Backstage is the fifth studio album by American singer-actress Cher, released in July 1968 by Imperial Records. It marked her final album for the label before she transitioned to Atco Records. The album largely features interpretations of contemporary hit songs and standards, alongside a few original compositions.
Background and Recording
Following a string of successful albums in the mid-1960s, Cher continued her musical partnership with Sonny Bono, who served as the album's producer. "Backstage" was recorded during a period when Cher was experimenting with different musical styles and trying to maintain relevance in a rapidly changing music landscape. The album reflected an effort to branch out from the folk-pop sound that had defined much of her early career.
Musical Style
The album showcases a blend of pop, folk-pop, and orchestral pop elements, typical of late 1960s music production. It includes covers of tracks by prominent artists of the era, such as Bob Dylan's "Masters of War," The Lovin' Spoonful's "Do You Believe in Magic," and Carole King and Gerry Goffin's "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman," which Aretha Franklin had famously recorded the previous year. The arrangements often incorporate strings and horns, contributing to a lush, sometimes dramatic, sound.
Singles
While two songs from the album were released as singles, neither achieved significant chart success:
- "Carnival"
- "The Click Song (Pata Pata)" (a cover of Miriam Makeba's hit)
Reception
"Backstage" did not achieve commercial success comparable to Cher's earlier albums, failing to chart on the Billboard 200 in the United States. Critically, it is often viewed as a transitional work in Cher's discography, showing her exploration of diverse musical territories before her resurgence in the 1970s with more defined pop and rock sounds. Its mixed critical reception reflected its somewhat eclectic tracklist and production, which some found less cohesive than her previous efforts.
Track Listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Go Now" | Larry Banks, Milton Bennett | 3:40 |
| 2. | "Carnival" | Cher Bono, Jackie DeShannon | 3:20 |
| 3. | "It All Adds Up Now" | Sonny Bono, Jackie DeShannon | 2:40 |
| 4. | "Masters of War" | Bob Dylan | 4:10 |
| 5. | "Do You Believe in Magic" | John Sebastian | 2:30 |
| 6. | "I Wasn't Ready" | Cher Bono, Jackie DeShannon | 2:50 |
| 7. | "Take Me for a Little While" | Trade Martin | 2:40 |
| 8. | "The Click Song (Pata Pata)" | Miriam Makeba, Jerry Ragovoy | 2:50 |
| 9. | "A House Is Not a Home" | Burt Bacharach, Hal David | 2:25 |
| 10. | "Thirteenth Hour" | Cher Bono | 3:25 |
| 11. | "I Say a Little Prayer" | Burt Bacharach, Hal David | 3:35 |
| 12. | "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" | Gerry Goffin, Carole King, Jerry Wexler | 2:30 |
Personnel
- Cher – lead vocals
- Sonny Bono – producer
- Harold Battiste – arrangements (uncredited for specific tracks, but a frequent collaborator)
- Uncredited session musicians – instrumentation, backing vocals
Chart Performance
- Did not chart on the Billboard 200 (United States).