True Colors (album)

True Colors (album)
Name	True Colors
Type	studio
Artist	Cyndi Lauper
Released	September 1986
Recorded	1985–1986
Studio	The Hit Factory, Electric Lady, Record Plant
Genre	Pop, rock, new wave
Length	42:02
Label	Epic Records
Producer	Rick Chertoff
Prev title	She's So Unusual
Prev year	1983
Next title	A Night to Remember
Next year	1989

True Colors (album) is the second studio album by American singer Cyndi Lauper, released in September 1986 by Epic Records. Building on the commercial breakthrough of She's So Unusual, the album pairs Lauper with producer Rick Chertoff and collaborators from the Hooters camp and songwriters connected to Patti Smith and Stevie Nicks circles. True Colors expanded Lauper's public profile through a titular single that became an anthem adopted by LGBT rights campaigns and political figures during the late 20th century.

Background and Recording

Following the multi-platinum success of She's So Unusual, Lauper entered the studio with a changed team: she retained ties to songwriter Rob Hyman and producer Rick Chertoff, and worked with musicians affiliated with the Philadelphia rock scene and members of The Hooters. Recording sessions occurred at New York facilities including The Hit Factory, Electric Lady Studios, and Record Plant, with engineers who had credits alongside artists such as Madonna, Bruce Springsteen, and Billy Joel. The songwriting roster featured collaborators from the Bob Dylan-influenced singer-songwriter tradition and contemporaries from the New Wave and Heart communities, reflecting Lauper's desire to broaden her sonic palette beyond pop singles.

Music and Lyrics

Musically, the album shifts between pop, rock, and adult contemporary textures, incorporating elements reminiscent of Fleetwood Mac-era production and the anthemic balladry associated with Phil Collins and Peter Gabriel. The title track, co-written with Rob Hyman, foregrounds piano, layered harmonies, and a melodic chorus that invited cover versions by artists influenced by Barbra Streisand and Whitney Houston. Other songs explore themes of identity, resilience, and interpersonal conflict with lyrical nods to Bob Dylan's narrative approach and the confessional tone of Joni Mitchell. Instrumentation includes saxophone lines in the vein of Clarence Clemons-style contributions, guitar work recalling Keith Richards's rhythmic sensibilities, and production flourishes akin to sessions with Tom Petty and Stevie Nicks collaborators.

Release and Promotion

Epic Records organized a global release campaign timed for the autumn market, leveraging television appearances on programs like Saturday Night Live and music video rotation on MTV. Promotional singles were serviced to radio formats spanning Top 40 and Adult Contemporary outlets, while Lauper undertook interviews with publications such as Rolling Stone and Billboard. The album's visual identity drew on fashion influences from the New York City club scene and stylists associated with performers like Madonna and Prince, and the title track's video featured imagery that later linked it to charitable initiatives championed by figures including Annie Leibovitz-photographed campaigns and benefit concerts tied to Amnesty International and Human Rights Campaign events.

Reception and Legacy

Critical response ranged from praise for Lauper's vocal versatility to commentary about the shift toward mainstream adult contemporary production; reviews appeared in The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and NME. Commercially, the album consolidated Lauper's status established by peers such as Madonna and Whitney Houston, and the title single became an enduring anthem adopted by LGBT advocacy groups and political campaigns, featuring in televised moments alongside personalities like Ellen DeGeneres and political figures sympathetic to equal-rights platforms. Retrospective appraisals often cite the record as influential on later pop-ballad work by artists in the 1990s and 2000s such as Adele, Christina Aguilera, and Kelly Clarkson. The album's songs have been covered by performers from the country and adult contemporary scenes and licensed for soundtracks connected to films produced by studios like Warner Bros. and Universal Pictures.

Track Listing

1. "Intro / Change of Heart" – 4:05 2. "What a Thrill" – 3:50 3. "Heading West" – 4:10 4. "As One" – 4:00 5. "Sisters of Avalon" – 3:35 6. "True Colors" – 3:45 7. "Calm Inside the Storm" – 4:20 8. "The Faraway Nearby" – 3:55 9. "Tha's What I Think" – 3:40 10. "Dreaming" – 6:02

Personnel and Production

Credits include Cyndi Lauper (lead vocals), Rob Hyman (keyboards, backing vocals), Eric Bazilian (guitar, multi-instrumentalist), members of The Hooters (rhythm section contributions), and session musicians who had worked with Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, and Stevie Nicks. Production was helmed by Rick Chertoff with engineering by staff from The Hit Factory and mixing by professionals associated with projects by Peter Gabriel and Phil Collins. String arrangements drew on contractors linked to orchestral sessions for artists such as Barbra Streisand. Backing vocalists included singers who later toured with Tina Turner and others active in the 1980s pop circuit.

Commercial Performance

True Colors reached the top 10 in several national album charts, securing placements on the Billboard 200 and charting in markets including United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada. The title single topped the Billboard Hot 100 and became a staple on Adult Contemporary charts, while follow-up singles achieved varying degrees of international radio play across Europe and Asia. The album received certifications from industry bodies such as the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), and comparable trade organizations in the United Kingdom and Australia, reflecting multi-platinum and gold thresholds in multiple territories.

Category:Cyndi Lauper albums Category:1986 albums