On this day in 1984: Cyndi Lauper started a two week run at #1 on the U.S. singles chart with ‘Time After Time.’ Lauper co-wrote ‘Time After Time’ with Philadelphia based Rob Hyman of The Hooters.
It was the second single released from her debut studio album, ‘She’s So Unusual’, with Hyman contributing backing vocals. The track was produced by Rick Chertoff and released as a single on January 27, 1984. The song became Lauper’s first #1 hit in the U.S. The song was written in the album’s final stages, after “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun”, “She Bop” and “All Through the Night” had been written. The writing began with the title, which Lauper had seen in TV Guide magazine, referring to the science fiction film “Time After Time’ (1979).
The inspiration for the song came from the fact that both songwriters were going through similar challenges in their respective romantic relationships; Hyman was coming out of a relationship, while Lauper was having difficulties with her boyfriend, David Wolff. One of the first lines Rob wrote was “suitcase of memories,” which according to Lauper, “struck her,” claiming it was a “wonderful line,” while other lines came from Lauper’s life experiences.
Initially, Epic Records wanted “Time After Time” as the album’s lead single. However, Lauper felt that releasing a ballad as her debut solo single would have pigeonholed her stylistically as a balladeer, limiting her future work and thus potentially killing her career. Her manager Dave Wolff felt that “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” could become a successful pop anthem and was a better choice; ultimately the label agreed and released it as the lead single instead. “Time After Time” became the album’s second single.
Here’s a look at the complete Top 20 on the U.S. singles chart from this day back in 1984:
1 2 TIME AFTER TIME –•– Cyndi Lauper (Portrait)-9 (1 Week at #1) (1)
2 1 LET’S HEAR IT FOR THE BOY –•– Deniece Williams (Columbia)-10 (1)
3 4 OH SHERRIE –•– Steve Perry (Columbia)-10 (3)
4 5 THE REFLEX –•– Duran Duran (Capitol)-8 (4)
5 6 SISTER CHRISTIAN –•– Night Ranger (MCA / Camel)-14 (5)
6 8 THE HEART OF ROCK ‘N ROLL –•– Huey Lewis & The News (Chrysalis)-8 (6)
7 3 HELLO –•– Lionel Richie (Motown)-16 (1)
8 9 BREAKDANCE –•– Irene Cara (Geffen)-12 (8)
9 11 SELF CONTROL –•– Laura Branigan (Atlantic)-9 (9)
10 14 JUMP (For My Love) –•– The Pointer Sisters (Planet)-7 (10)
11 12 BORDERLINE –•– Madonna (Sire)-14 (11)
12 7 AGAINST ALL ODDS (Take A Look At Me Now) –•– Phil Collins (Atlantic)-16 (1)
13 13 I’LL WAIT –•– Van Halen (Warner Brothers)-9 (13)
14 18 DANCING IN THE DARK –•– Bruce Springsteen (Columbia)-3 (14)
15 16 IT’S A MIRACLE –•– Culture Club (Virgin)-5 (15)
16 10 TO ALL THE GIRLS I’VE LOVED BEFORE –•– Julio Iglesias & Willie Nelson (Columbia)-15 (5)
17 20 YOU CAN’T GET WHAT YOU WANT (Til You Know What You Want) –•– Joe Jackson (A&M)-8 (17)
18 23 EYES WITHOUT A FACE –•– Billy Idol (Chrysalis)-6 (18)
19 22 ALMOST PARADISE –•– Mike Reno & Ann Wilson (Columbia)-5 (19)
20 17 DANCING IN THE SHEETS –•– Shalamar (Columbia)-13 (17)
