Tom: Every time we talk about a song with a name like this, the same as an absolutely iconic track, I get a bit grumpy. Why would you release a song with the same name like that? Unless it’s actually a cover. And who’d dare to cover Believe?
Tom: Oh. He would. And really well.
Tim: Well, yeah, kind of. I mean, it’s hardly the honest to God banger that the original was, is it?
Tom: Okay, a bit of backstory: he performed this live at the Kennedy Center Honours a year ago, and brought Cher to tears. She later posted a tweet in her usual style about it.
Tried 2 write Feelings About Adam Lambert Singing
Believe In Words,but Cant seem 2.When Your senses are Overwhelmed All Can you feel with your ❤️.
I Was Shocked AND Over The MOON When Cindi (Lauper) came out Rocking the house.
Shocked Because SHE TOLD ME SHE WAS IN LA,— Cher (@cher) December 27, 2018
Tim: Amazing.
Tom: Here’s what I reckon: Cher’s original is a better studio version.
Tim: Obviously.
Tom: This isn’t a Johnny Cash situation, where the new cover version is now the definitive version of the song. (Twice.) And honestly, I don’t think this needs to be a studio single: I think that live performance stands well on its own.
Tim: Okay, we’ll come back to that Johnny Cash claim in a bit, because…yeah, later. As for this, sure, that’s a good performance, if you like that sort of thing. I think I’m just too pro-banger to really get this. Just leaves me a bit ehh.
Tom: That said, without the single, I wouldn’t have heard the live version.