Sally's Pigeons

Last updated
"Sally's Pigeons"
Sallypigeons.jpg
Single by Cyndi Lauper
from the album Hat Full of Stars
A-side "Sally's Pigeons"
B-side "Cold", "Like I Used To", "Someone Like Me", "Feels Like Christmas"
ReleasedJune 15, 1993
Recorded1993
Genre Pop
Length3:48
Label Epic
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Cyndi Lauper singles chronology
"That's What I Think"
(1993)
"Sally's Pigeons"
(1993)
"Hat Full of Stars"
(1993)
Music video
"Sally's Pigeons" on YouTube

"Sally's Pigeons" is a pop song by Cyndi Lauper that was featured on her 1993 album Hat Full of Stars . It was released as the album's second single in some countries, and as its third in others. The song was inspired by the story of a childhood friend of Lauper, who in her teens got pregnant, had a back-alley abortion, and died as a result. [1]

Contents

The song was re-released as a single in 1994 in some European countries to promote Cyndi's greatest hits album Twelve Deadly Cyns...and Then Some .

Cyndi released a new version of the song on June 22, 2022 in response to the repeal of Roe v. Wade. [1]

Background

The song was co-written in 1991 with Mary Chapin Carpenter. [1] Lauper was a childhood fan of Elton John, and as a tribute to him, "Sally's Pigeons" contains references to "Tiny Dancer," a song that Lauper stated has always make her cry. The song's music video features Julia Stiles and Blaze Berdahl, the latter portraying Sally.

Critical reception

Mike DeGagne of AllMusic spoke of the song in a review of the Hat Full of Stars album, stating, "The title track and "That's What I Think", along with "Sally's Pigeons", make for the most promising of the 11 cuts." [2] In the December 23, 1995, issue of the Billboard magazine, the song was mentioned in "The Critics' Choice" section, where the magazine's editors and writers chose their top 10 records, videos and live concerts of 1995. Chuck Taylor, the magazine's radio editor, listed Lauper's 1995 compilation Twelve Deadly Cyns...and Then Some at #6 of his top ten albums, stating, "Kickin' longform video, too. Discover of "Sally's Pigeons" is a high point. Thanks, girl, I had fun." [3] The Daily Vault's Mark Millan said it is a very good song, describing it as "heart wrenching". [4]

Music video

A music video was made to accompany the song. It was Julia Stiles' acting debut. [5] One of the "little girls in pony-tails" described in the song's lyrics is played by former Ford model Valerie Mendler. Sally is portrayed by Blaze Berdahl.

Track listing

CD single (Europe) [6] / Cassette single (Europe) [7] / 7" single (Europe) [8]

  1. "Sally's Pigeons" 3:46
  2. "Cold" 3:29

CD Maxi-single (Europe) [9] / 12" single (Europe) [10]

  1. "Sally's Pigeons" 3:46
  2. "Cold" 3:29
  3. "Like I Used To" 4:28

CD single (Europe) 1994 Reissue [11]

  1. "Sally's Pigeons" 3:46
  2. "Someone Like Me" 4:03

CD Maxi-single (Europe) 1994 Reissue [12]

  1. "Sally's Pigeons" 3:46
  2. "Feels Like Christmas" 4:37
  3. "Someone Like Me" 4:03

7" single (United States) 2022 Redux [13]

  1. "Sally's Pigeons" 3:46

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">She Bop</span> 1984 single by Cyndi Lauper

"She Bop" is a song by American singer-songwriter Cyndi Lauper, released as the third single from her debut studio album, She's So Unusual (1983). It reached number three on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart in September 1984. Worldwide, the song is her third most commercially successful single after "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" and "Time After Time", and also reached number 46 on the UK Singles Chart and number six on the ARIA Singles Chart. "She Bop" was Lauper's third consecutive top 5 on the Hot 100. She recorded a quieter version of the song for her 2005 album The Body Acoustic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ocean Spray (Manic Street Preachers song)</span> 2001 single by Manic Street Preachers

"Ocean Spray" is a song by Welsh rock band Manic Street Preachers, released as the third single from their sixth studio album, Know Your Enemy (2001), on 4 June 2001. James Dean Bradfield wrote both lyrics and music for the song. It reached number 15 on the UK Singles Chart.

<i>Twelve Deadly Cyns...and Then Some</i> 1994 greatest hits album by Cyndi Lauper

Twelve Deadly Cyns...and Then Some is a greatest hits album by American singer Cyndi Lauper, released on August 22, 1994, through Epic Records. It contains a collection of singles from the singer's first four studio albums. It also contains three new songs: "(Hey Now) Girls Just Want to Have Fun", "I'm Gonna Be Strong" and "Come On Home", all of which were released as singles. To promote the record, the singer embarked on a worldwide tour. A video album was simultaneously released and contained music videos of fourteen songs.

