Upside Down

This article is about the Diana Ross song. For other uses, see Upside Down (disambiguation).
"Upside Down"
Single by Diana Ross
from the album Diana
B-side "Friend to Friend"
Released June 25, 1980
Recorded 1979-1980
Genre Disco[1]
Length 4:05
Label Motown
Writer(s)
Producer(s)
  • Nile Rodgers
  • Bernard Edwards
Diana Ross singles chronology
"It's My House"
(1979)		 "Upside Down"
(1980)		 "I'm Coming Out"
(1980)

"Upside Down" is a song by American singer Diana Ross. The disco song was written and produced by Chic members Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards. It was released in June 25, 1980 as the lead single from her tenth studio album, Diana (1980), and hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 on September 6, 1980. It also hit number one on the Billboard Disco/Dance and Soul charts. The single was released a full four weeks after the album was released. It held down the number one title for four weeks.

The single was also a big hit internationally, topping the singles charts in Sweden, Italy, Norway and Switzerland, while reaching number five in Canada. It also rose to number two on the UK Singles Chart, marking the highest peak performance from Ross as a solo artist since "I'm Still Waiting" in 1971. It also earned her a British Phonographic Industry silver disc award for sales in excess of 250,000 copies.

The song listed at number 62 on Billboard's "Greatest Songs of All Time".[2]

History

The song was written by Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers (of the band Chic).

In a 2011 interview, Nile Rodgers said "Diana Ross was the first big star we ever worked with and we took it very seriously." Rodgers and Edwards interviewed her for several days. "This was the first time in her life somebody cared about who she was; what she was — everyone previously had treated her the way we had treated Sister Sledge — they got her in and said 'Sing this'. We (took a more personal approach)."[3]

The song would be later covered and sampled by the likes of Salt-n-Pepa, Kid Rock, Missy Elliott, Alcazar, Puff Daddy, Collette and MC Lyte, who had a hit under the "Upside Down" sample in Lyte's 1996 hit, "Cold Rock a Party (Remix)".[4] The Salt-n-Pepa version was featured on the Space Jam soundtrack.

The song was later covered by Destiny's Child during a tribute show honoring Ross and her career on a VH1 Divas special. Their version is featured on their album Single Remix Tracks.

In 1994, the song was used in Mickey's Fun Songs: Let's Go to the Circus with a different arrangement and lyrics.

In 1997, Ross performed the song live with British band Jamiroquai at "The Brit Awards" ceremony.

Upside Down was also covered and released as a single in late 2001 by Australian R&B girl group X3 (Times Three). It followed the release of their first single, and album, 'Girl Like Me'. The song received healthy airplay and was promoted well in Australia but did not chart well.

In 2001, contemporary jazz/fusion group Pieces of a Dream offered their version from the release "Acquainted With the Night."[5]

In 2004, Alcazar sampled "Upside Down" in their song "This Is the World We Live In".

In 2013, the song was used in a Mercedes-Benz commercial featuring chickens being moved around while their heads remain stationery as an example of the car brand's "magic body control."[6] It was also used by Jaguar Cars in a parody of the Mercedes-Benz commercial.[7]

Chart performance

Weekly charts

Chart (1980) Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[8] 1
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[9] 2
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[10] 3
Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)[11] 1
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[12] 5
Denmark (IFPI)[13] 1
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[14] 1
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[15] 3
France (IFOP)[16] 2
Germany (Media Control Charts)[17] 3
Ireland (IRMA)[18] 3
Italy (FIMI)[19] 1
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[20] 2
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[21] 3
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[22] 1
Norway (VG-lista)[23] 1
South Africa (Springbok Radio)[24] 1
Spain (AFYVE)[25] 15
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[26] 1
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[27] 1
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[28] 2
US Billboard Hot 100[29] 1
US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play[29] 1
US Billboard Hot Soul Singles[29] 1
US Cash Box[30] 1
US Record World[14] 1

Year-end charts

Chart (1980) Position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[31] 15
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[32] 12
Canada (RPM Top 100 Singles)[33] 52
France (IFOP)[34] 40
Italy (FIMI)[35] 8
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[36] 7
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[37] 17
South Africa (Springbok Radio)[38] 11
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[39] 4
US Billboard Hot 100[40] 18
US Cash Box[41] 4

