Alfie
“Alfie,” a song penned by the legendary Burt Bacharach and Hal David for the 1966 film of the same name, is perhaps best recognized through Cilla Black’s classic rendition in the UK. Bacharach initially envisioned Dionne Warwick performing it, but Paramount Pictures sought a British voice for the movie’s soundtrack. For the US release, United Artists opted for a homegrown talent: the then 20-year-old Cher. Produced by her husband at the time, Sonny Bono, Cher’s version brought a unique American flavor to the poignant ballad. Interestingly, Cher was considered to re-record “Alfie” for the 2004 remake, but ultimately, Joss Stone’s cover was chosen instead.
Fernando
Cher and Andy Garcia performing Fernando in Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again
Cher has always embraced her theatrical and glamorous side, a quality that has endeared her to fans for generations. Whether it’s the iconic outfit from the “If I Could Turn Back Time” video or her dazzling performance in the movie “Burlesque,” Cher consistently delivers entertainment that is both captivating and genuine. Her role in the movie musical sequel “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again” as Ruby Sheridan, Donna’s mother, showcased this perfectly. She delivered a memorable performance, singing ABBA classics, most notably “Fernando” in a duet with Andy Garcia. This performance was so well-received that it inspired Cher to release an entire ABBA tribute album, “Dancing Queen,” further highlighting her versatility and willingness to experiment.
Love Can Build a Bridge
Cher, Chrissie Hynde, Neneh Cherry, and Eric Clapton performing Love Can Build a Bridge
Despite her distinctive and powerful individual presence, Cher has a history of successful collaborations. “Love Can Build a Bridge” stands as a prime example. Originally a country hit for The Judds in 1991, this song reached a new audience when a supergroup consisting of Cher, Chrissie Hynde, Neneh Cherry, and Eric Clapton joined forces for a rendition in 1995. Released for Comic Relief, their version soared to the top of the UK Singles Chart, demonstrating the song’s universal message and the collective star power of these diverse artists.
Love and Understanding
Cher in the music video for Love and Understanding
Following the massive success of “The Shoop Shoop Song,” Cher cemented her reign as a pop icon well into the 1990s with “Love and Understanding.” This track, penned by the prolific Diane Warren and co-produced by Warren and Guy Roche, served as a single from her 20th studio album “Love Hurts.” “Love and Understanding” proved to be another hit, reaching the Top 10 in the UK and the Top 20 in the US, showcasing Cher’s consistent ability to deliver chart-topping hits across different eras.
Take Me Home
Cher in the music video for Take Me Home
As the 1970s drew to a close, Cher, after a period of less commercially successful albums, was encouraged to dive into the burgeoning disco scene. Initially hesitant, as was songwriter/producer Bob Esty, their collaboration on “Take Me Home” erased all doubts. This disco-infused track became a massive success, reaching the US Top Ten and earning Gold certification for sales exceeding a million copies. “Take Me Home” marked Cher’s triumphant return to mainstream popularity and demonstrated her adaptability to evolving musical trends. The song’s enduring appeal is evident in Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s stylish revamp and cover in 2001.
The Beat Goes On
Sonny and Cher performing The Beat Goes On
“The Beat Goes On,” one of the few Sonny & Cher classics featured here, reached number six on the US charts in 1967 and was the opening track of their album “In Case You’re in Love.” This song is particularly notable for the contribution of The Wrecking Crew, the legendary session musicians. Bassist Carol Kaye specifically highlighted “The Beat Goes On” as a song transformed by their musical magic. She noted that the original song was unremarkable until she devised the now-iconic syncopated bass line, which gave the track its distinctive and unforgettable character.
Dead Ringer for Love (with Meat Loaf)
Meat Loaf and Cher performing Dead Ringer for Love
Another dynamic collaboration, “Dead Ringer for Love,” paired Cher with the rock icon Meat Loaf. This song highlighted Cher’s rock and roll edge, proving she could hold her own in a high-energy, rock-infused duet. The title track from Meat Loaf’s album “Dead Ringer,” written by Jim Steinman with Cher’s uncredited contributions, was produced by Steinman, Jimmy Iovine, and delivered the bombastic rock sound expected from both artists. “Dead Ringer for Love” reached number 5 in the UK charts and has become a staple on Cher and Meat Loaf compilations, showcasing their surprising but powerful musical synergy.
The Shoop Shoop Song (It’s in His Kiss)
Cher performing The Shoop Shoop Song (It's in His Kiss)
Covering a classic song and making it your own is a significant achievement, especially when the song is as well-known as “The Shoop Shoop Song (It’s in His Kiss).” Written by Rudy Clark, it was initially unsuccessful for Merry Clayton in 1963 but became a hit for Betty Everett in 1964, followed by versions from Ramona King, Linda Lewis, and Linda Ronstadt. Cher’s rendition for the 1990 film “Mermaids” revitalized the song, taking it to number 33 in the US and to the top of the UK Singles Chart. Cher’s version brought a fresh, contemporary feel to the timeless tune, introducing it to a new generation.
Just Like Jesse James
Another collaboration with Diane Warren, this time co-written with Desmond Child, “Just Like Jesse James” is a country-tinged ballad from Cher’s 1989 album “Heart of Stone.” This song became another major hit for Cher, closing out the decade with a successful single. Despite its popularity with fans, Cher has publicly expressed her less-than-enthusiastic feelings for the song.
