Released in the glitzy, shoulder-padded heart of 1982, I Paralyze is one of those rare albums that flickers quietly in the shadows of a superstar’s career. Tucked between the rock-laden rebellion of the ’70s and her glossy pop comeback in the late ’80s, this album finds Cher taking risks – stylistically, vocally, and emotionally.
Though it didn’t shake up the charts (and truly, it deserved better), I Paralyze is a fascinating sonic snapshot. It’s an album that blends new wave sheen with the emotional depths of soft rock, all carried by Cher’s unmistakable contralto that could crush diamonds and cradle hearts in the same breath.
A One-Time Deal with Columbia
This album was Cher’s only outing with Columbia Records – a brief affair, but one that yielded creative experimentation. She teamed up with producer John Farrar, the genius behind Olivia Newton-John’s hits, and David Wolfert, bringing together brains and bravado in the studio.
And here’s a juicy bit for music nerds: I Paralyze marks the very first time Cher collaborated with a then-rising songwriter named Desmond Child. He’d later go on to craft mega-hits for her (hello, ‘We All Sleep Alone’) and for a little-known band called Bon Jovi.
Songs That Walk the Edge
Musically, I Paralyze is a melting pot. You’ll hear echoes of the rock sensibilities from her Black Rose era on tracks like ‘Rudy’ and ‘The Book of Love’, then get whisked away into synth-laced territory with the title track. It’s a playlist before playlists were a thing – eclectic, bold, and totally Cher.
Here’s the full track listing:
- Lookin’ for Love
- We All Fly Home
- Rudy
- Games
- I Paralyze
- When the Love Is Gone
- Say What’s on Your Mind
- Back on the Street Again
- Walk with Me
- The Book of Love
- Do I Ever Cross Your Mind?
(Note: Some editions shuffle the order slightly, but these are the core ten songs from the original release.)
TV Promos and Missed Chances
To promote the album, Cher graced stages on American Bandstand and Solid Gold – decked in her classic early-’80s glam, of course. But despite a couple of single releases (‘Rudy’ and the title track), the album didn’t chart. A shame, really. Sometimes, timing is everything, and I Paralyze might’ve been just a few years too ahead of its time.
Cher’s Favorite Child (Sort of)
Here’s where it gets heartwarming: in interviews, Cher has often singled out ‘I Paralyze’ the song as one of her personal favorites. It’s that rare kind of track – moody, atmospheric, a little haunting – that burrows into your soul and stays there.
Reborn as a Cult Classic
In 1999, I Paralyze was reissued by Varèse Sarabande, giving fans a second chance to discover its lush layers and unexpected edges. And now, it lives on in the hearts of diehard Cher fans who know that even her “misses” are more daring and delightful than most artists’ hits.
So, if you’re ever in the mood to time-travel to a forgotten corner of pop history, give I Paralyze a spin. Just don’t be surprised if it crawls under your skin – and stays there.
