I think she's a much more beloved artist than most would think. Her voice, whatever she's singing, takes me right back--in a good way. She still sounds amazing.
Whenever I hear Time After Time , I cry . It takes me back to a moment in time when I realised just how much a certain person loved me . Her voice, and her true emotional delivery get to me . Love her .
I LOVE how she belts out "don't be afraid" each time 💜 Cyndi is so interesting as a performer. She is authentic. A great energy. Thank you Fil for the all the info and sharing this. 🙂
Cyndi is a gem. Being a teenage male when she was "Big" I wasn't a fan. How could I be? However, My girlfriend talked me into going to her concert. I was blow away by how good she was. I had seen a lot of big names previously (Queen, Bon Jovi, Dire Straits, ACDC, Pink Floyd, Simply Red....and many, many more bands) and Cyndi's vocals stood out as being the best. She did one song, I can't remember which one, but she did it without any music at all, just sat at the end of the stage and sang the whole song, it was brilliant. The guy from Simply Red was also fantastic....sounded just like his recorded versions, but I wasn't a fan of them. I went anyway because my girlfriend used to get free tickets to just about every act that was in town. My favourite band at that time was Queen, so I enjoyed them the most, but if I'm being 100% honest, Cyndi and Mick Hucknall were better vocally....but Cyndi put on a very entertaining show.
This song is very special to me. In 2000 I was diagnosed with leukemia. I had a bone marrow transplant in 2003. It took me three years at home recovering. It was a very difficult time for me. To celebrate three years post transplant, my wife threw me a surprise party. She dedicated this song to me and we danced to it in front of about 100 weeping people, us included. I never really paid attention to the lyrics of the versus in the song before that night. So inspirational. Thank you Fil.
I’ve been around a while, but I had never seen an electric mountain dulcimer. It is such a quintessentially traditional Appalachian instrument, amplifying it seems absurd - and she does it beautifully. Likewise, You do Your work beautifully, Dear Fil. Rock on!🤘🏼❤️
@Samantha Thomas - My guess is that her dulcimer isn't "electric" per se; It'll have a piezo pick-up sitting underneath its bridge, just like an amplified acoustic guitar. They usually are very quiet too, those dulcimers, aren't they?! Cheers, V. :-)
The Mighty 'V' Yes indeed, Dear V. Especially quiet if they are strung, as usual, with gut or nylon strings. Then it would have to be piezoelectric, because it’s all non-magnetic. Thank You for the kind reply. ❤️
seen Cindy early on, and then later in her career. She just commands with her presence, her voice brings out the emotion of her songs. True one of a kind. Thanks Fil.
I’ve long been a jazz snob with an aversion to pop but I’ve always loved Cindy . She has a remarkable talent to control the timbre of her voice , she can sound sad, serious or silly . True colors is a lovely heart felt composition .
Cyndi was from my daughter’s high school days, but she was one of those singers that was for all music lovers! I love the way you love all generations of music! I am very impressed with your knowledge, and love for all music!
...."Time after Time" has to be one of the world's greatest songs......The mix of emotions in it shows you a confused person...."caught up in circles, confusion is nothing new..."....She's with someone she loves, but is somewhat unrequited...."you say go slow, I fall behind....the 2nd hand unwinds"....
I love her. I met her when I worked at Disney, circa 2000. We got to talk for about 20 minutes, she wasn't "on",,,,she didn't have the make up and all,,,,just a normal girl, I was so attracted to her, lol. Just the kind of woman you'd sit next to on some afternoon having beers with in a tavern. Just totally down to earth. I've never seen her perform live, I wish that I had, she's not everyone's cup of tea but she's definitely got talent. Great analysis!
11:39 wow she jumped up a whole 5th above what I expected! She just crushed everyone who might think oh, she'll struggle with that high note. hahaha She didn't use falsetto either. Cool rendition.
That Voice Cry gets me every time ! Doesn't back out of notes and brings that emotion on giving us that seasoned sound that takes us on that dynamic journey:)
I enjoyed all your high compliments of Cyndi's singing voice and abilities, and her accomplishments. This video clip was a good choice to comment on, her playing the dulcimer, plus the big note at the end.