<i>Hat Full of Stars</i> 1993 studio album by Cyndi Lauper

Hat Full of Stars is the fourth studio album by American singer-songwriter Cyndi Lauper, released in 1993. The album was released 4 years after the singer's third studio album, A Night to Remember, which received unfavorable reviews and had low sales compared to the singer's previous releases. Hat Full of Stars received favorable reviews but was poorly received by the public, receiving gold certifications in Japan and France only.

"I'm Gonna Be Strong" is a song written by the songwriting duo Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil. It was first recorded by Frankie Laine in 1963 and released as a single on Columbia Records. However, the song did not become a major hit until 1964, when Gene Pitney released his version as a single. It was also a single released by the 1980 band Blue Angel, with lead vocals provided by future star Cyndi Lauper. This release was prior to Lauper's solo career; however, Lauper re-recorded the track and released it as a single in 1994. The song was also featured on 1982's Quiet Lies album by Grammy winner Juice Newton. Though Newton never released the song as a single, her remake was later added as a bonus track to her first Greatest Hits collection.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Money Changes Everything</span> 1978 single by The Brains

"Money Changes Everything" is a song by American rock band the Brains from their eponymous debut studio album (1980). Originally released in 1978, the song was reissued as the lead single from the album in 1980, by Mercury Records. Frontman Tom Gray is credited as the sole writer of the song, while production was collectively helmed by the Brains and Bruce Baxter. The song was popularized in 1984 by Cyndi Lauper, who released a cover version of the song as a single from her debut studio album, She's So Unusual (1983).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">In My Pocket</span> 2001 single by Mandy Moore

"In My Pocket" is a song by American singer Mandy Moore for her self-titled second studio album as its opening track. It was released on May 1, 2001, by Epic Records as the lead single from the record. The song was written by Randall Barlow, Emilio Estefan, Liza Quintana, and Gian Marco Zignago and produced by Estefan and Barlow. It contains a prominent sample from 1997s "Usamljena Srca" by Kemal Malovčić. Emilio Estefan will re-release the song as "Pennies In My Pocket" for the Miami Vice feature film in 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Welcome to My Truth</span> 2004 single by Anastacia

"Welcome to My Truth" is a song by American recording artist Anastacia from her third studio album, Anastacia. Written by Anastacia, Kara DioGuardi, and John Shanks and released as the album's third single in Europe on November 8, 2004, the song chronicles Anastacia's strained relationship with her father, who left her at a young age, along with the singer's battle with breast cancer. While "Welcome to My Truth" failed to match overall the success of its predecessors, "Left Outside Alone" and "Sick and Tired", it fared relatively well in certain European nations, such as Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">We Are (Ana Johnsson song)</span> 2004 single by Ana Johnsson

"We Are" is a song by the Swedish rock singer Ana Johnsson from her worldwide debut album, The Way I Am. The song was released as her first worldwide single and the first from the album in June 2004. It was also included on the soundtrack for Spider-Man 2. "We Are" remains Johnsson's highest-charting hit, becoming a top-10 hit in Austria, Denmark, Italy, Norway, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">True Colors (Cyndi Lauper song)</span> 1986 single by Cyndi Lauper

"True Colors" is a number one hit song written by American songwriters Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly. It was both the title track and the first single released from American singer Cyndi Lauper's second studio album of the same name (1986). Released in mid-1986, the song spent two weeks at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100, being Lauper's second and last single to occupy the top of the chart. It received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Not That Kind (song)</span> 2000 single by Anastacia

"Not That Kind" is a song by American recording artist Anastacia from her debut album, Not That Kind (2000). Written by Will Wheaton, Marvin Young and Anastacia, the song was performed originally on the MTV talent show The Cut in 1998, which in turn helped the singer receive a record deal. The song was released as the album's second single on October 2, 2000, by Daylight Records and Epic Records, reaching the top 20 in nine European countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Why'd You Lie to Me</span> 2002 single by Anastacia

"Why'd You Lie to Me" is a song by American singer Anastacia from her second studio album, Freak of Nature (2001). Written by Anastacia, Damon Sharpe, Greg Lawson, Trey Parker, Damon Butler, and Canela Cox, the song first appeared on the US edition of Anastacia's debut album Not That Kind in March 2001. It was released as the third single from Freak of Nature on September 9, 2002, by Daylight Records and Epic Records. In the United States, the track served as the album's second single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cyndi Lauper discography</span>

