Cyndi Lauper Says Songs Often Come to Her ‘While I’m Cleaning’

Cyndi Lauper has an unlikely source of inspiration for songwriting.

In a conversation with Gracie Abrams for the latest Rolling Stone Musicians on Musicians feature published on Friday, Oct. 17, the “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” opened up about how cleaning has allowed her to get creative when it comes to writing songs.

“I clean the house, and while I’m cleaning, all this stuff comes to me. I don’t know why,” Lauper, 72, told the “That’s So True” hitmaker.

Abrams, 26, reasoned that perhaps the “True Colors” artist finds inspiration then because she’s “in motion.”

“Mother used to say to ‘please clean up the room,’ and then I’d sit and play guitar,” Lauper recalled. “I had the Beatles’ pictures all around, each one on each wall.… My teachers used to say you have to draw at least one hour every day.”

She added, “It’s interesting to hear how different people go about their work.”

Abrams then asked Lauper about how her current process for writing songs happens.

“Well, I’ve been doing this stuff for [Broadway] shows, and it’s easier and it’s harder, because it’s never going to be your voice,” said Lauper. “So you got to find out what the hell their jam is. And then you got to find out what register they sing in.”

She noted that she needs to “make it sound like it came out of their head.”

According to Lauper, working on the music and lyrics for Kinky Boots [the musical] was “different.”

“Started in 2008, and it opened 2013. It was quick,” she said of the experience.

But Lauper noted that the musical adaptation of Working Girl that she’s been writing for has taken at least 10 years.

“But the project is worth it, because it’s worth examining the history of it, and where we are now,” she said.

Lauper also discussed that, after more than 40 years in the music industry, she feels like she’s “still learning.”

“Sometimes you write something, you’re like, ‘Wow, look at what we did! Genius!’ Then the next day you listen and go, ‘What the heck were you thinking?’ It’s always like that, but ain’t that what we do?” she remarked.

Lauper will be inducted into the 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, which will stream live on Disney+ on Saturday, Nov. 8 from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. A special will air on ABC at a later date and be available to stream on Hulu.