Half-Breed

Cher

About Half-Breed

"Half-Breed" is a 1973 song recorded by American singer-actress Cher with instrumental backing by L. A. sessions musicians from the Wrecking Crew. Recorded on May 21, 1973 at Larrabee Sound in Los Angeles, it entered the Billboard Hot 100 at number 89 on August 4, 1973, and on October 6, 1973, it became Cher's second US solo number 1 hit. The single was certified Gold in the US for the sales of over 1 million copies.


Year:
1996
2:45
205 
#4

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My father married a pure Cherokee
My mother's people were ashamed of me
The Indians said I was white by law
The White Man always called me "Indian Squaw"

Half-breed, that's all I ever heard
Half-breed, how I learned to hate the word
Half-breed, she's no good they warned
Both sides were against me since the day I was born

We never settled, went from town to town
When you're not welcome you don't hang around
The other children always laughed at me
"Give her a feather, she's a Cherokee"

Half-breed, that's all I ever heard
Half-breed, how I learned to hate the word
Half-breed, she's no good they warned
Both sides were against me since the day I was born

We weren't accepted and I felt ashamed
Nineteen I left them, tell me who's to blame
My life since then has been from man to man
But I can't run away from what I am

Half-breed, that's all I ever heard
Half-breed, how I learned to hate the word
Half-breed, she's no good they warned
Both sides were against me since the day I was born

Half-breed, that's all I ever heard
Half-breed, how I learned to hate the word
Half-breed, she's no good they warned
Both sides were against me since the day I was born

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Cher

Cher ( /ˈʃɛər/; born Cherilyn Sarkisian; May 20, 1946) is an American singer and actress. A major figure for over five decades in popular culture, she is often referred to as the Goddess of Pop for having first brought the sense of female autonomy and self-actualization into the entertainment industry. She is known for her distinctive contralto and for having worked in various areas of entertainment, as well as for continuously reinventing both her music and image, the latter of which has caused controversy. more »

12 fans

Written by: Al Capps, Mary Dean

Lyrics © NORTH MUSIC GROUP

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


12 facts about this song

Song Information
"Half-Breed" is a song recorded by American singer-actress Cher. It was released as a single in 1973 and is the titular track of her 10th studio album.
Billboard Ranking
"Half-Breed" peaked at number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart on October 6, 1973, earning Cher her second number-one single on the chart.
Song Duration
The song runs for approximately 2 minutes and 44 seconds, making it a brief yet passionate narrative piece within Cher's repertoire.
RIAA Certification
The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) awarded the song a Gold certification in October 1973.
Theme and City
The song addresses the discrimination faced by half-breeds, a term used in North America to describe people of mixed race or ethnicity. It narrates the struggles of a woman of half-Cherokee and half-white descent.
Backlash to Racism
During live performances, Cher originally wore a feathered headdress, a white dress, and knee-high boots. This American Indian-inspired cosplay received backlash for cultural insensitivity and unintentional racism.
Song's Writers
The lyrics of "Half-Breed" were penned by Al Capps and Mary Dean, who successfully collaborated to bring Cher's musical story to life.
Grammy Nomination
The song was nominated for a Grammy Award in 1974 in the Best Female Pop Vocal Performance category.
Accompanying Music Video
The song's music video features Cher in an Indian attire, singing the song on a horse amidst a deserted area, intending to showcase the isolation felt by individuals of mixed descent.
Commercial Success
Despite the controversies and criticisms, "Half-Breed" was a commercial success and is still remembered as one of Cher's most iconic songs.
Usage in Media
"Half-Breed" has been featured in several TV shows and films including "The Simpsons", "Glee", and "Hell on Wheels", demonstrating its cultural impact and longevity.
Covers and Re-Recordings
The song has been covered by various artists such as David Hasselhoff in 2012. Cher re-recorded and remixed the song for her 1999 compilation album "If I Could Turn Back Time: Cher's Greatest Hits".

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    Half-Breed

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1973

    Billboard #1


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