Believe
"Believe" is a song by Cher that was parodied in the Season Three episode, "Two Guys Naked in a Hot Tub" and Season Twenty episode, "Members Only". The song's heavy use of autotune is parodied by having incredibly conspicuous autotuning and near-incomprehensible lyrics.
Background
The Department of the ATF or Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, believes that Mr. Mackey's meteor shower party is a suicide cult, and that they plan to kill themselves at the start of the meteor shower.
The ATF attempt in preventing this by setting up a blockade and prepare to open fire on the party in case the supposed cult has firearms. The guests inside are unaware of their presence, and a few of them and are shot and killed when they step outside. Deciding that loud, obnoxious music will drive them out in an act of psychological audio torture.
The ATF set up giant speakers and play Cher's "Believe" at maximum volume. At the same time Mr. Mackey and Herbert Garrison play the same song on the stereo, thus still unaware of the ATF outside.
In "Members Only", Cher is seen preforming the song at SpaceX, with no one paying any attention to her. This scene is a parody of the music video for the song "If I Could Turn Back Time" where Cher is performing on a Navy battleship USS Missouri.
The song also appeared in South Park: The Fractured But Whole, as a primary factor in the Cyborg ability "Ganz Technique". When used, The New Kid will make two boomboxes appear on their shoulders, and will then start playing the song, enraging the target while also gaining the Blocking status. The description also calls the song the worst song to exist ever.
Trivia
- The scenario was inspired by two real events; Heaven's Gate in 1997 and the Waco siege on the Branch Davidians in 1993.
Lyrics
No matter how hard I try
You keep pushing me aside
And I can't break through
There's no talking to you
It's so sad that you're leaving
It takes time to believe it
But after all is said and done
You're gonna be the lonely one
Oh, oh
Do you believe in life after love?
I can feel something inside me say
I really don't think you're strong enough now
Do you believe in life after love?
I can feel something inside me say
I really don't think you're strong enough now
What am I supposed to do?
Sit around and wait for you?
Well, I can't do that
There's no turning back
I need time to move on
I need love to feel strong
'Cause I've had time to think it through
And maybe I'm too good for you
Oh, oh
Do you believe in life after love?
I can feel something inside me say
I really don't think you're strong enough now
Do you believe in life after love?
I can feel something inside me say
I really don't think you're strong enough now
Well, I know that I'll get through this
'Cause I know that I am strong
I don't need you anymore
Oh, I don't need you anymore
I don't need you anymore
No, I don't need you anymore
Do you believe in life after love?
I can feel something inside me say
I really don't think you're strong enough now
Do you believe in life after love?
I can feel something inside me say
I really don't think you're strong enough now
Do you believe in life after love?
I can feel something inside me say
I really don't think you're strong enough now
Do you believe in life after love?
I can feel something inside me say
I really don't think you're strong enough now