Closer to the Truth is the twenty-fifth studio album by American singer and actress Cher. It was released on September 20, 2013, by Warner Bros. Records. Opting to re-establish her music career, she began planning the project in 2011, shortly after her appearance in the movie Burlesque and the conclusion of her residency show at Caesars Palace. Work continued into 2012 and 2013. While the album was initially planned to be pop rock-oriented, Closer to the Truth ultimately became a prominently dance-inspired record. As executive producer, she enlisted longtime collaborator Mark Taylor to work alongside new producers such as Paul Oakenfold, Billy Mann, Timbaland and MachoPsycho to achieve Cher's desired sound.
Described by Cher as "very eclectic" and "her best album ever", Closer to the Truth is primarily a dance-pop record, yet it includes a broader range of various musical genres such as house, synth-pop, EDM, soft rock and country and contains influences by the music of the 1990s. The lyrical themes revolve largely around romance, feminism, individualism and self-empowerment. The album also features additional vocals and songwriting duties from several new partners, including singers Pink and Jake Shears.
The album received generally positive reviews from contemporary music critics, and was a success commercially, debuting and peaking at number three on the U.S. Billboard 200 with first-week sales of 63,000 copies, becoming Cher's highest-peaking solo album on that chart. However, with her album Dancing Queen (2018) debuting at number three on the Billboard 200 with sales of 153,000 copies in its first week, that record is now a tie. As of February 2014, Closer to the Truth has sold 285,000 copies in the country according to Nielsen SoundScan. It was certified gold by Music Canada and silver by BPI. It charted within the top ten in Canada, Germany, Russia, Scotland, the UK, and the US as well as moderately throughout several other international territories.
"Woman's World" was released as the lead single from Closer to the Truth on June 18, 2013, in the United States and Canada, and peaked at number one on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs. The second single, "I Hope You Find It", was released on October 4, 2013, and charted strongly in several European national record charts. It was followed by singles "Take It Like a Man" and "I Walk Alone", both peaking at number two on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs. Cher promoted Closer to the Truth with several television appearances and performances worldwide. She garnered widespread media attention when declined the invitation to perform at the 2014 Winter Olympics because of Russia's anti-LGBT sentiments. Later, Cher embarked on her sixth concert tour titled the Dressed to Kill Tour on March 22, 2014.
On March 30, 2024, it was announced by Dion Singer via Instagram that Closer to the Truth would be re-released on vinyl on June 28, 2024. It was also announced that “Will You Wait for Me” would be included on the digital super deluxe edition of the album. On May 13, 2024, at midnight, the super deluxe edition of Closer to the Truth was unexpectedly released to all streaming services.
Background and recording Cher's last album, 2001's Living Proof, was supported by her record-breaking world tour, which ended in 2005. After a three-year hiatus, she began a Las Vegas residency and it was then that discussions of a new album began. In December 2008, she was said to be planning a record of 1960s covers, but in 2010 instead turned her attention to a movie comeback in Burlesque."News round-up: Cher’s new album" , Cher News. Retrieved on July 30, 2013. For the film, she recorded two songs, "Welcome to Burlesque" and "You Haven't Seen the Last of Me". During promotion for Burlesque, Cher confirmed she was working on a new album in Nashville. The project's genre was described as southern rock and even country."Cher comes to Nashville to record country album" , KSLI 1280 AM. Retrieved on July 30, 2013. However, after the success of "You Haven't Seen the Last of Me" on the US Hot Dance Club Songs chart (her seventh number one on that chart), the musical direction of the album changed to dance-oriented pop."Cher shines with no. 1 in sixth consecutive decade" , Billboard. Retrieved on July 30, 2013."It's Dance ! got great 2-3new songs from heavenly creature &prod from out of this world ! Country must come after !" , Twitter. Retrieved on July 30, 2013.
Cher collaborated with Diane Warren, Timbaland, Mark Taylor (who produced her 1998 hit, "Believe") and Kuk Harrell in putting the album together."Cher interviewed backstage at The Voice" , YouTube In 2011, she recorded Lady Gaga's unreleased song, "The Greatest Thing", which was turned into a duet with Gaga and was produced by RedOne. Originally expected for release in September 2011, the song was eventually dropped from the album. A rough demo of the song was leaked on August 13, 2013.
Content With the release of "Woman's World", Cher announced that the album's working title was Closer to the Truth. The track list includes "Lie to Me" and "I Walk Alone", both written by pop star Pink, and one featuring her vocals; "Take It Like a Man"; and a song written by Cher and Shirley Eikhard called "Lovers Forever"."Pink turned down judging spot on The Voice Australia" , News.com.au. Retrieved on July 30, 2013. Originally intended for the soundtrack of the 1994 film Interview with the Vampire, it was recorded by Eikhard for her 2005 album Pop, and was produced for Closer to the Truth by Mark Taylor."Cher the songwriter" , Cher News. Retrieved on July 30, 2013. Cher worked with hip-hop producer Timbaland on "I Don't Have to Sleep to Dream" and covered three songs: "Sirens" by singer-songwriter Nell Bryden, "Dressed to Kill" by Preston and "I Hope You Find It" by Miley Cyrus, from the soundtrack of the 2010 film The Last Song.
