Cher - Cherished (1977)
Tracklist front / back album covers
Side one
1. "Pirate" 3:10
2. "He Was Beautiful" 2:51
3. "War Paint and Soft Feathers" 3:03
4. "Love the Devil Out of Ya" 2:15
5. "She Loves to Hear the Music" 3:10
Side two
1. "L.A. Plane" 3:38
2. "Again" 2:30
3. "Dixie" 2:26
4. "Send the Man Over" 3:47
5. "Thunderstorm" 2:35
Cher Band Members / Musicians
Cher - lead vocals
Steve Dorff, Al Capps - arranger, conductor
Snuff Garrett - record producer
Lenny Roberts - sound engineer
Randy Tominaga - assistant engineer
Taavi Mote - assistant engineer
Harry Langdon - photography
Cherished is the 14th studio album by American singer-actress Cher released in September 1977 by Warner Bros. Records. This album, like several other predecessors, was a commercial failure and failed to chart.
Cher – Cherished (1977): A Transitional 70s Album
Introduction
Released in 1977, Cherished is one of Cher’s lesser-known albums of the late 1970s, marking a period of transition in her musical career. Following her mid-70s adult contemporary albums such as Stars and I’d Rather Believe in You, Cherished blends pop, soft rock, and early disco influences, reflecting Cher’s attempts to adapt to shifting musical trends.
Although the album was not a commercial breakthrough, it showcases Cher’s versatility as a vocalist and her willingness to experiment with contemporary styles, setting the stage for her disco era in the late 1970s.
Focus Keywords: Cher Cherished 1977, Cher 1977 album, Cher soft rock, underrated Cher albums, Cher disco transition
Cher in 1977: Adapting to Changing Times
By 1977, Cher’s popularity as a TV star and recording artist remained strong, but musical tastes were evolving. Disco and pop were dominating charts, and Cher was exploring ways to modernize her sound.
Cherished reflects this shift, blending her emotional storytelling roots with catchy pop arrangements and early hints of disco rhythms. The album demonstrates Cher’s ability to remain relevant in a changing industry.
About Cherished (1977)
Album Overview
Produced by Snuff Garrett, Cherished features a combination of original material and covers, delivered in Cher’s signature contralto style. The production mixes orchestral pop, soft rock grooves, and emerging disco influences, making it a bridge between her mid-70s adult contemporary albums and the disco-pop albums that would follow.
Key tracks include:
-
“Pirate” – Dramatic and narrative-driven
-
“War Paint and Soft Feathers” – Soft pop with orchestral arrangements
-
“You Know It” – Uptempo pop track with a catchy hook
-
“I’m Just a Woman” – Emotional ballad highlighting Cher’s vocal range
-
“Living in a House Divided” (re-recorded version) – Reflective storytelling
The album demonstrates Cher’s vocal versatility while experimenting with upbeat arrangements and contemporary sounds.
Tracklist
Cherished (1977) – Official Tracklist
-
Pirate
-
You Know It
-
War Paint and Soft Feathers
-
I’m Just a Woman
-
Love of a Lifetime
-
Lullaby for a Princess
-
Sweet Love of Mine
-
Living in a House Divided
-
Just Enough to Keep Me Hanging On
-
Long Distance Love Affair
This tracklist balances ballads, narrative songs, and pop-oriented tracks, reflecting Cher’s transitional musical style.
Musical Style and Themes
-
Genres: Pop, soft rock, adult contemporary, early disco
-
Themes: Love, independence, personal reflection, resilience
-
Production Style: Polished orchestration, pop grooves, vocal-centric arrangements
Cher’s contralto voice carries the album, giving emotional depth to both slow ballads and upbeat pop tracks.
Fun Facts & Trivia
-
Cherished was released during Cher’s transition toward disco, anticipating her late-70s albums like Take Me Home (1979).
-
The album features reworked versions of earlier songs, including Living in a House Divided.
-
Despite modest commercial performance, it is valued by collectors for its unique position in Cher’s 70s catalog.
-
Produced by Snuff Garrett, the album retained the signature lush arrangements of her mid-70s records.
-
Several tracks were performed on her television variety shows, giving them additional exposure.
Commercial Performance and Grossing
-
Billboard 200: Peaked modestly outside the Top 40
-
Singles: None became major hits
-
Sales: Estimated under 150,000 copies in the US, making it one of her least commercially successful albums of the 70s
-
Legacy: Despite low sales, Cherished remains an interesting transitional album, illustrating Cher’s adaptability and experimentation.
Why Cherished Still Matters
Transitional Significance
The album bridges Cher’s mid-70s adult contemporary era with the disco-oriented direction she would fully embrace by the end of the decade.
Vocal Versatility
Cher’s expressive contralto shines across both slow ballads and more rhythmic tracks, demonstrating her range and control.
Collector’s Favorite
Although not widely known, Cherished has gained recognition among fans and collectors as a hidden gem in Cher’s discography.
Final Thoughts
Cherished (1977) is a subtle but important entry in Cher’s 1970s catalog. Featuring soft rock, pop, and early disco influences, the album reflects an artist adapting to evolving musical trends while maintaining her emotional and vocal authenticity. While it did not achieve commercial success, it remains a noteworthy transitional album that set the stage for Cher’s late-70s disco resurgence.
Meta Description
Explore Cher’s Cherished (1977), a transitional 70s album with pop, soft rock, and early disco influences. Full tracklist, fun facts, and why it remains an underrated gem.
Keywords
-
Cher Cherished 1977
-
Cher 1970s album
-
Cher soft rock
-
Early disco Cher
-
Underrated Cher albums
