Sonny and Cher Songs: 10 Essential Tracks You Need to Know

Our top 10 Sonny and Cher songs list dives deep into one of the most successful and powerful pop-rock musical duos of all time.

Top 10 Best Sonny & Cher Songs

10. But You’re Mine

“But You’re Mine” was written by Sonny Bono and recorded as a Sonny and Cher song for their 1966 album The Wondrous World of Sonny & Chér. It was the first single released from the album, peaking at No. 15 in the US and No. 17 in the UK charts.

It’s one of the many Sonny and Cher songs which references their own relationship. Sonny describes a bohemian couple that does not align with society’s constrictions but is nonetheless contented because of having each other.

9. What Now My Love

Also from their second album, The Wondrous World of Sonny & Chér, “What Now My Love” is a highly covered song. The original version is French, titled “Et Maintenant,” and was written in 1961 by composer Gilbert Bécaud and lyricist Pierre Delanoë.

However, it was the duo’s version which became a big hit worldwide, reaching No. 14 in the US and No. 13 in the UK charts. It was the only version of the song to enter the top 20 on both sides of the Atlantic.

8. A Cowboy’s Work Is Never Done

“A Cowboy’s Work Is Never Done” was the last of the five Sonny and Cher songs to reach the top 10 in the US charts. Written by Sonny Bono, it was released as a single on their 1972 album All I Ever Need Is You.

7. Sing C’est La Vie

“Sing C’est La Vie” was written by Sonny Bono, Charles Greene, and Brian Stone in April of 1965. It was released on their debut album Look At Us on August 2nd, 1965 by Atco Records. The album reached No. 2 on the US Billboard 200. The song was adapted by Agnetha Fältskog in 1968.

6. All I Ever Need Is You

“All I Ever Need Is You” was originally written by Jimmy Holiday and Eddie Reevers. It was first recorded by Ray Charles in 1971 for his album Volcanic Action of My Soul. Like many of the Sonny and Cher songs which are adaptations of the original, their version became a hit single and the most recognized worldwide. The song peaked at No. 7 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The song has sold over 2 million copies globally.

5. Just You

“Just You” was written by Sonny and recorded by the duo in January 1965. In April 1965, it was released as a single, their first release on the ATCO Label, having recently left Reprise Records. At first, the track didn’t do very well, however on the back of the acclaim from “I Got You Babe,” it was re-released in October and peaked at the No. 20 spot on Billboard’s Hot 100.

Cher wrote in her autobiography The First Time that “Just You” remains one of her favorite Sonny and Cher songs of all time.

4. The Beat Goes On

Our favorite of all Sonny and Cher songs, “The Beat Goes On” was released as a single and featured on their 1967 album In Case You’re in Love. The song, written and composed by Sonny Bono, reached the No. 6 spot on the Billboard Hot 100.

The lyrics make reference to several things that were going on in the late 1960s, such as the Vietnam War, electric baseball scores, and miniskirts.

Initially, the bass part of the song was not very prominent, but Carol Kaye, who played bass at the session, brought it into the forefront and main focal piece of the song. In an interview with Songfacts, she recalls her contribution to the famous track. “It was a nothing song, and then the bass line kind of made that.”

Another interesting fact about this track is that it was one of the only Sonny and Cher songs to be sung at Sonny Bono’s funeral. Even the song’s title was engraved on his tombstone.

3. Baby Don’t Go

“Baby Don’t Go” was originally the B-side to an unsuccessful single called “The Letter” in 1964 on Reprise Records. This prior to calling themselves Sonny and Cher, instead they were known as Caesar and Cleo. The song was later re-released on Atco Records, becoming another one of the various hit Sonny and Cher songs.

Sonny Bono composed the track on an $85 piano whilst working late into the night at their home, apparently writing the lyrics on a piece of shirt cardboard, a tradition he would carry on.

The track was initially intended for Cher to sing solo, but during recording in the studio, she became nervous and asked Sonny to accompany her. She remembers, “[Sonny joined] me on the choruses, which was enough to take the pressure off me. Sonny was like Dumbo’s good luck feather for me. If he was by my side, I had the confidence to do anything.”

2. Little Man

“Little Man” was released in 1966 from Sonny and Cher’s third album In Case You’re In Love. Standing 4 inches shorter than his wife, Sonny Bono was quite literally Cher’s “Little Man.” This is another one of the great Sonny and Cher songs written about their affection towards each other.

1. I Got You Babe

Last but not least on our Sonny and Cher songs list, “I Got You Babe” was the song that catapulted them into worldwide fame and stardom. Their 1965 single reached No. 1 spot in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada.

After hearing it for the first time, Cher wasn’t a massive fan. She recalled to Billboard magazine, “Sonny woke me up in the middle of the night to come in where the piano was, in the living room, and sing it. And I didn’t like it and just said, ‘OK, I’ll sing it and then I’m going back to bed.'”

After the criticism, Sonny Bono rearranged the key in the bridge to work better with her voice, after this, she fell in love with the song.

In a 1966 interview with New Musical Express, Sonny describes his writing process. “I never write anything until that very moment when I feel the emotion conveyed in the words I write. I know what it is like to be kicked around because you dress differently.”

Further Reading: Young Cher – The Beautiful Goddess of Pop Through The Years

“I know what it is like to see the girl you love hurt because a hotel refuses you admission because of your dress. I know what it is like to have that one person stand by you. There are a lot of other people who have experienced these things and I’m trying to put our feelings into words for everyone.”

We hope you’ve enjoyed our top 10 Sonny and Cher songs list.

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