Jump to content

Strong Enough (Cher song)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Uncleangelo (talk | contribs) at 03:32, 7 June 2020 (Weekly charts). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

"Strong Enough"
Single by Cher
from the album Believe
ReleasedFebruary 19, 1999
Recorded1998
GenreDisco
Length3:44 (album version)
3:33 (radio edit)
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Mark Taylor
Cher singles chronology
"Believe"
(1998)
"Strong Enough"
(1999)
"All or Nothing"
(1999)
Music video
"Strong Enough" on YouTube

"Strong Enough" is a song by American recording artist Cher from her twenty-second studio album Believe (1998). The song was released as the second single from the album. It was released on February 19, 1999 by Warner Bros, and WEA. The song's composition and musical style is strongly reminiscent of 1970s disco music. The song received positive reviews from music critics, many calling it a highlight to Believe. The song had less success in the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, where it peaked at number fifty-seven, but did top the U.S. Hot Dance Club Play charts. It also went to number one in Hungary and into the top ten in Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, New Zealand, Scotland, Spain, Switzerland and the UK.

Background and reception

"Strong Enough" was released as the second international single from Cher's twenty-third studio album Believe, which was released in 1998. However it was not successful in the US until it received more airplay following the release of promotional remixes. The song, along with "Believe", has become one of her most successful songs to date.

"Strong Enough" received favorable reviews from music critics. Aftonbladet stated that the song "will be as great for the distressed" as Gloria Gaynors' "I Will Survive".[1] AllMusic wrote that "Cher herself merely moves through the beat factory with one drab vocal range, blending butt-shaker."[2] Randy Cordova from The Arizona Republic described the song as a "thumping retro-disco tune".[3] Larry Flick from Billboard wrote that it "picks up right where "Believe" left off." He noted that the "retro-disco" song is "irresistibly catchy, jubilant as a prayer revival, and an ideal partner as kids prepare to buddy up with radio as school finishes up. Everything about this anthemic track is obvious from the rust listen: Cher is again in peak form, set in front of a string-laden, thump-happy beat that will have folks tapping toes and snapping fingers from Maine to Minnesota." He also added that "no doubt, this is the biggest no-brainer hit we've heard this year."[4] Matt Stopera and Brian Galindo from BuzzFeed commented, "Always overshadowed by "Believe", "Strong Enough" was also a great '90s dance song!"[5] The Daily Vault's Michael R. Smith said that "this is the most comfortable and relaxed she has ever sounded musically."[6] Irish Independent picked it as one of the "highlights" from the Believe album, noting it as "rousing".[7] Deborah Wilker from Knight Ridder said "Strong Enough" is the best song of the album, calling it a "catchy feminist chant" and "her very own "I Will Survive"".[8]

Chart performance

"Strong Enough" had peaked at number fifty-seven on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, staying in the charts for twelve weeks. The song didn't receive much attention in the United States, but when the promo remixes were released, the song had peaked at number one on the U.S. Hot Dance Club Play. It also peaked at number thirty-one on the U.S. Pop Songs, number twenty-nine on the U.S. Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks and number forty on the U.S. Hot Adult Top 40 Tracks.[9]

Elsewhere, the song was successful, mostly getting in the top ten in most countries. The song had peaked at number six in New Zealand, and also peaked at number eleven in Australia.[10] The song was also very well received in Europe. The song peaked at number one in Hungary, and had also peaked at number seven in Finland, until falling out the third week and number three in France, staying in the charts for twenty-four weeks.[11] The song had also peaked at number twenty-one in Sweden, five in Switzerland, four in Austria, eleven in The Netherlands and sixteen in Norway. The song also debuted at number five on the UK Singles Chart, until descending the rest of the way, finally finishing at number fifty-six.[12]

Music video

Cher performing "Strong Enough" at her 2014 Dressed to Kill Tour during a gladiator-themed segment of the show.

The music video for Strong Enough was directed by Nigel Dick and was released worldwide in early 1999. A promo VHS tape and CD-R were also released in the U.S., but are very rare. The video promo also includes the remixed version of the video.

In this video, Cher is a computer virus and her role is an advisor who tells a bad boyfriend the reasons why his girlfriend (played by Shannyn Sossamon) will leave him. Other participations in this video include teens in a party, two women, two robbers and lots of gothic instrument players.

A couple of months after the release of the original music video for Strong Enough, Dan-O-Rama (best known for his work remixing videos) created the "Vocal Club Edit" video for this song. He used the Strong Enough (Pumpin' Dolls Vocal Epic Club) remix and Club 69 Future Edit* promo only for DJs in 2000. The original music video is also featured on 'The Very Best Of Cher: The Video Hits Collection'

Live performances

Cher performed the song on the following concert tours:

Formats and track listings

These are the formats and track listings of all single releases of "Strong Enough".

