Emma Mikos 1

Emma Mikos

Prof. Kretzer

English 1201

24 October 2021

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Rhetorical Analysis

Many songs are based around female empowerment and want woman to feel like they

can make a change in the standards other people have towards them. The classic song “Girls Just

Wanna Have Fun” by Cyndi Lauper is an example of that. The original song was released in

1983 and talked about how girls want to live life how they want to and break the normal

standards. In 2015, the Chromatics released their remake of “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.” Their

version’s claim isn’t much different than the original, but other parts of their version are very

different. “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” by the Chromatics gives a new version of the original

song by Cyndi Lauper, that appeals to a younger generation but gets the same message across.

However, “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” by Cyndi Lauper gets the message about women

empowerment across in a more effective way.

In Cyndi Lauper's version of “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,” the listener starts by hearing

very upbeat and bubbly melody followed by the lyrics, which are also sung in a very bubbly

tone, “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.” These lyrics say

a lot right of the bat. Cyndi Lauper is singing about how she comes home around mid-morning

after being out all night, and her mom wants her to get her life together. She tells her that girls

live under unfortunate circumstances, and that they just want to have fun and live their life.
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Lauper also sings in a way that entertains the listener and could therefore cause her message to

get out to more people.

In the Chromatics’ version, the listener begins by hearing the same lyrics, however, they

come after a softer toned melody. And in this version, Ruth Radelet, the main singer, sings the

lyrics in that same soft tone. She sings them in a way that feels like it is less meant to entertain,

and more meant to inform and inspire. Her voice makes it feel like she desires change and is sad

that it hasn’t come yet.

In the music video for Cyndi Lauper’s version, Lauper and all the other girls are dressed

in bright and “outrageous” clothes. The video also starts with what appears to be Cyndi’s mom in

the kitchen cooking, which could be implying that the kitchen is where women belong. Which is

exactly what Cyndi Lauper is aiming to get away from, and it is a part of the video that shows

the lack of equality. In the music video for the Chromatics’ version, there is only a girl

wandering around on a beach, a blurry ferris wheel, and a bunch of other blurry lights. This

music video doesn’t really tell much of a story, and compared to it, Cyndi Lauper’s versions

would be much more effective in getting the message across. Lauper’s version has more

symbolism and visual effects that help the audience relate the lyrics to the video and get a full

understanding of what is trying to be said, which makes Lauper’s version more effective.

The Chromatics’ version of “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” is more in the category of a

techno genre, specifically electronic. This genre tends to appeal more towards the younger

generation as its audience. This is great for getting the same message that’s from the original out

to a generation who won’t listen to Lauper's version because it is older. In addition, the target

audience for their remake of the song is women and specifically teenage girls, which really

narrows the audience down. However, Cyndi Lauper’s version of “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun”
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is more in the category of pop. Pop music tends to have a wider variety of people as its audience,

and it's also more likely to be played on the radio, and in stores. Furthermore, the target audience

for Lauper’s version is mostly woman, but also just the general public. She wants the general

public to know that girls should have to follow the standards that were set for them, they should

be able to do anything a man can and should be considered equal. Overall, that makes Lauper’s

original version more effective in getting the message across.

“Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” by Cyndi Lauper uses mostly pathos throughout the song.

The song isn’t very emotional in the sense that it is sad, but it does have a happy and cheerful

emotion to it. And the lyrics also have a sense of desire. There is also some use of ethos. Mostly

for the fact that she is a girl and has probably had to deal with social standards and inequalities

because of it. The Chromatics’ version uses mostly pathos as well, but the lyrics and melody of

their version is calmer and softer. This version, being calmer and softer, makes it almost feel sad

which makes it feel a little more emotional. However, there isn’t really any use of ethos or logos,

so Lauper’s version seems to be more effective since it uses two of the three appeals.

In conclusion, both versions share the same overall message that women should live how

they want and break the normal social standards. As well as both having people who enjoy them

for different reasons. The Chromatics’ remake of the classic song “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun”

allowed the message to be further spread to a newer and younger audience. Yet, Cyndi Lauper’s

original version is more effective in spreading that message due to its upbeat components, and its

use of pathos and ethos.

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Works Cited

"Cyndi Lauper - Girls Just Want To Have Fun (Official Video)." YouTube, uploaded by Cindy

Lauper, 25 October 2009, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIb6AZdTr-A. October 23

2021.

“CHROMATICS "GIRLS JUST WANNA HAVE SOME" (Official Video).” YouTube,

uploaded by Italians Do It Better Music, 5 November 2015,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfjDNCQQaFU. October 23 2021.