Cher. The name alone carries enough weight to tilt the Earth on its axis, but back in 1989, she wasn't just a legend; she was a controversy machine in a fishnet bodysuit. If you were around then, you probably remember the fallout from the Cher If I Could Turn Back Time video. It wasn't just a music video. It was a cultural event that made the U.S. Navy sweat and MTV's standards-and-practices department lose sleep for a decade.
Honestly, the story of how this video even happened is kind of a comedy of errors. You've got the Navy trying to look "cool" for recruitment, a director who knew exactly how to push buttons, and a superstar who basically said, "I’m wearing this, deal with it." It’s wild to think that a five-minute clip on a battleship could lead to a permanent ban on music videos being filmed on Navy vessels, but here we are.
The USS Missouri and the Recruitment "Opportunity"
The Navy was in a bit of a recruitment slump in the late '80s. They didn't have the massive TV ad budgets they have now, so when Marty Callner—the director behind heavy hitters like Aerosmith’s "Janie's Got a Gun"—proposed filming a music video on a battleship, they saw dollar signs and fresh-faced recruits.
They gave the production team the USS Missouri, a ship with more history than most small countries. This was the "Mighty Mo," the literal site where the Empire of Japan signed the surrender documents ending World War II. It was a sacred space for veterans. The Navy brass, however, was thinking more about "top gun" vibes and MTV exposure. They expected Cher to show up in a standard-issue jumpsuit or maybe some conservative sailor-themed attire.
They were wrong.
The Midnight Surprise
The shoot went down on June 30, 1989, at the Long Beach Naval Shipyard. It was roughly 2:00 a.m. when Cher finally emerged from her trailer. When she stepped onto the deck, the 150-plus real sailors who had been waiting for hours didn't just cheer; they practically lost their minds.
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Instead of a jumpsuit, Cher was wearing a Bob Mackie creation that left almost nothing to the imagination. We're talking a sheer fishnet body stocking, a very thin black "seat belt" one-piece, and a leather jacket she barely wore. Lieutenant Commander Steve Honda, the Navy’s liaison on set, reportedly tried to get Callner to make her change. Callner refused. The sailors were already hyped, the cameras were rolling, and Cher was already straddling a massive 16-inch gun. There was no going back.
Why the Cher If I Could Turn Back Time Video Got Banned
MTV was the kingmaker back then. If they didn't play your video, you didn't exist. When the footage for the Cher If I Could Turn Back Time video hit their desks, the executives were horrified—or at least, they pretended to be for the sake of the FCC.
The main issue wasn't just the outfit; it was the "rear-view" shots. Cher’s buttocks, featuring a butterfly and rose tattoo, were on full display as she danced in front of the cheering crew. MTV initially slapped a ban on the video. They eventually caved because the song was a massive hit, but they would only air it after 9:00 p.m. during the "watershed" hours when the kids were supposed to be asleep.
Interestingly, a "clean" version was eventually edited that used more close-ups and different angles to hide the most revealing parts of the outfit. But let’s be real: nobody remembers the clean version.
The Veterans' Backlash
While the active-duty sailors on the ship were clearly having the time of their lives, the old guard was furious. World War II veterans saw the video as a "desecration" of the USS Missouri. To them, the ship was a floating memorial, not a stage for a pop star to gyrate on in a thong.
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The Secretary of the Navy at the time reportedly considered firing the captain of the Missouri over the incident. While nobody actually lost their job, the fallout was so severe that the Navy issued a standing order: no more music videos on Navy ships. Ever.
The Song Cher Didn't Even Want to Record
Here is a bit of trivia that usually shocks people: Cher hated "If I Could Turn Back Time" when she first heard it. Diane Warren, the legendary songwriter, literally had to get on her knees and beg Cher to record the track.
"I held her leg down during a session and said, 'You have to record it!'" Warren famously recalled. Cher’s response? A very on-brand, "F*** you, bitch!"
But Warren was right. The song became one of Cher's biggest hits, reaching number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. It proved that Cher wasn't just a 70s relic; she was a powerhouse who could adapt to the hair-metal and soft-rock sounds of the late 80s without breaking a sweat.
The Legacy of the Outfit
If you think the controversy died out in the 90s, check the auction blocks. In 2025, that same Bob Mackie "seat belt" outfit sold at auction for $162,500. It’s now considered a piece of fashion history, right up there with Marilyn Monroe's white dress or Michael Jackson's red leather jacket.
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Bob Mackie himself later admitted he was "embarrassed" by the look at the time, telling Cher he didn't want anyone to know he designed it. But Cher knew better. She knew that in the world of entertainment, being "too much" is often just enough. She even wore a version of the outfit during her "Dressed to Kill" tour in 2014, proving that at nearly 70 years old, she could still rock the fishnets better than anyone half her age.
What You Can Learn from Cher’s Boldness
The Cher If I Could Turn Back Time video is a masterclass in brand longevity. While the Navy regretted it and MTV was scared of it, Cher leaned into it. She understood that controversy, when paired with a genuinely good song, creates an indelible mark on culture.
If you're looking to revisit this piece of pop culture history, here's how to do it right:
- Watch the uncensored version: Look for the original 1989 cut to see why the Navy brass was so panicked. The lighting and cinematography on the Missouri are actually stunning, even without the costume drama.
- Listen to the Heart of Stone album: "If I Could Turn Back Time" was the lead single, but the whole album is a perfect snapshot of late-80s production.
- Notice the cameos: Look closely at the band in the video. The 12-year-old kid playing guitar? That’s Elijah Blue Allman, Cher’s son.
The video remains a testament to a time when music videos felt dangerous. It wasn't just about selling a song; it was about claiming a space. Whether she was "manning the guns" or just making a point about female agency, Cher turned back time and made sure we'd never forget it.
Take a moment to watch the video again with fresh eyes. Focus on the reaction of the sailors in the background. Those aren't paid extras; those are real people having a genuine "I can't believe this is happening" moment. That authenticity is why the video still feels alive today.