Madison Rose & Lennon Stella cover two of the pop star’s tracks
In recognition of Cyndi Lauper’s 70th birthday today (Thurs, June 22nd) and ahead of the 40th anniversary of her debut album She’s So Unusual, Spotify has released a pair of new Spotify Singles to honor Cyndi’s legendary career and legacy. The singles feature emerging artists Madison Rose and Lennon Stella covering two of the pop star’s most iconic tracks, “True Colors” and “Time After Time,” respectively.
Madison Rose’s rendition of “True Colors” infuses the classic song with uptempo beats, honoring the powerful lyrics that celebrate individuality and finding a way to love yourself and those around you. Lennon Stella released a stripped-down version of “Time After Time,” leveraging her soulful vocals to create a captivating and emotional interpretation of the beloved Cyndi Lauper hit.
“‘True Colors’ is a lightning in a bottle song that every artist dreams of creating and relishes in singing because it’s a reminder that every person needs,” Rose shares. “To find acceptance of yourself and let your true self shine through. It was truly serendipitous that this cover came to me as it is all I hope to stand for in my career – that when you show up authentically as yourself, you will always find love. A truly unexpected cherry on top from my studio day was getting to talk with Billy Steinberg, one of the songwriters for ‘True Colors.’ What a gem! To learn about his writing process and how this song had to mold to become the treasured piece of art that we all know was unforgettable. I am so honored to be a part of this project.”
“I am so stoked to cover ‘Time After Time’ because it is the greatest song ever written and my parents covered this song when I was a kid,” Stella adds. “They sang this as a duo during my whole childhood. It was a very primary memory for me so it is just a really cool, full-circle moment for me to cover the song myself. Cyndi’s career and music has inspired me with how true and how purposeful her lyrics are. She’s a true artist, that in-and-of itself has always moved me and I think she’s kind of just superwoman.”
She’s So Unusual included the effervescent single “Girls Just Want to Have Fun,” which was released in the fall of 1983 and became an MTV staple throughout the network’s heyday. The song peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and has been certified double Platinum by the RIAA. The song reached the top 10 in 19 countries and topped the chart in 10. “Time After Time” followed and spent two consecutive weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 and reaching the top ten in 15 countries. The song was nominated for Song of the Year at the 1984 Grammys. Lauper received a win for Best New Artist that year.
