It was 1999. The Backstreet Boys’ “I Want It That Way” was playing on repeat. Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant were about to grace us with Notting Hill. Christina Aguilera was pioneering low-rise jeans. The Matrix made PVC a moment for life (CC. Charli XCX and Troye Sivan).
But more importantly, on this date 20 years ago, Cher‘s “Believe” hit number one in the US charts – making her the oldest female artist (at the age of 52) to do so. Auto-tune immediately went mainstream. Billboard declared the track “The best darn thing that Cher has recorded in years.” Entertainment Weekly labelled it “poptronica glaze, the soon-to-be club fave…”
Still galvinising clubs across the world, we don’t have to tell you that the first few pounding synths of “Believe” magically bring any party, pre-drinks or kareoke session to life. Mums scream and Dads break into dance involuntarily, the heartbroken collapse into tears of joy and even the most miserable party go-ers can’t help but throw their hands in the air. As the track hits undisputed iconique status on its 20th birthday as a hit, take a look back at the typically late-90s club video – plus some eternal words of wisdom from Cher herself…