In the Sixties and part of the Seventies, Sonny & Cher were one of the most successful duos in the entertainment industry. During that golden era, the late Salvatore “Sonny” Bono and Cherilyn Sarkasian LaPierre reached the top of the music charts with hits like “The Beat Goes On,” the timeless “I Got You Babe” and “All I Ever Need Is You.” Between 1970 and 1977 they also hosted a few successful TV shows including “The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour,” a variety show that received many Emmy nominations during its four year run. The couple eventually divorced in 1974 while continuing to work together on “The Sonny and Cher Show” until 1977. That same year saw the release of their final music single, “You’re Not Right For Me.” This disco influenced, feel-good ditty was co-produced and arranged by a young, up and coming musician from Canada named David Foster. “You’re Not Right For Me” marked one of Foster’s first productions ever as he was transitioning from red-hot session man to producer/arranger. During that same period Foster also produced singles for comedy act Cheech and Chong and Neil Sedaka’s daughter, Dara. These were all light-weight pop/dance productions, but of some interest for Foster fans who can appreciate the craft of his arrangements and his masterful keyboard playing.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/archives/clips/you_re_not_right_for_me.mp3|titles=You’re not right for me|artists=Sonny & Cher]

Lead Vocals: Sonny & Cher
Keyboards: David Foster
Produced by David Foster & Sonny Bono
Arranged by David Foster

Lyrics

NO LYRICS

Black Rose was a short-lived rock group fronted by Cher and her then boyfriend, guitarist Les Dudek. They released one self-titled album in 1980 that attempted to follow the radio friendly rock trend Toto, Styx and Kansas successfully started a few years earlier. The rest of the band was made up of talented musicians like Mike Finnigan on keyboards, Gary Ferguson on drums, Warren Ham on vocals, Ron Ritchotte on guitar and Trey Thompson on bass. James Newton Howard, who today is one of the most important names among soundtracks composers, produced the album plus played the majority of keyboards and synthesizers. “Black Rose” included some guests from the “westcoast pop/rock” circle like Steve Porcaro and David Paich of Toto plus Max Gronenthal and John Townsend of Sanford & Townsend fame.
“Never Should’ve Started,” co-written by David Foster, Paich, Newton Howard and singer/songwriter Valerie Carter, opens the album in a powerful way. It is a dramatic rock tune with a clear Meat Loaf influence, some new wave-ish echoes plus an over the top performance by Cher. The song wasn’t bad but suffered from a weak and uninventive arrangement. However, it is still interesting for Foster’s fans who can hear him explore his rock side.
The rest of “Black Rose” is more rock sounds without any real originality except the ballad “Young And Pretty.” It sports a nice melody, some good time changes and an effective performance by the singer.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/archives/clips/never_should_ve_strated.mp3|titles=Never should’ve strated|artists=Cher]

Performed by Black Rose
Lead Vocals: Cher
Produced by James Newton Howard

Lyrics

I’m going all the way
Tonight’s the night
I’m gonna give my love
I’m gonna treat you right
I don’t want to try to understand my love
I just wanna take you by the hand
No matter what it takes
I’ll make you mine
You’re gonna give it up
You’re gonna say alright
I’m gonna take you by surprise
Right between the eyes
Ooh, yea!

Never should’ve started
Ya never should’ve started
Ya never should’ve started with me boys
You never should’ve started
You never should’ve started
You never should’ve started with me yea

I’m going all the way
Tonight’s the night
I’m gonna give my love
I’m gonna treat you right
I don’t wanna try to understand my love
I just want to take you by the hand
No matter what it takes
I’ll make you mine

I’m gonna give you all my lovin’ boy
I’m gonna say alright
I’m gonna take you by surprise
Right between the eyes
Ooh, yea!

Never should’ve started
Ya never should’ve started
Ya never should’ve started with me boy
You never should’ve started
You never should’ve started
You never should’ve started with me yea
I’m gonna take you by surprise
Right between the eyes
Ooh, yea!

You never should’ve started
You never should’ve started
You never should’ve started with me boys
You never should’ve started
You never should’ve started
You never should’ve started with me yea!