The Writer of Cher’s ‘If I Could Turn Back Time’ Bribed Her to Sing It

Some classic rock songs almost didn’t exist. For example, Cher hated “If I Could Turn Back Time” so much that its songwriter basically had to bribe her to record it. The song went on to inspire a controversial music video.

Cher’s ‘If I Could Turn Back Time’ was written by a major songwriter

Diane Warren is one of the most successful songwriters who isn’t a household name. She was behind hits like Aerosmith’s “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing,” Ace of Base’s “Don’t Turn Around,” LeAnn Rimes’ “Can’t Fight the Moonlight,” Toni Braxton’s “Unbreak My Heart,” and Starship’s “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now.” She’s penned songs in many genres, but she’s most known for her power ballads. Her masterpiece might be “If I Could Turn Back Time.”

During a 2021 interview with Rolling Stone, Warren discussed the origins of “If I Could Turn Back Time.” “I thought was was a great song for her and she hated it,” she said. “And so I went to the studio when she was recording another song of mine. And literally, when she was in the lounge, I got on my hands and knees and held her leg down until she said she’d try it out. She goes, ‘I hate that f****** song. I hate it.’ I go, ‘Well, I’m not letting your leg go!’ 

“I go, ‘Look, I’ll pay for the tracks. If it doesn’t work, then it’s all my cost,'” Warren said. “I know the song’s right for you.’ She said, ‘I’ll do it. I’ll try it.’ And that’s probably my most iconic song!”

How Cher made the song provocative

Cher crafted a music video for “If I Could Turn Back Time” that featured her performing for the troops while wearing a revealing fishnet body stocking. Warren recalled how controversial it was at the time. “I remember they couldn’t play that video ’til after midnight because it was so risque,” she said. “It was like, ‘What? Really?'”

The idea that “If I Could Turn Back Time” was obscene might seem bizarre to younger readers. Songs and music videos like Nicki Minaj’s “Anaconda” and Cardi B’s “WAP” make “If I Could Turn Back Time” look like kids’ stuff, but the 1980s were a different time. Even if the music video seems a little quaint now, the song itself persists. Why is that? It’s because the track works — it has a great melody and the arrangement fits Cher’s voice perfectly. Warren was right.

How ‘If I Could Turn Back Time’ impacted the world

“If I Could Turn Back Time” was one of the biggest hits of Cher’s career. It reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, staying on the chart for 23 weeks. It proved that Cher was still a relevant commercial force in the late 1980s. She was one of numerous 1960s stars who had hits in the 1980s, including Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison, Barbra Streisand, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, Roy Orbison, The Beach Boys, The Rolling Stones, and The Monkees.

“If I Could Turn Back Time” appeared on the hair metal album Heart of Stone. That record peaked at No. 10 on the Billboard 200 and spent 53 weeks on the chart. Heart of Stone was the most commercially successful moment of Cher’s solo career until her dance makeover for the album Believe.

Warren almost bribed Cher to record “If I Could Turn Back Time” — and pop history is better for it.