Girls Just Want to Have Fun: Can We Call it a Feminist Anthem?

Mark Burton

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Jun 27, 2020
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London, UK
www.popdaze.com
The year was 1983, a time that saw the birth of the moonwalk, the final episode of MASH and the debut of Fraggle Rock. As far as where women stood in 1983, the seedlings of a new “revolution” of sorts had been planted. Gloria Steinem was emerging as a prominent voice on the scene with the publication of her book Outrageous Acts and Everyday Rebellions. And then, you have Cyndi Lauper…



What has been reflectively touted as a feminist anthem for the 80s, Lauper’s hit song Girls Just Want to Have Fun tells a story and as seen in the video, a rather animated one at that. But can we legitimately call this hit a “feminist anthem”? Knowing what we know now, having soldiered through #MeToo, having butted up against glass ceilings and gender disparity in general, how should we interpret Cyndi Lauper’s musical/video plea for women to let their hair down and feel free to be, well, free?



The Great Lyric Flip



Many may not be aware that the original song was actually written and...

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