My Cherie Amour
Encyclopedia
"My Cherie Amour" is a 1969 soul classic by Motown singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder
.
The song was originally recorded in 1966, but not released (it was subsequently remixed for release in 1969). The song was co-written by Wonder, Sylvia Moy
, and Henry Cosby
; Cosby also served as producer of the song.
, and had the title "Oh My Marcia". After they broke up, the lyrics and title were altered to the more general "cherie amour". The song became a #4 hit on both the Billboard
pop
and R&B singles charts in 1969.
(1985). After two German Top 20-singles, "My Chérie Amour" was only a minor success, peaking at #55 in the German charts - the single was not released in either Spain or Japan. Producer Frank Farian got the idea to cover the song after Stevie Wonder had recorded in his studios in Rosbach. Like Boney M.'s previous singles, only new male member Reggie Tsiboe
could be heard on the single, the backing vocals being done by studio session singers Amy & Elaine Goff. The B-side "Sample City" was sung entirely by Frank Farian and was written on the chords of "I Can't Stand the Rain
".
12" Single
, with lead vocals from Jermaine Jackson
. It was also covered by vocalists Andy Williams
(for his 1969 RIAA-certified gold album Get Together with Andy Williams
) and Billy Eckstine
(for his 1971 album Feel the Warm). Its familiar bass line has also been used in several other songs, most notably "Until You Come Back to Me
" by Aretha Franklin
and "Soul Inspiration" by Anita Baker
.
Toward the end of the 1970s, the song was also covered by several disco artists, including Rhythm Heritage
(1976), Alice Street Gang (1978), Triple S Connection (1979) and Orquesta Novel (1980) and italian singer Mina
(1987). In 1994, Mexican singer Cristian Castro
covered the song in Spanish as "Mi Querido Amor" on his album El Camino del Alma
. In 2007, Eros Ramazzotti
covered it in one track of the tribute album Rhythms del Mundo Classics
by the Buena Vista Social Club
.
Stevie Wonder
Stevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist...
.
The song was originally recorded in 1966, but not released (it was subsequently remixed for release in 1969). The song was co-written by Wonder, Sylvia Moy
Sylvia Moy
Sylvia Moy is a songwriter and record producer, formerly associated with the Motown Records group. The first woman at the Detroit-based music label to write and produce for Motown acts, she is probably best known for her songs written for Stevie Wonder....
, and Henry Cosby
Henry Cosby
Henry "Hank" R. Cosby was an African American songwriter and record producer for Motown Records...
; Cosby also served as producer of the song.
Content
The song was originally written about Wonder's girlfriend while he was at the Michigan School for the Blind in Lansing, MichiganLansing, Michigan
Lansing is the capital of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is located mostly in Ingham County, although small portions of the city extend into Eaton County. The 2010 Census places the city's population at 114,297, making it the fifth largest city in Michigan...
, and had the title "Oh My Marcia". After they broke up, the lyrics and title were altered to the more general "cherie amour". The song became a #4 hit on both the Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
and R&B singles charts in 1969.
Chart performance
| Chart (1969) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 4 |
| U.S. Billboard Easy Listening | 3 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Rhythm & Blues Singles | 4 |
| UK Singles Chart | 4 |
| Canadian RPM Top Singles | 14 |
| Canadian RPM Adult Contemporary | 14 |
Boney M. version
"My Cherie Amour" was covered as a single by German band Boney M., later included in their final album Eye DanceEye Dance
Eye Dance is the eighth and final studio album released under the Boney M. moniker and was released in the autumn of 1985. The cover artwork was significant of the state the group was in at that time : neither the famous "Boney M." logo nor the "singers" photograph did appear, replaced by an...
(1985). After two German Top 20-singles, "My Chérie Amour" was only a minor success, peaking at #55 in the German charts - the single was not released in either Spain or Japan. Producer Frank Farian got the idea to cover the song after Stevie Wonder had recorded in his studios in Rosbach. Like Boney M.'s previous singles, only new male member Reggie Tsiboe
Reggie Tsiboe
Reggie Tsiboe was born on 7 September 1950 in Kumasi was one of the lead singers of the disco group Boney M. between 1982-1986 and later between 1989-1990....
could be heard on the single, the backing vocals being done by studio session singers Amy & Elaine Goff. The B-side "Sample City" was sung entirely by Frank Farian and was written on the chords of "I Can't Stand the Rain
I Can't Stand the Rain (song)
"I Can't Stand the Rain" is a song originally recorded by Ann Peebles, and written by Don Bryant, Bernard "Bernie" Miller & Ann Peebles. The song became Peebles' biggest hit when in 1973 it reached #38 on the US Pop Chart and #6 on the R&B/Black Chart. The single also reached #41 on the UK Pop...
".
