If I Could Turn Back Time
Encyclopedia
"If I Could Turn Back Time" is a song written by Diane Warren
and was released on June 1, 1989 as the second North American
and first Europe
an single
release from American singer/actress Cher
's twentieth album Heart of Stone by Geffen Records
.
"If I Could Turn Back Time" was very successful and it became Cher's second consecutive number 1 in the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart . It topped the charts in two countries and it became a top ten hit in nearly ten countries. Cher had several subsequent hits including "The Shoop Shoop Song
", "Strong Enough
" and "Believe
".
In episode 3-07 (first aired on November 16, 2000) of Will & Grace
, Jack
meets Cher in a café and mistakes her for a drag queen
. She sings a few notes of "If I Could Turn Back Time" to make him understand she's the real Cher.
In 2001, Cher released a double vinyl with 3 remix of "If I Could Turn Back Time" called Cher vs. Almighty
. This remix was used as the opening track for the "Living Proof: Farewell Tour" combining the intro to "Dark Lady" and elements of "A Different Kind of Love Song".
In April 2009, Ronnie Mitchell
sang "If I Could Turn Back Time" to Danielle's grave on EastEnders
.
In May 2010 One Life To Live
premiered the special STARR'XD LOVERS where Brody
, Jessica
and, Layla
sang the song after Cristian turned Jessica down from dancing.
The video for "If I Could Turn Back Time" takes place on board the battleship
, where Cher sings to a large group of sailors. This video was filmed on July 1, 1989 while the ship was stationed at the former Long Beach Naval Shipyard
at Pier D along with the crew. In the music video, the band plays on the foredeck, and the whole vessel is rigged with spotlights, light racks and strobes. The crew is on the deck, waving with the rhythm.
Cher's outfit for the original video (a fishnet
body stocking under a very revealing black one-piece bathing suit) caused some controversy, and many television networks refused to show the video. In 1989 the MTV
network banned the video and later played it only after 9 p.m. Cher is said to have commented while on set that originally when she agreed to wear the outfit, the sailors were not to be present. A "censored" video, including new scenes, and showing less explicitly sexual content than the previous original video was then made.
In 2000 a remix was released, which was recorded during her previous tour, "Do You Believe?".
In 2003 Cher released her "Living Proof: Farewell Tour" concert on DVD which included an official "If I Could Turn Back Time" remix video.
This specific Cher video has been parodied many times, such as in Stewie Griffin: The Untold Story
, where Meg Griffin
is in the role of Cher, but instead of the sailors enjoying it, they all flee for their lives and the boat appears to sink at the end.
Cher's son, Elijah Blue Allman
, only twelve at the time, makes an appearance in the video, playing a guitar (he wears dark glasses and a Jimi Hendrix
T-shirt
). Additionally, Cher's second husband and Elijah's father, Gregg Allman
, also makes an appearance on guitar.
If I Could Turn Back Time European CD Single
If I Could Turn Back Time Remix
Diane Warren
Diane Eve Warren , is a US songwriter. Her songs have received six Academy Award nominations, five Golden Globe nominations, including one win and seven Grammy Award nominations, including one win. She was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2001...
and was released on June 1, 1989 as the second North American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and first Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
release from American singer/actress Cher
Cher
Cher is an American recording artist, television personality, actress, director, record producer and philanthropist. Referred to as the Goddess of Pop, she has won an Academy Award, a Grammy Award, an Emmy Award, three Golden Globes and a Cannes Film Festival Award among others for her work in...
's twentieth album Heart of Stone by Geffen Records
Geffen Records
Geffen Records is an American record label, owned by Universal Music Group, and operated as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-Beginnings:...
.
Song information
"If I Could Turn Back Time" was seen as a major comeback for Cher in the late 1980s. The song charted at number 1 in Australia and Norway, number 3 in the United States and number 6 in the United Kingdom."If I Could Turn Back Time" was very successful and it became Cher's second consecutive number 1 in the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart . It topped the charts in two countries and it became a top ten hit in nearly ten countries. Cher had several subsequent hits including "The Shoop Shoop Song
The Shoop Shoop Song (It's in His Kiss)
"The Shoop Shoop Song " is a song written by Rudy Clark. The song was made a hit when recorded by Betty Everett, who hit #1 on the Cashbox magazine R&B charts with it in 1964...