US/Canadian maxi-single (9 44644-2)[13][14]

  1. "Strong Enough"
  2. "Strong Enough" (Club 69 Future Anthem Mix 1)
  3. "Strong Enough" (Pumpin' Dolls Vocal Epic Club)
  4. "Strong Enough" (Male Version)
  5. "Strong Enough" (Club 69 Phunk Mix)
  6. "Strong Enough" (Marc Andrews Remix Edit)
  7. "Strong Enough" (Pumpin' Dolls Cashmere Club Mix)
  8. "Strong Enough" (D-Bop's Melt Mix)
  9. "Strong Enough" (Club 69 Future Anthem Short Mix Edit)
  10. "Strong Enough" (Pumpin' Dolls Radio Edit)

Canadian 2 x 12" vinyl (2 27570)[14][15]

Same track list of the US 2 x 12 Vinyl.[14]

US 2 x 12" vinyl (PRO-A-9719)[14][16]

  • A1. "Strong Enough" (Club 69 Future Anthem Mix 2)
  • A2. "Strong Enough"
  • B1. "Strong Enough" (Club 69 Phunk Mix)
  • B2. "Strong Enough" (Marc Andrews Remix Edit)
  • C1. "Strong Enough" (Pumpin' Dolls Vocal Epic Club)
  • C2. "Strong Enough" (D-Bop's Melt Mix)
  • D1. "Strong Enough" (Pumpin' Dolls Cashmere Club Mix)
  • D2. "Strong Enough" (Club 69 Future Anthem Short Mix)

Japananese Strong Enough/Believe EP (JPN-WPCR-10224 )[14][17]

  1. "Strong Enough"
  2. "Strong Enough" (Pumpin' Dolls Remix Edit = Phat 'N' Phunky Club Mix)
  3. "Strong Enough" (Club 69 Future Anthem Mix 2)
  4. "Strong Enough" (Marc Andrews Remix)
  5. "Believe" (Album Version)
  6. "Believe" (Phat'n Dolls Remix Edit = Phat 'N' Phunky Club Mix)
  7. "Believe" (Almighty Definitive)
  8. "Believe" (Club 69 Phunk Club Mix)

UK CD single pt. 1 (WEA 201 CD1)[14][18]

  1. "Strong Enough"
  2. "Strong Enough" (Club 69 Future Anthem Short Mix Edit)
  3. "Strong Enough" (Marc Andrews Remix Edit)

Germany CD single pt. 2 (WEA 201 CD2)[14][19]

  1. "Strong Enough"
  2. "Strong Enough" (Male Version)
  3. "Strong Enough" (D-Bop's Melt Mix)

Promo CD Mexican (PCD1217) [14]

  1. "Strong Enough" (Album Version) 3:44
  2. "Strong Enough" (Marc Andrews Remix Edit) 7:31

Official mixes

  • Album Version (3:44)
  • Edit (3:33)
  • Male Version (3:32)

D-Bop remixes

  • D-Bop's Melt Mix (7:49)

Marc Andrews remixes

  • Marc Andrews Remix (aka "Marc Andrews Remix Edit" on some releases) (7:31)
  • Marc Andrews Remix (Extended) (7:56)

Club 69 remixes

  • Club 69 Future Anthem Mix (11:00)
  • Club 69 Future Anthem Mix (11:00) (Japan single edition)
  • Club 69 Future Anthem Mix (9:25) (Promo only)
  • Club 69 Future Anthem Short Mix (8:56)
  • Club 69 Future Anthem Short Mix Edit (8:39)
  • Club 69 Phunk Mix (8:32)
  • Club 69 Future Anthem Instrumental (11:00)
  • Club 69 Future Anthem Edit (Promo only) (5:33)
  • Club 69 Future Beats (5:29)

Pumpin' Dolls remixes

  • Pumpin' Dolls Cashmere Club Mix (8:34)
  • Pumpin' Dolls Vocal Epic Club (7:22)
  • Pumpin' Dolls Remix Edit (3:48)

Wayne G remix – Not Official

  • Sleaze Sisters Remix (8:59)

