Cher’s mega-hit album, Believe, is celebrating its 25th anniversary. In honor, a deluxe reissue is hitting stores and online.
Talking to Paper Magazine, Cher discussed the release of her new Christmas album, but also addressed the success of Believe. The album’s fame is due in large part to the unique vocals on the title track. While many believe it is autotune, the pop star stated otherwise.
“It wasn’t autotune. I think there was only one brand and it was called a ‘pitch machine.’ My producers said, ‘I just got this thing and I think I can fix the verses with it.’ And we had a fight, actually…I’d never heard of it, but he kept saying, ‘Cher you gotta sing it better,’ and he said it so many times that I just said, ‘If you want it better, get someone else,’ and I walked out. I asked him about using a vocoder and he went, ‘It won’t work, but I got this pitch machine and I’ve been playing around with it. If I have a couple more hours, I can make it work.’ But I didn’t even know what he was talking about. I know what pitch is, but I had no idea about a machine.”
She also went on to discuss how the unique sound amazed her, because of how it “didn’t sound like me.” While the technology at the time was used mostly to cover up errors in vocals, the song makes a point to show off the strange sounds available to use when the pitch machine is at the forefront. Nowadays, the successor to pitch machines, autotune, is a staple of many musicians’ sounds.
What’s on Cher’s Believe Album
The following is the official description for the album courtesy of Cher’s website:
“The 25th Anniversary Deluxe Edition of Cher’s groundbreaking dance album, Believe, featuring the iconic title track, “Strong Enough,” “All or Nothing,” “Dov’è l’amore” and more! This 3-LP set includes the timeless original album plus two LPs of newly remastered electrifying remixes from the era, compiled together for the first time. Pressed on three unique Clear, Sea Blue & Light Blue LPs, this limited-edition box also contains an exclusive numbered lithograph.”
The official tracklist is as follows:
1. “Believe”
2. “The Power”
3. “Runaway”
4. “All Or Nothing”
5. “Strong Enough”
6. “Dov’e l’amore”
7. “Takin’ Back My Heart”
8. “Taxi Taxi”
9. “Love Is The Groove”
10. “We All Sleep Alone”
11. “Believe (Almighty Definitive Mix)”
12. “Believe (Club 69 Future Anthem Mix)”
13. “Believe (Phat ‘n’ Funky Club Mix)”
14. “Strong Enough (Club 69 Phunk Mix)”
15. “Strong Enough (Male Version)”
16. “Strong Enough (Pumpin’ Dolls Radio Edit)”
17. “All Or Nothing (Almighty Radio Edit)”
18. “All Or Nothing (Austrian Version Metro Mix)”
19. “All Or Nothing (Danny Tenaglias Inchermental)”
20. “Dov’e L’amore (Emilio Estefan Jr. Extended Mix)”
21. “Dov’e L’amore (Tony Moran’s Anthem 7” Mix)”
22. “Dov’e L’amore (Tee’s Radio One Instrumental)” *
23. “Dov’e L’amore (Ray Roc’s Latin Soul Instrumental)” *
* previously unreleased
