Cher - Stars (1975)

Cher - Stars (1975)

Tracklist front / back album covers

Side one

1. "Love Enough"   3:12

2. "Bell Bottom Blues"   4:12

3. "These Days"   4:15

4. "Mr. Soul"   3:05

5. "Just This One Time"   4:52

Side two

1. "Geronimo's Cadillac"   3:03

2. "The Bigger They Come, The Harder They Fall"   3:32

3. "Love Hurts"   5:04

4. "Rock and Roll Doctor"   3:13

5. "Stars"   5:20

Cher Band Members / Musicians

Cher – lead vocals

Art Munson, David Cohen – guitar

Dennis Budimir, Fred Tackett, Jesse Ed Davis – guitar solos

Jeff Baxter, Red Rhodes - pedal steel guitar

Colin Cameron - bass guitar

Jimmy Webb, Joe Sample, Larry Knechtel - keyboards

Gary Mallaber, Hal Blaine, Harvey Mason, Jeff Porcaro, Jim Gordon, Jim Keltner - drums

Fred Tackett, Pat Murphy - percussion

Robert Greenidge - steel drums

Cher Bono, Clydie King, Edna Wright, Herb Pedersen, Sherlie Matthews, Susan Webb - backing vocals

Gerald Garrett - bass backing vocals

Art Depew, Lew McCreary, Vincent DeRosa, William Peterson - brass

Abe Most, Buddy Collette, Don Ashworth, John Rotella - woodwind ensemble

Skip Mosher - woodwind solos

Fred Tackett - horn arrangements

Van Dyke Parks - steel drum arrangements

"Maestro" Sid Sharp - concertmaster

Jimmy Webb – production, arrangement, conducting

John Haeny – recording and mixing

Gary Webb – arrangement assistance

Bill King – photography cover

Norman Seeff – photography back

Stars is the 12th studio album by American singer-actress Cher, released on April 19, 1975, by Warner Bros. Records. A covers album of rock, pop and other hits, Stars was one in a string of commercial disappointments for Cher in the 1970s. It charted at number 153 on the Billboard 200 at the end of May 1975. Cher's earnest delivery of ballads and uptempo numbers was overwhelmed in a market newly dominated by disco. After two more albums that sold even less well, Cher made her smash comeback in 1979 with the disco album Take Me Home.

Cher – Stars (1975): A Sophisticated Shift in Sound

Introduction

Released in 1975, Stars is one of Cher’s most underrated and artistically adventurous albums, showcasing her transition from narrative-driven pop to a more contemporary, soft rock and adult contemporary style. The album reflects Cher’s desire to explore mature themes, sophisticated arrangements, and modern production, stepping away from the story-song formula that defined her early-70s hits.

While not a commercial juggernaut like Half-Breed or Dark Lady, Stars demonstrates Cher’s versatility as a vocalist and her ability to adapt to changing musical landscapes.

Focus Keywords: Cher Stars 1975, Cher 1975 album, Cher soft rock, adult contemporary Cher, underrated Cher albums

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Cher in 1975: Exploring New Horizons

After the massive success of her early-1970s albums, Cher was eager to diversify her sound. By 1975, the Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour was still on air, but Cher’s ambitions extended into adult contemporary and soft rock music, a genre more suited to her mature vocal style.

Stars represents a strategic move: a collection of contemporary covers and original songs designed to appeal to both pop and adult audiences.

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About Stars (1975)

Album Overview

Produced by Snuff Garrett and Michael Omartian, Stars features a blend of pop, soft rock, and ballads, with a focus on emotionally rich vocals and polished arrangements. Unlike her early-70s narrative albums, this record emphasizes introspective themes, love, and personal reflection.

Key tracks include:

• “Ain’t Nobody’s Business” – A soulful, confident opener

• “Pirate” – Dramatic and narrative-driven

• “You Better Sit Down Kids” – Emotional ballad, originally a Sonny Bono hit

• “I Saw a Man and He Danced With His Wife” – Poignant storytelling

• “I’m Always Chasing Rainbows” – Classic cover highlighting Cher’s expressive range

The album balances covers and contemporary originals, offering a smooth, sophisticated listening experience.

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Tracklist

Stars (1975) – Official Tracklist

1. Ain’t Nobody’s Business

2. Pirate

3. Love Hurts

4. All I Really Want to Do

5. I Saw a Man and He Danced With His Wife

6. The Way of Love

7. I’m Always Chasing Rainbows

8. You Better Sit Down Kids

9. Long Distance Love Affair

10. My Song (The World Will Always Love Me)

This tracklist showcases Cher’s versatility, moving seamlessly between covers, ballads, and soft rock originals.

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Musical Style and Themes

• Genres: Soft rock, pop, adult contemporary

• Themes: Love, independence, introspection, emotional resilience

• Production Style: Polished instrumentation, orchestration, vocal-focused mixes

Cher’s contralto voice adapts perfectly to the album’s mature and contemplative tone, demonstrating her artistic growth.

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Fun Facts & Trivia

• Stars marked a departure from Cher’s early-70s narrative formula, leaning into adult contemporary and soft rock.

• The album includes several reimagined covers, such as “I’m Always Chasing Rainbows,” showing Cher’s ability to reinterpret classics.

• Commercially, the album was less successful than her previous #1 hits but received praise for vocal performance and arrangement sophistication.

• Cher collaborated with Michael Omartian, a respected arranger and producer, bringing a contemporary polish to the sound.

• The album is considered a hidden gem in Cher’s 1970s discography by dedicated fans.

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Commercial Performance and Legacy

• Billboard 200: Peaked modestly in the Top 40

• Singles: None reached the top 10, but “You Better Sit Down Kids” received some radio play

• Legacy: Though not a commercial hit, Stars is valued for its artistic maturity, bridging Cher’s early narrative pop with her later disco and rock explorations.

The album has since gained recognition among collectors and fans as one of Cher’s most sophisticated works of the decade.

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Why Stars Still Matters

Artistic Growth

The album reflects Cher’s willingness to experiment, expanding her musical palette beyond the hit-driven pop and theatrical storytelling.

Mature Vocal Showcase

Cher’s contralto tone is showcased at its best, delivering emotional depth across covers and original material.

A Transitional Album

Stars paved the way for her mid-70s disco and rock-oriented experiments, making it an essential bridge in her 1970s discography.

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Final Thoughts

Stars (1975) may not have topped charts, but it stands as a key chapter in Cher’s artistic evolution. With sophisticated arrangements, introspective lyrics, and expressive vocals, the album demonstrates her ability to grow and adapt as an artist, cementing her status as a versatile and enduring performer.

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Meta Description

Discover Cher’s Stars (1975), a soft rock and adult contemporary album. Full tracklist, fun facts, and why it remains an underrated 70s gem in her discography.

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Keywords

• Cher Stars 1975

• Cher 1975 album

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• Underrated Cher albums