Half Breed

"Half-Breed" is a song recorded by Cher and released as a single in 1973. On October 6, 1973, it became Cher's second U.S. number one hit as a solo artist. The single was the first international release from Cher's album Half-Breed. The song tells the story of a young woman who is half white and half Cherokee. The song describes the troubles she faced, and the racism she experienced. White people often called her "Indian squaw" and the Native Americans never accepted her as one of their own, telling her that she was "white by law." Cher herself is part Cherokee. In 1973, "Half-Breed" topped the United States Billboard Hot 100 for two weeks, becoming Cher's second number one hit and second Gold single. The song was a number one hit in Canada, a Top 10 hit in Sweden, and a Top 20 hit in Norway. In Germany and the United Kingdom, the song did not chart.

[Verse 1] My father married a pure Cherokee My mother's people were ashamed of me The Indians said I was white by law The white man always called me "Indian Squaw" [Chorus] Half-breed, that's all I ever heard Half-breed, how I learned to hate the word Half-breed, 'She's no good' they warned Both sides were against me since the day I was born [Verse 2] We never settled, went from town to town When you're not welcome you don't hang around The other children always laughed at me "Give her a feather, she's a Cherokee" [Chorus] Half-breed, that's all I ever heard Half-breed, how I learned to hate the word Half-breed, 'She's no good' they warned Both sides were against me since the day I was born [Bridge] We weren't accepted and I felt ashamed Nineteen I left them Tell me, who's to blame? My life since then has been from man to man But I can't run away from what I am [Chorus] Half-breed, that's all I ever heard Half-breed, how I learned to hate the word Half-breed, 'She's no good' they warned Both sides were against me since the day I was born Half-breed, that's all I ever heard Half-breed, how I learned to hate the word Half-breed, 'She's no good' they warned Both sides were against me since the day I was born