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Tuesday, September 19, 2006

Music Confirmed: Cyndi Lauper is a Genius, Slog Readers are Helpful

Posted by DAVID SCHMADER on September 19 at 17:04 PM

Earlier today, I Slogged about my previously fruitless search for the Brains’ original of “Money Changes Everything,” a song I know and love through Cyndi Lauper’s cover version on her debut. While going back-n-forth in the comments, I also mentioned that I’d love to find the original of Robert Hazard’s “Girls Just Want to Have Fun,” a song I also know and love through Cyndi Lauper’s cover version on her debut.

Well, thanks to some wonderful Slog readers—specifically Chris and the superstar known as Fnarf—I’ve ended the day having heard both tracks.

Actually, I only got to hear a 40-second snippet of Hazard’s “Girls…” (available here), but it sounds great, and the Brains’ track is awesome.

However, the true hero is Cyndi Lauper, who makes big, glossy masterpieces of both songs. I’m tempted to say her taste for and way with covers is beyond reproach, but I’m not so hot on her version of “When You Were Mine” (too tame compared to Prince’s original) and then there’s the matter of True Colors’ “Iko, Iko,” which is better left unmentioned.

Thanks again to Chris and Fnarf, as well as KEXP’s Larry Rose, who kindly offered to spin the Brains’ tune on “Larry’s Lounge” this Sunday from 3pm to 6pm…

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1

You're nuts. Her version of "when you were mine" rules. It can't touch Prince's version, but come on, it's PRINCE!

Posted by Levislade | September 19, 2006 5:29 PM

2

Cyndi Lauper is cool. But what's this about "superstar known as Fnarf"? That guy's an asshole. I heard he eats his own turds and brags about it.

Posted by Fnarf | September 19, 2006 5:36 PM

3

Not only is it Prince, it's Prince before he completely left earth (i.e. it's not "When U Were Mine"). The weird spelling would commence the following year, with Controversy's "Jack U Off," which would also make a dynamite Cyndi Lauper cover, come to think of it.

But Cyndi's "When You Were Mine" is too static for me...sorry.

Posted by David Schmader | September 19, 2006 5:40 PM

4

Dear fake Fnarf: It's not bragging if it's true.

Dear real Fnarf: Sorry, I couldn't resist...

Posted by David Schmader | September 19, 2006 5:42 PM

5

And, as far as the Robert Hazard version of "Girls..." goes--I'm pretty sure that's never been officially available...

Cyndi heard it from Hazard's 1979 demo tape...and, amazingly, he never cashed in on it by either putting out his version or rerecording it (as far as I've been able to find out...)

pg

PS--I'm with you on the Prince version of "When U Were Mine" being a billion times stronger than Cyndi's cover. The only Prince cover I thought matched or improved upon the original was Chaka Khan's "I Feel For You." (Don't say "Nothing Compares 2 U" by Sinead--that was originally done by The Family, the band that formed when The Time broke up. Although Prince wrote that (just as he wrote Manic Monday for the Bangles) his version of NC2U didn't come out until much later.)

PPS--However, if this thread continues and we start discussing the merits of the Bruce Wooley & the Camera Club version of "Video Killed the Radio Star" or The Arrows version of "I Love Rock & Roll" or other great songs not known to be covers, I'm going to miss some deadlines...

Posted by pgreyy | September 19, 2006 5:50 PM

6

Dear Peter: I shall re-instigate the sure-to-be-vast Slog covers discussion tomorrow morning...now GET TO WORK!

Posted by David Schmader | September 19, 2006 6:05 PM

7

Yo dawgs, leave some room for the Crooked Fingers cover of "When You Were Mine."

Posted by horatiosanzserif | September 19, 2006 6:18 PM

8

... which can be found here.

- EB

Posted by horatiosanzserif | September 19, 2006 6:20 PM

9

Stop encouraging Fnarf! That guy needs to find some other ways to waste his time.

Posted by aric | September 19, 2006 7:03 PM

10

Aw, I love Cyndi Lauper's version of When You Were Mine. I used to have a live tape of a club concert of Lauper's from 1983 or 1984 - when she was known but not a big star. The live version of that song was amazing - her vocals were opened up a lot more than the recorded version.

Thanks for the snippet of Robert Hazard's version of "Girls..", and I'll be listening to Larry's show on Sunday to hear the Brains' "Moeny Changes Everything".

Now I really wish I still had my copy of She's So Unusual!

Posted by genevieve | September 19, 2006 7:33 PM

11

Congrats on your 1:03 minutes of local notoriety, Fnarf! Another 13:57 to go. Next stop, Congress!

Posted by treacle | September 20, 2006 10:10 AM

12

Shit, bitches, I'm up over an hour and a half already. Y'all ain't seen nothing.

Posted by Fnarf | September 20, 2006 11:10 AM

13

I like Ani DiFranco's version of When You Were Mine. I have a live version, but am not sure if it's on any of her albums (unless it's on an official bootleg...there are too many of those for me to keep up!).
It's a very chill version with Maceo Parker. I love it.

Posted by hanna | September 21, 2006 11:36 AM

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