Cher Said There’s No Excuse for ‘Half-Breed’

Most classic rock songs are forgotten naturally, but others are forgotten because the artist wants you to forget them. For example, Cher’s “Half-Breed” has come under fire — including from Cher herself. The track was part of a trend of Cher clumsily discussing race in her music.

Cher revealed why ‘Half-Breed’ had to be retired

Cher did well for herself during the 1970s. That decade, she had three No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100: “Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves,” “Dark Lady,” and “Half-Breed.” Each of those songs was a fictional portrayal of a particular ethnic group. “Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves” and “Dark Lady” are about Romani women, while “Half-Breed” is about a half-Cherokee, half-white woman who is hated by both the Cherokee and white people for being a “half-breed.”

It’s hard to imagine any of these songs were written to degrade anyone. Despite this, they haven’t exactly aged well. “Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves” and “Dark Lady” both use the slur “gypsy,” while each of the songs has been lambasted as a form of cultural appropriation. Cher seems most uncomfortable with “Half-Breed,” which is part of a long history of white people literally and metaphorically donning Native American costumes.

According to a 2024 Rolling Stone article, Cher feels the song is no longer acceptable. “I did song 50 yrs. ago, and it wasn’t meant 2 be offensive,” Cher posted in 2017. “However, that’s kinda bull s*** excuse. Need to retire beautiful costume & stop singing it. It’s way past time.”

The daughter of Cher’s producer reacted to the controversy

Cher released a greatest hits record called Forever in 2024. It includes “Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves” and “Dark Lady” but not “Half-Breed.” All three of the songs were produced by musician Snuff Garrett. His daughter, Dawn Garrett, discussed why the potential reasons the “Half-Breed” was excluded from Forever.

“If I had to speculate, I’m going with exactly what you’re writing about,” said Garrett. “I didn’t grow up with the idea that the song was a horrendous insult or anything like that. But this is a completely different generation, and I think it’s important that nobody be insulted or upset. I guess it will remain to be seen if some of the older fans aren’t happy about that. Or if it’s too polarizing.” Even if Cher is no longer performing “Half-Breed,” fans can still find the song on YouTube and streaming services.

‘Half-Breed’ was part of a bad album with 2 Paul McCartney songs

“Half-Breed” was huge in the 1970s. It reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for two weeks, lasting on the chart for 20 weeks. The tune appeared on the album Half-Breed. 

Half-Breed feels a little slapdash, as it features so many covers. Cher had no apparent desire to keep up the song’s Native American theme, so Half-Breed instead features many renditions of then-recent easy-listening hits. For the album, Cher recorded the Bee Gees’ “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart,” Paul McCartney & Wings’ “My Love,” and The Beatles’ “The Long and Winding Road.” None of those songs are among the original artists’ best work and Cher doesn’t improve them in any way.

“Half-Breed” was beloved at the time — but Cher seems content to leave it on the ash heap of history.