Cher makes music history with her latest No. 1 song

[jobeterob]

Cher makes music history with her latest No. 1 song
Posted January 19, 2011 • 12:24 p.m.

Cher at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace.

Photo: Denise Truscello/WireImage

Superstar Cher has just a few remaining concerts before her final Feb. 5 show at Caesars Palace that ends her three-year contract, but she’s sure going out on top and in high-flying style. In fact, she’s made history and going into the record books. Billboard reports that her new single “You Haven’t Seen the Last of Me” from Burlesque has rocketed to No. 1 on the Dance & Club Play Songs chart.

That means Cher becomes the only star to have had a No. 1 single on a Billboard chart in each of the past six decades. As Cher would say, “Believe” it! Congratulations to the knockout 65-year-old Colosseum headliner. The dance hit can be heard on YouTube.



Cher's You Haven't Seen the Last of Me - from YouTube.com


For history buffs, here’s the historic run: “I Got You Babe” in 1965 with then-husband Sonny Bono. In the 1970s, she had four: “Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves,” “Half Breed,” “Dark Lady” and “All I Ever Need Is You.” In the 1980s, it was “If I Could Turn Back Time” and “After All” from Chances Are. She scored three smashes in the ’90s with “All or Nothing,” “Believe” [[for which she received, incredibly, only her first Grammy Award) and “Strong Enough.” She began the new century with “When the Money’s Gone” and “Different Kind of Love Song.”

When notified of the historic achievement last night, Cher is said to have joked: “There’s something wrong. How can it be six decades when I’m only four decades?!”

We still await word whether the newest song is a forecast of her going on tour again now that she’s declined the renewal residency on The Strip.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

[nomis]

its an ok song its not that great IMHO...

[theboyfromxtown]

It's an amazing achievement though...wow. Well done.

[MissLish]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQNnGocNf7Y

[ms_m]

Thanks for sharing MissLish, I like the song but more importantly and as our VP once said, this is a big effin deal...

I think sometimes people underestimate the power of a strong demographic and Cher has always had tremendous support from the GLBT Community. I also think many underestimate the purchasing power of the GLBT but that's another story.

I can see how this would reach #1. Like Cher's voice or not it's a well written song. Even more so when you compare it to many of the crappy lyrics out here today....also, it's inspirational, which people love especially in times like these....great formula all the way around.

Bravo Cher and Dianne Warren, two sisters who have stayed in the game and have been extremely successful at it. BRAVO!

[olamaebarto]

I adore that gal!

[Penny]

What an amazing accomplishment. Say what you will about Cher but she obviously has staying power and talent. I always enjoy her music.

[ralpht]

What is truly noteworthy here is, in spite of the youth oriented menu of crappy music, we see a 65 year old woman come back in the charts strong. Congratulations, Cher. You make a geezer like me proud.

[smark21]

Well one chart where an older artist can score a number one is the dance play chart if the performer has a large gay following. Acts like Cher, Donna Summer, and Madonna routinely do well on this chart.

[Kamasu_Jr]

What an amazing accomplishment. Say what you will about Cher but she obviously has staying power and talent. I always enjoy her music.

I'm reminded of the joke someone made that said after the nuclear bomb is dropped, there will be nothing left but cockroaches and Cher.

[ms_m]

What is truly noteworthy here is, in spite of the youth oriented menu of crappy music, we see a 65 year old woman come back in the charts strong. Congratulations, Cher. You make a geezer like me proud.

This pre geezerette agrees Ralph!!!!

[Kamasu_Jr]

Cher's song is no. 1 on the dance charts, the dance charts. These are the same folks who bought Kim Zolchiak's Tardy for the Party.

[luke]

lol cher and cockroaches. Cherchez la Cher!!

[jobeterob]

I do agree that No. 1 on the dance charts doesn't mean that much.........BUT it still is a #1 record and it does mean it's getting a lot of play at clubs.

And it is a huge accomplishment for an old lady.

I love that idea that Cher is so well preserved that she will be around after a nuclear blast..........most of her parts have been primped, pulled, pumped full of stuff, shaved, plucked and all that.

She is a grand old gal.

[arrr&bee]

All joke aside this is still an awsome feat regardless of what music chart it's on...congrats cher!!

[ms_m]

Agree Jai.

The dismissive attitude many people take with older artist doing there thing is always disappointing. Then the same people will point fingers at the industry for not paying more attention to older artist.....

Makes you wanna holler and throw up both your hands!

[1382hitsville]

Congrats to Cher!