American singer Cyndi Lauper has released eleven studio albums, six compilation albums, five video albums and fifty-three singles. Worldwide, Lauper has sold approximately 50 million albums, singles and DVDs. According to RIAA, She has sold 8.5 million certified albums in the United States with She's so Unusual being her biggest seller.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Am Mine</span> 2002 single by Pearl Jam

"I Am Mine" is a song by American rock band Pearl Jam. Written by vocalist Eddie Vedder, "I Am Mine" was released on October 8, 2002, as the first single from the band's seventh studio album, Riot Act (2002). The song peaked at number six on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. The song was included on Pearl Jam's 2004 greatest hits album, rearviewmirror .

"Le monde est stone" is a song written and produced by Michel Berger and Luc Plamondon for the 1978 Canadian-French musical Starmania. It was originally performed by Fabienne Thibeault and released on the Starmania album in 1978. The English-language version of the song with lyrics by Tim Rice, titled "The World Is Stone", was recorded by American singer Cyndi Lauper and released on the Tycoon album in 1992. Celine Dion recorded "Le monde est stone" for her 1991 album, Dion chante Plamondon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clumsy (Our Lady Peace song)</span> 1997 single by Our Lady Peace

"Clumsy" is a song by Canadian alternative rock band Our Lady Peace. It was released in 1997 as the second single from their second album, Clumsy. It is one of the band's most successful singles, reaching number one in Canada for three weeks. It also experienced success in the United States, reaching number five on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and staying in the top ten for 15 weeks. The song ranked number one on CILQ-FM's Top 107 songs of 1997.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bounce (Sarah Connor song)</span> 2003 single by Sarah Connor

"Bounce" is a song by German recording artist Sarah Connor, taken from her second studio album, Unbelievable (2002). Written by Bülent Aris, Toni Cottura, and Anthony Freeman, with production helmed by the former, the song samples Mary J. Blige's 2001 song "Family Affair", while featuring guest vocals by Wyclef Jean. "Bounce" was originally released as the album's fourth and final single in Central Europe on 21 July 2003, amid Connor's first pregnancy. It reached the top 20 in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Why Didn't You Call Me</span> 2000 single by Macy Gray

"Why Didn't You Call Me" is a song by American singer Macy Gray from her debut studio album, On How Life Is (1999). It was released on July 24, 2000, as the album's fourth and final single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Are You In?</span> 2002 single by Incubus

"Are You In?" is a song by American rock band Incubus. It was released in Europe and Australia as the fourth single from their fourth studio album, Morning View (2001), on July 15, 2002. The liner notes for the album contain no lyrics to this song.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Birmingham (Amanda Marshall song)</span> 1996 single by Amanda Marshall

"Birmingham" is a song by Canadian pop-rock singer Amanda Marshall. It was released in 1996 as the second single from her self-titled debut album. The song is her most successful single in Canada, reaching number three on the RPM 100 Hit Tracks chart, and it became her only song to appear on the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 43.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Cyndi Lauper Shares New Version of Abortion Rights Song 'Sally's Pigeons' After Roe Repeal". Rolling Stone. 2022-06-25. Retrieved 2023-10-17.
  2. "A Hat Full of Stars - Cyndi Lauper | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards | AllMusic". allmusic.com. Retrieved 2015-08-30.
  3. Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 23 December 1995. p. 36. ISSN   0006-2510 . Retrieved 2015-08-30.
  4. Millan, Mark (2014-02-24). "Hat Full Of Stars – Cyndi Lauper". The Daily Vault. Retrieved 2020-11-20.
  5. "Cyndi Lauper: Sally's Pigeons". IMDb . Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  6. Sally's Pigeons (Media notes). Cyndi Lauper. Epic Records. 1993. 659138 1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  7. Sally's Pigeons (Media notes). Cyndi Lauper. Epic Records. 1993. 659138 4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  8. Sally's Pigeons (Media notes). Cyndi Lauper. Epic Records. 1993. 659138 7.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  9. Sally's Pigeons (Media notes). Cyndi Lauper. Epic Records. 1993. EPC 659138 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  10. Sally's Pigeons (Media notes). Cyndi Lauper. Epic Records. 1993. 659138 6.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  11. Sally's Pigeons (Media notes). Cyndi Lauper. Epic Records. 1994. EPC 661000 1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  12. Sally's Pigeons (Media notes). Cyndi Lauper. Epic Records. 1994. EPC 661000 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  13. Sally's Pigeons (Media notes). Cyndi Lauper. Legacy. 2022. 196587800970.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)