Half-Breed
Cher
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My father married a pure Cherokee My mother's people were ashamed of me The Indians said I was white by law The White Man always called me "Indian Squaw" Half-breed, that's all I ever heard Half-breed, how I learned to hate the word Half-breed, she's no good they warned Both sides were against me since the day I was born We never settled, went from town to town When you're not welcome you don't hang around The other children always laughed at me "Give her a feather, she's a Cherokee" Half-breed, that's all I ever heard Half-breed, how I learned to hate the word Half-breed, she's no good they warned Both sides were against me since the day I was born We weren't accepted and I felt ashamed Nineteen I left them, tell me who's to blame My life since then has been from man to man But I can't run away from what I am Half-breed, that's all I ever heard Half-breed, how I learned to hate the word Half-breed, she's no good they warned Both sides were against me since the day I was born Half-breed, that's all I ever heard Half-breed, how I learned to hate the word Half-breed, she's no good they warned Both sides were against me since the day I was born
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12 facts about this song
Song Information"Half-Breed" is a song recorded by American singer-actress Cher. It was released as a single in 1973 and is the titular track of her 10th studio album.
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Billboard Ranking"Half-Breed" peaked at number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart on October 6, 1973, earning Cher her second number-one single on the chart.
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Song DurationThe song runs for approximately 2 minutes and 44 seconds, making it a brief yet passionate narrative piece within Cher's repertoire.
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RIAA CertificationThe Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) awarded the song a Gold certification in October 1973.
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Theme and CityThe song addresses the discrimination faced by half-breeds, a term used in North America to describe people of mixed race or ethnicity. It narrates the struggles of a woman of half-Cherokee and half-white descent.
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Backlash to RacismDuring live performances, Cher originally wore a feathered headdress, a white dress, and knee-high boots. This American Indian-inspired cosplay received backlash for cultural insensitivity and unintentional racism.
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Song's WritersThe lyrics of "Half-Breed" were penned by Al Capps and Mary Dean, who successfully collaborated to bring Cher's musical story to life.
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Grammy NominationThe song was nominated for a Grammy Award in 1974 in the Best Female Pop Vocal Performance category.
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Accompanying Music VideoThe song's music video features Cher in an Indian attire, singing the song on a horse amidst a deserted area, intending to showcase the isolation felt by individuals of mixed descent.
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Commercial SuccessDespite the controversies and criticisms, "Half-Breed" was a commercial success and is still remembered as one of Cher's most iconic songs.
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Usage in Media"Half-Breed" has been featured in several TV shows and films including "The Simpsons", "Glee", and "Hell on Wheels", demonstrating its cultural impact and longevity.
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Covers and Re-RecordingsThe song has been covered by various artists such as David Hasselhoff in 2012. Cher re-recorded and remixed the song for her 1999 compilation album "If I Could Turn Back Time: Cher's Greatest Hits".
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Citation
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"Half-Breed Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 13 Jun 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/26149187/Cher/Half-Breed>.
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