Introduction
"Believe" is the twenty-second studio album by American vocalist and actress Cher, released on October 19, 1998, by Warner Bros Records. The album marks a significant departure for Cher, as it incorporates components of dance-pop, Eurodance, and house music, which was quite different from her previous work that mostly consisted of pop rock. The manufacturers for Believe included Rob Dickins, Mark Taylor, and Brian Rawling, among others.
Title track and its importance
The album is best understood for its lead single and title track, "Believe", which ended up being an enormous hit around the world and recognized Cher as a dance music icon. The tune is notable as it featured the pioneering usage of Auto-Tune as a vocal result, which Cher's manufacturers first introduced to her, and she decided to utilize it to offer the song a special and unique sound. This decision proved to be a prominent one, as Auto-Tune went on to play a significant role in pop music in the following years.
"Believe" became a huge industrial success, reaching top in several nations, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. It likewise assisted Cher set the record for the longest gap in between number-one singles, as she initially topped the charts in 1965 with "I Got You Babe" as part of the duo Sonny & Cher. "Believe" remains Cher's highest-selling single to date, with over 10 million copies sold worldwide.
Other album highlights
While "Believe" is unquestionably the standout track on the album, it is not the only hit. Following the success of the title track, 3 more songs were launched: "Strong Enough", "All or Nothing", and "Dov'è L'Amore". All of these tunes have unique elements of disco and dance, with "Strong Enough" and "All or Nothing" both arriving 10 in various countries.
"Dov'è L'Amore", which means "Where is the Love?" in Italian, incorporates Latin music components and functions lyrics in both English and Italian. The music video for this tune also showcases a more emotional and introspective side of Cher. Other noteworthy tracks on the album consist of "Love Is the Groove" and "We All Sleep Alone", which highlight the theme of love and loss, which is prevalent throughout the record.
Vital reception and tradition
The album received blended reviews from music critics, who applauded its catchy dance tracks and experimentation with various musical designs but criticized the heavy use of Auto-Tune and the album's absence of cohesion. However, Believe went on to turn into one of Cher's very popular albums, with over 20 million copies sold worldwide, re-establishing her as a popular song icon and making her a Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording in 1999.
The success of Believe and the title track, in specific, boosted Cher's currently lengthy music profession and functioned as a precursor to her continuous success in the 21st century. In addition, Believe's impact can still be felt today, as the sound of dance music progressed to include more electronic aspects and Auto-Tune, popularized by this album, became a staple in pop music production.
In conclusion, Cher's 1998 album "Believe" represents a considerable turning point in the vocalist's long and storied profession. Its ingenious production methods, dance-pop noise, and sustaining influence on music make it an album worth keeping in mind and celebrating.
Artist: Cher
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