admin I’m not usually a fan of “Christmas creep,” that well-known phenomenon in which December 25th is celebrated way too early, with eardrum-shattering renditions of Christmas carols blasted at CVS in October while I’m just trying to buy lip balm and tissues. But when it comes to Cher—who released her first Christmas album this past Friday—what can I say? I’m a believer. The album, adroitly titled Christmas, may be Cher’s 27th release, but it’s her first in 10 years with new material.
“I didn’t want to do Christmas songs as I had heard them and known them,” Cher recently told Vogue’s Sergio Kletnoy, and truly, what could be more iconic or Cher-worthy than reinventing one of our oldest genres? The album is made up of 13 tracks, including “I Like Christmas”—same—and a truly fantastic rendition of “Santa Baby.” Cher also fondly recalls tapping the likes of Stevie Wonder and Cyndi Lauper to collaborate on a few duets, saying humbly, “I called Stevie and I was really nervous and I said, ‘I’m doing this song (“What Christmas Means To Me”) and my voice doesn’t know how to do some parts of it…I need you.’” (He agreed, of course, and even brought out his harmonica.)
When asked what features prominently on her own Christmas list this year, Cher doesn’t mince words: “For Trump not to become president (in 2024.) If I could have that, it would be the best present that I ever got. I would never want another thing.” Amen!
“Jeans are always a good place to start,” Cher goes on to tell Kletnoy of her look for her latest album cover, which features exactly the kind of ’70s Christmas panorama I’ve always dreamed of. In a way, Cher’s stripped-down denim and simple white top present as a welcome refusal to capitulate to Big Holiday Season; no elf costumes here, no Santa hats or ridiculous red-and-green ensembles, just some seasonally appropriate disco balls and the woman herself. I’m still not cool with Christmas music being played in early fall, but if it’s going to happen anyway, let’s at least make it Cher’s.
