Helen Reddy vs. Cher

[Rick Henry]

Helen Reddy's "Delta Dawn" or Cher's "Half Breed" - which one will you send to the semi-finals?

"Delta Dawn" - Helen Reddy: Certified GOLD and reached #1 on September 15, 1973.

"Half Breed" - Cher: Ceritfied GOLD and was #1 for two weeks on October 6 and 13, 1973.

[enigma]

I give my vote to half breed this song is almost autobiographical for Cher and Cher seems to excell in almost anything she tries. A rare combination of sucessful singer and actress over several decades good enough to get my vote. Delta Dawn is good and I do like the song but just like Half Breed better.

[wisejester7]

I voted for Half Breed. I think Helen is the better vocalist of these two women. The song choice was simply a matter of fit in this case ... and the song style of Half Breed really fits Cher.

[Rick Henry]

I like both singers - but not really a big fan of either. I also like other songs each has done better - but these are the two chosen for this contest.

In this round my vote goes to "Half Breed" by Cher... This is just a really good song. I really love the lyrics and it is definitely autobiographical for Cher.

I agree with you Wisejester7... Helen Reddy by far is the better vocalist of the two. Have any of you heard Helen Reddy's 1976 hit "You're My World". The song was originally done by Cilia Black in the 60's. But Helen took it and did an absolutely nice recording of the song and reached the Top 20. That same year she also had a semi-hit with an upbeat funky number titled "I Can't Hear You No More" which was another favorite of mine.

[ps11932]

I am familiar with and liked both songs but would have to vote for "Half Breed"- it kind of symbolizes one form of prejudice that has always existed- judging according to stereotype and appearance. I actually made brief refeerence to this song in 5th-6th grade Sunday School class 2 weeks ago in conjunction with the parable of the Good Samaritan.

[GoodOldDreams]

Like many of you, I think Helen Reddy is a better singer, with personal favorites like "I am Woman," "Peaceful," "Emotion" and "You and Me Against the World." However, I have not really cared much for her songs about idiosyncratic women/crazy ladies like "Delta Dawn," "Angie Baby" and Leave Me Alone (Ruby Red Dress)." Cher has a few good songs, such as "The Way of Love" and "A Song for the Lonely." Although catchy, Cher's hits "Half-Breed," "Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves" and "Dark Lady" seem to reinforce ethnic/sexual stereotypes more than dispel or challenge them beyond just lamenting about them.

However, restricted specifically to Helen's "Delta Dawn" and Cher's "Half-Breed," I prefer the latter.

[YesterdayOnceMore]

I don't mind being the "odd man out" on this one. Personally, I much prefer listening to, and singing along with Helen Reddy on Delta Dawn. Truly a country tinged tune, but I don't think that was the intention.

True, I'm sure, that Cher's song was autobiographical, and I know that Cher went on to do some interesting things, but Half Breed was not one of her better vocal attempts in my opinion. Yes, it's true that Delta Dawn didn't really have much of a captivating story to tell, nonetheless, I just find it much easier to "like" than Cher's Half Breed as I don't think Cher quite had her "style" or "sound" down pat quite yet - was still floundering in terms of what key she really needed to sing in, and what "songs" best suited her. This may have been a perfect lyric for her, but I'm not sure the song, in this key, was really a match for her vocally, especially at this point in her career.

"Delta Dawn, what's that flower you have on - could it be a faded rose from days gone by? And did I hear you say he was meetin' you here today, to take you to his mansion in the sky??

Helen definitely gets my vote on this one.
Tim

[Rick Henry]

Thus ends this round with Cher's "Half Breed" taking the win by a large margin.

"Half Breed" will be in the semi-finals. Which will be posted right after I finish this message.