The Men All Pause – Klymaxx | Top 40 Chart Performance, Story and Song Meaning
Chart Performance: Pop (#80 ) and R&B (#5); 1986
Story Behind The Song By Ed Osborne
Unlike the usual pretty faced singers-only groups of the day, the members of Klymaxx, founded by Bernadette Cooper in early-1980’s Hollywood, were also accomplished instrumentalists. Bernadette’s drumming drove the rhythm while Joyce “Fenderella” Irby joined in on bass, Robbin Grider and Lynn Malsby pounded the keyboards, and Cheryl Cooley manned the guitar.
Lorena Porter – the only non- musician in Klymaxx – and Irby handled most of the lead vocals. The album Girls Will Be Girls launched the sextet in 1981, followed by Never Underestimate The Power Of A Woman and Girls Will Be Girls.
None charted. For the next album Klymaxx was joined by the latest production wizards, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, who crafted the group’s mainstream breakout album, Meeting In The Ladies Room, which included The Men All Pause.
Written by Cooper and Irby, with the latter featured on lead, Men hit #5 R&B and #122 Pop in 1985. After I Miss You reached #5 on the Hot 100, a re-release of Men moved to #80.
This content and all Song Meaning articles were created and written by Top 40 Contributing Editor Ed Osborne. © 2024 Ed Osborne. All Rights Reserved. In addition to these song meaning articles, Ed has written our “Year in Music 1960s-1990s” articles.
Produced by:
- Bernadette Cooper
Lyrics Written by:
- Bernadette Cooper
- Joyce Irby
Ed Osborne
Hi. I got my first record at age two and never looked back, spending a decades-long career in radio and the music business. Even after years of reading about and listening to all types of music, I am still fascinated by it. Apart from that, I’m endlessly intrigued by art, nature, and the inner lives of people (and dogs).