Cher performing Just Like Jesse James on her Farewell Tour
As Cher humorously admitted during her Farewell Tour, she initially disliked “Just Like Jesse James,” finding it “kinda crap” despite its chart success. She confessed to avoiding performing it for a long time before eventually relenting for her farewell tour. Her main issue seemed to be the song’s lyrical complexity, joking about rambling due to old age while introducing it as the “king song,” highlighting the ironic relationship between artist and hit song.
Walking in Memphis
Cher performing Walking in Memphis
“Walking in Memphis” was already a hit for its writer Marc Cohn five years before Cher recorded it, even earning a Grammy nomination for Song of the Year. Cher’s version, featured on her 1995 album “It’s a Man’s World,” achieved significant success, reaching number 11 in the charts. While not as commercially dominant as Cohn’s original, Cher’s rendition has become equally beloved, showcasing her ability to interpret and personalize songs, making them distinctly her own.
Believe
Cher in the groundbreaking music video for Believe
After a relatively quieter period in the 1990s, Cher made a monumental comeback in 1998 with “Believe,” proving her enduring relevance. “Believe” was more than just a hit song; it was a pop culture phenomenon and a musical game-changer. Its innovative use of Auto-Tune, pushed to its extreme by producer Mark Taylor, created a vocal effect that was entirely new and instantly recognizable. While Auto-Tune had been used subtly for vocal correction, Taylor’s bold application for “Believe” created a revolutionary sound. Initially hesitant, Cher embraced the effect, and despite record label reservations, it became a defining element of the song. Taylor and co-producer Brian Rawling initially tried to conceal the technique, attributing it to a Vocoder, but the secret soon emerged, and the “Cher effect” revolutionized pop music in the 2000s. “Believe” topped charts globally, achieving Platinum status in the US and quadruple platinum in the UK, cementing its place as one of Cher’s signature songs.
Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves
Cher in the music video for Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves
“Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves,” the lead single from Cher’s 1971 album “Chér,” produced by Snuff Garrett and written by Bob Stone, marked a crucial turning point in her career. After initial career stumbles as a solo artist separate from Sonny Bono, this song became her breakthrough, reaching number one in the US and the Top 5 in the UK. “Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves” was the first song Cher recorded with The Wrecking Crew and successfully blended her folk roots with a more mainstream pop-rock sound, establishing her as a distinct solo artist.
Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)
Cher in the original music video for Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)
“Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)” is a song that has enjoyed a rich and varied life through numerous covers and samples. While Nancy Sinatra’s 1966 version gained renewed popularity after its inclusion in Quentin Tarantino’s “Kill Bill Volume 1,” Cher’s original version, penned by Sonny Bono, predates Sinatra’s by three months. Featured on her second album, “The Sonny Side of Chér,” “Bang Bang” became Cher’s first million-selling single and her last Top 3 UK hit until “The Shoop Shoop Song” in the 1990s.
Cher performing Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down) live at The Mirage
While Nancy Sinatra’s rendition is often favored for its minimalist and haunting quality, Cher’s reimagining of “Bang Bang” for her “Extravaganza: Live at the Mirage” video offers a compelling alternative. This live version transforms the song into a powerful rock anthem. Performed in her iconic “If I Could Turn Back Time” outfit and hairstyle, Cher delivers a guitar-heavy, rock-infused rendition that showcases her versatility and rock sensibilities. The “Extravaganza” version recasts “Bang Bang” as a dramatic, guitar-driven rock spectacle.
If I Could Turn Back Time
Cher in the iconic music video for If I Could Turn Back Time
“If I Could Turn Back Time,” now one of Cher’s most recognized and beloved songs, almost didn’t happen. Cher initially rejected the song when Diane Warren presented it, unimpressed with Warren’s demo. Diane Warren famously recounted her persistence, literally getting on her knees and pleading with Cher until she agreed to record it. This single from 1989’s “Heart of Stone” became a career highlight for Cher, propelled by a visually striking and controversial music video. Filmed on the USS Missouri battleship with real Navy personnel, the video, featuring Cher in a revealing one-piece swimsuit and fishnet stockings, became instantly iconic. MTV initially banned the video before 9 pm due to its perceived raciness, leading to a less provocative edit, but the original version remains a landmark in music video history.
I Got You Babe
Sonny and Cher performing I Got You Babe on The Ed Sullivan Show
While overplayed in the film “Groundhog Day,” “I Got You Babe” in any other context remains an enduring classic. A number one hit on both sides of the Atlantic, this Sonny & Cher signature song, with its blend of folk and rock sounds, backing by The Wrecking Crew, and Sonny Bono’s production, became an anthem of the 1960s.
Sonny and Cher's final reunion performance of I Got You Babe on Letterman in 1987
Cher revisited “I Got You Babe” throughout her career, and despite a turbulent divorce from Sonny Bono in the mid-1970s, they reunited for a poignant final performance on “Late Night with David Letterman” in 1987. The song has been covered numerous times, notably by UB40 featuring Chrissie Hynde, whose version topped the UK charts. Cher herself even reinterpreted the song with Beavis and Butt-Head for “The Beavis and Butt-Head Experience” album in 1993, demonstrating its lasting appeal and adaptability across genres and generations.