", "Strong Enough
Strong Enough (Cher song)
"Strong Enough" is a song by American recording artist Cher from her twenty-third studio album Believe . The song was released as the second single from the album. It was released on May 4, 1999 by Warner Bros, and WEA. The song's composition and musical style is very strong modern 80's disco music...
" and "Believe
Believe (Cher song)
"Believe" is a song by American recording artist Cher. It was released on November 24, 1998 as the lead single from her twenty-third studio album of the same name. It was written by Brian Higgins, Stuart McLennen, Paul Barry, Steven Torch, Matthew Gray, and Timothy Powell and produced by Mark...
".
In episode 3-07 (first aired on November 16, 2000) of Will & Grace
Will & Grace
Will & Grace was an American television sitcom that was originally broadcast on NBC from September 21, 1998 to May 18, 2006 for a total of eight seasons. Will & Grace remains the most successful television series with gay principal characters...
, Jack
Jack McFarland
John Philip "Jack" McFarland was a fictional character on the American television sitcom Will & Grace, played by Sean Hayes.-Character personality:...
meets Cher in a café and mistakes her for a drag queen
Drag queen
A drag queen is a man who dresses, and usually acts, like a caricature woman often for the purpose of entertaining. There are many kinds of drag artists and they vary greatly, from professionals who have starred in films to people who just try it once. Drag queens also vary by class and culture and...
. She sings a few notes of "If I Could Turn Back Time" to make him understand she's the real Cher.
In 2001, Cher released a double vinyl with 3 remix of "If I Could Turn Back Time" called Cher vs. Almighty
Almighty
Almighty is an Abrahamic term for God. See OmnipotentAlmighty may also refer to:*The Almighty , a Scottish rock band formed in 1988*The Almighty , a character in the anime/manga series Oh My Goddess!...
. This remix was used as the opening track for the "Living Proof: Farewell Tour" combining the intro to "Dark Lady" and elements of "A Different Kind of Love Song".
In April 2009, Ronnie Mitchell
Ronnie Mitchell
Veronica Elizabeth "Ronnie" Branning is a fictional character from the British BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Samantha Womack. Ronnie and her sister Roxy were introduced by executive producer Diederick Santer in July 2007; Ronnie is the "ice" to Roxy's "fire"...
sang "If I Could Turn Back Time" to Danielle's grave on EastEnders
EastEnders
EastEnders is a British television soap opera, first broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC One on 19 February 1985 and continuing to today. EastEnders storylines examine the domestic and professional lives of the people who live and work in the fictional London Borough of Walford in the East End...
.
In May 2010 One Life To Live
One Life to Live
One Life to Live is an American soap opera which debuted on July 15, 1968 and has been broadcast on the ABC television network. Created by Agnes Nixon, the series was the first daytime drama to primarily feature racially and socioeconomically diverse characters and consistently emphasize social...
premiered the special STARR'XD LOVERS where Brody
Brody Lovett
Brody Lovett is a fictional character on the ABC soap opera One Life to Live portrayed by Mark Lawson since April 24, 2008.-Arrival:Brody is a former Navy SEAL brought to Llanview by Adriana Cramer to distract Gigi Morasco from Adriana's fiancé Rex Balsom...
, Jessica
Jessica Buchanan
Jessica Eugenia Buchanan is a fictional character on the ABC soap opera One Life to Live...
and, Layla
Layla Williamson
Layla Williamson is a fictional character on the American daytime soap opera One Life to Live, who has been portrayed by Tika Sumpter from July 15, 2005 to September 14, 2010 on a contract basis and on November 9, 2010, November 10, 2010, January 21, 2011 and January 24, 2011 on a recurring...
sang the song after Cristian turned Jessica down from dancing.
