Cher is the self-titled eighteenth studio album by American singer-actress Cher, released on November 10, 1987 by Geffen Records.[3] Worldwide the album has sold 2 million copies.
Album information
Five years after the release of Cher's last album I Paralyze and her decision to focus on a film career, Cher signed with Geffen Records (which would later absorb one of her former labels, MCA Records) and was rushed to the studio to record what would become her comeback album. The self-titled album Cher was released in the fall of 1987. The record was produced by Michael Bolton, Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora and Desmond Child. Among the notable guest artists, Bonnie Tyler and Darlene Love were backing vocalists on "Perfection".
After a series of pop and disco records, Cher moved to a radio-friendly rock sound, which helped her get back onto the charts. The album includes a new version of her 1966 hit "Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)," Michael Bolton's "I Found Someone," which Bolton and Mark Mangold had originally written and composed for, and which had initially been recorded by, Laura Branigan, several songs written by Desmond Child, and two by Diane Warren, who would go on to write many more songs for the singer.[4]
The album reached #26 in the UK, and peaked at #32 on the US Billboard album charts.[5] The first single released from the album and its only UK top 10 hit was "I Found Someone," which reached #5 in the UK and #10 in the US.[6] The second single, "We All Sleep Alone," peaked at #14 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart and just missed breaking the Adult Contemporary top 10 in the US, stalling at #11.[6] It was less successful in the UK, however, peaking at #47. The album's other singles were "Skin Deep," "Bang-Bang," and "Main Man," the last two released only as promo singles in North America.
This was also her second album to be named "Cher," as Gypsys, Tramps And Thieves was initially released under the name Cher before it was retitled following the success of the single of the same name.[7] She also released a similarly-titled studio album in 1966 entitled Chér.
Promotion
The album was promoted on Saturday Night Live, where she performed "I Found Someone" and "We All Sleep Alone", and on the Late Show with David Letterman, where she performed "I Found Someone" and "I Got You Babe". Later released on VHS, the Letterman performance would be her last with ex-husband Sonny Bono before his death. The album was also promoted on UK television.
Track listing
1. |
"I Found Someone" | Michael Bolton, Mark Mangold |
3:42 |
2. |
"We All Sleep Alone" | Desmond Child, Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora |
3:53 |
3. |
"Bang-Bang" (1987 version) | Sonny Bono |
3:51 |
4. |
"Main Man" | Child |
3:48 |
5. |
"Give Our Love a Fightin' Chance" | Child, Diane Warren |
4:06 |
6. |
"Perfection" (featuring Bonnie Tyler and Darlene Love) | Child, Warren |
4:28 |
7. |
"Dangerous Times" | Roger Bruno, Susan Pomerantz, Ellen Schwartz |
3:01 |
8. |
"Skin Deep" | Jon Lind, Mark Goldenberg |
4:16 |
9. |
"Working Girl" | Child, Bolton |
3:57 |
10. |
"Hard Enough Getting Over You" | Bolton, Doug James Cher* |
3:48 |
- Notes
- "I Found Someone" was originally recorded by Laura Branigan and appears on her 1985 album Hold Me. Michael Bolton, one of its two joint authors-composers, who produced Cher's version for his MBO Productions company, later recorded his own version, which he first released on his album Greatest Hits (1985-1995).
- "Bang-Bang" was previously recorded for Cher's second studio album The Sonny Side of Chér in 1966.
Personnel and production
- Tracks 1 & 10 arranged & produced by Michael Bolton for MBO Productions, with additional production on track 10 by Albhy Galuten. Recorded by Michael Christopher; Mixed by David Thoener. John McCurry, Steve Lukather, Ira Siegel: guitars; Doug Katsaros, Jeff Bova, Phillip Ashley: keyboards; Will Lee: bass; Chris Parker, Albhy Galuten: drums, percussion; Patty Darcy, Vicki Sue Robinson: backing vocals. Track 1 recorded at Power Station & A&M Studios; mixed at The Record Plant. Track 10 recorded at Power Station, Oceanway Studios & Soundtrack Studios; Mixed at The Record Plant.