[Kamasu_Jr]

While it is an achievement for Cher, what makes you wanna really throw up your hands and holler is something like this is great for Cher, but what about some of the veteran black, R& B artists [[ BETTY WRIGHT, ANN PEEBLES, ARETHA, DIANA ROSS, NANCY WILSON, SCHERRIE PAYNE, DARLENE LOVE ) who are still around, still in good voice but they can't get a major label deal. Ain't nothing changed.

[ms_m]

I'll do you one better Kam, In 2008, Labelle had a fantastic, major labeled [[Verve) back CD. [[Back To Now) How many songs, [[be it dance charts or any chart) made it to #1?

You're right on a certain level, there are some things that haven't changed and one of them is this, consumers buy, or not buy records. The more they buy, the higher the chart position and standing.

I could name a slew of artist [[old school) that have brought new music to this very forum, how many have walked away with #1 records?

You can blame major labels all day long [[and in a few areas I will agree 1000%) but no matter how anyone tries to dance around it, it still comes back to support. Cher's fans are not dismissing her achievement they are buying her records!

[Kamasu_Jr]

I'll do you one better Kam, In 2008, Labelle had a fantastic, major labeled [[Verve) back CD. [[Back To Now) How many songs, [[be it dance charts or any chart) made it to #1?

You're right on a certain level, there are some things that haven't changed and one of them is this, consumers buy, or not buy records. The more they buy, the higher the chart position and standing.

I could name a slew of artist [[old school) that have brought new music to this very forum, how many have walked away with #1 records?

You can blame major labels all day long [[and in a few areas I will agree 1000%) but no matter how anyone tries to dance around it, it still comes back to support. Cher's fans are not dismissing her achievement they are buying her records!

I see your point Ms. M, but I don't understand how these fans of Cher [[club goers, DANCE MUSIC fans, GAYS or whatever), will claim they ALSO love Labelle, DIANA, Darlene
Love and the like, but they don't buy their records.

[ms_m]

More follow Cher than the others. Cher is a fierce and outspoken advocate for the GLBT Community. She gives them her loyalty and support and they return in kind.

[ms_m]

P.S ...and understand Kam, that's just part of her support system. There are a lot of "mature women" like myself that cheer her on as well.

Ask yourself this Kam, how is it that the Rolling Stones filled a stadium a millions years ago and can still do it now? The answer...Fan loyalty.

Classic Soul fans talk a great game and yeah they can be loyal.....to the old guard.

They are fiercely loyal in fighting who should be called a Supreme, which Supreme to support, whether a group should hang it up because all the members are no longer there and I could go on for days BUT.....that kind of loyalty doesn't sell records Kam and record execs know it!

[soulster]

The song doesn't do anything for me, but she looks damn good for her age!

[jobeterob]

Sadly, the market is much larger for Cher than Diana or Aretha et al; but Diana in recent years has reached #2 Dance; however Dance sells nothing much; that is a club play chart.

There should be much more support out there for the heritage soul/r&b artists than there is.

[ms_m]

By that logic jobeterob, the sells of any artist that never crossed over to mainstream charts meant nothing.....let's start naming all the Classic Soul Artist that never had a #1 record on a mainstream chart.

A #1 record, is a #1 record.

[smark21]

I'll do you one better Kam, In 2008, Labelle had a fantastic, major labeled [[Verve) back CD. [[Back To Now) How many songs, [[be it dance charts or any chart) made it to #1?

You're right on a certain level, there are some things that haven't changed and one of them is this, consumers buy, or not buy records. The more they buy, the higher the chart position and standing.

I could name a slew of artist [[old school) that have brought new music to this very forum, how many have walked away with #1 records?

You can blame major labels all day long [[and in a few areas I will agree 1000%) but no matter how anyone tries to dance around it, it still comes back to support. Cher's fans are not dismissing her achievement they are buying her records!

They're not necessarily buying her latest release. The song went number 1 on the Club Play chart. That chart measures how often a song is played by DJs at a dance club. Sales are not calculated as part of that chart. Nor is the song in the itunes top 200 singles. However it is the most popular download from the Burlesque soundtrack, though given that most of the other songs are by Christina Aguliera, who is in a major career slump, that's not as awesome a feat as it sounds at the moment.

[smark21]

While it is an achievement for Cher, what makes you wanna really throw up your hands and holler is something like this is great for Cher, but what about some of the veteran black, R& B artists [[ BETTY WRIGHT, ANN PEEBLES, ARETHA, DIANA ROSS, NANCY WILSON, SCHERRIE PAYNE, DARLENE LOVE ) who are still around, still in good voice but they can't get a major label deal. Ain't nothing changed.

