Cyndi, You Goonie!!

So I had my recent music playlist on shuffle and She Bop came on. (Is there a pun there?) I have to say that Cyndi is one of my favorite singers of all time. Her voice is awesome, so powerful, such range. Beyond the blatant references in the lyrics, the song has this killer bass groove. The lyrics are simple, yet well thought. When I think that this was a giant hit, I love thinking of the subject matter and wonder why Tipper didn’t throw this on her list, oh wait she did!

Musically this track has what most producers trying to make a buck forget. This song has all the great synth instruments of the 80’s, but mixes great acoustic instruments as well. What would that chorus be without that acoustic guitar, and that whistle solo. The production on her vocals is masterful, just the right effects, but not overdone. The album was produced by Rick Chertoff and William Wittman, they did a wonderful job of not over-producing in the era of over-production.

For an album that boasts five killer hits (out of 10), this is my favorite. The rest of the album has great tracks beyond the hits, but if a had to pick a favorite (after She Bop) I think it would be All Through the Night. Great track written by Jules Shear. I also dig her version of When You Were Mine (written by Prince), though like most songs performed by the songwriter, it’s not quite the original. This is one of the best solo debuts I have ever heard.

I love She Bop whenever it comes on, I can’t skip it. It’s like channel surfing and catching The Goonies on TV and not being able to change the channel, you just have to watch that flick. Coincidence? Maybe a Cyndi effect?

Killer lyric: “Because I can’t stop messin’ with the danger zone, Hey, I won’t worry, and I won’t fret, Ain’t no law against it yet”