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Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)

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"Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)"
Single by Cher
from the album The Sonny Side of Chér
B-side
ReleasedFebruary 25, 1966
RecordedFebruary 11, 1966
StudioGold Star Studios, Los Angeles, California
GenreFolk rock
Length2:44
LabelImperial
Songwriter(s)Sonny Bono
Producer(s)Sonny Bono
Cher singles chronology
"Where Do You Go"
(1965) 		"Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)"
(1966) 		"Alfie"
(1966)
Audio
Cher – "Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)" on YouTube

"Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)" is the second single by American singer-actress Cher from her second album, The Sonny Side of Chér (1966). It was written by her husband Sonny Bono and released in 1966. It reached No. 3 in the UK Singles Chart and No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 for a week (behind "(You're My) Soul and Inspiration" by The Righteous Brothers), eventually becoming one of Cher's biggest-selling singles of the 1960s.[1][2]

History

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The single proved successful, charting high in several countries. It became Cher's first million-selling single and her first top 3 hit in the UK (and her last until "The Shoop Shoop Song (It's in His Kiss)" reached No. 1 in 1991). Critic Tim Sendra, in his album review of The Sonny Side of Cher, gave the song a mixed review: "The only track that has any real zest is the Bono-written novelty 'Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)', the kind of dramatic song Cher could knock out in her sleep but also a song with no real heart."[3] The reviewer for Cashbox said the song was "inventive" and predicted it would become a "blockbuster" hit. The reviewer praised its "plaintive, blues-soaked" style, as well as the "interesting Gypsy-ish backing".[4]

In 1987, Cher recorded a rock version of the song for her 1987 Platinum-certified comeback album Cher. Produced by Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora and Desmond Child, the song featured backing vocals by Jon Bon Jovi and Michael Bolton, among others and was released as a promotional single in 1988. Cher performed this version on her Heart of Stone Tour and on Living Proof: The Farewell Tour and it was played instrumentally on the Dressed to Kill Tour in 2014, Classic Cher in 2017–2020 and the Here We Go Again Tour in 2018–2020.

Track listing

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  • 1966 US / worldwide 7" single
  1. "Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)" – 2:40
  2. "Our Day Will Come" – 2:28
  • 1966 (US and Italy variant) 7" single
  1. "Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)" – 2:40
  2. "Needles and Pins" – 2:26
  • 1987 French 7" single
  1. "Bang-Bang" – 3:51
  2. "I Found Someone" – 3:42
  • 1993 French CD single
  1. "Bang-Bang" – 3:54
  2. "Whenever You're Near" – 4:05

Charts

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Other versions

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Nancy Sinatra recorded one of the best-known covers of the song, for her 1966 album How Does That Grab You? Featuring haunting tremolo guitar played by her arranger, Billy Strange, Sinatra's version had a resurgence in popularity when it was used by Quentin Tarantino over the opening credits of his 2003 film Kill Bill Volume 1. In the sequence preceding the credits, Tarantino created a literal, bloody interpretation of the song's chorus and its third verse, about a wedding day.[30] The song also appears on the film's soundtrack album. Sinatra's version was sampled and featured on the 2005 electro house track "Shot You Down" by Audio Bullys, which peaked at #3 in the United Kingdom and #20 in Australia. A reissue single of Sinatra's original track in 2014 also charted in France at #97.

Following soon after the release by Cher in 1966, the song would become popular across Europe – in versions released as singles by Cher, Sinatra, Petula Clark and other artists, across several countries and in different languages. Singer Sheila's cover of the song in French – released as "Bang-bang" – reached #1 on the French charts in July 1966.[31] A cover version sung in Italian by Dalida reached #1 in Italy in 1966 and remained on the chart for two months, earning her a gold record. It later appeared on her 1967 album Piccolo Ragazzo. Yugoslav singer Đorđe Marjanović also covered the song on his 1967 EP "Devojke".[32]

Vanilla Fudge, an American band known for slow, extended heavy rock arrangements of contemporary hit songs, included "Bang Bang" on their eponymous album released in 1967.[33]

Terry Reid released the song on his Epic Records album “Bang Bang You’re Terry Reid” on October 30, 1968.

Betty Chung released a version in 1968, with lyrics in Chinese.[34]

Bengali-Pakistani pop singer Alamgir uses the melody of the song in his 1983 release "Mere Lafzo Ki Mehkar Tu" ("You are the fragrance of my words"). Sung in Urdu, the track features a middle section sung to the tune of the Mary Hopkin hit "Those Were the Days." Alamgir also recorded an alternate version with "Bang Bang" in English and "Mere Lafzo" in Urdu; and he is featured on another version with Pakistani pop singer Tina Sani.

External videos
video icon "Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)" (live from Jazz at Lincoln Center) by Lady Gaga on YouTube

Lady Gaga performed "Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)" in July 2014 at Jazz at Lincoln Center, for the TV special Cheek to Cheek Live!.[35] The live recording was made available as an iTunes/Apple Music bonus track with her collaborative album with Tony Bennett, Cheek to Cheek.[36] Gaga's rendition of "Bang Bang" debuted at #1 on Billboard's Jazz Digital Songs Chart[37] and was well received by critics.[38][39][40][41] The singer would later include the song in her residency shows and tour performances.[42][43][44]

David Guetta released a version of the song in 2014 as the single "Shot Me Down". Alternating between Sinatra's musical arrangement in the verses (sung by Skylar Grey) and driving EDM instrumental breaks, the single was certified gold and platinum in multiple countries.

Dua Lipa also covered the song in 2017.

