Fame (Irene Cara song)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"Fame"
Single by Irene Cara
from the album Fame soundtrack
Released	June 1980 (U.S.) May 1982 (UK)
Recorded	1980
Genre	Disco, Country, Pop
Length	5:14
Label	RCA
Writer(s)	Michael Gore Dean Pitchford
Producer	Michael Gore
Certification	Gold (US) Gold (UK)
Irene Cara singles chronology
"Making Love with Me" (1979) "Fame" (1980) "Out Here on My Own" (1980)

"Fame" is a pop song written by Michael Gore (music) and Dean Pitchford (lyrics) that was released in 1980 and achieved chart success as the theme song to the Fame film and TV series. The song was performed by Irene Cara, who played the role of Coco Hernandez in the original movie. It won the Academy Award for Best Original Song and the Golden Globe Award for the same.

"Fame" rose to #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the summer of 1980. It also rose to #1 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart for one week, and also topped the ARC Weekly Top 40 chart. The song was not released in the United Kingdom until 1982, so it would coincide with the UK premiere of the Fame television series. It hit #1 for three weeks.

Contents 1 Cover versions 2 Live cover performances 3 Appearances in other media 4 References

[edit] Cover versions

• The tune was also the theme song for the Fame television series, which aired from 1982 to 1987. It was performed by Erica Gimpel (who portrayed Coco Hernandez), and later by Loretta Chandler (who portrayed Dusty Tyler).
• In 2000, a eurodance cover was recorded by Swedish session singer Nana Hedin. An audio sample can be heard on her official website.^[1]
• A dance cover was released by a European girl group called Models.
• French progressive-metal band Adagio covered the song on their 2005 release titled Dominate.
• Japanese pop duo Pink Lady covered the song in Japanese.
• Nerdcore/hip hop artist Shael Riley recorded a cover which is available for download on the Internet.

[edit] Live cover performances

• Kristen Bell, star of Veronica Mars, performed "Fame" at the 2005 Emmy Awards.
• Willa Ford, pop singer and reality star, performed "Fame" on the November 1, 2006 result show of the ABC show Dancing with the Stars.

[edit] Appearances in other media

• The song has also been featured prominently in the reality shows Fame and Fame Academy. It was used as the main theme song for the Bulgarian version of Star Academy.

Preceded by "Emotional Rescue" by The Rolling Stones	ARC Weekly Top 40 number one single September 6, 1980	Succeeded by "Upside Down" by Diana Ross
Preceded by "Happy Talk" by Captain Sensible	UK number one single 17 July 1982 - 31 July 1982	Succeeded by "Come on Eileen" by Dexys Midnight Runners
Preceded by "Goodnight Saigon" by Billy Joel	Dutch Top 40 number one single February 19, 1983 - March 5, 1983	Succeeded by "Pa" by Doe Maar
Preceded by "It Goes Like It Goes" from Norma Rae	Academy Award for Best Original Song 1980	Succeeded by "Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)" from Arthur
Preceded by "Upside Down" / "I'm Coming Out" by Diana Ross	Billboard Hot Dance Club Play number one single (with "Red Light" and "Hot Lunch Jam" by Linda Clifford) August 30, 1980	Succeeded by "Upside Down" / "I'm Coming Out" by Diana Ross

[edit] References