In 1983 Cyndi Lauper made her chart-topping debut with the female anthem Girls Just Want to Have Fun. Lauper was one of the first pop stars to come of age during the MTV era, using the new medium to shape her image and music. Many of her early clips highlighted her quirky punk style, accented by her bright pink locks. She was a pure 80s pixie with a girlish energy that projected a free spirit.
Lauper’s unique look and sound made her stand apart from her contemporaries like Madonna. Both female artists’ debut albums were released just months apart. There was even a joke, “Are you a Cyndi or a Madonna,” that ranked your tastes on the pop spectrum. The comparison was unfair, as both women were stylistically very different. The Material Girl’s early videos dripped with sexually charged imagery featured in such clips as Burning Up and Like a Virgin. In contrast, Lauper had a pluckier, sassier charm that was more fun and relatable.
Those qualities were on full display in Lauper’s solo debut LP, She’s So Unusual. The album was a massive hit with four chart-topping singles, including the classic 80s ballad Time After Time. GJWTHF was the lead single and launched her to instant hit status, shading Madonna’s slow-burn debut. Lauper’s unique sound of upbeat pop mixed with a dash of punk was welcomed by the MTV audience. In her many videos, Lauper was always comfortable in front of the cameras and warmly embraced the new format. And the GJWTHF music video is the perfect introduction to Lauper and previews her unique musical legacy.
Girls Just Want to Have Fun was directed by up-and-coming director Edd Griles who also helmed many videos for Huey Lewis & The News. The clip co-stars Lauper’s real-life mom and popular wrestling manager “Captain” Lou Albano as parents to Lauper’s wild-spirited daughter. The low-budget clip was shot on the lower East Side of Manhattan and features Lauper goofily dancing in the streets. A scene where she calls up her girlfriends is highlighted by glorious old-tech imagery and very 80’s hairstyles. The clip culminates with a snake dance of dozens of bystanders that ends up in Lauper’s bedroom, causing her parents much anger and frustration. It’s classic MTV, full of fun 80’s era imagery and an example of what made her such an exciting new artist.
Of course, since Lauper was such a natural in front of the camera, she did try her hand at acting. She found mixed success, starring with Jeff Goldblum in the (better than you remember) action-comedy Vibes in 1988. But she truly shined during a guest stint on the 1990’s TV sitcom Mad About You, showing real comedic chops and winning an Emmy for Guest Actress in a comedy series. Even though Lauper had natural acting talent, she always considered it a side gig to her music career.
And as for that supposed rivalry between Madonna and Lauper. In many interviews, both pop divas said they always liked and supported each other, chalking up the comparisons as a creation of an overeager press. Girls Just Want to Have Fun, indeed.
Check out the video below and let me know your thoughts in the comments section.
I am sure this video is probably in my top five of all time views. One of those “heavy rotation” videos and songs which you couldn’t escape even if so inclined. Lauper’s quirkiness shines brightly in the video, and I am sure it helped push her album sales tremendously. Classic.
This is one of those classic videos that takes me to the 1980s instantly. Lauper was a great fit for the music video format.