Gypsies, Tramps & Thieves (1971)

Probably my fave Cher track. Such an unusual pop song both musically and lyrically speaking. I think this was the very first "pop song" I ever liked. My mom gave me a cassette copy of Cher's Greatest Hits when I was approximately 2-3 years old (circa 1974). Typical gay conditioning. lol.

Here she is performing it in the early 70s.

some song facts:

"Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves" was the first single from Cher's 1971 eponymous album Cher with instrumental backing by L.A session musicians from the Wrecking Crew.[1] The album was subsequently renamed and re-released as Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves after the success of the single. The song was written by songwriter Bob Stone as a story-song called "Gypsys, Tramps and White Trash". Producer Snuff Garrett advised that the title be changed and Stone then changed it to "Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves". The album of the same name got very positive reviews.[2]

Released four years after her last top ten hit "You Better Sit Down Kids", this song was a comeback single for Cher—it was her first single in four years to chart higher than #84—not only returning her to the top ten of the charts but also giving her two weeks at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in November 1971. It knocked off "Maggie May" by Rod Stewart which had spent the previous month at number one. The single also reached #1 in Canada and #4 in the United Kingdom. It became Cher's best-selling single at that point, selling more than 3 million copies worldwide.[3]

fuck. for an album cover, this one is kinda gross looking.

Those chord changes in the bridge are quite something. It’s a great song...

Boy oh boy we cool kids ridiculed the hell out of Cher and her tacky songs way back when. I get it that the Wrecking Crew could propel any song. But they still sound cheesy to me. And remember Cher's "heavy" album Star's? The Village Voice had a one-line review- "Cher is Strange"

And to think Cher is still performing it almost 50 years later in sold-out concerts.

after 47 years i think the song sounds great.

I'm listening to the album now. Love it.

I always thought she was saying "dream moz-a-lear" instead of three months later....

And "south of Mobile" is the Gulf of Mexico. Like Chicago's East Side is Lake Michigan.

Chasity, get out of that bush!

the song's original title "Gypsys, Tramps and White Trash". No joke.

Try singing "Gypsies, Tramps and White Trash"..... it has too many syllables to fit the song and sounds awkward.

One of the best pop songs ever.