- Tracks 2 & 3 Arranged & produced by Desmond Child, Jon Bon Jovi & Richie Sambora. Recorded by Sir Arthur Payson at Electric Lady, The Hit Factory, Bearsville Studios, A&M Studios & Giant Sound, with additional recording on track 3 by Rob Jacobs & Shelly Yakus. Mixed By Bob Rock at Little Mountain Sound. Jon Bon Jovi, Bernie Shanahan, Desmond Child, Joe Lynn Turner, Louis Merlino, Michael Bolton, Myriam Valle: backing vocals; Richie Sambora: guitars, backing vocals; David Bryan: keyboards; Chuck Kentis: additional keyboards; Holly Knight: backing vocals & additional keyboards; Alec John Such: bass; Tico Torres: drums, percussion.
- Tracks 4-6 & 9 Arranged & produced by Desmond Child. Recorded by Sir Arthur Payson at Bearsville Studios & The Hit Factory; assisted by Gene Parciasepe; Mixed by David Thoener at Bearsville Studios, except track 9 (mixed at The Record Plant). John McCurry, John Putnam: guitars; Chuck Kentis, Gregg Mangiafico: keyboards, synthesizers; Bette Sussman: acoustic piano on tracks 4 & 5; Seth Glassman: bass on track 4; John Siegler: bass on track 5; Tony Levin: bass on track 9; Jerry Marotta, Jimmy Bralower: drums, percussion; Bernie Shanahan, Desmond Child, Elaine Caswell, Joe Lynn Turner, Louis Merlino, Myriam Valle, Bonnie Tyler, Darlene Love: backing vocals.
- Track 7 Arranged & produced by Peter Asher. Recorded & mixed by Frank Wolf. Recorded at Schnee Studios, The Complex & Record One; mixed at The Complex. Michael Landau, Waddy Wachtel: guitars; Bob Mann: lead guitar; Bill Payne: keyboards; Larry Klein: bass; Carlos Vega: drums; Peter Asher, Mike Fisher: percussion; Arnold McCuller, Rosemary Butler: backing vocals.
- Track 8 Arranged & produced by Jon Lind. Recorded by Csaba Petocz & Daren Klein at The Grey Room & One on One Studios. Mixed By David Thoener at The Record Plant. Michael Thompson: guitars; John Van Tongeren: synthesizers, synthesized bass; Mark Morgan: synthesized organ; Jimmy Haslip: electric bass; Craig Krampf: drums, drum programming; Maurice White: vocal vamping; Debra Dobkin, Julia & Maxine Waters: backing vocals.
Charts and certifications
Weekly charts
|
Year-end charts
Chart (1988) |
Peak position |
US Billboard 200[14] |
67 |
Certifications and sales
|
References
- ↑ Jose F. Promis. "Cher Review". Allmusic. Retrieved 2009-02-04.
- ↑ Brackett, Nathan; Christian Hoard (2004). The Rolling Stone Album Guide. New York City, New York: Simon and Schuster. p. 158. ISBN 0-7432-0169-8.
- ↑ Allmusic Release Information Retrieved October 15, 2013
- ↑ "Cher Review". CherScholar.com. Retrieved 2009-02-04.
- ↑ "Artist Chart History- Cher". Retrieved 2009-06-09.
- 1 2 "Artist Chart History- Cher (Singles)". Retrieved 2009-06-09.
- ↑ "Allmusic: Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves". Retrieved 2013-01-28.
- ↑ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988-2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
- ↑ "RPM 100 Albums". RPM. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
- ↑ "Hits of the World" (PDF). Billboard. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
- ↑ "[1987&cat=a Swedishcharts.com – Cher – Cher [1987]"]. Hung Medien. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
- ↑ "Cher | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart Retrieved November 6, 2015.
- ↑ "Cher – Chart history" Billboard 200 for Cher. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
- ↑ "Top Pop Albums" (PDF). Billboard. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
- ↑ ARIA Cher data
- ↑ "British album certifications – Cher – Cher". British Phonographic Industry. Enter Cher in the field Keywords. Select Title in the field Search by. Select album in the field By Format. Select Gold in the field By Award. Click Search
- ↑ "American album certifications – Cher – Cher". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Album, then click SEARCH
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