Music video
Battleship
A battleship is a large armored warship with a main battery consisting of heavy caliber guns. Battleships were larger, better armed and armored than cruisers and destroyers. As the largest armed ships in a fleet, battleships were used to attain command of the sea and represented the apex of a...
, where Cher sings to a large group of sailors. This video was filmed on July 1, 1989 while the ship was stationed at the former Long Beach Naval Shipyard
Long Beach Naval Shipyard
thumb|right|300px|Long Beach Naval Shipyard in 1993The Long Beach Naval Shipyard, which closed in 1997, was located at Terminal Island between the city of Long Beach and the San Pedro district of Los Angeles and approximately 23 miles south of the Los Angeles International Airport.The Long Beach...
at Pier D along with the crew. In the music video, the band plays on the foredeck, and the whole vessel is rigged with spotlights, light racks and strobes. The crew is on the deck, waving with the rhythm.
Cher's outfit for the original video (a fishnet
Fishnet (material)
In the field of textiles, fishnet is hosiery with an open, diamond shaped knit; it is most often used as a material for stockings, tights or bodystockings. Fishnet is available in a multitude of colors, although it is most often sported in traditional matte black...
body stocking under a very revealing black one-piece bathing suit) caused some controversy, and many television networks refused to show the video. In 1989 the MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
network banned the video and later played it only after 9 p.m. Cher is said to have commented while on set that originally when she agreed to wear the outfit, the sailors were not to be present. A "censored" video, including new scenes, and showing less explicitly sexual content than the previous original video was then made.
In 2000 a remix was released, which was recorded during her previous tour, "Do You Believe?".
In 2003 Cher released her "Living Proof: Farewell Tour" concert on DVD which included an official "If I Could Turn Back Time" remix video.
This specific Cher video has been parodied many times, such as in Stewie Griffin: The Untold Story
Stewie Griffin: The Untold Story
Stewie Griffin: The Untold Story is a 2005 direct-to-DVD animated comedy film set in the Family Guy fictional universe. Released on September 27, 2005, the film's main plot point concerns Stewie Griffin trying to find his real father...
, where Meg Griffin
Meg Griffin
Meg Griffin is a character from the animated television series Family Guy. She is the eldest child of Lois and Peter and elder sister of Chris and Stewie. Meg is considered as the black sheep of the series due to the lack of attention she receives....
is in the role of Cher, but instead of the sailors enjoying it, they all flee for their lives and the boat appears to sink at the end.
Cher's son, Elijah Blue Allman
Elijah Blue Allman
Elijah Blue Allman, also known by his stage name Phillips Exeter Blue I, is the son of Cher and her second husband Gregg Allman and half brother of Chaz Bono, Delilah Allman, Michael Allman, Layla Allman and Devon Allman....
, only twelve at the time, makes an appearance in the video, playing a guitar (he wears dark glasses and a Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix
James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix was an American guitarist and singer-songwriter...
T-shirt
T-shirt
A T-shirt is a style of shirt. A T-shirt is buttonless and collarless, with short sleeves and frequently a round neck line....
). Additionally, Cher's second husband and Elijah's father, Gregg Allman
Gregg Allman
Gregory Lenoir Allman , known as Gregg Allman, is a rock and blues singer, keyboardist, guitarist and songwriter, and a founding member of The Allman Brothers Band. He was inducted with the band into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995 and received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Georgia...
, also makes an appearance on guitar.
Live performances
Cher performed the song on the following concert tours:- Heart of Stone TourHeart of Stone TourThe Heart of Stone Tour is the fourth concert tour by American singer-actress Cher. The tour supported her twenty-first studio album, Heart of Stone. A mini tour was set up in the summer 1989, and a second leg started in 1990...
- Love Hurts TourLove Hurts TourThe Love Hurts Tour was the third concert tour by American recording artist Cher. The tour supported her twenty first studio album, Love Hurts and the soundtrack, Mermaids. The tour reached Europe and North America...
