Cyndi Lauper Pays Tribute to Songwriter 'Genius' Billy Steinberg

Lauper mourns the death of her close friend and collaborator who wrote her hit song "True Colors".

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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Cyndi Lauper has offered a heartfelt tribute to Billy Steinberg, the acclaimed songwriter behind her hit song "True Colors." Steinberg, a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, passed away on February 16 at the age of 73 after battling cancer. Lauper celebrated Steinberg's "pure genius" as a lyricist and collaborator, reflecting on their work together on "True Colors" and other hits.

Why it matters

Steinberg's death marks the loss of a highly influential and respected figure in the music industry. As the co-writer of iconic songs recorded by artists like Whitney Houston, Madonna, and Cyndi Lauper, his impact on popular music over the past several decades is undeniable. Lauper's tribute highlights the deep personal and professional connection she shared with Steinberg, underscoring the significance of his passing for the music community.

The details

Steinberg co-wrote Lauper's 1986 No. 1 hit "True Colors" with Tom Kelly. Lauper praised Steinberg's talent for capturing the full range of human emotion in his lyrics, from "subtlety to urgency." She also highlighted other major hits he co-wrote, including "Unconditional Love," "I Drove All Night," and "My First Night Without You." Lauper was particularly struck by Steinberg's lyrical prowess, calling lines like "I'm like a letter with no address" pure "genius."

  • Steinberg passed away on February 16, 2026.
  • "True Colors" was released on Lauper's second studio album in 1986 and reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The players

Cyndi Lauper

An acclaimed singer-songwriter who had a No. 1 hit with Steinberg's song "True Colors." Lauper offered a heartfelt tribute to her late friend and collaborator.

Billy Steinberg

A member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame who co-wrote several major hits, including Lauper's "True Colors." Steinberg passed away at the age of 73 after battling cancer.

Tom Kelly

Steinberg's co-writer on Lauper's "True Colors" and other hit songs.

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What they’re saying

“He was a great lyricist and a wonderful collaborator. He and Tom had such a way of capturing the range within an emotion, from the subtlety to urgency.”

— Cyndi Lauper (Billboard)

“I'm so sorry to hear that my friend Billy Steinberg has passed away. He was such a nice guy and very supportive. My thoughts are with his family, loved ones, and Tom during this sad time.”

— Cyndi Lauper (Instagram)

The takeaway

Steinberg's passing marks the loss of a true songwriting genius whose lyrics and collaborations left an indelible mark on popular music. Cyndi Lauper's heartfelt tribute underscores the deep personal and professional connection she shared with Steinberg, and the lasting impact of his work.