Album: All I Really Want to Do

Introduction
"All I Really Want to Do" is the debut solo album by Cher, launched in 1965. At the time, the young vocalist was simply 19 years of ages and still a part of the effective duo Sonny & Cher. The album was released on Imperial Records, and includes 12 songs, 7 of which were penned by the famous Bob Dylan. "All I Really Want to Do" marked the start of Cher's remarkable solo profession, establishing her as a formidable existence in the music world.

Background and Production
Cher's debut solo album happened due to the frustrating success of Sonny & Cher's single "I Got You Babe", which reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. In an effort to capitalize on this success, Sonny Bono, Cher's spouse, and record manufacturer, arranged for her to tape-record a solo album. "All I Really Want to Do" was recorded at Gold Star Studios in Los Angeles, with Bono serving as the manufacturer, and Phil Spector's famous "Wall of Sound" strategy employed throughout the record.

Track Listing and Song Themes
The album includes 12 tunes, consisting of seven covers of Bob Dylan classics, showcasing Cher's strong singing capabilities and unique design. The album includes the following tracks:

1. "All I Really Want to Do" (Dylan) - Cher's interpretation of this Dylan classic sets the tone for the album, highlighting her unique voice, and the tune's styles of flexibility and self-questioning.
2. "I Go to Sleep" (Ray Davies) - A tender and haunting ballad penned by The Kinks' Ray Davies.
3. "Needles and Pins" (Jack Nitzsche, Sonny Bono) - A folk-rock rendition of the Searchers' hit, including Bono's influential songwriting skills.
4. "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right" (Dylan) - One of Dylan's most covered songs, Cher puts her own spin on the traditional track about a stopped working relationship.
5. "She Thinks I Still Care" (Dickey Lee Lipscomb) - A mournful nation ballad of unrequited love, originally popularized by George Jones.
6. "Dream Baby" (Cindy Walker) - A light-hearted pop tune, very first taped by Roy Orbison.
7. "The Bells of Rhymney" (Idris Davies, Pete Seeger) - A timeless folk tune about the struggles of Welsh coal miners.
8. "Girl Don't Come" (Sonny Bono) - Another Bono-written track, this upbeat pop song showcases Cher's vocal variety.
9. "See See Rider" (Ma Rainey) - A bluesy rendition of the conventional folk tune, promoted by the "Mother of the Blues", Ma Rainey.
10. "Come and Stay With Me" (Jackie DeShannon) - A catchy pop ballad written by Jackie DeShannon, a popular singer-songwriter of the time.
11. "Cry Myself to Sleep" (Steven Venet, Tommy Boyce) - A heart-wrenching ballad about the discomfort of unrequited love.
12. "Blowin' in the Wind" (Dylan) - Cher's analysis of Dylan's iconic protest anthem brings the album to a powerful close.

Reception and Legacy
"All I Really Want to Do" received generally positive evaluations upon its release, with music critics applauding Cher's mature and distinctive vocals. The album reached number 16 on the United States Billboard 200 chart, while the title track became a top 20 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Although the album did not accomplish the same level of commercial success as Sonny & Cher's releases, "All I Really Want to Do" marked the beginning of an iconic solo career for Cher, and remains an important part of her comprehensive discography.