Cyndi.

[@alchomfeld]

We are fortunate that Cyndi Lauper is here

[@carotheplaylistmaker]

True Colors ❤

[@cosmic_pursuit]

This was a great interview!

[@user-uz5ko8sv2f]

Great interview!

[@mariettadude]

Unbelievable crazy great voice!!!!

[@bambooblue74]

Loved, loved, loved and STILL love Cyndi Lauper.

[@TheCraftyTexan]

Omg you have always adored Cyndi and her music! I admire her even more after this interview! Cyndi you ARE a tru artist and you have left imprints on so many of us.

[@JeffreyGillespie]

That voice! It never fails to move me.

[@monoped8437]

her blues album and CW album are both a great listen

[@coderlicious6565]

Those video clips sent chills down my spine. 80's were my time. Graduated high school in 84.

[@jerrymoreno1714]

Beautiful soul and what a body of work!

[@mattfoster3100]

I love Cindy Lauper. She is so humble.

[@thewebstylist]

We all thank heaven for bringing us Cyndi

[@Deb_BG]

Cyndi is one of a kind ❤

[@createallow3126]

Very few people come of as authentic, genuine, and sincere when they speak. She's a true gem of a human with a huge heart.

[@JiminPalmSprings]

I just love Cyndi Lauper

[@ultramet]

She’s a great humanitarian. Just a lovely, talented person!

[@ciconneannamae9599]

You know you are up there among the greats when your song has been covered numerous times, from Miles Davis, Tuck & Patti, Boyz II Men, Uncle Kracker, Paul Anka, Sugar Ray, Matchbox 20, Everything But The Girl, Ronan Keating, Eva Cassidy, Barry Manilow, Nana Mouskouri and many, many more ...

[@pinkfreud62]

I'm a 70's kid and in my 20's in the 80's. I sure miss those 2 decades. 😔

[@nigo4173]

Cyndi is a ICON & LEGENDARY WOMAN

[@ocsrc]

I still remember hearing her music for the first time. I remember watching her telling about her father in an interview. I will never forget what she said He was a cross between Freddy Krueger and Don Rickles I felt so bad for her, Because I lived a life that sounded very much like hers. I really wished that some day she would tell her story about what he did to her. So many of us are destroyed as young children and we NEVER recover. I am sick and bedridden and I never recovered from the abuse I suffered. I am glad Cyndi could make a great life for herself. I couldn't even find a single friend because I am so broken My whole life has been pain and heartache She could do a lot of good telling her story and speaking to all of the people who have suffered and to let the people who have never recovered from their abuse that there are people who care. So few good people exist in the world. She is one of them ❤❤❤❤❤

[@carolynturk-hu7je]

Have loved Cyndi Lauper since back in the day when "Girls just want to have fun"! She was also awesome as psychic(Avalon Harmonia) on the tv show "Bones". She is a legend!

[@victorlatimer1009]

The first cassette I ever purchased was Patti LaBelle's The Spirits In It. The second cassette I ever purchased was Patti's, I'm in love again . I bought it from Strawberries Records they had all of the cassettes encased above a conveyor. I reached in grabbing Patti's cassette and as I selected it Cindy's She's so unusual fell onto the conveyor belt. I purchased them both & the rest of my experiences with both Cyndi & Patti are so magical that you'd never believe it if I tried to tell it to you. Miss Cyndi Lauper, you are one of my greatest inspirations. Your music is magical. ❤🎉❤🎉❤🎉❤🎉❤🎉