Let's talk about Cher
Finally, a gay guy with opinions about Cher!
A few weeks ago, I decided to listen to every Cher album. Including her debut with Sonny, and not including her recent Christmas album, that is 28 albums. The longest discography deep dive I have completed up until now is Kylie Minogue, and that was only 15 albums at the time. The good news is that Cher’s early albums are short, repetitive and not great! My mantra for the first few albums was “I just need to get through the 60s.” I later adjusted that to the 70s, but more on that later. Also, I’d like to thank Cher Scholar for serving as a tour guide through this experience. Anyway, here are my thoughts on the first decade of her career.
Look At Us, by Sonny & Cher (1965)
Recorded alongside producer, husband and frequent collaborator Sonny Bono, this was Cher’s debut album. I hated it! It was among the longest 36 minutes of my life. As kitschy as it was repetitive. Up until this point, I had considered listening to all of their joint albums. I drew the line about halfway through this one.
Favorite: “I Got You Babe” (of course)
All I Really Want to Do (1965)
I liked this one a lot more than “Look At Us.” It does however remain monotonous, and she has yet to develop her distinct vocals or style. Frankly, it doesn’t sound like Chér (she had yet to drop the accent over the “e”). Nine out of twelve songs are covers, and I didn’t really know any of them. I won’t be going back to this one.
Favorite: “All I Really Want to Do”
The Sonny Side of Chér (1966)
Another snooze fest I fear. Ten out of twelve songs were covers, including a bizarre rendition of “The Girl From Ipanema.” This album did have the musical spaghetti western “Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down),” which is great. Chér always kills it on a story-based song. Nothing else was really of note.
Favorite: "“Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)”
Chér (1966)
This was the first of Chér’s three self-titled albums — not including albums that otherwise include her name (see “Cherished”). She was pumping these albums out! And you can tell. Eleven out of twelve songs are covers, and I still don’t know any of the songs.
Favorite: “Alfie” I guess
With Love, Chér (1967)
This is a big step up, in my opinion. Chér is really starting to sound like herself, at least vocally. She especially leans into her deep vocals on opener (and one of three original songs) “You Better Sit Down Kids.” The song is about two parents telling their children that they’re getting divorced, and Chér plays the father. It’s fun, sad, and a little kooky, which I always want more of. Notably, Chér herself wouldn’t get divorced from Sonny for eight more years.
Favorite: “You Better Sit Down Kids”
Backstage (1968)
Another album of all covers. I love the album artwork! That’s kind of it. Chér sings The Click Song in Xhosa, which is neat.
Favorite: “A House Is Not a Home”
3614 Jackson Highway (1969)
Chér is free from Sonny’s production for the first time, and the difference is palpable. I understand that Sonny is a very well respected and lauded producer, but everything just felt so flat prior to this. It’s also possible this is just aligned with technological advancements. Anyway, this is another cover album but I really like the twang throughout. It’s her first album that sounds at all different from her previous work, and that was very refreshing.
Favorite: “For What It’s Worth”
Frankly, this section of Cher’s career was hard to get through. I persevered, and I prayed the 70s will be better. Stay tuned, and I’ll let you know what I think.
In recent music
There were a lot of major pop releases as of late, but I would like to give a particular shoutout to Rose Gray, who released her new album, “Louder Please,” just last week. The album is British dance-pop at its finest, and it’s been doing wonders for my motivation. The standout is “Angel of Satisfaction,” a relatively simple song, but one that just does it for me.
Oh also, the new Shygirl single, “True Religion” (feat. Isabella Lovestory & PinkPantheress) is fantastic. Shygirl has been releasing a lot of music lately in preparation for “Club Shy Room 2,” due in about three weeks. With every release, I’m just getting more and more excited. Check out “True Religion” below: