“She Still Just Wants to Have Fun — and Change the World”
In 2025, Cyndi Lauper’s fifty-year artistic journey culminated in one of pop music’s most resonant honours: her induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Pitchfork+2Pitchfork+2 What feels like a celebration of her past became instead a vivid statement of who she remains: bold, vibrant, and committed to change.
At the ceremony, she was introduced by Chappell Roan, who recalled how Lauper’s music gave her permission to be herself. “It’s that courage that… gives everyone who experiences it the permission to be themselves,” Roan said. Pitchfork Then, Lauper took the stage and performed a powerful three-song medley: she opened with the haunting “True Colors,” then moved into “Time After Time” alongside British singer RAYE, and closed with her defining anthem “Girls Just Want to Have Fun,” joined by Avril Lavigne and rap legends Salt‑N‑Pepa. AP News
In her acceptance speech, Lauper reflected on both legacy and the present: “I stand on the shoulders of the women who came before me, and my shoulders are broad enough to have the women who came after me stand on mine… The little kid in me still believes that rock ‘n’ roll can save the world.” Pitchfork+1
This moment wasn’t only about an artist being honoured—it was about a woman who transformed pop culture, challenged norms, celebrated joy and identity, and used her voice for more than music. Hits like “Time After Time” and “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” became anthems not just of an era, but of empowerment and self-expression. Wikipedia+1
For fans and newcomers alike, the 2025 induction ceremony rewrote what a “farewell” moment can look like—not a goodbye, but a reaffirmation of continuing impact. Lauper’s performance stood as proof that indeed she still wants to have fun, and still believes music can change the world.
