Very Best Of Cher, The - Cher

...I must say I knew very little of Cher’s songs when I read them on the back of the CD. I’d had the double CD, featuring tracks from her past albums as well as singles, and with over 44 songs on the album I only knew around six or seven. But, I knew that Cher had her own quality, and I really liked the songs I knew, and gave each a chance. I didn’t regret asking for the album at all, and really wanted to listen to it. I knew that ...
...exact) was “Half Breed”. A very different song, and more Rock than Pop in a way – very different to Cher’s other songs before that. I think “Half Breed” was an important song in her career, because it showed she could – and still can – do so many different tunes, and can succeed in any. “Half Breed” is a song full of hate and anger, and Cher expresses that clearly and wonderfully in the ... more

I don’t think there is a living person on this earth who hasn’t heard of Cher. She’s been around for five decades, had numerous number 1 singles, and has even won an Academy Award (and had two other nominations). But, whenever the name Cher is mentioned in a conversation everyone says – “oh, ‘er!” Why is it that Cher is thought of as a bad person? Is it the endless toy boys? The endless relationships, even? Is it the endless plastic surgery? The endless wigs? Whatever it is, you can’t help but admit that Cher is a legend, and some of her songs have stayed on top for years and years and will probably remain there. So, I was intrigued to hear the new “Very Best Of…” out this Christmas, and put it onto my ever-growing Christmas list.

I must say I knew very little of Cher’s songs when I read them on the back of the CD. I’d had the double CD, featuring tracks from her past albums as well as singles, and with over 44 songs on the album I only knew around six or seven. But, I knew that Cher had her own quality, and I really liked the songs I knew, and gave each a chance. I didn’t regret asking for the album at all, and really wanted to listen to it. I knew that this wasn’t going to be any ordinary “Best Of…” CD…

♥♥ The Tracks ♥♥

Seeing as, on my CD, there’s over 44 songs on the 2 CD’s I’ve decided to review a select few, of what I think are relevant for a buyer to know about, and some that I think are some of her best. It’s weird when you listen to Cher’s early material, and her latter one’s, because it’s obvious that her voice has changed in so many ways. It’s become much more powerful and deeper. I think it’s marvellous that she’s managed to change her voice over the years, and it’s become as good, if not better, than her voice in her younger years. Of course some people say her voice hasn’t changed at all, and that she’s just grown with confidence of the years, and come out of her shell, which to me is the easiest explanation.

The first track on my CD is “Believe” which was first released in 1998. It was what put Cher back on the map. She had a new style, a new groove, and this is what brought her back onto our stereos. Some people find this song tiring and old now, and even though I don’t totally disagree with them, I think it’s changed music in so many ways. When you listen to “Believe” now, it’s not too different to what some of the singles are now, but back in 1998 is was a whole new type of music. Cher brought the music from the nightclubs onto our radios, and changed the music industry in many ways. She got us ready for the new millennium, and as per usual she shocked us with this wonderful tune. It stayed at the top spot for over six weeks, and sold millions of records. Although it doesn’t get a listen from me a lot, I’m still glad it’s there, because it is absolute gold, and a great track. With her computer-operated voice, Cher set out to hit the world once again, and she achieved it.

“Strong Enough” the song Cher released after Believe wasn’t as big as a hit as “Believe”, but still got into the top ten. It still had the nightclub vibe, but lost its touch with being a bit cheesy, but it was still a great Cher hit, in my eyes. And, what most people don’t do with most of Cher’s songs is listen to the words, which to me are quite touching, especially considering she wrote most herself:

“ I’m strong enough to live without you
Strong enough and I quit crying long enough
Now I’m strong enough to know you gorra go”

I do admit that “Strong Enough” is a bit cheesy, but it was great for it’s times. It shows Cher’s great talent at being different, and is a great track.

In 1989 Cher’s music career wasn’t the greatest. Her acting career was going better. But, with the release of her new album “Heart of Stone” came the new sound “If I Could Turn Back Time”. It was a great Cher single, and the words were as great as usual.

“If I could turn back time
If I could find a way
I’d take back all the words that I’d said that hurt
And you could stay.”

That’s something Cher has such great talent at, singing with great emotion, and feeling, and the words echo her voice. Just like “Believe” before the dawning of the Millennium Cher released this before the dawning of the nineties and she showed other artists what the music should be. With the great electric guitars, “If I Could Turn Back Time” is a classic nineties song from the late eighties! If you get me!

