27 January 1984 marked the release of Time After Time, the poignant ballad co-written by Cyndi Lauper and Rob Hyman. This song would go on to become Lauper’s first number-one hit and one of the defining pop ballads of the 1980s.
A quiet moment that became a global hit
Taken from Lauper’s debut album She’s So Unusual, Time After Time followed her breakthrough anthem Girls Just Want to Have Fun and revealed a deeper emotional range. It resonated with listeners around the world with its gentle melody and heartfelt lyrics.
The track was recorded with Hyman contributing background vocals and written at a pivotal moment in the album’s production.
In a 1980s music video directed by Edd Griles, Lauper portrayed a young woman leaving a life behind to start anew. She drew on personal experiences for the emotional closing scenes, including memories of hitchhiking and carrying a small duffel bag filled with everything she owned. These real moments gave authenticity to her performance and helped convey the song’s bittersweet theme of love and resilience.
Chart success in the United States
Time After Time became Lauper’s first number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100, reaching the top spot on June 9, 1984 and staying there for two weeks. It also topped the Adult Contemporary chart and was number one in Canada.
The song spent a total of 20 weeks on the Hot 100 and was certified Gold in the United States for sales exceeding one million copies.
International performance
In the United Kingdom, Time After Time entered the singles chart at number 54 in March 1984 and climbed to a peak of number three by July 1984, making it one of Laurper’s most successful international hits.
Across Europe and beyond, the song reached high chart positions: number three in New Zealand, number five in Austria, number seven in Switzerland, and top ten spots in France and Sweden.
Awards and legacy
The song earned a Grammy nomination for Song of the Year at the 1985 Grammy Awards, affirming its impact both commercially and artistically.
Over four decades later, Time After Time is widely regarded as one of the great love songs of the era. Its simple yet evocative arrangement helped the song endure, and it has been covered by artists from jazz legend Miles Davis to contemporary performers, with each version underscoring its lasting influence.
