Ok, so I recently bought the girls just wanna have fun CD by Cyndi Lauper and after listening ot it i've decided that i like her version of when you were mine more than the purple ones. It has more soul. She sings the hell out of that song and I like how new wave it sounds. What do you guys think??

dancerella said:

She puts a different spin on it, which evokes a multitude of feelings. P's take is more "break-up pop" whereas Cyndi's version is like an angry, soulful lament. I like both versions but forced to choose, I'd pick Cyndi's. Of course, P wrote the wonderful lyric and melody so either way it's a nod to him.

jillybean said:

yeah i guess prince's version sounds more sad and cyndi's is more upbeat. there is another artist from the 80's called Cristina that also did a version of that song and it's good too.

jillybean said:

One of his classics, cant be topped. But of all Prince remakes. Cyndi wins with this one hands down

newpower99 said:

wow, go Cyndi!

I don't like Cyndi's version. I've listened to Prince's original so damn much that it would be near impossible for anyone to top it at this point. It's like trying to rerecord "Imagine" to me.

sextonseven said:

I "discovered" Prince in 1982 (I was 9 years old). I immediately wanted everything of his, but my mom and dad refused to let me buy "Dirty Mind". Because of that, I actually heard Cyndi's version first. Perhaps that dictated my preference just a bit.

jillybean said:

I understand that. There are a lot of covers I like better than the originals because I heard them first. Bauhaus' "Ziggy Stardust" comes to mind.

sextonseven said:

Oh, that's a damn fine cover - I like it better than David's, too, although I have heard it years later than the original. One of my fave Bauhaus moments (and there aren't too many... )

"When You Were Mine": I have to go with Prince, as it is much more distinct. Cindy's version is 80s pop (the echoed snare, plus it sounds robotic...), the original is a classic. But nevermind - I like her version, too. (Not to mention it would take a HUGE effort to destroy a song like that).

sextonseven said:

Madge re-recorded it didn't she?!

I heard Cyndi's version first and I like it more.

CinisterCee said:

right on CC!

I like both and am glad Cyndi did a different spin on it as opposed to a boring cover. So I like both versions for what they are, but i have to say i listen to Prince's version more.

dancerella said:

Cyndi's is so new wave, I love it! And she sings the hell out of the hook, which I appreciate!

madness prevails on the .org!

CinisterCee said:

I agree entirely. I love how new wave it is and what a voice! I love how the vocals are in double layers for lack of a better term. Know what I mean?

dancerella said:

girly WAILS on it

CinisterCee said:

Big time!

Love 'em both, but it's more interesting hearing a woman sing those exact same lyrics. In doing so, Cyndi pretty much pulled a Prince! I'd give the slight edge to her.

Prince's has a sad, wounded tone to it, and Cyndi's is angrier and bitchier.

Prince's has a more unusual sound, whereas Cyndi made it sound like it belongs on the Queer As Folk soundtrack.


I love both versions equally, but for different reasons. Cyndi gets some serious bonus points for not changing the genders in the lyrics, too.
[Edited 1/11/06 20:31pm]

Prince! By Far
..
i find this song actually kinda scary..the image of a man following you around..when your with another lover..spooky.
[Edited 1/11/06 21:00pm]

CinisterCee said:

Same here.

Is Cyndi singing the song to her bisexual girlfriend or to her bisexual boyfriend? It could be taken either way. I've always thought it was the latter, but it recently occurred to me that it's intentionally ambigious.

Cyndi's version reeled me in first, then I started to dig the original. Aimee Mann did a killer live version with Maceo that I really like too... she turned it into a more traditional ballad and it worked well.

Looks like Cyndi's winning!

Imagine Prince losing on his own website!
[Edited 1/12/06 16:23pm]

On the other hand... it helps that Prince wrote the record... he still wins!

CinisterCee said:

Good point that's true. I guess they both win.

WHEN U WERE MINE is amoung my Top 3 P faves of all time...and Cyndi really gave it her all...I love all the emotion she puts in it!

She performed it in front of Prince back on the 1985 AMA's. I think she was quoted as saying it was her 'tipping of the hat' to his songcraft...

By the way...remember the 80's when the AMA's were THE awards show??? Everyone used to be on 'em...'85 was one of the best Prince & the Revolution, Cyndi, Sheila, most of the Jacksons, Vanity, Apples, Lionel 'Outrageous' Richie.....Prince's great acceptance speech for 'BEST BLACK ALBUM'....(he walked up, took the award from the Beach Boys, said 'Thank You' and walked back to his seat).....

anyway....Cyndi doen nothing wrong in my book....a truly original talent and incredible woman!

peace

Didn't a Country & Western singer remake this around that same time that Cydi did?

ChristopherTracyParade said:

Not sure. You can hear a sample of another version of it right here.