The Only Way Is Up

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The Only Way Is Up is a popular single by Yazz and the Plastic Population.

Written by George Jackson and Johnny Henderson the song was originally released as the title track to the 1982 album by soul singer Otis Clay.

The version by Yazz in 1988 was produced by Johnathon Moore and Matt Black, (better known as dance duo Coldcut) who had worked with Yazz on their hit single Doctorin' the House . Released in July 1988 the song became an instant smash spending 5 weeks at #1 on the UK singles chart and ultimately became the biggest selling single of the year. In the USA it fared less well peaking at #96 on the Billboard Hot 100 though reached #2 on the Billboard dance chart. The tracks opening horn blast is a sample from Sharon Redd's 1982 dance classic Beat the Street.

Preceded by: "Nothing's Gonna Change My Love For You" by Glenn Medeiros

UK number one single July 31, 1988

Succeeded by: "A Groovy Kind of Love" by Phil Collins