The Greatest Hits

I decided to start reviewing old unreviewed albums systematically from A to Ö. This is bound to become a strange one as I've hardly ever really listened to the whole album... Why did I buy this in the first place? Probably because of the three hits from her big comeback album some five years ago. And well, in a way this can also be considered something you just have to have. I can give absolutely no prediction what kind of score this is going to get...

#1 Believe 10

When this first came out, I wasn't yet accustomed to dance music. If I had been, this would most probably have become an instant hit back then already. It's just good, as you can tell from the fact that it made it onto my all-stars collection Stolen.

#2 It's in His Kiss 9

Oh, I wouldn't know this at all, hadn't Madonna made us dance this in the Stepup Christmas show 2003. Weren't we all so charming :] Through that experience I started to like this. I really wouldn't believe that this is as new as 1992...

#3 If I Could Turn Back Time 8½

It's a clear sign that an artist is famous if her songs are all known to you from different sources. This one, of course, from Will & Grace, where Jack is so obsessed about Cher but doesn't even recognise her. I don't know what to think about this. It's okay at least.

#4 Heart of Stone 8

Now this collection is making more sense to me. During my first listenings the wholeness seemed chaotic (evil) but not so much anymore.

#5 Love and Understanding 7½

This one, too, sounds familiar, but I don't know where from. Heh, I thought this would've been called "Naughty" but luckily I checked and was proved wrong.

#6 Love Hurts 8

Ballad time. Oh oh, this one is familiar as well, I noticed at a certain point. Not bad at all, actually.

#7 Just Like Jesse James 8½

I think I should stop mentioning if the track is familiar because so far all of these have been... This one, if from nowhere else, from my campaign to collect different songs with "Jesse" or "Jessie" launched by Madonna's lovely Dear Jessie.

#8 I Found Someone 9

Begins in a mysterious and (surprise surprise) familiar way. Too bad I don't have the album with me to find out the years for these, as, after all, they are spread over five decades. Oh, the instrumental is just the the best part. The chorus, on the other hand, isn't just as good, reminding me of some old rock hit. Or the again, as this is Cher, it's always possible that this is the original.

#9 One by One 8

This one I encountered while looking for songs with a mathematical theme.

#10 Strong Enough 10

And back to the newer hits, the ones I practically bought the whole CD for. It's a shame this didn't become even bigger a gay anthem than it did as it has all the makings of one.

#11 All or Nothing 9½

When this first came out, I was disappointed with both the song and the video, the former being very resemblant to the previous two and the latter being a simple mix of the first two videos. But lately this has actually become a big favourite, especially due to some positive dance experiences. The waggling sound in the chorus is just so good for doing high kicks with hands to match.

#12 Walking in Memphis 7½

I don't know what to think about this.

#13 Love Can Build a Bridge 7

Oh what a sing-a-long choir hymn. But finally I think I can say this isn't previously familiar to me. Or maybe it is but I just have forgotten it. But well, forgotten things don't count.

#14 All I Really Want to Do 7

This I can tell is old at least. Maybe too so?

#15 Bang Bang 7

I've never been a big fan of this.

#16 Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves 8

This is a fun one, as you can already tell by the title.

#17 The Beat Goes on 6

I can't hear this without thinking of Kylie's Light Years where the A part has been copied into. Hers is better.

#18 I Got You Babe 7

And then the very first one of them all.

#19 Dov'è l'amore 8

Italian words correctly pronounced can't be anything else but a plus but the song itself isn't too interesting.