Charts and certifications

Cover versions

References

  1. ^ Aftonbladet. July 1, 1999.
  2. ^ Review by Allmusic Retrieved October 25, 2013
  3. ^ "Cher: Ageless diva survives and thrives". The Arizona Republic. June 16, 1999. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
  4. ^ "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. May 22, 1999. p. 25. Retrieved February 10, 2020.
  5. ^ Stopera, Matt; Galindo, Brian (March 11, 2017). "The 101 Greatest Dance Songs of the '90s". BuzzFeed. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
  6. ^ "Cher - Believe". The Daily Vault. September 6, 2009. Retrieved February 25, 2020.
  7. ^ "CHRISTY MOORE. THE POGUES AND MARY". Irish Independent. December 9, 1998. page 49. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  8. ^ "Cher throws more curves with latest album, 'Believe'". Knight Ridder. November 10, 1998. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
  9. ^ "Believe - Cher". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2012-02-08.
  10. ^ Steffen Hung. "Cher - Strong Enough". charts.nz. Retrieved 2012-02-08.
  11. ^ Steffen Hung. "Cher - Strong Enough". lescharts.com. Retrieved 2012-02-08.
  12. ^ "Cher - Strong Enough". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2012-02-08.
  13. ^ Cher - Strong Enough
  14. ^ a b c d e f g h "Strong Enough Single".
  15. ^ Cher - Strong Enough
  16. ^ Cher - Strong Enough
  17. ^ Cher - Strong Enough/Believe
  18. ^ Cher - Strong Enough
  19. ^ Cher - Strong Enough
  20. ^ "Cher – Strong Enough". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
  21. ^ "Cher – Strong Enough" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
  22. ^ "Cher – Strong Enough" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
  23. ^ "Cher – Strong Enough" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
  24. ^ "Hits of the World" (PDF). Billboard. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
  25. ^ a b "Cher Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
  26. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 8124." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
  27. ^ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 8469." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
  28. ^ "RPM Dance". RPM. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
  29. ^ "danskehitlister". danskehitlister.dk. Retrieved July 13, 2018.
  30. ^ a b "Hits of the World" (PDF). Billboard. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
  31. ^ "Cher: Strong Enough" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
  32. ^ "Cher – Strong Enough" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
  33. ^ "Cher - Top Titel" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
  34. ^ "Top 10 Greece" (PDF). Music & Media. May 8, 1999. p. 10. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
  35. ^ "Top 10 Hungary" (PDF). Music & Media. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
  36. ^ "Íslenski Listinn NR. 318 Vikuna 9.4. - 16.4. 1999" (PDF). Dagblaðið Vísir. April 9, 1999. p. 10. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
  37. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Strong Enough". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
  38. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 17, 1999" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
  39. ^ "Cher – Strong Enough" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
  40. ^ "Cher – Strong Enough". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
  41. ^ "Cher – Strong Enough". VG-lista. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
  42. ^ http://rmfpoplista.phorum.pl/ http://rmfpoplista.phorum.pl/viewtopic.php?t=71. Retrieved July 13, 2018. {{cite web}}: External link in |work= (help); Missing or empty |title= (help)
  43. ^ "Palmarès de la chanson anglophone et allophone au Québec" (in French). BAnQ. Retrieved September 11, 2019.
  44. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
  45. ^ "Hits of the World" (PDF). Billboard. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
  46. ^ "Cher – Strong Enough". Singles Top 100. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
  47. ^ "Cher – Strong Enough". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
  48. ^ "Cher: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
  49. ^ "Cher Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
  50. ^ "Cher Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
  51. ^ "Cher Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
  52. ^ "Cher Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
  53. ^ "Cher Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
  54. ^ "Cher Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  55. ^ "ARIA Charts - End Of Year Charts - Top 100 Singles 1999". ARIA. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
  56. ^ "Jahreshitparade Singles 1999" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
  57. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 1999" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
  58. ^ "Rapports annuels 1999" (in French). Ultratop. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
  59. ^ "RPM 1999 Top 100 Adult Contemporary". RPM. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
  60. ^ "Classement Singles - année 1999" (in French). SNEP. Archived from the original on September 5, 2012. Retrieved October 31, 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  61. ^ "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
  62. ^ "Single Top 100 Van 1999" (PDF) (in Dutch). Stichting Nederlandse Top 40. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
  63. ^ "Jaaroverzichten - single 1999". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
  64. ^ "Romanian Top 100: Top of the Year 1999" (in Romanian). Romanian Top 100. Archived from the original on January 22, 2005.
  65. ^ "Swiss Year-end Charts 1999". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
  66. ^ "Najlepsze single na UK Top 40-1999 wg sprzedaży" (in Polish). Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 31, 2015.[permanent dead link]
  67. ^ "The Year in Music: 1999" (PDF). Billboard. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
  68. ^ "The Year in Music: 1999" (PDF). Billboard. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
  69. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1999 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association.
  70. ^ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – singles 1999". Ultratop. Hung Medien.
  71. ^ "French single certifications – Cher – Strong Enough" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique.
  72. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Cher; 'Strong Enough')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
  73. ^ "British single certifications – Cher – Strong Enough". British Phonographic Industry. Select singles in the Format field. Select Silver in the Certification field. Type Strong Enough in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.