Three versions of the album were released."Planning media around Sept 24! Looked at diff types of cd books!1for iTunes.Diff 4 Target, Walmart Deluxe has 3 or 4 more songs" , Twitter. Retrieved on July 30, 2013. The original version of "You Haven’t Seen the Last of Me" from Burlesque is featured on the deluxe edition as a bonus track."Every1(even my cat) knows YHSTLOM is on cd." , Twitter. Retrieved on July 30, 2013."Record co wants me 2sing old hit ! Id like 2do song by a guy (like Bruce Springsteen sp) but Great song by Woman is wonderful !" , Digital Spy. Retrieved on July 30, 2013. Closer to the Truth was also released on white vinyl.Warner Music Group Official Store - Closer to the Truth White Vinyl , Warner Music Group Official Store. Retrieved on September 24, 2013. This marks her first vinyl album release since 1991's Love Hurts and 1992's Greatest Hits: 1965–1992. According to critics reactions following an exclusive listening party on August 1, 2013, Closer to the Truth is "a healthy mix between punchy, uptempo dance tracks and big, emotional balladry", while the first half is "stacked with dance-floor anthems", and the latter features "mid-tempo songs and slower numbers, where the lyrics and melodies are highlighted".
Closer to the Truth was promoted a few times for its North America release of September 24, 2013, and in Europe for its worldwide unveiling a week later."I think right after NY !" , Twitter. Retrieved July 30, 2013.
Promotion Singles and videos
In October 2012, clips from the unannounced lead single leaked online. "Woman's World" was officially made available for online streaming on Thanksgiving 2012 and eventually released on June 18, 2013. Written by Matt Morris, Paul Oakenfold and Anthony Crawford, the single went to no. 1 on the Billboard dance chart."Cher scores eighth no. 1 on Hot Dance chart" , Cher News. Retrieved on July 30, 2013. Cher performed it on the season finale of, The Voice; at New York City's gay pride event, Dance on the Pier; and at Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular."Cher answers fans’ questions" , Cher News. Retrieved on July 30, 2013."Cher is back in fine form with fresh round of appearances" , Daily News (New York). Retrieved on July 30, 2013. A music video, directed by Ray Kay, was released on August 20, 2013."Videography" , Ray Kay's official website. Retrieved on July 30, 2013.
The second single, "I Hope You Find It", premiered on September 23, 2013, during Cher's Today Show concert, where she also performed "Woman's World" and "Believe". It was further performed on the Late Show with David Letterman on September 24, 2013, on Live! with Kelly and Michael on October 1, 2013,Cher To Perform On LIVE with Kelly and Michael , Antimusic.com and on German TV show Wetten, dass..? on October 5, 2013.Wetten, dass..?' in Bremen mit Cher, Harrison Ford & Sylvester Stallone" , Promicabana.de. September 22, 2013 She then continued promotion of the single in the UK, performing on The X Factor on October 13, 2013,"Cher, Ellie Goulding for first 'X Factor' live results show" , Digital Spy. October 3, 2013. on The Graham Norton Show on October 18, 2013, and then on Vivement dimanche! in Paris on November 24, 2013. An official lyric video for the single was released on September 24, 2013.Cher - I Hope You Find It [OFFICIAL LYRIC VIDEO] on YouTube. In 2014 "I Hope You Find It" debuted on Billboard Adult Contemporary chart at number 24, becoming Cher's 31st entry on that chart during the course of five decades.
"Take It Like a Man" was released as a digital single with four remixes and an instrumental on November 8, 2013, in Germany and three days later worldwide. Cher garnered media attention with a music video for the 7th Heaven Remix, released on November 20, 2013. It features Andrew Christian underwear models as well as several gay porn stars, such as Antonio Biaggi. A remixes edition with eight further remixes of "Take It Like a Man" was released digitally on January 28, 2014. It peaked at number two on the US Dance Club Songs chart, as well as number nine on the US Hot Dance Singles Sales and number 23 on the US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart.
"Sirens" was included in the digitally-released album Songs for the Philippines, a fund-raising project for the victims of Typhoon Haiyan in the country.
"I Walk Alone" was sent to UK pop radio stations in early 2014. On March 14, 2014, Tracy Young's "Ferosh Reconstruction Remix" of "I Walk Alone" premiered on Billboard official website, being serviced to dance clubs and DJs the following week. An Extended play featuring nine remixes of "I Walk Alone" was released to digital retailers on April 25, 2014. It peaked at number two on the US Dance Club Songs Chart.
Dressed to Kill Tour The Dressed to Kill Tour in support of Closer to the Truth, which launched on March 22, 2014, in Phoenix, Arizona, was officially announced on September 23, 2013. It is titled after the album's song of the same name. The tour went on to gross over $55 million and attracted over 600,000 fans.
Critical reception
Closer to the Truth garnered generally positive reviews from music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album has an average score of 61 based on six reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews". At USA Today, Jerry Shriver told that the release was "huge fun, lyrically substantive (as these things go) and emotionally wide-ranging, and it appeals beyond her fan base." Jim Farber of New York Daily News wrote that "The material isn't quite so individual", yet noted that "At root, the new disc pleases by this sole measure: It's deeply, madly Cher." At Newsday, Glenn Gamboa evoked that "Cher doesn't just survive here, she thrives." Kevin Catchpole of PopMatters affirmed that "Cher has provided a welcome return to the music world with Closer to the Truth."