About the Song
“Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)” by Cher is a hauntingly beautiful ballad that showcases the singer’s emotional depth and vocal power. Released in 1966 as the second single from her second solo album, The Sonny Side of Chér, the song became an instant hit, reaching No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and solidifying Cher’s status as a pop icon.
Written by Sonny Bono, the song tells a poignant and bittersweet story of love and loss through its vivid lyrics and melancholy melody. The opening lines, “I was five and he was six, we rode on horses made of sticks,” set a nostalgic tone, drawing listeners into a tale of childhood innocence that later turns into heartbreak. The refrain, “Bang bang, he shot me down,” serves as a metaphor for emotional betrayal, making the song both relatable and deeply moving.
Cher’s vocal performance is mesmerizing, blending vulnerability with a quiet intensity that perfectly complements the song’s dramatic arrangement. Her distinctive contralto voice gives the lyrics a raw, heartfelt quality that resonates with listeners. Backed by a sparse arrangement of guitar and strings, the minimalist production allows Cher’s voice to take center stage, amplifying the song’s emotional impact.
“Bang Bang” became one of Cher’s most enduring hits, resonating across generations and inspiring countless covers by artists like Nancy Sinatra and Stevie Wonder. Its timeless appeal lies in its universal theme of love’s pain and complexity, a theme that listeners from all walks of life can connect with.
Decades later, “Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)” remains a beloved classic, a testament to Cher’s artistry and the enduring power of a well-crafted pop ballad.
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Lyrics: Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)
I was five and he was six
We rode on horses made of sticks
He wore black and I wore white
He would always win the fightBang bang, you shot me down
Bang bang, I hit the ground
Bang bang, that awful sound
Bang bang, my baby shot me downSeasons came and changed the time
When I grew up, I called him mine
He would always laugh and say
“Remember when we used to play?”“Bang bang. I shot you down
Bang bang. You’d hit the ground
Bang bang. That awful sound
Bang bang. I used to shoot you down.”Music played and people sang
Just for me the church bells rangNow, he’s gone. I don’t know why
And ’til this day, sometimes I cry
He didn’t even say goodbye
He didn’t take the time to lieBang bang, he shot me down
Bang bang, I hit the ground
Bang bang, that awful sound
Bang bang, my baby shot me down