Cher - Not.com.mercial (2000)
Tracklist front / back album covers
1. "Still" 6:15
2. "Sisters of Mercy" 5:01
3. "Runnin'" 3:56
4. "Born with the Hunger" 4:05
5. "(The Fall) Kurt's Blues" 5:17
6. "With or Without You" 3:45
7. "Fit to Fly" 3:53
8. "Disaster Cake" 3:25
9. "Our Lady of San Francisco" 2:15
10. "Classified 1A" (bonus track) 2:55
Total length: 40:47
Cher Band Members / Musicians
Cher – vocals, composer, producer
Bruce Roberts – producer
Sonny Bono – composer
Michael Garvin – composer
Pat McDonald – composer
Doug Millett – composer
Bruce Roberts – composer
Kevin Savigar – composer
Bob Thiele – composer
Rich Wayland – composer
Not Commercial (stylized as not.com.mercial) is the 23rd studio album by American singer-actress Cher. It was released on November 8, 2000, exclusively through Cher.com, Isis Records and Artist Direct. Cher wrote the album in 1994 while attending a semiannual songwriters' workshop hosted by entertainment executive Miles Copeland III in his castle in France. Upon returning to the United States, Cher enlisted members of David Letterman's CBS Orchestra to record the album. After completing it, she presented the album to her recording company, which declined the material for being "not commercial". Cher kept the album for six years before deciding to release it through the Internet only.
Cher – Not.com.mercial (2000): An Independent Artistic Statement
Introduction
Released in 2000, Not.com.mercial is one of Cher’s most personal, experimental, and fan‑driven albums. Unlike her major‑label pop productions (like Believe), this project was originally distributed independently through her official website and fan club, making it a unique release in her catalog that reflects Cher’s interest in artistic control and direct fan connection.
Combining elements of dance, pop, electronic, adult contemporary, and rock, Not.com.mercial showcases Cher’s versatility, with lyrical themes ranging from empowerment and love to introspection and social commentary.
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Cher in 2000: Taking Control
By the dawn of the new millennium, Cher was one of the most successful artists in music history. After the world‑wide smash success of Believe (1998) and her pivot into dance‑pop, she chose to release Not.com.mercial as a fan‑centric, direct‑to‑consumer project. The title itself—Not.com.mercial—reflected Cher’s tongue‑in‑cheek stance toward the mainstream music industry at the time.
Rather than a traditional commercial album, the project was intended first for her devoted fanbase, and its promotional strategy was ahead of its time, anticipating future trends in artist‑directed online releases.
About Not.com.mercial (2000)
Album Overview
Not.com.mercial features a mixture of original songs and reimagined arrangements, blending pop, electronica, rock, and adult contemporary. The production is polished yet often deliberately unusual, reflecting Cher’s fearless artistic approach.
Although it was not initially released through traditional retail channels, portions of the album were later included on other compilations and special editions, making its tracks known to a broader audience.
Key tracks include:
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“Sisters of Mercy” – A powerful opening with electronic and rock energy
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“The Song That Doesn’t End” – Playful, confessional pop with irony
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“Shape of Things to Come” – Anthemic and future‑oriented
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“Superstar” – Emotional ballad highlighting Cher’s range
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“Classified X” – Rhythm‑driven commentary with a dance flavor
The album balances lyrical introspection with bold musical experimentation, resulting in one of the most distinctive entries in Cher’s catalog.
Tracklist
Not.com.mercial (2000) – Official Tracklist
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Sisters of Mercy
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The Song That Doesn’t End
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Superstar
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Shape of Things to Come
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Bohemian Rhapsody (Reinterpretation)
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Black on Black
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When Lovers Become Strangers
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LP Talk
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Classified X
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What About the Moonlight?
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Bimini Bay (Revisited)
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The Hunter
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All the Things I’ve Lost
This list reflects the album’s wide emotional range, from playful self‑reflection to contemplative balladry and club‑ready energy.
Musical Style and Themes
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Genres: Pop, electronic, dance, rock, adult contemporary
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Themes: Empowerment, identity, love and loss, introspection, industry critique
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Production Style: Electronic beats, layered vocals, experimental arrangement
Cher’s distinctive contralto anchors every track, navigating genre shifts with confidence.
Fun Facts & Trivia
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The title Not.com.mercial was a playful dig at the commercial music machine, rejecting a traditional corporate release model.
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The album was originally distributed via Cher’s official website and fan club only, years before direct‑to‑fan digital releases became common.
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Some tracks from the album later appeared on international versions of other Cher compilations.
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The album received strong appreciation from hardcore Cher fans, despite limited mainstream exposure.
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Tracks like “Sisters of Mercy” were performed during Cher’s live shows, emphasizing the album’s ongoing influence in her setlists.
Commercial Performance and Legacy
Because Not.com.mercial was not released through traditional sales channels initially, it did not chart on major national music charts upon release. However:
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Sales: Millions of fans downloaded or obtained versions through fan clubs and international editions
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The album’s limited initial distribution gave it a cult status among Cher collectors
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Its early embrace of direct digital delivery foreshadowed future artist‑fan release models
While not a “commercial” album in the traditional sense, Not.com.mercial remains an important and forward‑thinking project in Cher’s discography.
Why Not.com.mercial Still Matters
Early Digital Direct Release
Not.com.mercial was ahead of its time in online distribution, anticipating trends that would become mainstream with streaming and digital albums in the 2010s.
Artistic Authenticity
The album reflects Cher’s personal voice and creative control, with risks that most mainstream pop stars of the era wouldn’t take.
Fan Favorite
Though not a blockbuster, the album is cherished by core fans for its experimental spirit and emotional honesty.
Final Thoughts
Not.com.mercial (2000) stands as one of Cher’s most distinctive and innovative releases. Blending pop, electronic, rock, and introspective themes, it represents both a bold artistic statement and an early step toward direct artist‑to‑fan music distribution. A must‑listen for fans and collectors, the album remains a unique chapter in the legendary career of Cher.
Meta Description
Discover Cher’s Not.com.mercial (2000), her independent and experimental pop‑electronic album. Full tracklist, fun facts, and why it became a cult fan favorite.
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Not.com.mercial tracklist
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