She’s ‘Fallen,’ and She’s Getting Up

The name Lauren Wood might not trip the memory, but one of her songs sure does.

Initially released with little fanfare on her first solo album, the singer-songwriter’s romantic ballad “Fallen” was prominently featured in the blockbuster 1990 film “Pretty Woman.”

That movie’s soundtrack has sold 15 million copies worldwide, and “Fallen”--an international hit--has been covered by Johnny Mathis and Larry Coryell, among others. The tune also remains in rotation on adult-contemporary radio stations.

Wood, who performs today at Border’s Books & Music in Mission Viejo, is one of those in-demand, if still unsung, artists who work steadily behind the scenes. Other songs of hers have been covered by the likes of Gladys Knight, Philip Bailey, Cher, Tiffany, Dusty Springfield, Sammy Hagar and Nicolette Larson. She has contributed material to the movie “Police Academy III” and numerous TV series (“Just Shoot Me” as well as “WKRP in Cincinnati” an “Knots Landing”).

Despite the projects and accolades, Wood says she has been typecast as one-dimensional. Intent on breaking away from the sound that unfolds over four albums on Warners Bros. Records, she’s launched her own label, Bad Art Records.

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“The success of ‘Fallen’ has been like 99% fabulous for me,” Wood said by phone from her home in the hills above Hollywood. “People still love it, and radio programmers have told me it’s a classic for that particular genre. But because of that one popular song, I’ve been cast into this real soft, airy, romantic singer mold.”

With the release of her new album, “Lauren Wood,” she hopes to cast a new image.

“I do like singing that ‘Fallen’-ish kind of song, but right now, that’s just not where I’m at. With this record, a little bit more of my wacky side just kinda came tumblin’ on out. The music’s also a little more aggressive and edgy. I still admire the brilliant songwriters . . . Sting, Peter Gabriel, Paul Simon, Randy Newman and Joni Mitchell. But the stuff that I’m actually listening to is Fiona Apple, Beck and Radiohead.”

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Thematically similar to her previous material, the new album digs into the ups-and-downs of relationships. Musically it ventures further afield. In addition to synth- and folk-based textures, there are some scorching electric guitar passages and a few eerie, moody sound-scapes generated by cello and viola accenting.

At times, vulnerability and a sense of desperation seem to collide in her songs, as in the thought-provoking “All I Need.” Its heartbroken protagonist cries out: “I’ve been leaning on my sanity / but it’s time to let it go . . . “

Will Bad Art better capture the multidimensional artist?

“One big advantage is that since I’m the [label] president, I don’t get ignored,” Wood said with a laugh. “Actually, things were cool with Warner Bros. on an artistic level. But in terms of promotion, I just didn’t get the push that I wanted. What’s really interesting now is to put out a publicity package that’s really me. It’s like, ‘Wow--what a concept!’ ”

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As her press bio illustrates, music is but one piece of this quirky and ambitious puzzle. Wood’s turquoise-and-pink home features a cornucopia of kitschy, ‘50s-era art, a faux zebra carpet and a large sofa with two eyeballs. Wood says she offers personal tours through her “nothing-over-99-cents” Hall of Bad Art, which, she quickly points out, includes only the best of the bad.

“Bad art is not just [made] by somebody who is simply a bad artist,” she suggested. “It has to have some measure of talent behind it. You’ve got to see in the art that its creator is actually pretty good, but somehow in the subject matter, he or she has gone totally awry. You know, rather than the typical Elvis on velvet, the work makes you think to yourself, ‘What was this person thinking?’ ”

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Living among the bad art are a pair of caged jerboas--a.k.a. kangaroo rats--and two beloved cats, Ducky and Schpoogie. Along with another feline, the late Bunny, these cats have played prominently in Wood’s greeting card enterprise, Cat Tricks, which she formed more than 10 years ago with business partner Sherry Barnett.

The cards feature Wood’s cats dressed up and posing as famous characters, from Elvis and Madonna to the line’s biggest-seller, Groucho Marx.

(A humorous disclaimer appears on the back of each card, stating: “Bunny and Ducky perform absolutely free of drugs or physical restrictions of any kind. They prefer only a small glass of white wine before each photography session.”)

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Despite her involvement in other enterprises, Wood’s priorities remain writing, editing, engineering, producing and performing her music. Still, one new adventure has her purring:

“I recently did my first animation voice-over, and Disney used it in their cartoon [series] called ‘Jungle Cubs,’ ” she said. “I had to actually write lyrics for a song [“Everything’s Gonna Be Right With the World”] being sung by a bear to an ape. Now how much did I love that?”

* Lauren Wood performs today at Borders Books & Music, 25222 El Paseo, Mission Viejo. 6:30 p.m. Free. (714) 367-0055.