The Sonny Side of Chér

The Sonny Side of Chér
Studio album by
ReleasedMarch 28, 1966
RecordedSeptember 1965 – February–March 1966
StudioGold Star, Hollywood
Genre
Length33:35
Label
ProducerSonny Bono
Cher chronology
All I Really Want to Do
(1965)
The Sonny Side of Chér
(1966)
Chér
(1966)
Singles from The Sonny Side of Chér
  1. "Where Do You Go"
    Released: September 27, 1965
  2. "Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)"
    Released: February 21, 1966

The Sonny Side of Chér is the second studio album by American singer-actress Cher, released on March 28, 1966, by Imperial, shortly after the success of her debut album. Recorded while she was simultaneously charting as part of the duo Sonny & Cher, the album continued to establish her parallel career as a solo artist under the guidance of producer and songwriter Sonny Bono.

Musically, the album follows the formula of its predecessor, combining rearranged cover versions with new songs written by Bono. Its track list draws from contemporary folk and pop standards, incorporating influences from French chanson alongside American and international material. Notably, the record includes "Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)" which became Cher's first solo top-ten hit.

Upon release, The Sonny Side of Chér received mixed critical responses, with reviewers divided over its reliance on a familiar folk-pop formula despite praising its production and selected performances. Commercially, the album charted in both the United States and the United Kingdom, while the single "Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)" emerged as one of the most successful songs of Cher's 1960s output.