Cyndi Lauper’s unforgettable style and voice made her a defining figure in 80s pop culture. From her vivid hair and unique outfits to anthemic hits like “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,” Lauper broke conventions and became a symbol of self-expression. She brought color, quirkiness, and confidence to mainstream music, which still inspires artists today. Beyond her music, Lauper has emerged as an advocate for causes like LGBTQ rights and women’s empowerment.
The new documentary Let the Canary Sing aims to shed light on Lauper’s journey to stardom. Directed by Alison Ellwood, it offers a look at Lauper’s childhood, her struggles in New York bands before success, and the groundbreaking impact of her 1983 debut album.
Friends, family, and collaborators provide insight into her vocal talents and driven personality. However, the film focuses more on praising Lauper than critiquing her decades-long career in a holistic way. While it celebrates an icon’s beginnings, the documentary could have brought more depth if it examined both Lauper’s achievements and challenges over the full arc of her career.
Let the Canary Sing
When Cyndi was young, music filled the house. Born in New York to an upbeat Sicilian family, songs from The Beatles and Broadway musicals played constantly. But hardship also lived there. After her parents’ divorce, her mother’s new marriage brought abuse. Cyndi sought refuge in performing, imitating icons like Janis Joplin.
As a teen, she fled to live with her sister Ellen. Their apartment became a place of acceptance, surrounded by their community of friends. But dreams of fame hadn’t yet transformed into reality. Cyndi spent her 20s testing ideas in various bands, developing her fiery style. Though she voiced original songs, cover performances earned her bread. Repetition taught technique, yet she left room for her uniquely quirky spirit.
A breakthrough came through a song not intended for her. In 1979, “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” was penned but lacked heart. When her producer played the track, Cyndi knew her careless take had missed the mark. Over the course of the course of months, they transformed the tune into an anthem by changing its very meaning. Cyndi infused fun with feminist power and crafted visuals, providing humor and strength in equal parts.
Her 1983 debut exploded. “Girls” blasted across radios, and Cyndi’s exuberant persona, bursting with color and confidence, won over audiences. She proved pop could pack punches beyond pop, with messages of joy, acceptance, and female empowerment. Where conformity once dominated, her breakthrough boldly carved new pathways of possibility that endure today. Through it all, one constant drove her: letting no one diminish her talent and truth except Cyndi herself.
Hit Singles Reveal Lauper’s Creative Process
While Cyndi Lauper had big pipes, she also had a big brain for crafting songs. Diving into how some of her signature tracks came together offers a glimpse of her musical inventions at work.
“Girls Just Want to Have Fun” is, on the surface, a fun-loving anthem, but Lauper saw its deeper potential. The original by Robert Hazard felt too male-oriented for Cyndi, so she and Rick Chertoff spent months reinventing it. Layer by layer, they added new textures, like the calliope melody evoking carnival nights. Cyndi’s vivacious vocals breathe joy into lyrics that transcend gender roles. Her hook-filled arrangement ensured the message reached mainstream airwaves.
Collaborating with Rob Hyman yielded another era-defining hit, “Time After Time.” The stripped-back version featured here shows their musical meeting of minds. Fingers glide tenderly across piano keys as Cyndi and Rob harmonize with intertwining sincerity. Their heartfelt dynamic pulled listeners in even as the track rose to number one.
Lauper’s 1986 ballad “True Colors” has since become an anthem of self-acceptance. Its lyrics ring true today, a testament to Cyndi’s gift for crafting songs that uplift. She wrote it for her brother, but its meaning expanded to include all seeking affirmation. Pairing optimism with gorgeous vocals, Lauper gave spirit-lifting energy to those facing discrimination. Her music spread messages of empowerment that still empower today.
These hits unlocked Lauper’s brilliance as a songwriter and vocalist. But her process reveals even more: an ability to imbue music with layered significance and to craft ingenious sounds that spread her vision widely. Fans still find new depths in these songs because Cyndi filled them with permanent truths that nourish our shared humanity.
Lauper’s Legacy of Activism
Cyndi Lauper has always used her platform to advocate for others. Even with her earliest hits, she infused her music with messages of empowerment that continue to resonate. “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” gave voice to being young and carefree, while “True Colors” became an anthem of acceptance for the LGBTQ community battling prejudice.
