Straight Up (song)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| "Straight Up" | ||
|---|---|---|
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| Single by Paula Abdul | ||
| from the album Forever Your Girl | ||
| Released | 1988 | |
| Format | CD Single | |
| Genre | Pop | |
| Length | 4:11 | |
| Writer(s) | Elliot Wolff | |
| Producer(s) | Elliot Wolff | |
| Chart positions | ||
| Paula Abdul singles chronology | ||
| "(It's Just) The Way That You Love Me" (1988) |
"Straight Up" (1988) |
"Forever Your Girl" (1989) |
"Straight Up" is a 1989 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.
It 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 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. The song is featured in The Jetsons: The Movie.
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[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 who she also had a rumored relationship with. The video at the time went into very high 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] Lyrics
Part of the chorus of the song goes
- 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. (See article on Paula Abdul.)
[edit] Chart performance
In the U.S., "Straight Up" rose on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, from #59 to #47 the week of December 17, 1988, and reached the #1 spot 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 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 |
[edit] Track listings and formats
US 12" Record
1. Straight Up - 12" Remix
2. Straight Up - Power Mix
3. Straight Up - House Mix
4. Straight Up - Marley Marl Mix
US Cassette
1. Straight Up - LP
2. Straight Up - Power Mix
[edit] Official remixes
- 12 Remix
- Power Mix
- House Mix
- Marley Marl Mix
[edit] Covers
"Straight Up" was covered by pop-punk band Halifax for the compilation Punk Goes 80's.
| 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 |
