… Read Full Bio ↴There are at least four different artists who recorded under this name:
1. Sylvia Jane Hutton Kirby (born December 9, 1956), also known mononymously as Sylvia, is an American country music and country pop singer and songwriter. Her biggest hit (a crossover chart topper), was her single "Nobody" in 1982. It reached number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100, number 5 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart, number 9 on the Cashbox Top 100, and number 1 on the Billboard Country Singles chart. The song earned her a gold record certification and a Grammy Award nomination for Best Female Country Vocal Performance. Her other country chart hits include "Drifter" (number one in 1981), "Fallin' in Love", "Tumbleweed" and "Snapshot". She was named Female Vocalist of the Year by the Academy of Country Music for 1982. She is also credited with making the first "concept" music video clip to air on Country Music Television (CMT), with "The Matador".
When her contract with RCA ended, Sylvia took a break from touring and recording to focus on developing as a songwriter. In 1988 and 1989, she guest-hosted TNN's Crook and Chase show and her own Holiday Gourmet cooking special. Sylvia's first independent album, The Real Story, was released in 1996 on her own label, Red Pony Records. In a May 1998 People magazine review, Ralph Novak wrote, "Sylvia always sang with more intensity and resonance than most country singers... and she can still sing a story song better than almost anyone around."
In 2002, she followed with Where in the World, a set that marked the culmination of an 11-year musical collaboration with John Mock. Songwriter Craig Bickhardt contributed the song "Crazy Nightingale". Bickhardt had previously performed with Sylvia from 1984, and wrote the title cut to One Step Closer. Also in 2002, Sylvia released, A Cradle in Bethlehem, her first Christmas album. In 2016, the album, It's All in the Family, was released on Red Pony Records. In 2018, Sylvia released Second Bloom: The Hits Re-Imagined, an album of some of her hits she re-recorded with a more acoustic yet fully produced approach and, in 2022, Sylvia's new album, Nature Child: A Dreamer's Journey, was released on February 22.
2. Sylvia Robinson Vanderpool (May 29, 1935 – September 29, 2011), known mononymously as Sylvia, was an American singer, record producer, and record label executive. Robinson achieved success as a performer on two R&B chart toppers: as half of Mickey & Sylvia with the 1957 single "Love Is Strange", and her solo record "Pillow Talk" (1973). She later became known for her work as founder and CEO of the hip hop label Sugar Hill Records.
Robinson is credited as the driving force behind two landmark singles in the hip hop genre: "Rapper's Delight" (1979) by the Sugarhill Gang, and "The Message" (1982) by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, both of which she produced. At the 11th Annual Rhythm and Blues Awards Gala in 2000, she received a Pioneer Award for her career in singing and for founding Sugarhill Records. Several publications have dubbed her the "Mother of Hip Hop". In 2022, she was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the Ahmet Ertegun Award category for being a major influence on the creative development of hip-hop's early successes, and is the first woman to receive the award unaccompanied by another person.
3. Sylvia Vrethammar is a popular vocalist from Sweden who made a big success with an English version of "Y Viva España".
4. Sylvia is also a black/thrash metal band from somewhere around Portland, Oregon, United States. Their current line up is Candy, Andrew, Sean and Reuben. They released a demo entitled 'Lizard Birdman', which is available on their Bandcamp website.
5. Sylvia was a progressive experimental band from Southern California. The band consisted of lead singer, guitarist, songwriter and producer Riz Story, drummer Taylor Hawkins (Foo Fighters), guitarist Sean Murphy and Jon "Juano" Davison (Yes), and dissolved when Hawkins joined Alanis Morissette's band. This led to Story's formation of Anyone in 1995.
6. Sylvia is also the name of a northern soul singer ('It's A Good Life', 1968), possibly the same singer as the one listed as #1 (?).
SnapShot
Sylvia Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
and the lingering of perfume, in the room
the look on his face, was priceless
I don't think he expected me so soon
I'm sure he's got an innocent excuse
except for the snapshot,
he doesn't know I've got (Ive got, uh huh)
except for the snapshot
that puts me on (on top, uh huh)
he thinks he's got one on me,
but he hasn't seen the Snapshot
He says he bought the new car
strictly for business
and the new clothes match the new smile on his face
the extra key on his chain
must be to the office
poor baby's leaving early, staying late
he's got an alibie for every move he makes
except for the snapshot,
he doesn't know I've got (I've got, uh huh)
he almost pulled off the perfect lovers crime
except for the snapshot
that puts me on (on top, uh huh)
he thinks he's got one on me,
but he hasn't seen the Snapshot
When he walks in tonight, it'll be his surprise
I had it blown up, life size
that's not as foolish,as he thought i'd be
I took everything!
