CYNDI Lauper loves shaking her shimmy – and just did, right past Rihanna, Ne-Yo and Madonna. The ’80s icon earned her perch atop the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart on the strength of her vibrant, techno-sprinkled single “Into the Nightlife,” her second No. 1 off her 10th studio album, “Bring Ya to the Brink.”
One of MTV’s first video stars, Lauper is in the middle of a renaissance. In addition to her chart hits, she just finished her second successful True Colors summer tour. Lauper says now she just wants to hang out with her 10-year-old son, Declyn, continue to make influential music, and occasionally sneak out of the house and get her groove on.
In the club. “There’s nothing better than dance music . . . it heals depression. I did some stuff with Junior Vasquez back in the ’90s, and I wanted to get back to that on my new record. I still love going out to places like the Bowery Ballroom, Splash Bar and a small place in the Village called The Directing Room to dance.”
Top dog. “It’s a great feeling to know that my music is being accepted. To be on top of a chart that has so many talented artists like Madonna is special. ‘Into the Nightlife’ describes the excitement involved with hearing and dancing to new music at nightclubs.”
Racking up miles. “I traveled all over the world to work with different producers while recording the new album. I think my time in Stockholm was my favorite. It was an amazing experience working with Basement Jaxx and Rich Morel [who produced Nelly Furtado and Mariah Carey].”
Comic relief. “I really want to get back into doing movies. Both Rosie O’Donnell and Wanda Sykes opened up a few shows on the recent tour. They were hysterical. I would love to work with them on a comedy.”