Born in Queens, New York to Swiss German-American Fred Lauper and Sicilian Italian-American Catrine Dominique, she began her career in a cover band, but soon began performing her own songs (though she almost quit singing altogether due to strained vocal chords in 1977). By 1980 she'd released a rockabilly album on Polydor with the band Blue Angel. Despite much critical acclaim, the album "went lead," as Lauper says, and the band split as Lauper filed for bankruptcy.
In 1983 she started dating her manager David Wolff with whom she released She's So Unusual, a worldwide hit album which made Lauper a household name. A mixture of teen-friendly pop-rock and edgier, almost punky sounds, the album's biggest hit, Girls Just Want to Have Fun, quickly established itself as a female anthem. Lauper won a Grammy Award for Best New Artist at the Grammy Awards of 1984 for her work on the album. Lauper was the first female artist to have four consecutive Hot 100 Top 5 hits from one album.
Subsequent albums (such as True Colors, A Night to Remember, Hat Full of Stars) did not sell as well, but Lauper remains active to the present day and still retains a very strong fan base.
Lauper's latest album Memphis Blues was released in June 2011, premiering at #1 on the Billboard Blues Album Chart where it remained for 14 consecutive weeks. The album also reached #26 on the Billboard Top 200, and was later named the Billboard Blues Album of the year, also earning Lauper a Grammy nomination. This brought her total Grammy nominations to 13 with one win.
Dear John
Cyndi Lauper Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What's wrong?
Why can't you just be anything you want? Why not?
Why not? I tried to tell you then.
You didn't understand.
They try and pigeonhole you.
Buddy, they don't even know you.
But hang on my dear, dear, John.
And there's more to live for,
Than some abbreviated encore, much more, much more.
You can't define yourself in terms of someone else.
You can't say what you're thinking?
But I don't know what you've been drinking.
But don't cry. 'Cause life goes on.
Dear John, you could be anything you want. Why not?
Why not?
Why you could even be an astronaut, dear John, dear John.
The song Dear John by Cyndi Lauper is a message of hope to a person named John who feels like he doesn't fit in or is being judged by others. The lyrics express the frustration and confusion of someone trying to understand why John can't just embrace his unique qualities and be happy with who he is. The line "I tried to tell you then, you didn't understand" suggests that the singer has tried to motivate and comfort John previously but to no avail.
As the lyrics continue, we can see that the singer is trying to convince John that it's okay to be different and not conform to societal standards. The line "They try and pigeonhole you. Buddy, they don't even know you" implies that people are trying to label John and fit him into a predetermined box, without even taking the time to get to know who he really is. However, the singer encourages John to hang on and keep going because there's more to life than just fitting in.
The chorus of the song repeats the line "Dear John, you could be anything you want. Why not?" several times, emphasizing the message that John has the power to define himself and find happiness in his authentic self. The final line, "you could even be an astronaut, dear John, dear John" is a nod to the endless possibilities that could come his way if he opens himself up to new experiences.
Overall, Dear John is a powerful and emotional song that encourages listeners to embrace their individuality and not conform to societal pressures.
Line by Line Meaning
Dear John
Addressing someone named John
What's wrong?
Asking what is bothering John
Why can't you just be anything you want? Why not?
Encouraging John to pursue his dreams and questioning any perceived limitations
I tried to tell you then.
Explaining that the artist tried to encourage John before
You didn't understand.
Pointing out that John did not respond positively to the earlier encouragement
They try and pigeonhole you.
Noting that others try to categorize John in a narrow way
Buddy, they don't even know you.
Reassuring John that others' opinions are not all-encompassing
But hang on my dear, dear, John.
Encouraging John to persevere despite any struggles
Maybe you're not just like everyone, so what, so what.
Acknowledging that John may be unique, but that is not a negative thing
And there's more to live for,
Reminding John that there is much in life to enjoy and appreciate
Than some abbreviated encore, much more, much more.
Suggesting that there is more to life than just a short and unremarkable performance
You can't define yourself in terms of someone else.
Asserting that John should not base his sense of self on anyone else's opinions
You can't say what you're thinking?
Asking if John feels like he cannot express himself
But I don't know what you've been drinking.
Expressing uncertainty about John's behavior or thought process
But don't cry. 'Cause life goes on.
Offering comfort and suggesting that things will get better
Dear John, you could be anything you want. Why not?
Encouraging John to embrace his potential and pursue his dreams
Why you could even be an astronaut, dear John, dear John.
Offering an example of a lofty goal to emphasize the wide range of possibilities available to John
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Rob Hyman, Eric Bazilian, Cyndi Lauper, Eric M Bazilian
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Robert Cochran
on Time After Time
Philly's own - Hooter's song
Anonymous
on Time After Time
Time After Time - Lisa Wahlandt - Lyrics
Lying in my bed I hear the clock tick
And think of you
Caught up in circles
Confusion is nothing new
Flashback, warm nights
Almost left behind
Suitcases of memories
Time after
Sometimes you picture me
I'm walking too far ahead
You're calling to me, I can't hear
What you've said
Then you say, go slow
I fall behind
The second hand unwinds
If you're lost you can look and you will find me
Time after time
If you fall I will catch you, I'll be waiting
Time after time
If you're lost you can look and you will find me
Time after time
If you fall I will catch you, I will be waiting
Time after time
After my picture fades and darkness has
Turned to gray
I’m watching through windows
And you're wondering if I'm okay
Secrets stolen from deep inside
The drum beats out of time
If you're lost you can look and you will find me
Time after time
If you fall I will catch you, I'll be waiting
Time after time
If you're lost you can look and you will find me
Time after time
If you fall I will catch you, I'll be waiting
Time after time
Musical Interlude
If you're lost you can look and you will really, really really, really really find me
Time after time
If you fall I will catch you, I know that I will be waiting
Time after time
Time after time
Hold on, hold on…..
Time after time
Time after time
Time after time
Time after time……..
Andra Arija
on He's so Unusual
Yeah ......