Caroline Polachek recorded a funky, upbeat cover of "Bang Bang" for the soundtrack of the 2022 film Minions: The Rise of Gru, which also features a version in Chinese by G.E.M., and several other modern covers of older songs.[45]

References

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  1. ^ "Cher – Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  2. ^ "Billboard Hot 100 – Week of April 23, 1966". Billboard. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  3. ^ Sendra, Tim. "The Sonny Side of Cher". AllMusic. Retrieved August 29, 2021.
  4. ^ "Record Reviews", Cashbox, March 5, 1966, p. 16.
  5. ^ David Kent Australian Chart Book 1940-1969
  6. ^ "Cher – Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved August 4, 2017.
  7. ^ "Cher – Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved August 4, 2017.
  8. ^ "Cher – Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved August 4, 2017.
  9. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 5727." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved August 4, 2017.
  10. ^ Pennanen, Timo (2021). "Cher". Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021 (PDF) (in Finnish). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. p. 46. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
  11. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved August 4, 2017.
  12. ^ "Italy's Best Sellers" (PDF). Cash Box. November 12, 1966. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  13. ^ "Cash Box" (PDF). Americanradohistory.com. 1966-08-27. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  14. ^ "Cher – Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved August 4, 2017.
  15. ^ Scapolo, Dean (2007). The Complete New Zealand Music Charts: 1966–2006. Wellington: Dean Scapolo and Maurienne House. p. 13. ISBN 978-1877443-00-8.
  16. ^ "flavour of new zealand - search listener". Flavourofnz.co.nz. Archived from the original on 29 July 2020. Retrieved 17 May 2018.
  17. ^ "Norway's top 20 Best Sellers". Arbeiderbladet. May 21, 1966. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  18. ^ "Palmarès de la chanson anglophone et allophone au Québec" (in French). BAnQ. Archived from the original on August 9, 2018. Retrieved September 11, 2019.
  19. ^ "South African Rock Lists Website - SA Charts 1965 - 1989 Songs (A-B)". www.rock.co.za.
  20. ^ "Cher: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 4, 2017.
  21. ^ "Cher Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 4, 2017.
  22. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Cher – Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved March 1, 2019. To see peak chart position, click "TITEL VON Cher"
  23. ^ "australian-charts.com - Forum - Top 100 End of Year AMR Charts - 1980s (ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts)". australian-charts.com.
  24. ^ "Japan 1966 Year in Review" (PDF). Cash Box magazine. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  25. ^ "BANG BANG (MY BABY SHOT ME DOWN) – CHER". www.rock.co.za.
  26. ^ "UK Singles (Official Charts Company) 1966 - Year End". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
  27. ^ "Billboard Top Records of 1966" (PDF). Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 24 December 1966. p. 34.
  28. ^ "The CASH BOX Year-End Charts: 1966". Archived from the original on October 4, 2012.. Cash Box magazine.
  29. ^ German Singles Chart (1966). "German Singles Chart; End of year charts". Archived from the original on 18 July 2010. Retrieved 2010-08-27.
  30. ^ "Bang Bang: Pop! Goes the Murder Ballad". Murder Ballad Monday. Sing Out!. March 2, 2015. Archived from the original on February 20, 2016. Retrieved March 23, 2016.
  31. ^ "Hits of the World". Billboard Magazine. July 9, 1966.
  32. ^ "Đorđe Marjanović – Devojke". Discogs. 1967.
  33. ^ "Vanilla Fudge by Vanilla Fudge". Apple Music. December 25, 2022. Retrieved December 25, 2022.
  34. ^ "Betty Chung = 鍾玲玲* – Mini Mini = 迷你, 迷你". Discogs. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  35. ^ Strecker, Erin (September 30, 2014). "Lady Gaga Shows Off Pipes in 'Bang Bang' Video". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 23, 2021. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
  36. ^ "Cheek to Cheek by Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga on Apple Music". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. 23 September 2014. Archived from the original on September 21, 2016. Retrieved August 26, 2016.
  37. ^ "Chart History – Lady Gaga". Billboard. Billboard. October 23, 2021. Archived from the original on October 23, 2021. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
  38. ^ Sullivan, Caroline (June 9, 2015). "Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga review – cheeky fun from jazz royalty and pop's Mother Monster". The Guardian. Archived from the original on October 23, 2021. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
  39. ^ Wood, Mikael (January 21, 2019). "Review: In Las Vegas, Lady Gaga solves the problem of 'A Star Is Born'". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on October 23, 2021. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
  40. ^ S. He, Richard (August 30, 2020). "Every Lady Gaga Song, Ranked". Vulture.com. Archived from the original on August 30, 2020. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
  41. ^ Duren, Rand (October 22, 2014). "5 reasons why you shouldn't miss Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga's PBS special". The Dallas Morning News. Archived from the original on October 25, 2014. Retrieved October 27, 2014.
  42. ^ Barr, Gordon (February 5, 2017). "Review: Lady Gaga at the Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle". Evening Chronicle. Archived from the original on October 23, 2021. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
  43. ^ Farber, Jim (June 19, 2015). "Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett check to cheek and in sync at Radio City Music Hall". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on March 7, 2016. Retrieved June 20, 2015.
  44. ^ Mazur, Kevin (October 20, 2021). "Glitz, glamour and Gaga: 'Jazz & Piano' provides quintessential Vegas show experience". Las Vegas Sun. Archived from the original on October 21, 2021. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
  45. ^ "Caroline Polachek Covers Nancy Sinatra's "Bang Bang" For 'Minions: The Rise of Gru' -". mxdwn Music. 2022-07-01. Retrieved 2022-07-11.
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