Straight Up (song)
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| “Straight Up” | |||||
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| Single by Paula Abdul from the album Forever Your Girl |
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| Released | 1988 | ||||
| Format | CD Single | ||||
| Genre | Pop | ||||
| Length | 4:11 | ||||
| Label | Virgin | ||||
| Writer(s) | Elliot Wolff | ||||
| Producer | Elliot Wolff | ||||
| Certification | Gold (US) | ||||
| Paula Abdul singles chronology | |||||
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| Alternate cover | |||||
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"Straight Up" is a 1988 hit single by American singer Paula Abdul, which reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and brought her widespread public attention. It was written and produced by Elliot Wolff.
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[edit] History
"Straight Up" was the third single released from her debut album Forever Your Girl, after "Knocked Out" and "(It's Just) the Way You Love Me". While the latter was enjoying success on the R&B charts, radio station KMEL in San Francisco started playing "Straight Up" from the album. The label decided to abandon "(It's Just) the Way You Love Me" and refocus its attention on "Straight Up". This strategy paid off, as "Straight Up" was followed by three more number-one hits from the same album. The 12" versions were remixed by L.A. "Powermixers" Chris Modig and Boris Granich, known for their special Powermixes at Power 106 during the 80's.
The record spent three weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 from February 11, 1989 and was ranked fourth in the Top 100 hits of 1989, becoming one of the biggest hits of the year. It also reached number three in the UK and number three in Germany.
[edit] Music video
The song itself became so popular that it ascended to the Hot 100 top 20 before a music video had even been shot for the song. The video, directed by David Fincher and choreographed by Paula herself, won the MTV Video Music Award for Best Female Video. The video features a special appearance by Paula's friend, talk-show host and comedian Arsenio Hall. The video at the time went into very heavy rotation on MTV, it also made Abdul known for her exceptionally creative and distinct videos. It was shot in black and white in Los Angeles, California.
[edit] Irony in lyrics
Part of the chorus is
- Straight up now tell me
- Do you really want to love me forever oh oh oh
- Or am I caught in a hit and run
On March 24, 2005, Abdul pleaded no contest and was fined and sentenced to two years' probation for a hit-and-run incident in Encino, California.[1] (See article on Paula Abdul.)
[edit] Chart performance
In the U.S., "Straight Up" reached the #1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 by February 11, 1989, where it stayed for three consecutive weeks. "Straight Up" was perhaps one of the most popular R&B and dance-pop singles of the entire year, remaining in the Top 10 for 7 weeks; in the Top 20 for 9 weeks; and in the Top 40 for 16 weeks. "Straight Up" is considered by many to be Abdul's signature hit.
| Chart (1988/1989) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 1 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 Airplay | 1 |
| US Billboard Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales | 1 |
| US Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play | 3 |
| US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks | 2 |
| UK Singles Chart | 3 |
| Australian Singles Chart | 27 |
| German Singles Chart | 3 |
[edit] Track listings and formats
[edit] US 12" Record
- Straight Up - 12" Remix
- Straight Up - Power Mix
- Straight Up - House Mix
- Straight Up - Marley Marl Mix
[edit] US Cassette
- Straight Up - LP
- Straight Up - Power Mix
[edit] Official remixes
- Edit
- 12" Remix
- Power Mix
- House Mix
- Marley Marl Mix
[edit] Cover versions
- "Straight Up" was covered by punk band Halifax for the compilation Punk Goes 80's.
- The song was covered by American dream pop indie band Luna for the compilation Guilt By Association.
- Covered in 2005 by electro-industrial group Dismantled, off the EP Breed to Death.
[edit] Appearances in other media, etc.
- Both Full House and Family Matters had a brief instance of the song being referenced during the 1989-1990 season.
- The Family Matters incident simply had Eddie Winslow listening to the video.
- On the Full House episode "Honey, I Broke the House", both D.J. Tanner and Kimmy Gibbler listening to the song on their headphones, when Kimmy breaks out and sings the chorus briefly.
- The song is featured in The Jetsons: The Movie.
- On VH1's "I Love the 80s: 3D" Paula Abdul introduces the "hearthrobs" of the 80s with this song in the background.
| Preceded by "When I'm with You" by Sheriff |
Billboard Hot 100 number one single February 11, 1989- February 25, 1989 |
Succeeded by "Lost in Your Eyes" by Debbie Gibson |
[edit] See also
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