Fame

Fame, the motion picture, was released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 1980. The film chronicles the lives and hardships of students attending the High School of Performing Arts in New York City, from their auditions through to their senior years. The film became and over-night sensation and received several awards and nominations, including two Academy Awards for Best Original Song (“Fame”) and Best Original Score, as well as a Golden Globe for Best Original Song. Such was the success of the film that it was followed in 1982 by a television series that ran for five years; in 1988 and 2003 by two stage musicals; and by a film remake released in 2009.

Fame, the song, was written as the film’s theme piece by Michael Gore (music) and Dean Pitchford (lyrics). It was performed in the film by Irene Cara, who also played the role of Coco Hernandez. Fame reached number four on the Billboard Hot 100 in August 1980. It was released in the United Kingdom in 1982 following the airing of the television series and spent three weeks at number one in the UK singles chart. The song also reached number one in Ireland, the Netherlands and New Zealand. In Australia and Sweden it made it to number three.

This song, arranged here for SSA and SABar choirs, with piano accompaniment, nicely captures the spirit of the young performing arts students determined to achieve fame and, by so doing, make sure that people will always remember their names.