She's So Unusual

This is pure pop!

Speculator album from front to back. I didn’t think I would like this at all since I don’t like the track that is forever a classic. But man, this is a fantastic album and one of the best mixed albums I’ve ever heard.

Well, *this* is a blast from the past, that's for sure. I've always been impressed at Cyndi Lauper's longevity in the entertainment industry, but even back when she was all over the radio, I never really found her voice and style all that compelling. Listening to this album now, 43 years later, I'm not sure much has changed in that regard, although at least now I can hear her musical references better. I've also never really heard any of her songs beyond her radio classics "Girls just want to have fun", "Time after time" and "She bop", and never saw any of those songs' videos either, so that was nice to get a little more Lauper grounding, and the second half had a little more variety (if you can get past her Betty Boop stylings); "Witness" and :Yeah yeah" had some nice reggae-esque/punk-esque inflections. Regardless of my own tepid reaction to her music, I'm really impressed that this was her debut album, and also impressed she managed to get Annie Leibowitz to do the album cover. Honestly, I can't imagine 80s new wave without Lauper, a testament to her success.

She's got some fun stuff, but her voice starts to feel super whiny after a few songs.

Better than expected. The whole album is cool, the first song is a great rock song, and of course Girls JWHF and Time after time are classics.

This is what the 80's sound like. Hit after hit.

Outstanding debut by Cyndi. Loaded with hit songs and some interesting other songs too. Love her voice ❤️

Viele Banger für ein Album...

the band sounds clean and precise, and they pair really well with cyndi's playful voice. the first half is a masterclass in pop music imo highlights: money changes everything girls just wanna have fun time after time

TL;DR: Top-tier 80s pop that covers a lot of ground in less than 40 minutes, anchored by great songs and Lauper's incredible vocals. BEFORE: I already know most of this album pretty well but I don't think I've ever actually listened to it through. I didn't realise how many of these songs were covers, not that it matters. AFTER: This is just really good pop-rock. Lauper has an incredible voice - powerful and expressive with a huge range - and these songs are undeniable, not just the singles. HIGHLIGHTS: Money Changes Everything is buoyant and bittersweet with a fantastic synth line. When You Were Mine is one of the very rare Prince covers that does justice to the original, sung with the passion and desperation it warrants and with none of the dumb gender-flipping common in older covers. Despite its enduring popularity, Time After Time retains its emotional heft - still one of the greatest ballads of the 80s. She Bop has an undeniable chorus and surprisingly raunchy lyrics. All Through The Night is another cover elevated by the synth arrangements and Lauper's voice, with a huge chorus. Witness is a surprisingly successful venture into cod-reggae. Again, it works because of the quality of the songwriting, sense of fun and Lauper's commitment. I'll Kiss You is unhinged electro-funk. Yeah Yeah is The Cars meets The B-52s with a chintzy organ line that suits the song. LOWLIGHTS: I've heard Girls Just Wanna Have Fun so many times that it just kind of washes over me. I still find the verses really effective but I'm done with the chorus. Yeah Yeah doesn't need that cutesy nonsense in the background but it's an otherwise fine song.

Fun pop album

Good album cover, fits the album pretty well. Cyndi Lauper has a unique name and a unique voice. The high notes on "money changes everything" is impressive for sure, if a bit painful on the ears. "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" and "Time After Time" are CLASSICS, and genuinely 10/10 songs. On "I'll Kiss You" she sounds angry and in a very unique way, somehow not threatening. Its strange to have a interlude as the second to last song, but "Yeah Yeah" is a great track to end it on. It reminds me of the Persona 3 Master Of Tartarus theme (knowers know). Best Song: Time After Time. Worst Song: She Bop.

I’ll admit, I don’t have Cindy Lauper on my playlist; however, her songs are still well known after 43 years. Songs like, She Bop, Girls just Want to Have Fun, and Time after Time make Cindy an unexpected Icon of the 80’s!

I wish I liked this album. It’s a vivid and lively record, with attractive hits such as “Girls Just Want To Have Fun” and “Time After Time.” Unfortunately, none of the other songs compare. The main reason for why these hits work so well is that they focus on the instruments and melodies rather than making the singing overly unique. The other songs are tainted by Cyndi’s, indeed unusual, voice.

Didn't finish but enjoyed.

3.5

Really good! Enjoyed more than I anticipated.

not my cup of tea.

mid avec des bangers

Mid mais quelques fulgurances

Ну, все таки мне не нравится Синди лопер. Но!! Одна Time after time чего стоит!!! За нее 4.

