From Cleaning House to Grammy Hits: Cyndi Lauper's Songwriting Journey
Cyndi Lauper finds inspiration for songwriting while cleaning her house. She recalls her childhood when her mother would ask her to clean her room, and she would sit and play guitar surrounded by Beatles pictures. This practice led to her co-writing songs for her first band, Blue Angel, and later penning hits like “Time After Time” and “She Bop” for her solo debut album, She’s So Unusual.
Throughout her career, Lauper continued to write songs for her albums, including True Colors and A Night to Remember. She also collaborated with other artists, such as co-writing “Unconditional Love” for Susanna Hoffs and “Boys Will Be Boys” for The Hooters. Her Broadway debut as a songwriter for Kinky Boots earned her a Tony Award for Best Musical Score in 2013.
In the 1980s, Lauper worked with Billy Joel on his album The Bridge, co-writing the track “Code of Silence” that delves into the theme of keeping secrets. She also covered the song live and had Joel contribute backing vocals on her song “Maybe He’ll Know” from her album True Colors. Lauper’s songwriting journey has been intertwined with collaborations and personal reflections, showcasing her talent and versatility in the music industry.