Top 10 Alert!
Song#: 2953 Date: 11/29/1986
Debut: 67
Peak: 3
Weeks: 17
Genre: Pop, Rock
Pop Bits: The title track first single from Lauper's second album True Colors would go on to be her second to top the Pop chart. She would follow up that stark ballad with this heavier produced upbeat track that featured The Bangles on background vocals. It would become her seventh Top 10 on the Pop chart. It also made it to #4 at Dance. The album was certified as a platinum seller just prior to this single being released. The hit would promote more sales of the LP and eventually it would be a double-platinum seller.
ReduxReview: This was a smart follow-up to "True Colors." It was a bit more mature than some of her previous singles, yet it kept her personality and featured a big 80s production. Both songs together seemed like a step forward for her as an artist, but the balance of the album was a mish-mash of styles and quirky tunes that didn't quite gel. The two songs were the highlights of the album and they ended up being the two main hits. She needed to break away from her kooky shabby chic personality and move towards being an artist of longevity and the two tunes did help, but it's too bad she didn't do more like them on the album. I mean, did we really need a track that featured Pee Wee Herman? Yikes. Regardless, she is one of my all-time favorite artists and this was a terrific hit for her.
ReduxRating: 8/10
Trivia: This song was originally written by singer/songwriter Essra Mohawk. Born in Philly as Sandra Hurvitz, she first got noticed in the early 60s and recorded one single under the name Jamie Carter in 1964. Nothing happened with the tune, but then her songs got picked up by other artists including The Shangri-Las. This led to a record deal with Verve and her debut album, Sandy's Album is Here at Last, got released under her real name in 1967. She next got picked up by Reprise Records and recorded the 1970 album Primordial Lovers. She ended up marrying her producer, Frazier Mohawk, and by the time the album was set for release changed her name to Essra Mohawk. The LP didn't sell, but it was a critical favorite and became a bit of a cult record. She would release a few more albums over the years, but nothing much happened with them. She later recorded a demo of a song she wrote titled "Change of Heart." The song found its way to Cyndi Lauper who decided to record it. Lauper made a few lyric and melodic changes, which then gave her a co-writing credit. Mohawk would continue to write songs, record albums, and sing background vocals for major artists over the years, but this would be her shining pop moment. Her voice may be familiar to folks who grew up in the 70s. She sang three songs featured on Schoolhouse Rock! She sang solo on "Interjections!" (Grammar Rock) and "Sufferin' 'til Suffrage" (America Rock), and was part of a quartet that sang "Mother Necessity" (America Rock).
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8/10 for me as well, I find it strange that this song was a #3 single yet it hasn't gotten much airplay since its initial chart run, this is one song I went over 15 years without hearing anywhere because it was never played on the radio.
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