Enjoyed it. Each track is a banger

Money Changes Everything: 4/5 Girls just wanna have fun: 5/5 When You Were Mine: 3/5 Time After Time: 5/5 She Bop: 3/5 All Through the Night: 4/5 Witness: 3/5 I’ll Kiss You: 2/5 He’s So Unusual: 1/5 Yeah Yeah: 2/5 Strong 3 to Light 4

A blast from the past! This one made me nostalgic.

Pretty clearly one of the great pop records

does it get more 80s than this? even the ones i’ve heard a million times before were fun to revisit.

#9: Cydni Lauper - She's So Unreal. Looking at te tracklist I only know one of the songs here despite 2 of them having over 1B streams. I'm actually eager to see what this album has in store. Track 1: Money Changes Everything. The fucking harmonica break made me laugh, I don't know why. This is just a fun song. I really fuck with it. 8/10. Tracl 2: Girls Just Want to Have Fun. This is another fun song though the ending def drags on a bit. 7/10. Track 3: When You Were Mine. Not as interesting as the other songs on the instrumental front but the vocals are amazing. Like goddamn. 8/10. Track 4: Time After Time. Okay I've heard this chorus before but not the rest of the song. This is just a cute love song. Nothing really more to it. 6/10. Track 5: She Bop. Why did the beginning of this song make me think of a SiIvagunner Puzzle Room rip? I don't know what else to say. Just another fun song. 7/10. Track 6: All Through The Night. Another fun song though this one does have significantly more energy to it than Time After TIme. 8/10. Track 7: Witness. This song just got kinda annoying for me after a time. Probably because the hook is just so short and gets repeated so many times. The only track on the album I just don't like so far. 3/10. Track 8: I'll Kiss You. This song tries to be so many things at once. Depeche Mode MIDI production, early Beach Boys backing vocals, Never Let Me Down snare drums, seriously why is the snare so loud? This might be one of my new examples of a song so bad it's good. I can't help but love it for it's shitty production and over-performing vocals. 7/10. Track 9: He's So Unusual. Ragtime interlude? Fuck it, why not? After that mish-mash of whatever the fuck I'll Kiss You was I'm ready for anything. Interlude/10. Track 10: Yeah Yeah. OIII LOOOOVE SUUUSHIIIIII! That made me break. The last 3 songs of this album is just pure early 80's chaos and I love it. Seriously what the fuck is up with the fucking Betty Boop voice? I love it. 9/10. Overall: OII LOOOOVE SUUUSHIIIII! (Sorry that's gonna be a new vocal stim. Lmao) Favourite Track: Yeah Yeah. Least Favourite Track: Time After Time Overall: 7/10 (⭐⭐⭐⭐)

뭐하려는지는알겟어

I may have had a greatest hit album of Cyndi’s at one point, but I might not have done. It’s the kind of thing I wouldn’t be surprised if I owned - probably in one of those “10 albums for 1p each - then you subscribe to one a month for a year” deals that used to popular in the 80’s. If I did own it I didn’t play it much and apart from her big hits know nothing of her wider catalogue. This album is fine, but doesn’t make me want to through on another album of hers, and won’t be going on my playlist. Tottering between a 2 or a 3.

Another album that probably scores an extra point thanks to nostalgia - but it's upbeat and a little wacky - I enjoyed it

Quintessential 80s album here. A bunch of fun, catchy songs.

I've never been much of a Cyndi Lauper fan and this album didn't change my opinion at all, but there were some classics in there. Rating: 5/10

very very very 80s music. of course i already knew the big hit "Girls just want to have fun" but everything else was unfamiliar to me. the first half of the album was alright, but by the second half i found myself getting really bored with the whole thing. rip cyndi lauper

Heck yeah

Fun!

Now this is 80s I like

Solid album and two of the greatest songs ever

I don't think it is particularly top tier music. It is fine. I find her voice kind of grating. I appreciate her uniqueness. Seems like the kind of music that speaks to a particular moment in time that I am not attached to. "Time After Time" is really good though.

This is a perfect pop album. Cyndi uses the early 80s New Wave synth and unforgettable hooks to pull in the listener. And even if one might find her voice a little too Betty Boopish, she can drop it and shatter you with covers of Prince and “All Through the Night”, and especially her signature “Time After Time”. She’s cheeky when it calls for it, and anthemic when it’s needed. A rock original.

didnt know the lady who did girls just wanna have fun also did time after time and when you were mine. incredibly talented. pop icon

up and down 80s alt punk album

Not really the kind of vibe of music I'd actively seek out all the time, but it's good stuff for what it is.

