advertisement
FYI

Paul Shaffer Enters Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame

Co-penned by Paul Shaffer and Paul Jabara in 1979 and originally intended for Donna Summer, It's Raining Men became a massive hit for The Weather Girls in 1982, reaching No. 1 on Billboard’s Dance Club Songs chart and all these years later earns Shaffer recognition and an induction to the CHSF. With video,

Paul Shaffer Enters Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame

By FYI Staff

It’s a long way from Thunder Bay to stardom on US late night TV (as David Letterman’s sidekick and musical director for a record-setting 33-years), and the fascinating career of keyboardist/songwriter Paul Shaffer has just earned another milestone. Tomorrow (Feb. 25), in a virtual induction ceremony on Global TV, Shaffer will be added to the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame (CSHF) for co-writing the disco classic and gay anthem, It’s Raining Men. The segment on Global’s The Morning Show will include a performance by Shaffer, in honour of the late Paul Jabara, co-writer of the hit song.


advertisement

Co-penned by the two Pauls in 1979 and originally intended for Donna Summer, It's Raining Men became a massive hit for The Weather Girls in 1982, reaching No. 1 on Billboard’s Dance Club Songs chart. It repeated that feat when Martha Wash of The Weather Girls re-recorded It’s Raining Men: The Sequel with drag queen RuPaul in 1997. Fast forward to 2001, when Spice Girl Geri Halliwell covered the song for release as the first single to her second solo album. The song made No. 1 in the UK, France, Italy, and Ireland and peaked at No. 11 on Billboard’s Hot Canadian Digital Song Sales that same year.

In a CSHF press release, Shaffer notes that “Of all the honours one can receive, recognition from one’s home country is the most meaningful. I know my late co-author, Paul Jabara, is proud of me as I thank the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame for auspiciously acknowledging our song, It’s Raining Men." 

A Grammy winner, Shaffer is a member of the Order of Canada, and has a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame.

Read more about the colourful history of the song here.

Watch an item on Shaffer on CBC's The National here

advertisement

advertisement
Sum 41
Courtesy Photo

Sum 41

Rock

Sum 41 Release Two Swan Song Spotify Singles Ahead of Final Performance at 2025 Junos

The stripped back version of hit "Landmines" and cover of Rage Against The Machine's "Sleep Now In The Fire" are available now on Spotify as the pop-punk band veterans prepare for their last bow.

Sum 41 are making some final noise before they call it day.

The Canadian pop-punk icons have released two Spotify singles ahead of their final broadcast performance at the 2025 Junos this Sunday, March 30.

keep readingShow less
advertisement