- Do You Believe? TourDo You Believe? TourThe Do You Believe? Tour, sometimes also known as The Believe Tour, was Cher’s third solo concert tour. The tour which took place in 1999 and 2000, was used to promote her album Believe.-History:...
- The Farewell TourLiving Proof: The Farewell TourLiving Proof: The Farewell Tour is the seventh concert tour by American singer, Cher. The tour supported her twenty-fourth studio album, Living Proof and eleventh compilation album, The Very Best of Cher...
(2002–2005) - Cher at the ColosseumCher at the Colosseum'Cher at the Colosseum was a series of concerts by Cher at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada. For the three years engagement, Cher received $180 million. Performing at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, the first show occurred on May 6, 2008 and the last show was on February 5, 2011...
Formats and track listings
If I Could Turn Back Time US Promo CD Single- If I Could Turn Back Time (Remix)
- If I Could Turn Back Time (Original Mix)
- If I Could Turn Back Time (Rock Mix)
- If I Could Turn Back Time (AC Mix)
If I Could Turn Back Time European CD Single
- If I Could Turn Back Time (Rock Guitar Version)
- If I Could Turn Back Time
- I Found Someone
If I Could Turn Back Time Remix
- Believe (Almighty Definitive Mix)
- If I Could Turn Back Time (Almighty Definitive Mix)
- If I Could Turn Back Time (TNT Vocal Mix)
- If I Could Turn Back Time (TNT Dub)
- One By One (Junior Vasquez Vocal Remix)
Official Versions & Remixes
- Main Version (3:49)
- Rock AC Mix (4:00)
- Rock Guitar Version (4:08)
- Almighty Remix Promo (7:52) [Released in the 2003 Single Re-Edit]
- Almighty Remix Edit (5:26) [Released in the 2003 Single Re-Edit]
- TNT Vocal Mix (6:43) [Released in the 2003 Single Re-Edit]
- TNT Instrumental Dub (6:47) [Released in the 2003 Single Re-Edit]
- TNT Club Edit (3:29) [Released in the 2003 Single Re-Edit]
- TNT Radio Edit (3:57) [Released in the 2003 Single Re-Edit]
Weekly Charts
| Chart (1989) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
3 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Singles Sales Hot 100 Singles Sales The Hot Singles Sales chart is a chart released weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States. It measures sales of commercial singles and is one of three component charts, along with the Hot 100 Airplay and the Hot Digital Songs, that determine the chart positions of singles on the... |
2 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks The Adult Contemporary chart is a weekly chart published in Billboard magazine that lists the most popular songs on adult contemporary and "lite-pop" radio stations in the United States... |
1 |
| Australian ARIA Australian Recording Industry Association The Australian Recording Industry Association is a trade group representing the Australian recording industry which was established in 1983 by six major record companies, EMI, Festival, CBS, RCA, WEA and Universal replacing the Association of Australian Record Manufacturers which was formed in 1956... Singles Chart |
1 |
| Austrian Singles Chart | 14 |
| Belgian Singles Chart | 6 |
| Canadian Singles Chart | 2 |
| Dutch Top 40 Dutch Top 40 The Dutch Top 40 is a weekly music chart, which started as the "Veronica Top 40", because the offshore radio station Radio Veronica was the first to introduce it. It remained "The Veronica Top 40" until 1974, when the station was forced to stop broadcasting... Singles Chart |
4 |
| West German Singles Chart | 16 |
| Irish Singles Chart | 6 |
| Italian Singles Chart | 15 |
| New Zealand Singles Chart | 3 |
| Norwegian Singles Chart | 1 |
| Swedish Singles Chart | 11 |
| Swedish Airplay Chart | 11 |
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
6 |
Annual Charts
| Country (1989) | Position |
|---|---|
| Australia | 5 |
| Germany | 118 |
| Netherlands | 62 |
Certifications
| Country | Providers | Certification |
|---|---|---|
| United States | RIAA Recording Industry Association of America The Recording Industry Association of America is a trade organization that represents the recording industry distributors in the United States... |
2x Platinum |