Born Cheryl Sarkisian, this fiercely independent artist didn’t just participate in modern entertainment history—she single-handedly authored a massive chunk of it. She is the only solo female artist to boast a number-one single on a Billboard chart across seven consecutive decades.
Hot on the heels of her recent Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction and her highly anticipated Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award, she remains as culturally relevant and widely beloved as ever.
To honor eight magnificent decades of the Goddess of Pop, we are breaking down the ultimate Cher playlist. Grab your best Bob Mackie-inspired sequins, and let’s count down the 10 best tracks that permanently cemented her musical legacy.
1. “Believe” (1998)
If you want to talk about a song that completely altered the trajectory of modern pop music, look no further than this massive dance anthem. Following a period of commercial decline, she reinvented herself by pioneering the heavy use of pitch-correction software—often dubbed the “Cher effect”—turning vocal distortion into an undeniable artistic instrument. The Grammy-winning club staple dominated international charts and spectacularly proved that an artist in her fifties could effortlessly rule the global dancefloor.
2. “If I Could Turn Back Time” (1989)
Written by the legendary hitmaker Diane Warren, this stadium-sized rock ballad perfectly defined her spectacular late-eighties comeback. The track is equally famous for its incredible vocal delivery and its highly controversial music video, which featured her strutting across the deck of the USS Missouri in a sheer, body-baring outfit. It beautifully showcases her ability to balance powerful, soaring rock instrumentation with her rich, distinct contralto voice.
3. “I Got You Babe” (1965)
You simply cannot celebrate her monumental career without acknowledging the counterculture duet that started it all. Recorded alongside her former husband and musical partner Sonny Bono, this sweet, swaying pop track became the ultimate anthem of the 1960s flower-power generation. It instantly launched them into stratospheric global fame and established her incredibly unique, androgynous vocal tone as a formidable force on mainstream radio.
4. “Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves” (1971)
Serving as the title track for her seventh studio album, this folk-pop masterpiece allowed her to step firmly out of Sonny’s shadow and establish a commanding solo presence. The story-driven song explores heavy themes of prejudice, poverty, and teenage pregnancy, anchored by an infectious carousel-style arrangement. It skyrocketed to the absolute top of the Billboard Hot 100, proving she possessed the sheer theatricality to carry complex narratives all by herself.
5. “Dark Lady” (1974)
Leaning heavily into dramatic Southern Gothic storytelling, this thrilling track feels like a complete cinematic experience packed into a tight three minutes. The song follows a gripping narrative of a woman discovering her lover’s infidelity through a local fortune teller, ending in a shocking double murder. Her committed, intensely passionate vocal performance effortlessly sold the campy, fast-paced melodrama, earning her yet another massive number-one hit.
6. “Half-Breed” (1973)
Continuing her incredibly successful streak of narrative-driven pop hits, this track controversially but powerfully tackled the societal struggles of a woman torn between two distinct cultural identities. While the lyrical content and accompanying stage performances are viewed through a much different lens today, the song was an absolute commercial juggernaut in the 1970s. The sweeping orchestral arrangement and her resilient vocal delivery completely captivated American audiences.
7. “Strong Enough” (1999)
Serving as the fantastic, disco-infused follow-up to “Believe,” this track successfully sustained her massive dance-pop momentum at the turn of the millennium. The deeply empowering anthem directly addresses a cheating partner, wrapping a message of fierce feminine independence inside a shimmering, high-energy club beat. It remains an absolute staple during Pride Month celebrations and perfectly highlights her enduring status as an undisputed gay icon.
8. “The Shoop Shoop Song (It’s in His Kiss)” (1990)
Originally recorded by Betty Everett in the 1960s, she masterfully covered this upbeat, effervescent track for her blockbuster film Mermaids. Her vibrant, joyful rendition completely eclipsed the original in several international markets, dominating the UK Singles Chart for weeks. It successfully showcased her lighter, more playful side while perfectly complementing her highly acclaimed return to the Hollywood big screen.
9. “Just Like Jesse James” (1989)
Another brilliant collaboration with Diane Warren, this country-tinged rock ballad is arguably one of the most vocally demanding tracks in her entire catalog. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a turbulent, emotionally dangerous romance, drawing heavy parallels to the infamous Wild West outlaw. Despite her openly admitting in concerts that she actually dislikes performing the wordy song, fans absolutely adore the raw, aggressive energy she brings to the track.
10. “You Haven’t Seen the Last of Me” (2010)
Written specifically for the glitzy musical feature Burlesque, this soaring, Golden Globe-winning power ballad serves as the ultimate modern thesis statement for her entire career. Standing alone on a darkened stage, she delivers a raw, deeply emotional promise of absolute resilience and survival against all odds. After decades of public scrutiny, shifting industry trends, and massive personal reinventions, the title of this triumphant track remains an undeniable fact.
Whether she is rocking a leather jacket or a towering glittering headdress, she has continuously proven that true artistry possesses absolutely no expiration date.