Fame (Irene Cara song)

"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 movie 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.

[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).
A dance cover was released by a European pop group called Models.
Willa Ford, pop singer and reality star, performed "Fame" on the November 1, 2006 result show of the ABC show Dancing with the Stars.
Kristen Bell, star of Veronica Mars, performed "Fame" at the 2005 Emmy Awards.
The song has also been featured prominently in the reality shows Fame and Fame Academy.
French progressive-metal band Adagio covered the song on their 2005 release titled Dominate.
Japanese pop duo Pink Lady covered the song in Japanese.
British pop act Girls Aloud covered the song as part of a medley (that also featured What a Feeling and Footloose (song)) during their Chemistry Tour in 2006

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 July 11, 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