Released 60 years ago
The Sonny Side of Chér
Cher · 1966
34 min · 12 tracks · folk music
A blend of folk-rock melodies and heartfelt balladry, underscored by Cher's powerful and emotive vocal delivery.
Top tracks — play these first
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Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down) Start here — This track is emblematic of Cher's emotional range, featuring poignant lyrics that reflect on love and loss, paired with a haunting melody that has influenced countless covers.
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Elusive Butterfly — Cher's rendition captures the essence of yearning and introspection, showcasing her ability to convey deep emotion through a seemingly simple folk tune.
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Where Do You Go — This track highlights Cher's vocal strength while exploring themes of longing and uncertainty, making it resonate powerfully with listeners seeking connection.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Cher's emotive delivery and varied arrangements create a solid but conventional folk-pop album.
What we noticed
- Several tracks incorporate unexpected tempo shifts, such as the transition from the slow 'Ol' Man River' to the more upbeat 'It's Not Unusual'.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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5/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady mid-tempo engagement
- poignant ballads for reflection
- emotive vocals for deep listening
- warm background for gatherings
Maybe skip if you
- need for fast-paced tracks
- prefer standalone singles only
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album helped establish Cher as a solo artist after her fame with Sonny & Cher.
- Themes
- 1960s pop culture· emotional balladry· California dreamin
- Career context
- Released in 1966, The Sonny Side of Chér marked Cher's first solo album following her successful work with Sonny Bono as half of the duo Sonny & Cher. At this point in her career, she was transitioning from pop starlet to a more serious artist, showcasing her versatility beyond the hits that defined the early part of her career.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Madonna· Diana Ross· Kylie Minogue
Tracklist
- 1 Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down) Start here 2:47
- 2 A Young Girl (Une Enfante) 2:40
- 3 Where Do You Go 3:18
- 4 Our Day Will Come 2:14
- 5 Elusive Butterfly 3:23
- 6 Like a Rolling Stone 2:51
- 7 Ol' Man River 2:11
- 8 Come to Your Window 2:14
- 9 The Girl From Ipanema 2:29
- 10 It's Not Unusual 3:55
- 11 Time 3:02
- 12 Milord 3:19
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears
The Mamas & the Papas
Shares lush harmonies and a blend of pop with folk themes, echoing California's 60s vibe.
Dusty in Memphis
Dusty Springfield
Combines emotional balladry with rich production, capturing the same poignant storytelling spirit.
Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme
Simon & Garfunkel
Features introspective lyrics and folk influences, resonating with the emotional depth of Cher's work.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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