"Half-Breed" is a 1973 song recorded by American singer-actress Cher with instrumental backing by L.A. sessions musicians from the Wrecking Crew. Recorded on May 21, 1973 at Larrabee Sound in Los Angeles. Lyrically, the song describes the life of a biracial girl from a white father and indigenous mother and it contains themes of racism and double standards. The song entered the Billboard Hot 100 at number 89 on August 4, 1973, and on October 6, 1973, it became Cher's second US solo number 1 hit. The single was certified Gold in the US for the sales of over 1 million copies.
Song information and story
It was the first international release from Cher's album Half-Breed. It was meant to be sold to the American market. It tells the story, in the tradition of the tragic mestizo stock character, of a young woman with one white and one Cherokee parent, and describes the troubles faced by the main character. The song offers a scenario in which whites often called her "Indian squaw" while Native Americans did not accept her as one of their own because she was considered white according to Native law. In 1973, "Half-Breed" topped the United StatesBillboard Hot 100 for two weeks, becoming Cher's second solo and third overall Number 1 hit, and second Gold certified solo single for the sales of over 1,000,000 copies. It was a Number 1 hit in Canada and New Zealand, and a Top 10 hit in Australia and Norway, respectively.
Critical reception and composition
Peter Fawthrop wrote that this song has a jingling rhythm and that it is one of the lighter-hearted songs on the album. Rolling Stone recommended it and described Cher's vocals as frantic and the production as supremely commercial. The song is written in the key of A minor, with a moderato tempo of 116 beats per minute in common time. Cher's vocals span the notes of F3-A4.
Live performances
In 1999, after almost 25 years of not performing the song live, Cher performed the song in her Do You Believe? Tour. In 2002, she performed the song 326 times in her. In 2018, she performed the song during her Here We Go Again Tour. She performed it in Oceania but it was dropped after the first leg. Cher performed the song on the following concert tours:
The video for "Half-Breed" is a recorded performance of the song on The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour in 1973. Cher is on a horse while singing in front of a white screen. Props symbolizing Native America were used—wood carvings, a fire, and costumes.
Remix version
In 2002, a special remix medley was created by Dan-O-Rama for a video montage that was used in Cher's. The medley contains the videos of "All I Really Want to Do", "Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves", "Half-Breed", and "Dark Lady".
The song appeared in the 2005 filmLords of Dogtown.
In 2012, the character Shania Clemmons of the TV series The New Normal sang this song during a talent show while impersonating Cher.
Covers
Swedish singers Björn Skifs & Blåblus made one of the first covers in 1973. It appeared on their album Pinewood Rally and a compilation entitled Björns Bästa.
German singer Joy Fleming recorded a German-language version "Halbblut" as a single in 1973. It peaked in the West German charts at no. 38 in February 1974.
Orchestra leader Ray Conniff recorded it with his singers in November 1973. It remained unissued until 2009 when it appeared on Ray Conniff: The Singles Collection, Volume 3.
In 1990 it was covered by Shania Twain but it was not released until 2001 on her album The Complete Limelight Sessions.
