If I Could Turn Back Time Sheet Music Preview

If I Could Turn Back Time: 3-Part Mixed Choral Octavo

Words and music by Diane Warren / arr. Eric Van Cleave

Item: 00-PO-0006465

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Description
From Las Vegas to Broadway to your stage! This iconic Cher anthem appears as the opening number in the musical The Cher Show, about the life and early career of the legendary songstress. No-fuss harmonies and recurring rhythm hooks make this a quick-learn for pop groups and show choirs. Sequins and dance moves are optional, but a rock 'n roll attitude is required!

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Additional Details
Series: Alfred Pop Choral Series
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 12
SKU: 00-PO-0006465

More about this title

About the Composer: Diane Warren

Diane Warren is one of the most prolific and successful songwriters in contemporary music, with a career spanning four decades. She has written chart-topping hits for artists including Cher, Aerosmith, LeAnn Rimes, and countless others, earning multiple Grammy and Academy Award nominations for her work in film and television.

Warren's gift for crafting emotionally direct, hook-driven melodies has made her a cornerstone of pop songwriting. Her song "If I Could Turn Back Time" became a defining moment in Cher's career and remains one of her most recognizable compositions. For choral directors, Warren's work offers the rare opportunity to teach contemporary pop songwriting at its finest: economical, memorable, and built to move an audience.

Why we love this

This arrangement captures everything that made the original a smash without requiring your singers to navigate complex harmonic terrain. The rock attitude is built into the rhythmic foundation and groove, so even a younger or less experienced group can sound confident and contemporary. It's one of those pieces where the song's own momentum does much of the teaching work for you.

What to expect

Defiant and tender at once. The song lives in that space between vulnerability and rock 'n roll attitude, where admitting regret somehow feels powerful rather than weak. Your singers will feel the confidence of a song that's already a classic, and the arrangement gives them room to make it their own.

Who it's for

Pop and show choirs seeking contemporary material that's both accessible and performance-ready. Mixed high school and adult choral groups will find the three-part voicing comfortable while still offering enough textural interest to engage listeners.

How to get the most out of it

  • Lock the rhythm section into a steady rock pocket early in rehearsal. The recurring rhythm hooks drive the energy, so establishing that groove in percussion and bass (if using the instrumental parts) gives your singers a secure anchor.
  • Emphasize the lyrical shape during the verse sections. The emotional core of the song lives in Cher's vulnerability here, not in big belted moments. Guide your singers toward a more conversational, intimate quality before the chorus explodes.
  • Lean into the unison moments. SAB voicing naturally creates some unison passages that land with real impact. These moments are your chance to showcase clarity and power across all voices together.
  • Map the energy curve section by section. The song builds momentum as it progresses, so plan where your dynamics lift, where the intensity peaks, and where you might pull back for contrast. Avoid letting it plateau.

How to use it

Perfect as an opening number for a pop or variety concert, especially if you're programming a themed show around contemporary hits. The Broadway connection also makes it ideal for a musical theatre-focused program. Its energy and familiarity work well to grab audience attention early.

Skills your students will build

  • Singing pop-style phrasing and articulation
  • Maintaining rhythmic precision in syncopated groove patterns
  • Balancing unison texture with part-singing clarity
  • Shaping emotional arcs across verse and chorus structures
  • Interpreting attitude and character in contemporary music

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