Introduction: Defining the First Commercial Use of Autotune
Before identifying the first song with autotune, it is useful to clarify what autotune is and how its early use differed from today’s practice. Autotune, released by Antares Audio Technologies in 1997, is a digital audio processor that corrects pitch and can create distinctive robot-like vocal effects when used prominently. Early use in professional recordings aimed primarily at correction rather than stylization. With that context, the first widely recognized commercial use of autotune on a released song involved Cher’s 1998 single "Believe," produced by Mark Taylor and Brian Rawling. This track made deliberate, audible use of the Auto-Tune software, helping to introduce the effect to mainstream audiences.
Cher’s "Believe" and Mainstream Awareness
Released in October 1998, Cher’s "Believe" became a global hit and is frequently cited as the song that brought autotune to public attention. The producers employed the Auto-Tune plug-in not only to correct Cher’s vocals but also to create the track’s signature chopped, robotic hook in the intro and chorus. This artistic choice stood out at the time, transforming what was originally a corrective tool into a deliberate effect. While earlier studio use of auto-tune likely occurred on a small number of recordings, "Believe" is notable for being the first to achieve broad commercial impact and to showcase the effect as a stylistic signature rather than a hidden fix.
Context of Release and Production Details
"Believe" was written by Brian Rawling, Paul Barry, and Mark Taylor, and produced by Taylor and Rawling for Cher’s twenty-second studio album, "Believe" (1998). The single reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and across numerous international charts, eventually receiving multi-platinum certifications. The producers recorded Cher’s vocals through Antares Auto-Tune, adjusting settings to make the effect both corrective and audible. This combination of correction and stylization became a blueprint for subsequent artists and producers. As a result, "Believe" is often credited with popularizing exaggerated vocal tuning in pop music, even though earlier examples had existed in niche contexts.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Song | Believe | Music release documentation |
| Artist | Cher | Label and artist discography |
| Release Date | October 1998 (US) | Label and publishing records |
| Producers | Mark Taylor and Brian Rawling | Production credits |
| Effect | Prominent, stylized vocal tuning via Auto-Tune | Interviews and technical commentary |
| Chart Performance | Number one on Billboard Hot 100 | Official chart archives |
Possible Earlier Examples and Studio Use
While "Believe" is widely recognized for bringing autotune into the mainstream, some audio engineers and producers experimented with the software in less public contexts shortly before 1998. The Antares Auto-Tune plug-in launched in 1997 and was initially adopted by select studios for pitch correction, often in a subtle manner. These early sessions may have resulted in undocumented recordings with autotune applied minimally. However, no verified commercial single before "Believe" has been widely confirmed to use the effect in a prominent, stylized way. Therefore, Cher’s "Believe" remains the most reliable, verifiable answer to the question of the first song to prominently feature autotune.
Impact and Legacy in Pop Music
After "Believe," autotune’s role in music shifted noticeably. Producers began to use it both as a corrective tool and as a creative effect, enabling new vocal textures and stylized pop sounds. Artists in the late 1990s and early 2000s adopted the technology, leading to the highly tuned vocals characteristic of much contemporary pop. The exaggerated robotic sound in "Believe" demonstrated that autotune could be a signature aesthetic choice, not just a background fix. This legacy is evident in later hits that lean heavily on stylized tuning, and the track is frequently studied in audio engineering and music-production programs as a defining example of early creative Auto-Tune use.
Common Misconceptions and Clarifications
A common misconception is that earlier songs or artists used autotune long before "Believe," often citing obscure recordings or niche electronic tracks. In most verified accounts, those uses were either minimal, undocumented, or applied in post-production without the pronounced effect that defines the Cher track. Another point of confusion is the difference between Auto-Tune as a product and general pitch-correction tools; Auto-Tune’s specific algorithm and its distinctive sound became identifiable starting with "Believe." Understanding this distinction helps clarify why the song is consistently referenced as the breakthrough for audible, stylized autotune in mainstream music.
Summary Table: Key Details at a Glance
| Aspect | Detail | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Song | Believe | First widely recognized commercial use of prominent autotune |
| Artist | Cher | Established autotune as a pop effect |
| Release Year | 1998 | Marks the turning point for autotune in mainstream music |
| Producers | Mark Taylor and Brian Rawling | Creators of the signature autotune sound on the track |
| Technology Used | Antares Auto-Tune | The specific plug-in that produced the effect |
| Chart Achievement | Number one on Billboard Hot 100 | Demonstrates widespread commercial impact |
Conclusion: The Documented Earliest Prominent Use
The first song to feature autotune in a documented, commercially released context with a pronounced stylistic effect is Cher’s "Believe" (1998), produced by Mark Taylor and Brian Rawling. While limited studio experiments may have occurred earlier in 1997, no verified single matches the combination of release, prominence, and public recognition achieved by "Believe." Understanding this helps set clear expectations about the origins of autotune in popular music and distinguishes verified milestones from speculation or informal use.