Pop Icon Spotlight: The Best of Cher

Cheyenne Johnson
4 days ago
5 min read

Dubbed the "Goddess of Pop," Cher has been an influential figure in pop culture with a career that spans over six decades. The American singer rose to fame in 1965, performing as part of the folk-rock duo Sonny & Cher and earning some solo top ten singles like "Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)." In the 70s, she began topping the US Billboard Hot 100 with narrative pop tracks like "Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves" and "Dark Lady." After switching her focus to acting, Cher reemerged in a hair metal style with the highly successful albums Cher (1987), Heart of Stone (1989), and Love Hurts (1991). She switched gears again in 1998 with her album Believe, reaching a commercial peak as she embraceddance-pop and introduced her signature stylized use of auto-tune to distort her vocals. Truly an icon in the pop world, Cher is one of the best-selling artists in history, amassing an estimated 100 million records sold globally. Among her many achievements, she is a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, the only solo artist with number one singles on the US Billboard charts in seven consecutive decades, and has received a Grammy, and Emmy, and the Billboard Icon Award. Though it is impossible to encapsulate such a prolific career in one article, here are some of our favorite Cher songs in our "Pop Icon Spotlight: The Best of Cher."

10. "DJ Play a Christmas Song"

The lead single from her 2023 Christmas album, Cher's "DJ Play a Christmas Song" brings an infectious dance-pop twist to the holiday. The track has an upbeat, vibrant soundscape, featuring Cher's deep, powerful vocals, dazzling synths, and unforgettable melodies. Rightfully so, "DJ Play a Christmas Song" earned Cher her first Billboard Hot 100 in 21 years, peaking at number 90. If you've ever craved a song similar to "Believe" but make it Christmas, then "DJ Play a Christmas Song" is a must-listen.

9. "All I Really Want to Do"

Cher's debut single, "All I Really Want to Do" was released in May of 1965 and was included on her first studio album of the same name. The track was originally written and recorded by Bob Dylan in 1964 and was covered by Cher after she heard The Byrds perform it during their pre-fame residency at Ciro's nightclub in March 1965. It was a huge success for Cher, earning her a spot on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 15.

8. "Super Trouper"

Part of the soundtrack for Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, "Super Trouper" was released in July of 2018 and is one of Cher's current top songs on Spotify. The track is a cover of Swedish pop group ABBA's hit song and is performed by the whole main cast of the film, which includes Cher.

7. "Walking in Memphis"

Originally written and recorded by American singer-songwriter Marc Cohn, Cher breathed new life into "Walking in Memphis" in 1995. The track was released as part of her 21st studio album, It's a Man's World, serving as the album's lead single in the UK. Though the song was not as successful in the US, Cher's version of "Walking in Memphis" debuted at number 11 on the UK Singles chart and is a gorgeous version of the popular pop-rock song.

6. "The Shoop Shoop Song (It's In His Kiss)"

Another fun cover, Cher's version of "The Shoop Shoop Song (It's In His Kiss)" was recorded for the soundtrack of her 1990 film, Mermaids. The track was originally written by Rudy Clark and recorded by Merry Clayton in 1963, later being covered by several artists before Cher's 1990 release. It was a huge hit for Cher, earning her a spot on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 33 and her first solo number one single on the UK charts.

5. "I Got You Babe"

One of the most famous songs by Sonny & Cher, "I Got You Babe" is a folk-rock and pop track that served as the first single from the duo's debut studio album, Look At Us. It was released in July of 1965 and spent three weeks at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 in August of the same year. A huge commercial success for the artists, "I Got You Babe" sold more than one million copies in the US and was certified Gold by the RIAA while also reaching number one in the UK and Canada.

4. "Half-Breed"

One of the artist's more profound works, "Half-Breed" was written by Al Capps and Mary Dean and was recorded by Cher in 1973. The pop track features a narrative that tackles themes of racism and double standards, describing the life of a girl who faces oppression and societal rejection due to having a Cherokee mother and white father. Intended for the American market, "Half-Breed" hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100, giving Cher her second solo number one hit in the US. The hit was certified Gold in 1974, selling over 1 million copies.

3. "Just Like Jesse James"

Coming from her 19th studio album, "Just Like Jesse James" was released in 1989 as the third North American and second European single from Heart of Stone. The track is an epic pop-rock power ballad, featuring Cher's powerhouse vocals and lush instrumentals. "Just Like Jesse James" was another commercial hit for the artist, peaking at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 and becoming Cher's third top ten single from Heart of Stone in the US. Though it might not be one of Cher's favorite songs, it remains to be a fan favorite as it is currently one of her top songs on Spotify.

2. "Believe"

The artist's most successful single and one the best-selling singles in history, it's safe to say that "Believe" is one of the first tracks you think of when you think of Cher. Released as the lead single from Cher's 22nd studio album of the same name, "Believe" saw an artist reborn in 1998 as Cher departed from her previous music and dove headfirst into dance-pop/electropop. The track serves as an anthem for the broken hearted, incorporating themes of empowerment and self-sufficiency after a breakup.

1. "If I Could Turn Back Time"

Another signature Cher song, "If I Could Turn Back Time" is an iconic pop-rock/soft-rock power ballad from the artist's 19th studio album, Heart of Stone. The track was released as the album's lead single in 1989 and is considered to be one of Cher's greatest hits. It peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and became the artist's first number one hit in Australia. "If I Could Turn Back Time" has been performed on seven of Cher's concert tours and continues to be a fan favorite to this day as it has reached over 358 million streams on Spotify. Catching the attention of others in the entertainment industry, "If I Could Turn Back Time" has been covered by several artists and was featured on the soundtrack of Deadpool 2.

What are some of your favorite Cher songs? Did you hear any you love in this list? Let us know on our socials!

Written By Cheyenne Johnson