Surely Aretha has a recording contract? If not, I'm sure she could get a one album deal given her stature as an artist. And Nancy Wilson is not on a jazz label right now? And is Ross completely without a contract, even in the UK? The others you list make sense, even if it may not be right.

[smark21]

P.S ...and understand Kam, that's just part of her support system. There are a lot of "mature women" like myself that cheer her on as well.

Ask yourself this Kam, how is it that the Rolling Stones filled a stadium a millions years ago and can still do it now? The answer...Fan loyalty.

Classic Soul fans talk a great game and yeah they can be loyal.....to the old guard.

They are fiercely loyal in fighting who should be called a Supreme, which Supreme to support, whether a group should hang it up because all the members are no longer there and I could go on for days BUT.....that kind of loyalty doesn't sell records Kam and record execs know it!

The vintage R and B female acts that are recording right now are those who are willing to crossover to the Indie/Alt Rock universe on their own terms like Mavis Staples and Betty Lavette.

[ms_m]

smark21 I understand what the dance chart is but unless things have changed dramatically since my day, if you like to dance to the song in the club, you like to dance to it at home.

My point isn't about gigantic sales but a major accomplishment for an artist of her age. To disparage her accomplishment as if it meant nothing is wrong, especailly on a board that caters to artist [[and their music) that are now the same age as Cher and older.

Being #1 on the Dance Chart or any Billboard chart gets you noticed, you get noticed, people listen, people listen you get sales.

I've been saying for years that Classic Soul Artist today who want to get back out there have to define their own success but the very people that can help them do that, their fans, seem to find every which way but loose to tear them down, not build them up and support them.

I can understand and appreciate that classic soul fans may not like the new music they hear from old school artist today, I didn't like everything I heard back in the day, in spite of the, Holy Grail Great Music Mantra of back in the day music that's repeated over and over again. Music is subjective always have been, always will be.

However it's hypocritical to beatch and trash older artist for getting out there, many of them with good songs and still super chops working hard to do their thing, while criticizing and pointing fingers at the industry for not supporting classic soul artist.

Dismissing a dance chart is the same as people dismissing R&B charts from back in the day. I have heard it constantly said that, so and so never crossed over to this that or the other.....does that mean so and so....the same so and so we swear on our Mighty Motown alter we revere beyond life itself, never accomplished anything? I say NO! what say ye?

[smark21]

smark21 I understand what the dance chart is but unless things have changed dramatically since my day, if you like to dance to the song in the club, you like to dance to it at home.

My point isn't about gigantic sales but a major accomplishment for an artist of her age. To disparage her accomplishment as if it meant nothing is wrong, especailly on a board that caters to artist [[and their music) that are now the same age as Cher and older.

Being #1 on the Dance Chart or any Billboard chart gets you noticed, you get noticed, people listen, people listen you get sales.

I've been saying for years that Classic Soul Artist today who want to get back out there have to define their own success but the very people that can help them do that, their fans, seem to find every which way but loose to tear them down, not build them up and support them.

I can understand and appreciate that classic soul fans may not like the new music they hear from old school artist today, I didn't like everything I heard back in the day, in spite of the, Holy Grail Great Music Mantra of back in the day music that's repeated over and over again. Music is subjective always have been, always will be.

However it's hypocritical to beatch and trash older artist for getting out there, many of them with good songs and still super chops working hard to do their thing, while criticizing and pointing fingers at the industry for not supporting classic soul artist.

Dismissing a dance chart is the same as people dismissing R&B charts from back in the day. I have heard it constantly said that, so and so never crossed over to this that or the other.....does that mean so and so....the same so and so we swear on our Mighty Motown alter we revere beyond life itself, never accomplished anything? I say NO! what say ye?

Going #1 on the club play chart is an achievement, but let's put things into perspective. I think what is more important is that the song won a Golden Globe for Best Song and stands a good chance to be nominated for an Oscar so Cher may very well perform it on the Oscar telecast. Now there's a platform to promote the song and get some sales and airplay.

As for the song itself, I'm not a fan. Typical Diane Warren power ballad schmalz and a quite inferior derviative of Sondheim's "I'm Still Here". I'd be more impressed if Cher hit number one on whatever chart with a good song. I'm more impress with what Mavis Staples has been doing lately--she may not be hitting number one on whatever charts, but she's putting out good material and working with interesting collaborators.

