Inspiration Behind Girls Just Want to Have Fun:
In a documentary entitled “Let the Canary Sing,” Cyndi Lauper initially rejected a request from her producer to sing Girl’s Just Want to Have Fun. This song was too masculine in its original version. Subsequently, Lauper refused to perform this song as is, leaning on her team of musicians to alter Girls Just Want to Have Fun. After recording a demo, Cyndi still wasn’t happy as she felt this song was missing something. Once Lauper realized this song’s arrangement could be made unique, she used her voice to hit different keys to take on a totally different sound. This alteration enabled Cyndi Lauper to become who she really is as a singer.
Biblical Application:
A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, 25 for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment? – Ecclesiastes 2:24-25
Exegesis of Girls Just Want to Have Fun:
I come home, in the mornin’ light
My mother says, “When you gonna live your life right?”
Oh momma dear, we’re not the fortunate ones
And girls, they wanna have fun
Oh girls just wanna have fun
Cyndi was fighting the stereotypes of woman back in the 1980’s. There was a time in America where woman were expected to get married, have children and stay home to raise them. This is the mindset her mother was coming from. However, Cyndi was simply looking for a good time each day.
The phone rings, in the middle of the night
My father yells, “What you gonna do with your life?”
Oh daddy dear, you know you’re still number one
But girls, they wanna have fun
Oh girls just wanna have
Cyndi’s father shared at similar worldview of the role of women in society. Cyndi still loves and respects her father, but she isn’t afraid to express what she is feeling.
That’s all they really want
Some fun
When the workin’ day is done
Oh girls, they wanna have fun
Oh girls just wanna have fun (girls, they want)
(Wanna have fun, girls)
(Wanna have)
Following societal expectations for women may be fine for most, but Cyndi was a rebel, wanting to unwind after work. Spending time in some form of recreation helps renew your soul.
Some boys take a beautiful girl
And hide her away from the rest o’ the world
I wanna be the one to walk in the sun
Oh girls, they wanna have fun
Oh girls just wanna have
Cyndi doesn’t want to spend most of her life at home in a kitchen. She enjoys being outside, doing something fun in the sun.
That’s all they really want
Is some fun
When the workin’ day is done
Oh girls, they wanna have fun
Oh girls just wanna have fun (girls, they want)
(Wanna have fun, girls)
(Wanna have)
Cyndi is attempting to vocalize what many women think but are afraid to verbalize it.
They just want, they just wanna (girls)
They just want, they just wanna (girls just wanna have fun)
Oh girls, girls just wanna have fun
(Just want, they just wanna)
They just wanna, they just wanna (girls)
They just want, they just wanna (girls just wanna have fun)
Oh girls, girls just wanna have fun
The thought of working a typical 9-5 job bored Cyndi. She wanted to do something that would be fun and exciting. Cyndi was a visionary before social media existed.
When the workin’
When the workin’ day is done
Oh, when the workin’ day is done
Oh, girls, girls just wanna have fun
Everybody
Huh, huh
Going out to a bar or club dancing after worked seemed fun to Cyndi.
They just want, they just wanna (girls)
They just want, they just wanna (girls just wanna have fun)
Oh, girls, girls just wanna have fun
(They just wanna, they just wanna) when the workin’
When the working day is done (they just want, they just wanna)
Oh, when the working day is done (girls, girls just wanna have fun)
Oh girls, girls just wanna have fun
Women aren’t wired like men. Subsequently, what is fun for women may not be enjoyable for men.
(They just want, they just wanna)
(They just want, they just wanna)
Still, the girl inside of every woman just wants to have fun.
Final Thoughts:
My mother sacrificed the first 20 years of marriage raising 3 children, with me being the last. Once I reached high school, my mom began to excel in Real Estate. Meanwhile, she also could have been a professor bowler, averaging 165 per game bowling twice a week when the top women in the world were averaging 175 per game. Human beings make sacrifices throughout life to help family, friends and members of their community. However, when you find an occupation that you enjoy and excel in, you can have fun every day doing what you love.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 