This article is about the song performed by Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band and later by Gloria Estefan. For the French phrase, seeCherchez la femme.
"Cherchez La Femme" (French forSeek the woman) is a song that was written and performed byDr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band with lead vocals byCory Daye in 1976. The music was written byband-leader and pianist Stony Browder Jr. and John Schonberger, Richard Coburn (né Frank Reginald DeLong; 1886–1952), and Vincent Rose; with lyrics by Browder Jr.'s brother and bassistAugust Darnell. The song's full title is"Whispering"/"Cherchez La Femme"/"Se Si Bon" [sic]. "Cherchez La Femme" became the group's biggest hit.
The song's opening lyric refers to record executiveTommy Mottola, who was instrumental in giving the act their major label deal. Along with the tracks "Sour and Sweet" and "I'll Play the Fool", "Cherchez La Femme" went to #1 on the disco chart.[1] "Cherchez La Femme" also charted on the pop, R&B, and Adult Contemporary charts.
"Cherchez La Femme" was covered by Cuban American singer-songwriterGloria Estefan on her fourth studio album,Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me. It was released as the fifth single from the album in the US, Australia and Benelux.
Pan-European magazineMusic & Media commented, "In 1977, romantic couples took the floor every timeDr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band was played. Now another "femme" is singing the nostalgicswing band song with equal joy."[13] Phil Shanklin of ReviewsRevues wrote in his review of theHold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me album, that it is "a brave move" to cover the song. He added, "Gloria’ s vocal lacks the playful coquettishness ofCory Daye’s but it is great to hear it again amongst her selections of songs."[14]
