翻译：thesweetescape

原文链接：https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/the-best-songs-of-the-1990s/

Cher: “Believe” (1998)

“Believe” marked a new era, for Cher and for popular music. For the first time on Top 40 radio, Auto-Tune—producers’ open-secret weapon for perfecting vocal takes—was laid bare for all to hear, on purpose, a reversal of its typical clandestine use. As she sings about trying to regain her footing after heartbreak, Cher’s voice warbles with synthetic oscillation. Warner executives initially scoffed at the effect, but “Believe” became one of Cher’s biggest career hits, reaching No. 1 in the United States and more than a dozen other countries. Just as the song’s production revealed the guts of its operation, Cher’s wide-open vocals exposed her own emotional vulnerability. She isn’t too good to admit she’s not hurting, and she powers through toward salvation, declaring “I don’t need you anymore” as the song hits its peak. And coming from Cher—a confident, charismatic, and massively talented woman who’d been subjected to frequent public ridicule over her personal life—”Believe” took on an extra survivalist edge. Nearly 25 years later, it still dazzles in its defiance. –Allison Hussey

“Believe”预示着新时代的降临，无论对Cher还是流行音乐。完善人声表现的Auto-Tune—制作界内的公开秘密武器——首次为大众知晓，颠覆了业内对Auto-Tune的大致认知。当唱道在心碎后重振旗鼓时（歌词“Do you believe in life after love”），Cher的高颤歌声中回荡着合成器音效。华纳高管最初对此尝试不屑一顾，但“Believe”造就了Cher的又一事业巅峰期，在美国及多国榜单登顶。正如值得玩味的制作，Cher慷慨激昂的歌声流露出内心的脆弱。她没有坚强到能熟视无睹的佯装内在的伤痛，她竭力寻求解脱，在歌曲高潮处扬言 “I don’t need you anymore” 。发自Cher的肺腑之声——这为自信，魅力四射，才华横溢，私生活常落为大众笑柄的女人——“为歌曲Believe”又升华到绝处逢生的高度。在近25年后，歌曲里坚韧不拔的精神依旧光彩照人。 –Allison Hussey