When Cher released “The Shoop Shoop Song (It’s in His Kiss)” in November 1990, it wasn’t just a soundtrack single—it became one of her biggest international chart hits in years. Originally written by Rudy Clark and made famous by Betty Everett in 1964, the song was chosen as the centerpiece for the film Mermaids, where Cher also took the lead role. Her version gave a vintage girl-group classic a pop-powered reboot with glossy production and loads of charm.
Produced by Peter Asher, the cover landed on the Mermaids soundtrack and later popped up on the European edition of Cher’s 1991 album Love Hurts, where it fit neatly with her rising pop persona.
Camp with polish
Cher didn’t reinvent the wheel here—she kept the doo-wop heart of Everett’s version intact but added ‘90s polish. The handclaps, harmonies, and bright arrangements are all still present, but the updated sound feels fuller and more theatrical. Cher’s vocals? Playful, knowing, and totally magnetic. Her delivery is less wide-eyed than the original—more confident and cheeky, which transforms the track from innocent crush anthem to a bold wink of empowerment.
The message stays the same
The lyrics have always been refreshingly simple: if you want to know how a guy feels, check how he kisses, not what he says.
“If you wanna know / If he loves you so / It’s in his kiss.”
It’s charming and timeless, and Cher makes it her own with punch and personality.
Big screen crossover
The song was featured during the closing credits of Mermaids (starring Cher, Winona Ryder, and Christina Ricci), and the music video—directed by Marty Callner—leaned into full-on retro camp. It shows the trio lip-syncing in glittery vintage costumes, dancing around in a diner-like set. It hit MTV hard, becoming a favorite and helping drive both the film and song up the charts.
The movie was quirky, and the song fit right in—familiar, fun, and just left-of-center enough to make an impact.
International chart heat
While it only reached #33 on the US Billboard Hot 100, the song exploded overseas. Cher hit #1 in the UK, Ireland, Austria, and Norway, marking her first solo UK chart-topper after 25 years (the last was “I Got You Babe” with Sonny Bono in 1965). It also landed in the Top 10 across France, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Sweden, and earned Platinum certifications in several markets.
It was the kind of success that reminded everyone Cher wasn’t going anywhere.
Still sparkling
Today, “The Shoop Shoop Song” holds strong as one of Cher’s best-known covers. It’s often treated as a feel-good hit from a playful moment in her career—but it’s also proof of her versatility. Whether tackling disco, rock, or retro pop, she always leaves her mark.
This wasn’t just a nod to the past—it was Cher grabbing hold of a classic and giving it new life, glitter and all.