Cher, a name synonymous with pop music royalty, boasts a career spanning decades. Yet, as the 1990s drew to a close, even icons face the ever-shifting tides of popular culture. Boy bands and girl groups dominated the charts, and teen-pop reigned supreme. For her 22nd studio album, Cher needed more than just new songs; she needed a sonic earthquake, a reinvention that would resonate with a new generation while honoring her established fanbase. Enter “Believe,” a song that would not only redefine Cher’s image but also cement her legacy for the 21st century and beyond.
From Demo Doubts to Dancefloor Domination: The Making of “Believe”
The journey of “Believe” from a demo to a global phenomenon was not straightforward. Songwriters Brian Higgins, Matt Gray, Stuart McLennen, and Tim Powell initially crafted the track. However, as producer Mark Taylor recounted to Sound On Sound in 1999, the initial reaction was mixed: “Everyone loved the chorus but not the rest of the song.” This demo, deemed promising yet incomplete, landed in the hands of Taylor and co-producer Brian Rawling. They were tasked with a crucial mission: to sculpt “Believe” into an anthem, a transformative piece that would catapult Cher back to the forefront of pop music as the millennium approached. This wasn’t just about creating a hit song; it was about crafting a moment, a cultural reset for an artist who had already conquered multiple eras.
Cher: An Enduring Icon and LGBTQ+ Ally
Cher’s impact transcends music charts; she is a cultural icon, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community. Her decades-long career, marked by resilience and reinvention, mirrors the journeys of many within the LGBTQ+ community. Her flamboyant fashion and unapologetic individuality have made her a muse for drag queens worldwide. As Thomas Rogers noted in Salon, Cher’s narrative of overcoming adversity resonates deeply with the LGBTQ+ experience, reflecting “the pain that many” individuals “suffer on their way out of the closet.” From navigating career dips in the late 60s to personal struggles, including her divorce from Sonny Bono and health challenges, Cher has consistently demonstrated strength and perseverance.
However, Cher’s allyship goes beyond symbolic resonance. In 1979, during a Las Vegas residency, she broke ground by featuring drag queens on stage, a move Canadian magazine Maclean’s hailed as making her “one of the first to bring drag to the masses.” Her personal life further underscores her commitment to the LGBTQ+ community. Her eldest child, Chaz Bono, first came out as lesbian before transitioning to male, publicly and authentically living his truth.
Cher’s connection with the LGBTQ+ community started early. In a GLAAD interview, she recalled her first encounter with gay men at age 12, describing them as “much more fun than the regular men that came over to visit.” This early positive exposure blossomed into lifelong advocacy. Cher became a vocal activist, aligning herself with the growing movement of LGBTQ+ musicians and advocates demanding equality. Her efforts were recognized in 1998 when GLAAD honored her with the Vanguard Award for her “significant difference in promoting equal rights for lesbian and gay men.”
The Revolutionary “Cher Effect” and the Sound of “Believe”
“Believe”’s iconic status is inextricably linked to its groundbreaking sound, famously dubbed the “Cher Effect.” Initially attributed to the Digitech Talker vocoder pedal by co-producer Mark Taylor, the distinctive vocal effect was later revealed to be the work of Antares’ Auto-Tune software. This wasn’t just simple pitch correction; it was a creative manipulation of the technology. By setting Auto-Tune to its fastest correction speed, producers created a uniquely robotic yet undeniably human vocal timbre, a sound that became instantly recognizable as Cher’s signature on the track. This innovative use of Auto-Tune wasn’t just a production trick; it was a sonic revolution that influenced pop music for years to come.
The impact of “Believe” was undeniable. It became the best-selling single in the US in 1999, dominated the UK charts for seven weeks, and reached Top 10 status in over 25 countries. But beyond its commercial success, “Believe” resonated on a deeper level. It became an anthem of resilience, particularly for the LGBTQ+ community. The song’s message of hope and overcoming adversity, coupled with its liberating dance-pop energy, offered escapism and empowerment. “Believe” served as a potent reminder that even in the face of hardship and discrimination, self-acceptance and freedom are attainable. It was more than just a hit song; it was a cultural touchstone, a testament to Cher’s enduring power and the transformative power of music.
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