“Song For The Lonely” wasn’t released in the UK (I’m not certain whether it was in the U.S.A) but was on her new album “Living Proof” which was released in 2001. Again she used her “new tone of voice” to create a touching hit that captured a lot of fans’ attention. I picked this song to evaluate because it’s one of Cher’s new sounds, and is one of her most haunting tunes. The song doesn’t need the greatest of voices, but it does need a unique one. And luckily Cher’s got a unique and a fantastic voice.

“Walking In Memphis” released in 1995 is my favourite track on the album. With the greatest words to a song ever, and Cher’s fantastic ear for a good beat song, it’s a true classic.

“Saw the ghost of Elvis
Followed him up to the gates of Graceland
Watched him walk right through
Now security they did not see him
They just hovered around his tomb
There’s a pretty little thing, waiting for the King
Down in the jungle room
When I was walking in Memphis”

Those words, to me, are the greatest in any song ever written. Not only like a story, but memorable and catchy. And that’s what makes “Walking In Memphis” Cher’s best to me – the catchiness it has. It’s enough to get anyone off their chair and get them onto the dance-floor. The 90’s served well for Cher, and this release in the mid 90’s was one of – if not the – greatest.

The comic relief tune for 1995 “Love Can A Build A Bridge” was to be sung by Neenah Cherry, Chrissie Hynde and Cher. The three most different female artists of that time, it came as a shock to most. But, their rendition was remarkable. Each is as strong as the next in their voices, but the difference between them is apparent, and what’s made it such a fantastic track. It was so different at the time, and Cher, no stranger to controversy, was the best artist to do it. And the uttering of those words are always touching:

“Love can build a bridge
Between your heart and mine”

That’s why this is a great track on the album – because it made Cher again. And it showed that, like the other two artists, she had something special that others didn’t. This is the first single I ever bought, and is still a treasured one in my collection.

In the summer of 2001 Sophie Ellis Bextor released a cover of Cher’s “Take Me Home” over 20 years after it’s original release in 1979. I fell in love with Sophie’s release straight away. I knew Cher had released it years ago, but never heard it until I listened to the album. I must say it blew me away. Sophie’s a wonderful female artist, but listening to Cher’s rendition and hers there’s no comparison. Cher is by far much more mind-blowing than Sophie, and at one stage, where she holds a note for over 10 seconds, you realise just how wonderful Cher really is. Sure, she releases some singles that the YMCA girl off Pop Idol could sing well, but she truly is a wonderful, and talented singer. And that’s what this track tells me.

With one of the best openings to a song ever:

“Does I he love me I wanna know
How can I tell if he loves me so?”

Sure, the opening to “The Shoop Shoop Song (It’s In His Kiss)” doesn’t sound too good on this screen, but with Cher’s take on the words, and a wonderful beat in the background it really gets you in the mood for the rest of the song. From the 1990 film Mermaids “Shoop Shoop…” was a big hit for Cher, and brought her into the next decade with a bang. She managed to mix her acting skills with her music career and succeed, and made Mermaids, and it’s fantastic soundtrack, a great hit. As stunning as her performance in the film, Cher made “Shoop Shoop…” her own, which is the only thing to do with a cover, especially from the great Betty Everett. A great look-back-and-remember track from the movie.

“ The Music’s No Good Without You”; to me this is one of the weakest tracks on the album. Cher’s originality is totally lost on the track, and she’s over done it on the computer-operated voice. It was a release for her in 2001 in the UK from the album Living Proof, and being one of the worst on the album, was the worst choice for a release. “A Song For The Lonely” was also off that album, and that would have been a much better release over here. It’s simply an ooh-we-had-a-hit-with-a-song-similar-to-this-let’s-release-one-similar single, and even the words are a tad pathetic. Sorry, Cher, but the albums much better without this one (see the play on the words, there, folks?!)

Cher’s first 70’s number 1 was “Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves” and was a great solo release. It was her first attempt to step away from Sonny, and she totally succeeded. With a fantastic beat to the song, and wonderful words, the song is not only a great hit in the charts, but with me. Its originality is wonderful, and it’s one of Cher’s greatest and a song she’s remembered for.

“Gypsies tramps and thieves
We hear it people from the town
They call us gypsies tramps and thieves
But every night all the men would come around
And lay their money down.”