Cyndi Lauper is one of the most underrated vocalists of her era. Many view her like Madonna, a quirky woman with catchy songs but not a grat voice. She's actually one of the best singers to come out of the 80s and has been unfairly branded as a novelty act
One way to tell how admired a performer is is to watch the faces of the audience when they win a major award. When Cyndi won the Tony for the music for "Kinky Boots" everyone was so thrilled for her. She is very beloved by her peers as well as her fans.
Another mesmerizing analysis Fil. My wife and I saw Cyndi open for Cher In 2001 or 2002 in Little Rock Arkansas. Musically, she absolutely out-shined Cher. She mentioned that she was in heaven in Arkansas because; in her opinion the best Dulcimers in the world are crafted in Arkansas. Her voice is Devine and she is is so confident on stage. We ended up leaving half way through the Cher set because there were literally thousands of drunk and rowdy Drag Queens in the audience, and several fights broke out all over. I'm not the biggest Cher fan; but I could not hear her voice over the Drag Queens singing loudly over her. We will see Cyndi again when she comes through Arizona where we are really from. Cyndi is a beautiful person, beautiful singer, and has a heart of gold!
Have listened to Cyndi’s music for years…no matter the song she always makes me smile and improves my mood. Didn’t know all the details of her history so thanks for that!
My wife said she wanted to learn the lap dulcimer, so I built one for her, in secret, in the basement, from a McSpadden kit and gave it to her for Christmas a few years back. It turned out really well, if I do say so myself. She is left handed, so I built the only lefty dulcimer I have seen. She tried it for a while and never really took to it, so now I play it. I could reset it to right handed stringing, but I have just learned to play it right handed, upside down. There are a few tunes I do on it at church during the year. I usually close-mike it. If I played it more, I'd put a piezo pickup in it. It is a really fun instrument to play. The droning sound it makes it very soulful. I'm a great fan of Cyndi's work and she is the only pop/folk/rock dulcimer player I know of. It is very popular with American Old-time Stringband music, though. Thanks for reviewing this.
As a “rocker” myself, I just didn’t care for Cindy’s early stuff. I was aware of her involvement in the wrestling world and though she was much too “gitchy”. Interesting that as the years have gone by, her music (or my ear) kinda evolved to a place that is quite nice. She has many videos up that I enjoy and she seems to enjoy changing her material up, new takes on the older songs and new stuff too. Talented and still quite a cutie, she seems to be a good person as well. Good discussion And back story Fil. 👍
Oh THANK YOU FIL HENLEY for this Cyndi Lauper analysis.I have loved her since she first did GIRLS JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN,I have the cassette still.I was lucky enough to see her in concert years ago and we all danced through the whole thing.She hit some great high notes and it was so memorable 🤘
Fil, whether I care for the artist or not, you always present something that helps me to appreciate their talent. I have long complained about the cookie cutter mold of singers. Adele came on the scene and suddenly their were hundreds of Adele copy cars (one example).
Fil, In my opinion, Cyndi Lauper was so worthy of a detailed, holistic analysis. She is such a talent and such a charismatic performer. Beyond that, your viewers are lucky to have you as that analyst. You are able to appreciate her performance from a technical and emotional (the journey) perspective. This was such a beautiful performance and that set of notes in the latter portion of the song are spine tingling. Many thanks.
I saw her live for the first time a number of years ago, when she toured with Cher. She absolutely blew my socks off- so much energy and talent and humour! I became a hard and fast fan! Her version of "At Last" is one of my favourites!
She is an amazing person, one of the top 5 people I would like to meet in the music business, awesome job on covering her singing, again it seems so effortless for her, but that does not mean it is easy :)
She’s reinvented this song a few times now, and it’s still a standard classic. I was never a huge fan of hers, but she certainly has had staying power over the years.
I love Cyndi more than life itself. I ate out of trash receptacles for six years which automatically grants me the Soul Award granted to folk who don't die.
Started to learn the dulcimer when I moved to Tennessee in 2001. Sadly life got in the way. But I live near a crafts area where they are made. A good player can make them sound very beautiful.