[ms_m]

BTW....why are fans/ consumers so insistent upon comparing today's artist with yesterday? It's an exercise in futility. Just as trying to make the industry the same as it was when Motown began. You can not literally go back in a time machine.[[except for in the movies and your dreams)

If you're Ron Isley or Charlie Wilson and have a great relationship with some of the young [[semi young) top name kids in the biz today, use it, I don't have a problem with that. May not fall over and love your new "hip" sound or put it on my constant rotation list but I'll support you. Use what you got, that's good but the truth is, most artist don't have it like that where they can call up Snoop or R Kelly.

Old school artists of any genre shouldn't even try to compete with the kids and fans need to STOP putting them in a position where they feel they need to.

[ms_m]

I am putting it perspective. I responded to the comments that dismissed her achievement, not sales, the movie or an award.... I responded to the put down of an accomplishment because it was, "nothing but a dance chart"

I work my arse off for many of the older cats and kittens and to see someone dismiss an older artist's highlighted efforts as nothing, pisses me off to the highest level of pisstivity. These folks work hard to get what they get... and in a youth oriented industry where it's a miracle they get any type of recognition at all....

But hey, they aren't young anymore, they aren't making the same records they did back in the day, they are expendable and as long as we have that old track, who cares about flesh and blood people who would like to continue making a living doing what they love, right?

Do you have any idea how disheartening it to to hear someone say, oh they only can work casinos now, or lounges now as if working were a bad thing? To me, that dismissal of Cher hits the same sour note.

Success isn't always about Platinum records and selling out stadiums, it's about being good at your craft, making money at your craft and having an appreciative audience that is willing to listen to and support your craft.

[ms_m]

Success isn't always about Platinum records and selling out stadiums, it's about being good at your craft, making money at your craft and having an appreciative audience that is willing to listen to and support your craft.

... if you can pay your mortgage or rent, entertain in a club or auditorium consistently or even semi consistently.... luck up and sell 5, 6 10 thousand new CDs at 10 bucks a pop while keeping your overhead low..... AND, you are 50, 60, 70 years old....you are successful. TRUST!

[smark21]

... if you can pay your mortgage or rent, entertain in a club or auditorium consistently or even semi consistently.... luck up and sell 5, 6 10 thousand new CDs at 10 bucks a pop while keeping your overhead low..... AND, you are 50, 60, 70 years old....you are successful. TRUST!

I agree with you and the music you're making has integrity and true to who you are as a performer.

[nomis]

Ms M..those are wonderful posts I totally understand where your coming from...
Cher is a survivor...she never had a drug or drinking problem..when her music career peaked she turned herself into an Oscar winning actress..She walked away from Sonny after he saw her as nothing but a commodity..She never knew her Father..her Mother moved her around as a kid in a dysfunctional family..she battled dyslexia which I think is cool...She loves her kids..Shes obviously taken great care with her body [[NO she never had ribs removed!) she has great comic timing..She supports Gays and Lesbians..I love her quote about The Sonny and Cher Show.."it was like Monty Python but not as sophisticated"..I love how she put her own money into "I Found Someone" video when Geffen wouldnt finance it and she turned it into a sizeable hit..She did an incredible job in her directing debut playing a murdered abortion doctor...She was an important part of 70s fashion...she fought a disease that ravaged her immune system that hit her when she was filming "Mermaids"...She was part of Phil Spectors Wall Of Sound..a very,very remarkable lady...

[ms_m]

Rather interesting dichotomy there though smark21, don't you think...being true to your self as a performer yet still maintaining a level of integrity in the eye of the listener. I often tend to believe that the idea of integrity is relative, but that's a whole other topic, and one for the philosophers to debate.

I think we all have to be true to ourselves though and that often proves to be somewhat of a sticky wicket with an artist who's lively hood depends on the whims of the public. These days, I err on the side of the artist...but that's a personal as well as professional thing. [[at least for me)

[ms_m]

Thanks Nomis, yep, she's a survivor and I admire that in any one in this biz. Sometimes I don't think the public understands how difficult it is to live in a fish bowl, even though you chose the fish bowl in the first place.

I remember the Sonny and Cher show. A lot of their relationship woes were played out in that show which gave it an edgy feel. An interesting thing considering the times.

Cher is Cher and no ones does Cher, better than she does.

[jobeterob]

One of the traits I liked best about Cher was she kept her feet pretty flat on the ground; she doesnt show any sign of thinking she was too special.........kinda like Irene Ryan and Lucille Ball [[although the later got a little screwed in the head later in life)!