I’m a child of the 80’s but I struggle with Cyndi. Not a conventional voice or personality and that has real creative appeal but the unconventional in her voice sometimes jars for me and I can’t get past wanting it to be a little more conformist for some of the time.

She's so it for the 80s

Good

grew up on cyndi lauper bc of my mum :) love

Very mid, didn't love or hate any of the songs actually.

The og Robyn

Man I love synth pop! Sometimes you just wanna have a good time and "She's So Unusual" got me so giddy with energy and smiles. I've never wanted to be a teenage girl twirling around in my room and singing into a hairbrush more than I do now, which means this album was a resounding success.

Pleasantly surprised by this album. Saw an OAP Cyndi Lauper at Glastonbury and it was one of the saddest performances I've ever seen. But this album is rich, full of energy and brilliantly put together. The synth pop is such a great example of 80s music that feels very much of an era in the best way possible. It tails off for me slightly towards the end, but overall it's a great listen.

Better than Coldplay

whatever

Already know the album. I like it. Yea.

HELL YEAH this was so uplifting. very fun to listen to when you need to boost your mood

I had never listened to this whole album before. Tons of well known tunes, including at least one Prince cover that I caught. I was pleasantly surprised with the non singles.

This probably won't be the best album ever, but it should be good. It is a pretty good new wave/pop album with strong pop songwriting. Even though it borrows a lot sonically from new wave, it is generally better than the vast majority of the new wave albums on this list, not least because Lauper is actually a good singer with an interesting voice and fun songs. That's what this album is: FUN. Where most new wave on the list is dreary and boring, this is upbeat and enjoyable. Girls-and us guys too- just wanna have fun. This album is ranked #2 of 16 albums for 1983. Other 1983 albums rated by me: War(3/16)-2 Soul Mining(8/16)-1 Back to Mystery City(15/16

Her hits on this album are amazing!! She bop was a fun new find. There were also some songs that drug on that I didn't enjoy, but not enough to bring down the rating.

A cover of Time After Time was my favorite song for a decade, and remains #2. I actually don't think I love Cyndi's voice, and the spelling of the name still trips me out. But man I really just enjoyed this thoroughly the whole way through. My instinct after finishing it was to listen to it again right away even though I'm now 2 albums behind, so it earns a 5* from me.

Hits are great. The rest of the songs are energetic but somewhat annoying.

I didn't find this earth-shattering but it was good fun.

Wow, the singles from this album are so good. Fantastic slice of 80s pop.

I really enjoyed that. It is the greatest 80s album you've never heard. I look forward to listening to it again...

Every song went on a bit too long, but that's probably more a product of the 80s than Cyndi. My first thought was "hootin and hollerin," which might also be bc of the 80s, tho I'm less inclined to lean against that assumption. Iconic but not my favorite.

As far as a must-listen record goes, this is it. 40 years later and a good chunk of this album is still played regularly on the radio, events, film and entertainment. The production is top-notch quality for the era, and the songwriting is better than decent, a lot of the more extreme artsy subjects are perfectly common and relateable several decades later, I feel like as far as the human experience goes she was ahead of her time, which allows the music to stand the test of time. If my tastes were more normal, this would be an obvious minimum 4 star album. I just can't get past the '80s percussion. I will not listen to this album again, not on purpose, no matter how much respect I have for the record and the artist. In fact, it's thanks to how much I hate those generic toms that I can appreciate Time After Time, which has a very alternative style to '80s production that surpasses the rest of the record, at least for me. I'm adding decimals for the artistry, her lyrics and voice, for cohesion, for being a good album despite my aversion to the general sound. That's exactly what good music should do, make you take a step back and give it an honest listen. I think 4 listens today is enough, though. I won't magically appreciate it more if I stuff her through my ear holes a couple more times. 3.2/5

I simply cannot for more than 1 song

Cyndi rules!

Based on its sound production it has the flavour of 1984 all over it, she was neck and neck with madonna for this year, until Like a Virgin. The album opens with four strong tracks, including two smash hit singles and a (flavour of the month) Prince cover, and then to my ears falls off a cliff as Cyndi's cooky voice starts to grate in the filler tracks of side two. In terms of pure 80s girl pop, there are far better albums then this one, sorry Cyndi - unique artist though you are.......

#466 This was good fun, 2 huge hits included and some distinct character. Hard to see me coming back to this but I’m glad I listened. Heard before? ❌ Would I revisit? ❓ Listen before you die? ✅ Fave track(s): Time After Time Rating: 6/10 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Classic 80s

What a unique voice that i usually wouldn't be down with. but girls just want to have fun and time after time are BANGERS. I also didn't know all through the night was hers as well.

