Cher, influential figure in the world of autotune, discusses her impact and the significance of her song 'Believe'. Rob recalls meeting Cher through 'Beavis and Butt-Head'. DJ Louie XIV joins to talk about the impact of 'Believe'.
Beavis and Butt-Head's humorous and irreverent commentary on music videos provided a unique source of music discovery for viewers of the MTV generation.
Cher's hit song 'Believe' revolutionized pop music by introducing the use of auto-tune as an artistic and technological tool.
Cher's career embodies the evolution of pop stardom, emphasizing the importance of branding, multimedia presence, and constant reinvention.
Deep dives
Stick the Landing: A Podcast About TV Finales
Stick the Landing is a podcast that explores the finales of celebrated TV series, delving into their significance, impact, and what they reveal about the future of television. Hosted by Andy Greenwald, each episode features a deep dive into the last episode of a notable series, reflecting on its themes, twists, and lasting legacy. The podcast takes listeners on a journey through TV history, from classic shows of the 70s to the streaming era, examining the storytelling choices and lessons that can be learned from the way past shows concluded.
Read, Write, Own: Building a Fairer Internet
This episode of the podcast is brought to you by Read, Write, Own, a book by entrepreneur and startup investor Chris Dixon. Read, Write, Own explores an alternative future for the internet, one that empowers content creators and ensures they receive greater value and control over their work. The book imagines an internet built by and for its users, providing insights into reclaiming control from large tech companies and fostering a more equitable online ecosystem. It invites readers to consider new ways to support and connect with the creators they love, while envisioning a future where ownership and creativity are valued and protected.
Beavis and Butt-Head: A Revolutionary TV Show
Beavis and Butt-Head, the animated show created and helmed by Mike Judge, revolutionized television in the 90s. The show features two teenage burnout characters who sit on their couch, watch music videos on MTV, and provide running commentary filled with rude giggling and irreverence. Beavis and Butt-Head's unique ability to focus and attentively watch music videos, offering their raw and unfiltered opinions, became a source of music discovery for many viewers. The show's humorous and confrontational nature, along with its ability to capture the attention of the MTV generation, made it a cultural phenomenon.
Cher's 'Believe': A Revolutionary Pop Song
Cher's 1998 hit song 'Believe' marked a milestone in pop music. It was the first record to use auto-tune in a way that drew attention to the effect itself. The song's distinctive vocal sound, characterized by a glowing flutter, announced its own technological artifice, combining post-human perfection with angelic transcendence. Cher's embrace of the imperfections and chaos in her career, combined with auto-tune's perfecting capabilities, created a transcendent blend of perfection and imperfection. 'Believe' became a chart-topping success, showcasing Cher's enduring cultural influence and solidifying her status as a pop diva.
The Evolution of Pop Stardom
Pop stardom has evolved from purely being about music to becoming a 360-degree visual experience. Artists like Madonna and Prince paved the way for this shift, where being a pop star became more about branding and multimedia presence. Cher, in particular, embodied the modern pop star prototype with her music, TV appearances, movies, and fashion sense. She set the template for the foundational elements of pop stardom that we see today.
Cher's Career Peaks and Comebacks
Cher's career has been characterized by periods of massive success followed by moments of falling out of fashion. She has constantly reinvented herself and made comebacks, defying expectations and proving her doubters wrong. In the late '80s, she reached new heights with movie roles and her rock music persona. However, the early '90s saw a decline in her career due to cautious movie choices and infomercial ventures. Nevertheless, Cher's ability to adapt and find hits, as shown by her iconic song 'Believe,' allowed her to bounce back and remain a prominent figure in the pop music landscape.
Rob takes a trip down memory lane and once again back to his days of watching ‘Beavis and Butt-Head’ before stopping at his memory of the time Beavis and Butt-Head met a woman. That woman was Cher. Cher’s influence in the world of auto-tune is also discussed along the way. Later, Rob is joined by DJ Louie XIV to discuss the impact of Cher’s “Believe.”
