I Found Someone

This song was written by Michael Bolton and Mark Mangold, first recorded by Laura Branigan of "Gloria" fame. She released it as a single in 1986 but it stalled at #90. A year later, Cher released the song as a single and had a bit hit with it, taking it to #10 in the US and #5 in the UK. This was the second time Bolton wrote a song for Branigan that was eclipsed by another artist: She recorded the original version of "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You" in 1983 when Bolton was a struggling songwriter. She had a hit with that song, but when Bolton released it himself in 1989, his version was much bigger.

This song celebrates the uplifting feeling of finding love. Cher had indeed found someone: Rob Camilletti, who was working at a bagel shop when they started dating in 1986. They were together until 1989, much longer than most of her relationships following her divorce from Sonny Bono. Camilletti, who appears in the music video, is 18 years younger than Cher, just 22 when they met.

"I Found Someone" was the start of a musical revival for Cher. After a string of hits in the early '70s (including "Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves" and "Dark Lady"), she made two disco albums in 1979, fronted a rock band called Black Rose in 1980, and released one more album in 1982 before putting her music aside to focus on movies. By 1987 she was a leading lady, having starred in the critically acclaimed Mask, but John Kalodner at Geffen Records convinced her she could once again became a singing star. She eventually accepted his offer, signed with the label, and put out "I Found Someone" as the first single. It was hit, as was the next single, "We All Sleep Alone." Cher's next album, Heart Of Stone in 1989, did even better, with the hits "If I Could Turn Back Time" and "Just Like Jesse James." She became a top touring touring draw with a mature audience willing to pony up for tickets.