I'm Gonna Be Strong

"I'm Gonna Be Strong" is a song written by the famed 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 the most successful single released by the 1980 band Blue Angel, with vocals provided by 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.

Gene Pitney version

Infobox Single
Name = I'm Gonna Be Strong


Artist = Gene Pitney
from Album = I'm Gonna Be Strong
B-side = "E Se Domani (If Tomorrow)"
Released = start date|1964
Format = 7" single
Recorded = start date|1964
Genre = Pop
Length = 2:16
Label = Musicor
Writer = Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil
Producer =
Certification =
Last single = "It Hurts to Be in Love" (1964)
This single = "I'm Gonna Be Strong" (1964)
Next single = "I Must Be Seeing Things" (1965)This version became a top ten hit on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart. The song is Pitney's biggest UK solo hit, with only his duet version of "Something's Gotten Hold of My Heart" with Marc Almond peaking higher.

Chart performance

Blue Angel version

Infobox Single
Name = I'm Gonna Be Strong


Artist = Blue Angel
from Album = Blue Angel
B-side = Just The Other Day
Released = start date|1980
Format = 7" Vinyl , 7”Vinyl Single
Recorded =
Genre = Pop
Length = 2:50
Label = Polydor
Writers = Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil
Producer = Roy Halee
Certification =
Last single = "You Make Loving Fun" (1977)
This single = "I'm Gonna Be Strong" (1980)
Next single = "I Had a Love" (1980)It was also the most successful single released by the 1980 band Blue Angel from their album also called "Blue Angel". The vocals were provided by Cyndi Lauper. Like the album, the only country the single charted in was the Netherlands where it reached #37 on the charts.

The artwork and track listing for the single varied depending on the country of origin. An Italian promotional 7" vinyl single with the same catalogue number and track listing as the German version was released with alternate artwork. The original 1980 Dutch release was re-released with identical packaging in 1984 after Lauper's solo success.

Track listing

01 - Maybe he'll known 3:5102 - I had a love 2:4803 – Fade 2:4504 - Anna blue 3:5505 - Can't blame me 2:3706 – Late 2:4707 - Cut out 2:1708 - Take a chance 2:3709 - Just the other day 2:4310 - I'm gonna be strong 2:5211 – Lorraine 3:4812 - Everybody's got an angel 2:26

7" Vinyl (Netherlands)

Length: 5:32

# "I'm Gonna Be Strong" (Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil) – 2:50
# "Just the Other Day" (Cyndi Lauper and John Turi) – 2:42

Credits

Production: Roy Halee

7" Vinyl (Germany)/Italian Promo 7" Vinyl

Length: 6:44

# "I'm Gonna Be Strong" (Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil) – 2:50
# "Maybe He'll Know" (Cyndi Lauper and John Turi) – 3:54

Credits

Production: Roy Halee

7" Vinyl (Australia and UK)

Length: 6:47

# "I'm Gonna Be Strong" (Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil) – 2:50
# "Anna Blue" (Cyndi Lauper and John Turi) – 3:57

Credits

Production: Roy Halee

Cyndi Lauper version

Infobox Single
Name = I'm Gonna Be Strong


Cover size =
Border =
Caption =
Artist = Cyndi Lauper
Album = Twelve Deadly Cyns...and Then Some
A-side = I'm Gonna Be Strong
B-side = A Part Hate
Released = start date|1994
Format =
Recorded = start date|1994
Genre = Pop
Length =
Label = Epic
Writer = Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil
Producer =
Audio sample? =
Certification =
Last single = "Hey Now (Girls Just Want To Have Fun)"
(1994)
This single = "I'm Gonna Be Strong"
(1994)
Next single = "Come On Home"
(1995)
Misc =Because "I'm Gonna Be Strong" was the most successful single of Lauper's early band Blue Angel, she went on to re-record the track for her greatest hits album "Twelve Deadly Cyns...and Then Some", and subsequently a new single was released in 1994. The song shows off Lauper's singing ability more than ever with the it's challenging notes and arrangement. It peaked in the top 40 on the UK chart. This single was not commercially released in the US where it was only released as a promo.

Chart Performance

Other versions

Del Shannon covered this song on his 1965 album "1661 Seconds" and Juice Newton included the song on her albums "Quiet Lies" (1982) and "Greatest Hits" (1987).

References

External links

* [http://www.cyndilauper.com/ Official Cyndi Lauper website]