CHER - JUST LIKE JESSE JAMES / HEART OF STONE

JUST LIKE JESSE JAMES

Released: October 1989

Charted:  UK: #11   US: #8 

"Just Like Jesse James" is a track from Cher's nineteenth album, "Heart of Stone," released in 1989. Written by Desmond Child and Diane Warren and produced by Child, the song was released as the third single in North America and the second in Europe in October 1989 by Geffen Records. It became a top-ten hit in December 1989.

"Just Like Jesse James" draws its title from the legendary Wild West figure Jesse James. The phrase was previously featured in Linda Ronstadt's hit "Poor Poor Pitiful Me." Jesse James, the real historical figure, was infamously shot in the back of the head on April 3, 1882, by Robert Ford. Ford and his brother were arrested, indicted, pleaded guilty, sentenced to hang, and then pardoned all on the same day. Given James' outlaw status, these legal proceedings were considered lawful and legitimate at the time.

HEART OF STONE

Released: January 23, 1990

Charted:  UK: #43   US: #20 

"Heart of Stone" was released as the fourth single from Cher's 19th studio album of the same name in 1989. The music video features Cher in a dark room with old clips of herself projected onto screens in the background, shot in early 1990. The song achieved success by entering the top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States, while narrowly missing the top 40 in the UK. This accomplishment made Cher the first female artist to have a Billboard Hot 100 hit in four decades or more.

Bill Coleman from Billboard praised "Heart of Stone" as his favorite track from Cher's platinum album, predicting its success following the top 10 achievements of its predecessors. Mark Millan from The Daily Vault regarded "Heart of Stone" as one of Cher's best moments, noting its soulful pop quality despite some lyrical ambiguity mixing social commentary and autobiography. Terry Staunton from NME highlighted Cher's successful dual career in acting and singing as demonstrated by the song.