Cher’s been out saving elephants in Cambodia this week, which got us thinking that it’s been a long time since 1965 and her debut as the better-looking (and better-sounding half) half of the Sonny and Cher duo.
The pair broke onto the scene – Cherilyn Sarkisian was only 19 at the time – with the release of “I Got You Babe,” which went to No. 1 for three weeks and remained their signature song ever since.
Indeed, the duo closed their 1970s TV show, “The Sonny and Cher Comedy Show,” with it each week from 1971 to ’73 – sometimes with daughter Chastity in tow.
But in 1974, the pair divorced and began separate career paths – Cher continuing to sing and act, and Sonny eventually becoming mayor of Palm Springs, Ca. in 1988, just after the duo had come together to perform for the last time on David Letterman’s talk show in 1987.
But their classic hit continued. In the film, “Groundhog Day,” the song was used as a running joke: Bill Murray woke every morning to the tune on his clock radio. Countless artists covered it, including a 1985 reggae version by UB40 and Chrissie Hynde, which reached No. 1 in the UK.
Cher sang it with REM at the Hollywood Bowl, and she accompanied the animated characters Beavis and Butt-Head on MTV, who joked they thought Bono was U2’s singer, not her former husband.
“I Got You Babe” also found new relevance after Sonny’s fatal skiing accident in 1998. Since then, Cher includes a Sonny montage in her live concerts.
Check out this performance of the song – written by Sonny –
on Beat Club, a German TV show, in 1965.
Her: they say we’re young and we don’t know, we won’t find out until we grow
Him: well I don’t know if all that’s true ’cause you got me, and baby I got you
Him: babe
Both: I got you babe, I got you babe
.
Her: they say our love won’t pay the rent before it’s earned, our money’s all been spent
Him: I guess that’s so, we don’t have a pot, but at least I’m sure of all the things we got
Him: babe
Both: I got you babe I got you babe
Him: I got flowers in the spring, I got you to wear my ring
Her: and when I’m sad, you’re a clown and if I get scared, you’re always around
Her: so let them say your hair’s too long ’cause I don’t care, with you I can’t go wrong
Him: then put your little hand in mine, there ain’t no hill or mountain we can’t climb
Him: babe
Both: I got you babe I got you babe
Him: I got you to hold my hand
Her: I got you to understand
Him: I got you to walk with me
Her: I got you to talk with me
Him: I got you to kiss goodnight
Her: I got you to hold me tight
Him: I got you, I won’t let go
Her: I got you to love me so
Both: I got you babe