including the snapshot
he'll know I've got (Ive got, uh huh)
he almost pulled off the perfect lovers crime
except for the snapshot
that puts me on (on top, uh huh)
he thinks he's got one on me,
but he hasn't seen the Snapshot
The song "Snapshot" by Sylvia is about a woman who discovers evidence that her lover is cheating on her. She finds a cigarette with lipstick on it and the scent of perfume in her lover's room. Her lover, who didn't expect her to arrive so soon, tries to come up with an excuse for his actions. However, the woman finds a snapshot that he doesn't know she has. The snapshot is evidence of his affair, and she realizes that he was about to get away with the "perfect lover's crime" if she hadn't discovered it.
Throughout the song, the woman seems to be in control of the situation. She doesn't believe her lover's excuses and finds evidence to prove that he is lying. In the end, she takes everything, including the snapshot, and plans to confront her lover with it. This shows how she is not willing to be fooled or taken advantage of, and is ready to take charge and stand up for herself.
Overall, "Snapshot" is a bold and empowering song that shows the strength of a woman who is not afraid to take control of her life and stand up for herself. It also highlights the importance of trust and honesty in relationships, and how cheating can lead to consequences.
Line by Line Meaning
I found a ciggarette, circled with lipstick
I found a cigarette with a lipstick stain on it.
and the lingering of perfume, in the room
The fragrance of perfume was present in the room.
the look on his face, was priceless
His expression was funny and unexpected.
I don't think he expected me so soon
He wasn't anticipating my arrival so early.
I'm sure he's got an innocent excuse
He'll probably try to justify his actions.
except for the snapshot,
The one exception is the photo,
he doesn't know I've got (Ive got, uh huh)
He's unaware that I have it.
he almost pulled off the perfect lovers crime
His actions could have gone unnoticed, like the perfect crime.
that puts me on (on top, uh huh)
It gives me the upper hand in the situation.
he thinks he's got one on me,
He thinks he has the advantage,
but he hasn't seen the Snapshot
But he doesn't know about the photo I have.
When he walks in tonight, it'll be his surprise
His surprise will be waiting for him when he arrives tonight.
I had it blown up, life size
I enlarged the photo to life size.
that's not as foolish,as he thought i'd be
It's not the foolish mistake he was expecting me to make.
I took everything!
I have everything I need to confront him.
including the snapshot
Including the incriminating photo.
he'll know I've got (Ive got, uh huh)
He'll become aware that I have it.
he thinks he's got one on me,
He thinks he has the upper hand,
but he hasn't seen the Snapshot
But he doesn't know about the photo I have.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DENNIS MORGAN, RHONDA FLEMING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Shawn Duncan
I have always liked this lady's music. She is really beautiful. She sure has a beautiful voice too
Donald Fewell
Yes!
Sabrina Me'Shell
I love Sylvia! When I was a teen, me and a few friends of mine modeled for a local department store in my town. We used to get sooo nervous! The photographers used to play a lot of pop music to calm me and the other girls down. We always asked if they would play Sylvia, Olivia Newton John and Sheena Easton. Great memories! Sylvia has the sweetest voice, and she is still such a pretty lady! Love her!
Richard White
A huge fan of Sylvia here. A very underrated artist. Love all her songs and her voice and yes, what a gorgeous woman!!!
matt g.t.o.w
@Richard White I agree. I never understood why Reba McEntire got promoted to superstardom by MCA, but RCA sort of left Sylvia to die on the vine. Sylvia was the whole package and then some. She should be as famous and rich as Reba is today!
Richard White
@Mike Garland I agree with you somewhat, She did have a lot of hits, but I don't think RCA did enough to promote her
Mike Garland
I would agree that now Sylvia is largely forgotten but back then I wouldn't have called her underrated with all her hits and TV appearances....everything from Hee Haw to American Bandstand. Think her first album had 4 country hits
Dulcimerist
This was one of my favorite songs on country radio back in the day. I'd listen to country radio on car trips with my family, and on rainy/snowy days when I'd be stuck inside the house playing with Legos. Sylvia was one of my favorites, since she had the same name as my grandmother.
Cat Mandoo
One of those songs that takes me back to 1983, the year I graduated high school. I'd crank it up in my car and sing along with exaggerated movements while people looked at me with curiosity. A fun song with an excellent video to match.
DebbieFan70
My favorite female country singer.