Cyndi always delivered 110% with her performances and was such a tart when she was interviewed by Johnny Carson with her heavy New York accent. A fiesty radical hippie chick with alot of soul. Most just adored her punky style. Thanks Fil for bringing her on and spotlighting another favorite. 😎👍🏾🎶🔥♥️🔥🎶
Thanks Fil. I have the Blue Angel CD and actually think it’s pretty good. However I knew Cyndi as a solo artist first. I really enjoy her music and she is really talented. You’re the best Fil.
The Appalachian dulcimer is one of the most authentic but most unknown instruments in Appalachian culture. Her playing such iconic songs on it makes my hill infused soul smile.
I like around 3:18 when he acts like he's pulling names from memory while every sentence you can see his eyes glancing down to read from his onscreen notes. Love it when TV show hosts do that when you can clearly see them scanning the teleprompter or cue cards. lol.
Part 2., Fil. The thing about her is the honesty. Even the cheesy, pop stuff was heart and mind-felt from her. You are spot on in this assessment, sir. Well done, and again, thank you.
I always loved her. Her style, her voice , the music and of course she is a fellow New Yorker. When young I enjoyed her music as I got older I started to really understand just how good her voice really is. She still looks fabulous.
Cyndi Lauper in my book has way more talent than Madonna ever has had or will have. Madonna got noticed mostly by her steamy videos, Cyndi is natural and fun!!!!
Good review and analysis of Cyndi Lauper Fil, covering virtually all aspects! I am so glad you mentioned the dynamics Ms. Lauper makes use of here! Today, especially for the ladies, dynamic shaping is under utilized. Cyndi, because of her fabulous pitch control, is comfortable singing extended sections at a piano to mezzo-piano dynamic and it expands greatly her ability to emote the feelings within the lyrics as well as making the crescendos, both small and significant alike, all the more impactful as they develop, peak or recede. This important vocal skill is too often cast aside in favor of more flashy vocal gymnastics or sustained belting of high notes. When used whether by the likes of the Righteous Brothers, or as Cyndi Lauper does here just takes the performances to a higher level! Keep up the great analysis videos, covers and original music...rock! 😎🎸🎶🎤👍🏻
Thank you Fil for this discussion and all of the others . I appreciate your viewpoints . Your music industry knowledge adds true value to the report . This Cyndi Lauper discussion was particularly informative . Cyndi using a dulcimer for the performance was a nice unique touch . You have obviously done your homework in gathering info on Ms. Lauper's life and career . Just wanted to also mention the movie " Vibes " that she made with Jeff Goldblum in which she played a psychic .
Madonna & Cyndi blew up in '83, and I remember girls at my junior HS mimicking their fashion. The school principal wasn't pleased, and implored students to dress more appropriately for school. 1983!!! 😃
I just watched a You Tube video posted Tuesday by The Guitologist where he made a dulcimer out of a wood stake and a couple of cigar boxes for his daughter's school assignment. It really came out nice.
Saw Cyndi interviewed 20 + years ago on tv. She was playing a stringed instrument WITH HER FEET! Amazing. Sounded great. She could play shoes as long as there are laces.
Thanks Fil! I have loved Cyndi Lauper's music since I was a teenager! I did not know her difficult upbringing and the struggle she went through before she hit the pinnacle of her career. She's another excellent example of persistence!...😊✌❤🤘
Hi Lori . I was a bit of a Goth in the early eighties. A hippy Goth . I did a lot of clubbing and partying. I was living in Brighton . England . Cyndi Lauper was not played at the parties I went to . No . But at home . . Listening to the radio, her songs entered in and spoke to me . They just became the internal theme tunes for my life back then . I sort of love her .
@Qwazier3 - "Cover"? She wrote that song! Celine Dion's version was the cover! ;-) ...unless of course you were talking about seeing a live version. Cheers, V. :-)
It's not a cover. Though Cyndi did not write the song (a couple of songwriters did), she was the first to release the track and the one who sold most records of that song. Roy Orbison's and Celine Dion's versions are covers.
I met her in 1983/84 while she was touring with her first album and she was massively huge at the time; she was so sweet and kind and open and down to earth, even after giving her all during her concert. She is a fantastic human being in countless ways.
