Cher - I Paralyze (1982)
Tracklist front / back album covers
1. "Rudy" 3:54
2. "Games" 3:57
3. "I Paralyze" 3:49
4. "When the Love Is Gone" 4:04
5. "Say What's on Your Mind" 4:06
6. "Back on the Street Again" 3:19
7. "Walk with Me" 3:32
8. "The Book of Love" 3:23
9. "Do I Ever Cross Your Mind" 4:13
Cher Band Members / Musicians
Cher – lead vocals
Jai Winding – arranger, keyboards
Rick Shlosser – drums
Steve Lukather, Sid McGinnis, Carlos Rios, Thom Rotella – guitar
Ralph Schuckett – Hammond organ
Richard Crooks – percussion
Nathan East – synthesizer, bass guitar
David Wolfert – synthesizer, guitar, arranger, producer
Ed Walsh – synthesizer
Michael Boddicker - synthesizer, vocoder programming
John Farrar - guitar, backing vocals
Gary Herbig - saxophone
Steve George – background vocals
Tom Kelly – background vocals
Myrna Mathews – background vocals
Denise Maynelli DeCaro – background vocals
Marti McCall – background vocals
Richard Page – background vocals
Executive Producer: Charles Koppelman
Producer: John Farrar, David Wolfert
Reissue Producers: Cary E. Mansfield, Mike Khouri
Reissue Liner Notes: Mike Khouri
Engineers: Dennis Ferrante, John Arrias
Mixing: Lee Decarlo
Remixing: Dan Hersch
Mastering Supervisor, Tape Research: Bill Inglot
Art direction: Nancy Greenberg
Reissue Design: Matt B.
Photography: Harry Langdon
I Paralyze is the 17th studio album by American singer-actress Cher, released on May 28, 1982 by Columbia Records, her only album for the label. The album was a commercial failure and failed to chart. Following the record's release, Cher took a five-year hiatus from music to focus on her film career until 1987, when she released the Platinum-certified album Cher.
Cher – I Paralyze (1982): A Pop-Rock Experiment
Introduction
Released in 1982, I Paralyze marks a transitional phase in Cher’s career, as she explored a pop-rock and synth-driven sound in the early 1980s. Produced by John Farrar, known for his work with Olivia Newton-John, the album blends rock elements, melodic pop, and early 80s synthesizers, reflecting the changing musical landscape of the era.
While the album did not achieve significant commercial success, it demonstrates Cher’s willingness to experiment and adapt her signature voice to modern production techniques, bridging her 70s disco and hard rock phases with the 80s pop-rock era.
Focus Keywords: Cher I Paralyze 1982, Cher 1980s album, I Paralyze tracklist, Cher pop-rock, underrated Cher albums
Cher in 1982: Embracing the Early 80s Sound
By 1982, Cher had successfully navigated disco, rock, and theatrical pop, but was searching for a new musical identity as the music industry transitioned to synth-heavy pop and rock. I Paralyze reflects her effort to adapt to early 80s trends, incorporating catchy hooks, polished production, and rock-pop sensibilities.
Though overshadowed by her later 80s comeback albums, I Paralyze shows Cher experimenting with a contemporary pop-rock style, foreshadowing the synth-driven hits that would define her mid-to-late 80s work.
About I Paralyze (1982)
Album Overview
Produced by John Farrar, I Paralyze contains 10 tracks that blend pop-rock, ballads, and synthesizer-driven arrangements. Cher’s contralto voice remains the centerpiece, giving emotional depth to both up-tempo songs and slower, dramatic tracks.
Key tracks include:
-
“I Paralyze” – Title track and single, featuring catchy hooks and rock-pop energy
-
“Walk With Me” – Melodic pop-rock tune highlighting Cher’s expressive delivery
-
“Rudy” – Dramatic ballad with storytelling elements
-
“Do I Really Have to Go?” – Emotional and synth-driven mid-tempo track
-
“When the Love is Gone” – Closing track with lush arrangements and heartfelt vocals
The album blends original songs and contemporary pop production, creating a transitional sound for Cher in the early 80s.
Tracklist
I Paralyze (1982) – Official Tracklist
-
I Paralyze
-
Walk With Me
-
Rudy
-
Do I Really Have to Go?
-
When the Love is Gone
-
Love on a Rooftop
-
Never Should Have Started
-
Out in the Streets
-
In Your Eyes
-
The Heart of the Matter
The tracklist balances catchy pop-rock songs, ballads, and emotional storytelling, showcasing Cher’s versatility.
Musical Style and Themes
-
Genres: Pop-rock, early 80s synth-pop, adult contemporary
-
Themes: Love, heartbreak, emotional struggle, independence
-
Production Style: Synth-driven arrangements, polished rock-pop instrumentation, vocal-centered mix
Cher’s voice adapts perfectly to early 80s production, maintaining her trademark emotional expressiveness while embracing modern instrumentation.
Fun Facts & Trivia
-
I Paralyze was Cher’s first solo album of the 1980s, bridging her 70s work with her 80s comeback era.
-
The album did not produce chart-topping hits, but the title track received some radio play in the US.
-
Cher worked with John Farrar, known for crafting polished pop productions, giving the album a contemporary 80s feel.
-
The album showcases Cher’s willingness to evolve stylistically, moving beyond disco and rock experimentation into a more radio-friendly pop-rock sound.
-
Despite its commercial obscurity, the album is considered an underrated gem by fans for its vocal performance and early 80s aesthetic.
Commercial Performance and Grossing
-
Billboard 200: Did not chart significantly
-
Singles: “I Paralyze” received limited airplay but did not chart high
-
Sales: Estimated under 100,000 copies, making it one of Cher’s least commercially successful albums of the era
-
Despite low sales, the album is valued by collectors and fans for its historical significance in Cher’s career evolution
Why I Paralyze Still Matters
Transitional Album
I Paralyze represents Cher’s shift from 70s disco and rock into 80s pop-rock, laying the groundwork for her 1980s comeback and chart-topping albums.
Vocal Showcase
Cher’s contralto voice delivers emotion and strength across both ballads and up-tempo tracks, proving her adaptability.
Collector’s Appeal
The album remains a hidden gem for dedicated fans, highlighting a lesser-known but important phase of Cher’s career.
Final Thoughts
I Paralyze (1982) is an underrated transitional album in Cher’s discography. Featuring pop-rock, early 80s synth elements, and emotional ballads, it demonstrates her willingness to experiment and evolve. Though it did not achieve commercial success, it remains a notable entry for fans and collectors exploring Cher’s evolution from 70s disco and rock to 80s pop stardom.
Meta Description
Discover Cher’s I Paralyze (1982), an underrated early 80s pop-rock album. Full tracklist, fun facts, and why it’s a transitional gem in Cher’s career.
Keywords
-
Cher I Paralyze 1982
-
Cher 1980s album
-
I Paralyze tracklist
-
Cher pop-rock
-
Underrated Cher albums
