“Believe” is a song by American singer Cher, released in October 1998 as the lead single from her album of the same name. It became one of Cher’s biggest and most iconic hits, marking a major comeback for the artist and helping to redefine pop music with its innovative use of vocal effects.
“Believe” is a dance-pop track, characterized by its upbeat tempo, catchy melody, and prominent use of Auto-Tune to modify Cher’s vocals. This was one of the first mainstream songs to use Auto-Tune in such a noticeable way, giving Cher’s voice a robotic, electronic sound, which became a defining feature of the song. The production is energetic, with a pulsating beat and sweeping synths that make it an ideal track for the dance floor.
The song’s lyrics are about empowerment, resilience, and moving on after a heartbreak. Cher sings about overcoming the pain of a broken relationship and finding the strength to believe in herself again.
“Believe” was a massive commercial success reaching No. 1 in over 20 countries, including the United States, the UK, and Australia. In the United States, it topped the Billboard Hot 100 for four weeks, making Cher the oldest female artist (at age 52) to have a No. 1 hit at the time. It became one of the best-selling singles of all time, with sales exceeding 11 million copies worldwide.
“Believe” is widely credited with revolutionizing pop music, particularly with its pioneering use of Auto-Tune, which became a staple in the music industry following the song’s release. The song also marked Cher’s resurgence in the music scene, proving her ability to adapt to changing musical trends and solidifying her as a timeless pop icon.