Lyrically, the song describes the life of a girl who faces societal rejection due to having a White father and Cherokee mother.

Cher appears on horseback in a Bob Mackie-designed outfit combining elements unrelated to Cherokee culture, including a Plains-style warbonnet, a halter top inspired by a hair pipe breastplate, and a glittery loincloth.

[5] Cher has faced criticism from Native American activists for cultural appropriation, continuing to use similar costumes in performances until 2017.

[11][13][14] Rolling Stone noted the omission of "Half-Breed" from Cher's 2024 compilation Forever, attributing it to a broader trend of artists reassessing their catalogs in light of changing cultural sensibilities.

[15] In 2002, a special remix medley was created by Dan-O-Rama for a video montage that was used in Cher's Living Proof: The Farewell Tour.

[citation needed] According to the AFM contract sheet, excluding Cher’s vocals, the following musicians played on the track.