Ok ok… for an 80s album this one works. 3.4

Peak 80s pop. You might not like it, but that doesn’t change the fact that it slaps. 8/10 Most Excellent

Cyndi Lauper does Cyndi Lauper things, unfortunately by Tyne time you get to the back end of the album, you get fed up of the voice.

3.5

Not every song on this album is stellar, but she managed to have 3 hits off it. It sounds like it's decade, but it still works for me.

Its a fun album. All bangers. Fuck it, 5 stars

(6 estrellas)

Five stars!

Now I don't actually like Cyndi's voice. However I do like performers who are distinctive because of their voice, even if it's not perfect. Cyndi certainly fits this bill. I didn't want to score this album highly but there are some great pop songs in here and hard to argue about the significance of the album at the time and it's inclusion on the list. I think "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" has been played to death and I thought about fast forwarding the track as I know it so well but couldn't as it is just a great song. I haven't heard it for ages but was everywhere at the time. I had certainly heard enough of it then, but after many years of not hearing it I was actually able to appreciate it's greatness. Not adding it to any play lists of mine, however. No songs from the album on any of my playlists, and that won't change, but that doesn't deny the albums strengths. Ok the last half of the album is not as strong as the first half. Really only the last two tracks are filler but "He's so unusual" ( which I found annoying) is only 46 seconds long. I enjoyed "All Through the Night", the first track on the second side, which was the last of the 5 hit singles from the album. Some of these songs defined an era of pop. When I saw the album come up, I thought to myself: I don't like Cyndi Lauper, I'll probably give this a 2 or 3. Then as I listened to it I thought probably a 4, given the albums strengths. After reflection of it's place in music history it's a 5. I still don't like Cyndi Lauper and will maintain that biased view based on my lived 80's experience, but It's still a great pop album

The first four tracks are pop awesomeness, though three of them are covers. Her Betty Boop voice grates over time but when she's on, she's fire.

Easy 5 - I'd listen to this on repeat like I did the cassette when I was 14.

Fun fun fun

classics

discazo

Arguably the most 80s album ever. The bangers do bang but the rest are kind of bland

I didn’t appreciate this when I was 13.

women are awesome

Good first half. Some bangers. But second half drags. 4 out of 5.

יש בו כמה להיטים על זמניים אבל הרוב שיעמם אותי

antonio soares type beat

Cyndii

Good

REALLY good 80’s new wave album. Wouldn’t mind getting another album from her in the future.

Obviously I've heard several of these songs many times before, but I had never really heard of Cydni Lauper. Very similar energy to Madonna (although I prefer Madonna personally) Favorite Songs: Yeah Yeah Yeah, Girl's Just Want to Have Fun, Time After Time

The title said it all: everything about Cyndi Lauper’s debut was unusual. From her punk-style outfit and garish make-up to her natural, non-conformist demeanour, energy and singing style, she exuded power. "She's So Unusual" is the perfect synthesis of the elements that suddenly worked together the 1980s: pop, rockabilly, punk and doo-wop. With its skilful blend of cover versions and original compositions, the album is essentially a collection of singles. Six of the songs were released as singles and charted. 'Girls Just Want to Have Fun' and 'Time After Time' became pop classics. The dedicated backing band The Hooters and producer Rick Chertoff played a major part in the album’s phenomenal success, shaping its sound. The Hooters’ frontman, Rob Hyman, co-wrote Cyndi Lauper’s ‘Time After Time’ and provided backing vocals. 'Money Changes Everything' and 'She Bop' in particular sound very similar to the style that the Hooters would present on their major-label debut, 'Nervous Night', two years later. However, the backing band isn’t the main focus. Cyndi Lauper launched her global career as a flamboyant punk princess of pop. "She's So Unusual" is simply a joy to listen to, establishing a new, self-assured type of woman in the 1980s. Cyndi Lauper would never again achieve such consistency in diversity across an entire album.

One of the legends of 80s pop. This was a constant growing up. Still really good. The last few songs drag it down a bit though. 4/5

Patiko, geri gabalai ir iš nuotraukų atrodo labai linksma moteris

The first Cyndi album and maybe a bit on the poppy side but there are some great tracks and she went on to do more good work. I have always loved her quirky vocals so she will always get good reviews from me

perfect '80s pop? Great in places and forgettable in others

Lauper? I hardly know her