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It wasn't really Cher's fault, nor was it the fault of songwriters Al Capps and Mary Dean, but "Half Breed," today's "Great Song of 1973," is historically inaccurate.
It all starts with the opening lyrics:
"My father married a pure Cherokee
My mother's people were ashamed of me
The Indians said I was white by law
The White Man always called me "Indian Squaw."
It's the second line that's begins the rather convoluted problem.
After 1825, due to disease, starvation, and torturous relocation of the tribes, Cherokee men were few, so by tribal law, mixed race marriages were ruled acceptable, and their children were welcomed into the tribe WITHOUT shame.
That said, the term "half breed" was coined by those who didn't condone it.
Over the past 200 years, the term has expanded to include ANYONE of mixed race, which makes it even more problematic and hurtful.
Cher herself is of mixed race heritage, and truth be told, it's quite a mix: Her father was Armenian-American, and her mother was of English, German, Irish, French, and Dutch descent
Cher is also 1/16 Cherokee--just enough to qualify as a member of the Cherokee nation.
All of that (and the fact that Cher was frequently taunted with the term while growing up) made her the perfect artist to record the song. (Note: She was backed by several members of the legendary Wrecking Crew--including Hal Blaine on drums.)
"Half Breed" turned out to be one of her biggest hits, reaching the Top 10 in 7 countries, including #1 in New Zealand, Canada, and the US.
It came at a good time for Cher: she hadn't had a hit in a while, and her marriage to Sonny was on the rocks.
"Half Breed" by Cher...pretty much a song she was born to sing, and a "Great Song of 1973."
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