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1973 studio album by Sonny & Cher

Mama Was a Rock and Roll Singer, Papa Used to Write All Her Songs is the fifth and final studio album by American pop duo Sonny & Cher, released in 1973 by MCA Records. In 2018 it was released on CD.

Album information

The album was released in 1973 and reached #132 on the Billboard album chart. The title track was the only single from the album to enter the US charts, reaching #77 (in a much shorter form) on the Billboard Hot 100.

The album is largely a collection of cover songs which include songs like "I Can See Clearly Now" (originally by Johnny Nash), "Brother Love`s Traveling Salvation Show" (Neil Diamond), and "Listen to the Music" (The Doobie Brothers).

The only song written by Bono is the title track; it clocks in at over nine minutes on the album version, and was edited down to under four minutes for the single.

Track listing

Side A

1. "It Never Rains in Southern California" (Albert Hammond, Mike Hazlewood) – 3:49
2. "I Believe in You" (Dennis Pregnolato, Michel Rubini, Don Dunne) – 2:59
3. "I Can See Clearly Now" (Johnny Nash) – 3:38
4. "Rhythm of Your Heart Beat" (Tony Macaulay, Geoff Stephens) – 3:32
5. "Mama Was a Rock and Roll Singer Papa Used to Write All Her Songs" (Sonny Bono) – 9:37

Side B

1. "By Love I Mean" (Hal David, William Jacobs, M. A. Trujillo) – 4:24
2. "Brother Love`s Traveling Salvation Show" (Neil Diamond) – 3:16
3. "You Know Darn Well" (Tony Macaulay) – 3:20
4. "The Greatest Show on Earth" (Bob Stone) – 3:50
5. "Listen to the Music" (Tom Johnston) – 3:53

Charts

Credits

Artists

• Cher - Main Vocals
• Sonny Bono - Main Vocals

Personnel

• David Paich - Conductor, Piano, Synthesizer
• David Hungate - Bass
• Jeff Porcaro - Drums
• Michael Omartian - Keyboards
• Joe Sample - Piano
• Dean Parks - Lead and Solo Guitar
• Dan Ferguson - Guitar
• Art Munson - Guitar
• Louie Shelton - Guitar
• Larry Carlton - Guitar
• Rick White - Guitar
• Buddy Emmons - Steel Guitar

Production

• Sonny Bono - Producer
• Denis Pregnolato - Producer
• Michel Rubini - Producer