May 2022 Nonconformist of the Month – Cyndi Lauper
As an Italian-American growing up in Queens, Cyndi Lauper learned about hard work and never forgot it. Her mother was twice divorced and worked double shifts as a waitress to support Cyndi and her siblings. Cyndi left home at age 17 and worked a variety of jobs, yet was still unable to buy food consistently. Her love for vintage clothes led her to a job at a thrift store, which resulted in her spending most of her earnings on clothes. Later on those clothes would serve as a part of her famous image.
While trying to keep her head above water, she studied to be an artist and surrounded herself with creative people. She sang in a couple of bands, one of which had a record deal, but didn’t catch on with the public. Her singing got her noticed and although she wanted to remain loyal to her band, she realized their success was fleeting. She singed a record deal in the early 80s with a clear vision of what she wanted to create.
At first she was met with resistance because producers were not used to a singer who insisted on creating music on her own terms. She had to fight to be heard and taken seriously, but the end result was a combination of all the music that had influenced her, yet with her own flavor. Her debut album, She’s So Unusual, not only sold 16 million copies worldwide but included her Number One song Time After Time. One thing I notice about the album is the incredible cover art, which was Cyndi’s vision, just like the music had been. If you look at the cover (and the video for her anthem Girls Just Wanna Have Fun), you will see the clothes, shoes, and jewelry she bought while working at the thrift store. You will also she her real-life mother playing her mother in the video. Cyndi’s second album True Colors gave her a second Number one with the title track (which she did not write but arranged). The song has become an anthem for the LGTBQ community.
Many people think Cyndi Lauper faded away after a short run of success in the 80s, but she has continued working almost constantly all these years. Just as she has not stopped working, Cyndi has never stopped taking risks with her music. She has clear ideas about what she wants when she is in the studio and often goes up against the producers and the musicians she works with in order to get the sound she wants. Her clear vision often results in her music being more unique and less mainstream, although she has managed to have Number One albums on both the Dance and Blues charts. She has won two Grammy awards for her work. She branched out into acting for which she won an Emmy. She also won a Tony award for scoring the Broadway play called Kinky Boots.
Cyndi continues to tour and make new music. She collaborates with musicians from all music genres. And of course, she always has fresh ideas to explore with everyone she works with. Her eclectic style may keep her out of the mainstream music charts, she still experiences success and she keeps her creativity alive. She also continues to use for public persona for the good of the community and the world. She has also been active in speaking out for women’s rights and considers herself a feminist. She helped establish a non-profit called True Colors Fund which helps provide affordable housing for LBGTQ kids and young adults you have been shunned by their families and need help getting on their feet.
Cyndi is a true artist who combines all flavors of music to create a sound all her own. She has always kept her integrity and doesn’t compromise her creative vision simply to sell records. She is concerned with the artistic value of her music, not simply selling to mainstream audiences. She is also a visual artist who feels that music paints a picture and she brings that picture to life onstage and in her videos. Cyndi Lauper is a nonconformist because no matter what, she is always her outspoken and unique self.