Cyndi Lauper hit #1 with “Time after Time”

Time After Time Cyndi Lauper

Writer(s): Rob Hyman, Cyndi Lauper (see lyrics here) Released: January 27, 1984 First Charted: March 24, 1984 Peak: 12 US, 11 CB, 13 RR, 13 AC, 10 AR, 1 CO, 3 UK, 13 CN, 6 AU, 3 DF (Click for codes to singles charts.) Sales (in millions): 1.5 US, 0.85 UK, 2.45 world (includes US + UK) Airplay/Streaming (in millions): 2.0 radio, 433.44 video, 409.07 streaming

Awards: Click on award for more details.

About the Song: Cyndi Lauper won the Grammy for Best New Artist in 1985. She landed the big four nominations that year – the others being for Album of the Year (She’s So Unusual), Record of the Year (“Girls Just Want to Have Fun”), and Song of the Year (“Time After Time”). “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” introduced the world to the quirky singer who Newsweek called “a new-wave Gracie Allen.” FB It was an “ebullient song that…branded her in the eyes of some as a clever novelty who would fade after one hit.” FB It was her second single, the “poignant ‘Time After Time,’” FB which made it clear that Lauper was an artist to be enjoyed and taken seriously. Slant magazine’s Sal Cinquemani said it may be “Lauper’s greatest moment.” WK Lauper’s producer, Rick Chertoff, was friends with the Philadelphia-based band the Hooters. He brought them in as Lauper’s backup band and, when he insisted the album needed one more song, tapped the band’s Rob Hyman to help Lauper write it. Both songwriters were struggling with their romantic relationships, but managed to craft what has been considered one of the best love songs of all time. WK Hyman said, “it’s a deceptively simple song. The verses are just a little repeating three-note motif – almost like a nursery rhyme…The mood of the lyrics came from both of us…We realized it wasn’t such a bouncy song, but it was a little more bittersweet and a little deeper in its feeling…so the music started to change.” SF Nerve said “Lauper’s most enduring masterpiece hits at the very essence of commitment…she captures real romance in the most simple and straightforward of lines.” WK Blogcritics’ Pam Avoledo speculated that in the song, Lauper views herself as “a difficult person, unworthy of love. She runs away and shuts people out. However, her devoted boyfriend who loves her unconditionally is willing to help her through anything. The relationship is given depth. The couple’s intimacy and history is apparent. They’ve been together for a long time. They love and have seen each through every tough part of their life.” WK Resources: DMDB encyclopedia entry for Cyndi Lauper FB Fred Bronson (2003). The Billboard Book of Number One Hits (5th edition). Billboard Books: New York, NY. Page 589. SF Songfacts WK Wikipedia Related Links: First posted 2/2/2021; last updated 10/28/2022.