Releases
7" Single- "My Chérie Amour" - 4:00 / "Sample City" (Farian) - 4:00 (Hansa 107 350-100, Germany)
12" Single
- "My Chérie Amour" - 8:51 / "Sample City" - 4:15 (Hansa 601 686-213, Germany)
- "My Chérie Amour" (12" edit) - 8:30 / "Sample City" - 4:15 (Ariola 02.601686.27, Portugal)
Other covers
"My Cherie Amour" was featured on the Jackson 5's 1969 debut album, Diana Ross Presents the Jackson 5Diana Ross Presents the Jackson 5
Diana Ross Presents the Jackson 5 is the debut album from Gary, Indiana-based soul family band The Jackson 5, released on the Motown label in December 1969...
, with lead vocals from Jermaine Jackson
Jermaine Jackson
Jermaine La Jaune Jackson is an American singer, bassist, composer, a member of The Jackson 5, older brother of American pop stars Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson and occasional film director...
. It was also covered by vocalists Andy Williams
Andy Williams
Howard Andrew "Andy" Williams is an American singer who has recorded 18 Gold- and three Platinum-certified albums. He hosted The Andy Williams Show, a TV variety show, from 1962 to 1971, as well as numerous television specials, and owns his own theater, the Moon River Theatre in Branson, Missouri,...
(for his 1969 RIAA-certified gold album Get Together with Andy Williams
Get Together with Andy Williams
Get Together with Andy Williams is an album by American pop singer Andy Williams that was released in the fall of 1969 by Columbia Records. The album made its first appearance on the Billboard 200 chart in the issue dated November 8, 1969, and remained on the album chart for 21 weeks, peaking at...
) and Billy Eckstine
Billy Eckstine
William Clarence Eckstine was an American singer of ballads and a bandleader of the swing era. Eckstine's smooth baritone and distinctive vibrato broke down barriers throughout the 1940s, first as leader of the original bop big-band, then as the first romantic black male in popular...
(for his 1971 album Feel the Warm). Its familiar bass line has also been used in several other songs, most notably "Until You Come Back to Me
Until You Come Back to Me (That's What I'm Gonna Do)
"Until You Come Back to Me " is the name of a song written by Morris Broadnax, Clarence Paul, and Stevie Wonder. The song was originally recorded by Stevie Wonder in 1967, but his version did not appear on an album until 1977's Anthology...
" by Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin
Aretha Louise Franklin is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. Although known for her soul recordings and referred to as The Queen of Soul, Franklin is also adept at jazz, blues, R&B, gospel music, and rock. Rolling Stone magazine ranked her atop its list of The Greatest Singers of All...
and "Soul Inspiration" by Anita Baker
Anita Baker
Anita Baker is an American R&B/soul jazz singer-songwriter. To date, Baker has won eight Grammy Awards, and has four platinum albums and two gold albums to her credit....
.
Toward the end of the 1970s, the song was also covered by several disco artists, including Rhythm Heritage
Rhythm Heritage
Rhythm Heritage was a 1970s American disco-funk band, best known for their 1976 US #1 single "Theme from "S.W.A.T.". It sold over one million copies and was awarded a gold disc by the Recording Industry Association of America in February 1976...
(1976), Alice Street Gang (1978), Triple S Connection (1979) and Orquesta Novel (1980) and italian singer Mina
Mina (singer)
Anna Maria Quaini, Grand Officer , known as Mina, is an Italian pop singer. She was a staple of Italian television variety shows and a dominant figure in Italian pop music from the mid-1960s to mid-1970s known for her three-octave vocal range, the agility of her soprano voice, and her image as an...
(1987). In 1994, Mexican singer Cristian Castro
Cristian Castro
Cristian Castro is a Grammy Award-nominated Mexican pop singer. He is referred to as "Christian Castro" or "Cristian."- Biography :...
covered the song in Spanish as "Mi Querido Amor" on his album El Camino del Alma
El Camino del Alma
El Camino del Alma is the third album released by Mexican pop singer Cristian Castro. Its major hit was the cover Juan Gabriel's "Mañana, Mañana"...
. In 2007, Eros Ramazzotti
Eros Ramazzotti
Eros Luciano Walter Ramazzotti , known simply as Eros Ramazzotti, is an Italian singer and songwriter. Ramazzotti is enormously popular in Italy, and is well known in most non-English-speaking European countries and in the Spanish-speaking world, as he has released most of his albums in both...
covered it in one track of the tribute album Rhythms del Mundo Classics
Rhythms del Mundo Classics
Rhythms del Mundo Classics is the follow-up album to the internationally successful album Rhythms del Mundo, featuring artists like The Killers, Amy Winehouse, Keane, Jack Johnson, The Rolling Stones, KT Tunstall and Rodrigo y Gabriela.-Charity:...
by the Buena Vista Social Club
Buena Vista Social Club
The Buena Vista Social Club was a members club in Havana, Cuba that held dances and musical activities, becoming a popular location for musicians to meet and play during the 1940s...
.