Live music just doesn't get any better than this. And hey Phil, you REALLY listened to this as your analysis is totally spot on. From the quiet, fry dynamics to that bluesy wailing that she's so great at. Thanks for your insight and THANKS for digging this one, terrific song up from the archives!
I've been a Cyndi Lauper fan since Blue Angel. (It's still one of my all time favorite albums). She's a Right Broad in every sense of the word(s)... Thank you so much for this. ♥♥♥
I always thought she never really showed all of her talent - a 4 octave vocal range... I would have loved to hear her sing something challenging like opera with that voice. I don't think pop music was quite enough for her.
@Pop Land. That song was actually from very early on in her career when she was in her first band "Blue Angel" from their first album. Cyndi later did a remake of "I'm Gonna Be Strong". Just thought you'd like to know. Blue Angel's music was sort of like Rockabilly. Great album!😃👍
Cyndi is still as good today as the 80s when I first heard her. Im from TN USA and a dulcimer is a standard here. A man played one at my mother in law's memorial. Still love Cyndi's She Bop. Fun days.
I've always loved Cyndi, and it's interesting that you chose this because I've been listening to a TON of Cyndi lately. I was watching a live video of her from the late 80's or early 90s', and she had Rick Derringer and Aldo Nova in her band, and I was like whaaa????
"What makes you different when you're younger makes you more interesting when you're older." Excellent observation and totally correct. I think really true for all of us. Always liked Cindi and her music. Thanks for the vid.
Always loved Cyndi,hearing about her struggles ,makes me respect her even more, a strong woman/personality,a great live artist,kudos to her ,for being true to herself,the real deal.
How did I miss this one 2 months ago? This is a great presentation of this song. Her true voice comes out with such simple instrumentation. I never knew she had troubles with her voice, or had such a volatile background. Great analysis and info.
She deserves to be remembered for at least 2 songs 'True Colors' and 'Time After Time'. Very expressive voice, her quirky personality would've made me like her in school.
"Damaged vocal chords" straight away makes me think of poor David Lee Roth's live vocals in recent years. And yes, the dulcimer's an interesting instrument; I tried one out when working in a music store. I think you can't actually really play anything 'wrong' on that thing :-)) Ricky Wilson, once guitarist for the B-52's and who sadly died in '85, had applied some of its ideas to his own style: He often played in alternative tunings and with certain strings missing. He may be worth an analysis too, Fil!? And maybe also The Damned! :-)) Anyway, great video, as always; Thank you! And 'True Colours' has been a meaningful song for me for many years, too :-)
Thanks for your very well done video on Cyndi. You really researched her well. I'll just echo what I've seen in other's comments: Seeing Cyndi in concert for the first time is a revelation!
Cyndi may not have wrote the song, but she totally re-arranged it, making it completely different to how it was originally meant to sound. It was suppose to be a big strong power ballad, but she softened the intros and completely stripping it down instrumentally. It just wouldn't be half the song without Cyndi's input, and her amazing voice of course.
Such a beautiful journey Cyndi took us on! That ending.... OMG!!! Love her so much and her Girls Just Wanna Have Fun struck a chord with me and so many other girls at the time it was released. I saw Kinky Boots a few years ago in Melbourne and felt such a deep pride for her accomplishment.
@@vickiratliff6509 The Stones Blue and Lonesome album..tune..Just Your Fool..that's the song she performed on Jools Holland..really good..of course not a Stones original.
Taking a break from some studies and writing, Good morning Fil. Excellent analysis on Ms. Cyndi L. Loved her and my mother did too. Ageless and timeless, real lady of authenticity. Want to thank you for this upload, I spotted serendipity this morning really Fil, I was trying to get an amateur Chess match I taught myself recently trying to learn how to anticipate my adversary and pay attention to details, Spare the King and his Kingdom yes I went from 6 losses 13 stalemates to 5 wins thus, far. Still have lot to learn. Anyway, thanks and thank you for saying all that about Ms. Cyndi amazing performer and human being. Have a good week and weekend coming, no I did not forget support soon. Rock On.....