In the 1980s, the AIDS crisis was ravaging lives yet meeting silence. Lauper spoke outcandously to raise awareness and funds. She testified before Congress, challenging passivity and stigma. Through it all, her advocacy uplifted spirits.
When mainstream support was scarce, Lauper proved a devoted ally. This work sustained itself beyond that dark period. Decades later, she remains a staunch defender of equality and human rights.
New creative avenues also emerged. Musicals captivated Lauper, and she lent her talents to “Kinky Boots.” The songwriting gave her
another way to share empowering stories. Her score won widespread acclaim, including a Tony Award—the first woman to do so solo.
While pop stardom ebbed, Lauper’s zeal for music and expression remained. Old fans and new alike have enjoyed her diverse albums, blending styles. From blues to country to children’s songs, her compositions bring levity and heart.
Touring likewise keeps Lauper connected to audiences. Fans remain loyal to her message of joy, defiance, and compassion. Now in her late 60s, Lauper continues to evolve freely with the same bold spirit that always guided her remarkable journey. Hers is a legacy that inspires and uplifts.
Let the Canary Sing tells Cyndi Lauper’s story through creative techniques
Director Alison Ellwood utilizes a blend of filmmaking techniques to bring Cyndi Lauper’s journey to life. Archival footage places viewers in the in the front row for vibrant performances from Lauper’s early years, her exuberance practically leaping off the screen. These are juxtaposed with contemplative animated sequences depicting Lauper’s childhood. The contrast highlights how her difficult past fueled her future success.
For modern perspectives, Ellwood conducted interviews with those close to Lauper. She gets an inside view from her siblings Ellen and Fred, discussing Cyndi’s early passion for music even amid family hardship. Boy George offers insight into Lauper’s influence from a peer who came up alongside her. But the film smartly focuses on Lauper’s own interview. She offers candid reflections on her career highs and willingness to fight restrictions faced by female artists.
Another standout is Patti LaBelle, who joins Lauper for a breathtaking live duet of “Time After Time.” Their voices intertwine beautifully as narrator Billy Porter compares the display to a gospel competition. These unique presentations capture the joy and intimacy of Lauper’s performances while showing how her relationships enriched her journey.
The documentary addresses Lauper’s commercial decline after her early success. She discusses challenges in finding new hits but remains dedicated to her craft, earning successes like writing for Kinky Boots. While brief in its analysis of this period, the film acknowledges Lauper’s continued artistry despite changing industry tastes. Overall, Ellwood’s assortment of cinematic styles brings vibrant light to Lauper’s path, truly allowing her talent to shine through.
Cyndi Stood Alone
It’s clear from this documentary that Cyndi Lauper was a true original from the beginning. With her big voice and bold creative vision, she refused to be confined by how women in music were expected to act or sound. She fought to make her signature song “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” her own in every way, transforming it into the joyous feminist anthem it became.
Lauper broke barriers both musically and socially. She brought vibrant new energy to the airwaves and helped pave the way for artists to express themselves freely. Just as importantly, she gave voice to LGBTQ people’s experiences through songs like “True Colors” during the crisis of the AIDS epidemic. Lauper lit up stages with her singing and dancing, but the film shows she put real heart into her activism too.
While Let the Canary Sing shares these highlights, it could offer more contextual depth. We don’t get a strong sense of the cultural backdrop against which Lauper fought to stand out. Flashbacks to the music industry at that time and views from those who saw her impact firsthand may have rounded out the picture.
There’s also more to explore in Lauper’s later career and continued drive to create. A revised film could trace how she sustained her artistry through difficult times and reemerged successful in fresh areas like Broadway. Cyndi Lauper’s story remains far from over, and with her ongoing passion for music and advocacy, she’ll likely keep inspiring many more.
The Review
Let the Canary Sing
While not without flaws, Let the Canary Sing shares an empowering story of artistic integrity and social change. It captures Cyndi Lauper's infectious enthusiasm and highlights her important contributions. Despite its limitations, the film succeeds in celebrating one woman's determination to sing freely and on her own terms.
PROS
- Features extensive archival footage and interviews that shed light on Cyndi Lauper's origins and rise to fame.
- Effectively conveys Lauper's pioneering spirit and unwillingness to compromise artistically.
- Highlights Lauper's cultural impact through her music and advocacy work.
CONS
- Lacks analytical depth and critical perspective
- Fails to sufficiently contextualize Lauper's career within the music industry at the time.
- Provides little coverage of Lauper's later decades and more recent work.