Cher managed to knock off the label of “Sonny’s gal” and did it on her own. That’s why, to me, its such a great track on the album – because it’s Cher’s first taste of freedom. Plus it’s simply a wonderful tune.

Cher’s second number 1 single in the 70’s (1973 to be exact) was “Half Breed”. A very different song, and more Rock than Pop in a way – very different to Cher’s other songs before that. I think “Half Breed” was an important song in her career, because it showed she could – and still can – do so many different tunes, and can succeed in any. “Half Breed” is a song full of hate and anger, and Cher expresses that clearly and wonderfully in the song. That’s why to me, it’s such a great song – it’s beat echoes it’s words, as does Cher’s voice. A true classic.

“Dark Lady” another different sort of tune from Cher in 1973 also reached the top spot. It was Cher’s third number one in that decade, and she was only three years in. It was becoming obvious to everyone that Cher was becoming a great success, and leaving Sonny behind. “Dark Lady” is another favourite of mine on the album, and Cher does it very well. I’ve noticed that in Cher’s early career her voice was stronger, and much more powerful, whereas in her latter years, she concentrates on a better tune than her voice. “Dark Lady”, like it’s title, is a very dark tune, not in it’s tune but it’s words:

“Dark lady live and dancing
Lit the candles one by one
Danced to her gypsy music.
Dark lady played black magic
‘til clock struck on the twelve”

Another example of Cher’s wacky yet wonderfully written words. “Dark Lady” was her last 70’s number one, but she still had many other hits.

And back to where it all began. Yes, in 1965, Sonny and Cher released the remaining classic “I’ve Got You Babe”. The song, showing the true love between the lovebirds was a massive hit both in the UK and U.S.A. The love shared between the two in the song, echoed their love in true life. Cher’s voice is so different on this track to the others, which I find interesting, and you see the change to her voice all over the years. The 19 year olds voice is as remarkable as her other tracks, just a bit different, and this is one I often play to remind myself that this is where it all began. This is where Cherilyn LaPieree transformed herself into Cher. The song, penned by Sonny, is both touching and personal for the two of them:

(Cher)”They say were young
And we don’t know
And that we won’t know
Until we grow”
(Sonny) “Well I don’t know
If all that’s true
‘Cos you got me, and baby I got you.”
(Both) “Babe, I got you babe!”

No matter what has been, or what will be released, this truly is, and forever will be the best love song of all time. All time. You can have you’re cheesy “I Will Always Love You.” And Meatloaf’s “I Would Do Anything For Love”, but this, this is the greatest, the truest, and the most personal. This is the classic.

And the final song I’m going to analyse is “Just Like Jesse James”. Released just a year before her hit with “Shoop Shoop…” and in the same year of “If I Could Turn Back Time” (1989), “Just Like Jesse James” is completely different to the other two It’s a difficult song to put under a genre, because it doesn’t seem to be rock, pop or any other. It’s natural, and it really shows off Cher’s great voice. It’s got a great chorus, and it’s whole beat is great. Although not a classic, and certainly not her greatest, it’s still one to remember, and to see that Cher can tackle a movie career and music one.

(Note: Most of the one’s I’ve mentioned are favourite of mine)

♥ Best Tracks ♥
“Walking In Memphis”, “Dark Lady” and “I’ve Got You Babe”

♥ Worst Track ♥
“The Music’s No Good Without You” (But, the only bad one out of 44. Can’t be bad!)

♥♥ Conclusion ♥♥

Being a big fan of Cher, people often ask what I think is best – her music career, or her acting career. I possibly couldn’t comment, because it’s just like asking whether you prefer your Mother or Father. You love them both equally in their own unique ways. And that’s the same with Cher. She’s so many things, and is loved by so many people. She’s one of the world’s biggest gay icons who has come through thick and thin to give us this great album. So, does it matter if she’s messed her face up with plastic surgery? Does it matter if her outfits are a bit risqué? No, it doesn’t! Getting ready to go out, driving to work, sitting down with a glass of wine, even when you’re on the Internet – you can listen to Cher at any time. And I won’t have anyone telling me she hasn’t got a wonderful voice, because she’s one of the greatest artists of my generation (and let’s face it, most peoples!)

The Very Best Of Cher does it exactly what is says on the cover – give you the best of the worlds greatest female artists of our time. Buy It!

© Matt Roberts 2004.

 

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