Tom: It’s impossible to write a review about Cher without at least touching on the subject of her age. So let’s get it out the way: she’s 67, she’s got a new album twelve years after the last one, and she looks good.
And now: the lead single, which can be summed up in three words:
Tim: “Bloody weird hair”?
Tom: It’s no “Believe”.
Tim: Oh, yes. That too.
Tom: But then, that was always going to be the case: that Big Song of hers got a Grammy Award and became one of the best-selling singles of all time. Just based on regression to the mean, it ain’t going to be that good.
So let’s try to set those expectations aside: is this actually any good if examined on its own? Well, it’s a good club track, she can clearly still sing, and the message is enough to get a crowd jumping.
Tim: Yes, I think it’s pretty good. Though I do have one problem: the regularly repeated “I’m stronger, strong enough to” bit, which, every single time, makes me want to listen to Kelly Clarkson instead. Because let’s face it that’s a much better track.
Tom: But like so many tracks, there doesn’t seem to be much there: the chorus has been drilled into my head, sure, but I don’t think I like it being in there. It’s, what, one or two notes?
Tim: Well let’s all have a decent chorus then. WHAT DOESN’T KILL YOU MAKES YOU STRONGER. STAND A LITTLE TALLER.
Tom: I suspect that this won’t trouble the Top 10. I also expect Cher won’t be at all troubled by that.
Tim: Probably not. And if I’m honest, neither will I.