By the age of 7, my knowledge of top 40 music was still relatively limited. I mainly learned of songs through animated films, PBS, and musicians whose careers were stretching into the 80's and further. That's not me knocking 80's hits from the Grateful Dead, Billy Joel, or the youngest of the Jackson Five. What I'm saying is that my introduction to Tiffany was through Full House. The appearance wasn't onscreen like that of Stacy Q. ("She's so rad!") You've got it dude. I first heard "I Think We're Alone Now" (albeit, paraphrased) when Danny Tanner walks in on Joey and the girls watching a Tiffany concert simulcast from Tokyo. Who is this woman?
I did eventually hear Tiffany's version. And the 60's version by Tommy James & the Shondells. And the Killers cover reclaiming the tune in the name of rock. It's through the wonders of Pandora that I learned more of the pop cultural moment when Tiffany's albums had the best success in the consumer charts. It was the era of Roxette, Paula Abdul, Cindy Lauper, and Belinda Carlile (solo and with the Go-Go's). Two hit albums and a shopping mall tour put Tiffany on the trajectory for the "Live in Tokyo" video which likely inspired the Full House writers. My the end of her four album tenure with MCA records, Tiffany needed a refresh. Both personally and professionally. Instead of trying to pander to the industry and stay "relevant" in that sphere, Tiffany signed with smaller indie labels that encouraged her to explore genres, hone her songwriting skills, and create music for herself and her fans. Not to jump through some broadcast market's figurative hoops. A country album here. An electronica album there. The level of success was no longer measured in global acclaim, but growth and creative fulfillment. The creative spark was rekindled. Independent record labels gave Tiffany more freedom to recording and distribution of her music. The internet provided the next ingredient for success. People were no longer as dependent on MTV and traditional radio programming in order to access music.
Given Tiffany's versatility, I wasn't quite sure what to expect from this set. A three piece tour band played Tiffany, as were greeted with 2022's "Hey Baby" This was going to be a rock show! Thanking the present contingent of her fanbase, the pop sttar explained how setlist will emphasize her recent rock album "Shadows" while including additional songs from other parts of her career. 80's ballads "Danny", "All This Time", and "Could've Been" were revitalized with rock infused delivery. Songs such as "Beautiful" and the title track of "Shadows" gave a better view of modern Tiffany pop rock that doesn't get its due recognition. I listened to the "Shadows" album in full this afternoon, and was amazed. Freed up by more indie labels, Tiffany has crafted a sound and energy that feels like Amy Winehouse and Adelle crossed a Heart's Anne Wilson. "Keep On Swinging" brings you some heavy blues rock while "Bed of Nails" features this slow, powerful build that is all paced by a piano. It's the nature of the beast when big musicians go more independent that a more authentic expression of the artist can come out.
Nearing the concert's end, Tiffany started telling her story about competing in the UK version of "the Masked Singer". Shrouded in mystery and dressed as a giant golden Eiffel Tower, she quietly watched as some fans started picking up on nuances and vocal signatures as the judges gathered their clues. Tiffany got to take on a pop song that the English people have a particularly strong attachment to. Thinking of the London concert from 2005's Live 8 event, I thought of a specific Robbie Williams' performance. I started psyching up further as Tiffany mentioned Williams by name. When she spoke of singing "Angels" specifically, I was brimming with anticipation. You see, I sang "Angels" last summer at Queeraoke, and it went over so well. I don't have Tiffany's level of ability, but its' an awesome feeling when delivering a great performance of this song. Even stateside. So, when Tiffany starts to explain that feeling of performing such a powerful song before an audience, I was mouthing in response "Hell, yes." Tiffany brings the performance into the audience. Imagine columns of tables. I was on the edge of the second section of tables. Seven seats from the stage. Knowing "Angels" like the back of my hand, I'm singing along the whole time. Tiffany visited different members of the audience and then came over to me. She drapes her arm over my shoulders, pulling me in, encouraging me to sing too! In the moment, I was starstruck. Analytically, I was thinking that this is a break in her lyrics, and Tiffany encouraged me to sing "Oooh" along with her into the mic!!! As the singer continued working her way through the tables of people, I was feeling so inspired musically. Suddenly, I decided that I will bring "Angels" back to the Queeraoke stage on Thursday. That and "I Think We're Alone Now". Her platinum certified 1987 hit single closed the set as Tiffany continued singing with the fans, sometimes helping them to get more in their selfies. I would've had my camera app open if I wasn't busy working on an illustration for the blog.
The concert only ran for about an hour and 15. Given that even "Tiffany Live in Tokyo" was 48 minutes long, I guess that a relatively short set can be expected. The music and crowd engagement left me satisfied, but I think that the night could've benefited from an opening act. Maybe a local singer. Or Maris (a burgeoning pop star who celebrates the era of 80's mall tour pop icons). Walking back to North Station, I was feeling that "geeking out" sensation that DJ, Stephanie, and Joey must have been feeling that fictional night in the Tanner living room. If only they could imagine her performing a rock concert at an intimate venue more the size of the Smash Club,
Publishing this on a Friday, pardon my one last pop culture reference of this post. T. G. I. F.
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