All-time charts

Chart (1958–2013) Position
US Billboard Hot 100[42] 72

Order of precedence
Preceded by
"Moscow" by Dschinghis Khan		 Australian Kent Music Report number-one single
September 29, 1980 – October 20, 1980 (4 weeks) 		Succeeded by
"More Than I Can Say" by Leo Sayer
Preceded by
"Don't Ask Me Why" by Billy Joel		 Canadian RPM Adult Contemporary number-one single
September 27, 1980 – October 11, 1980 (2 weeks) 		Succeeded by
"Woman in Love" by Barbra Streisand
Preceded by
"The Winner Takes It All" by ABBA		 Eurochart Hot 100 number-one single
October 16, 1980 – November 6, 1980 (4 weeks)
South African number-one single
November 8, 1980 – November 15, 1980 (2 weeks) 		Succeeded by
"Man on the Moon" by Ballyhoo
Preceded by
"Amico" by Renato Zero		 Italian number one single
November 8, 1980 – November 22, 1980 (3 weeks) 		Succeeded by
"You and Me" by Spargo
Preceded by
"Food for Thought" by UB40		 New Zealand number-one single
October 12, 1980 – October 26, 1980 (3 weeks) 		Succeeded by
"Master Blaster (Jammin')" by Stevie Wonder
Preceded by
"One More Reggae for the Road" by Bill Lovelady		 Swedish number-one single
October 3, 1980 – October 31, 1980 (3 weeks)
Preceded by
"Donna musica" by Collage		 Swiss number-one single
September 7, 1980 – October 26, 1980 (8 weeks)
Preceded by
"Forelska i lærer'n" by The Kids		 Norwegian number-one single
44/1980 – 45/1980 (2 weeks) 		Succeeded by
"D.I.S.C.O." by Ottawan
Preceded by
"Sailing" by Christopher Cross		 US Billboard Hot 100 number-one single
September 6, 1980 – September 27, 1980 (4 weeks) 		Succeeded by
"Another One Bites the Dust" by Queen
US Cash Box number-one single
September 13, 1980 – September 27, 1980 (4 weeks)
Preceded by
"Take Your Time (Do It Right)" by The S.O.S. Band
"Fame" by Irene Cara
"Red Light" / "Hot Lunch Jam" by "Linda Clifford		 US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play number-one single
(with "I'm Coming Out")
August 9, 1980 – August 23, 1980 (3 weeks)
September 6, 1980 – September 6, 1980 (2 weeks) 		Succeeded by
"Fame" by Irene Cara
"Red Light" / "Hot Lunch Jam" by "Linda Clifford
"Love Sensation" by Loleatta Holloway
Preceded by
"One in a Million You" by Larry Graham		 US Billboard Hot Soul Singles number-one single
August 16, 1980 – September 6, 1980 (4 weeks) 		Succeeded by
"Give Me the Night" by George Benson

Track listing

UK 12"

Side A

  1. "Upside Down" (93' Remix, David Morales & Satoshi Tomiie mix)
  2. "The Best Years of My Life" (Album Version)

Side B

  1. "Upside Down" (Morales Dub, David Morales & Satoshi Tomiie mix)
  2. "Upside Down" (Album Version)
UK 12" #2

Side A

  1. "Upside Down"

Side B

  1. "Upside Down" (Remix by David Morales & Satoshi Tomiie)

Music video

The music video consists of previously filmed scenes from Ross's other productions over the years cut together with some photographs.[43]

Language

Linguistically the song is notable for its use of the archaic form of the second person singular pronoun, Thou/Thee, in the phrase: "Respectfully I say to thee I'm aware that you're cheatin'."

References

  1. ↑ Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian (2004). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide (4th ed.). Fireside. p. 704. ISBN 0-394-72107-1. the sessions produced such disco classics as "I'm Coming Out" (...) and "Upside Down.
  2. ↑ The Billboard Hot 100 All-Time Top Songs (70-61) at the Wayback Machine (archived June 6, 2011). Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved August 31, 2013.
  3. ↑ "Twenty First Century Music". Twenty First Century Music. November 10, 2011. Retrieved August 31, 2013.
  4. ↑ "Diana Ross – Anthology". Vibe 9 (5): 164. May 2001. ISSN 1070-4701.
  5. ↑ Edelstein, Paula. "Pieces of a Dream – Acquainted With the Night". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved August 31, 2013.
  6. ↑ Stone, Jason (October 2, 2013). "Ad break: Mercedes-Benz chickens, Carlsberg Premier League push". The Guardian. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
  7. ↑ Kurczewski, Nick (December 18, 2013). "A fowl rivalry: Feathers are flying between Jaguar and Mercedes-Benz!". Daily News. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
  8. ↑ "Australia No. 1 hits -- 1980's". World Charts. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  9. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – Diana Ross – Upside Down" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  10. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Diana Ross – Upside Down" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  11. ↑ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 0244." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  12. ↑ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 4701a." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  13. ↑ "Billboard – Hits Of The World". Billboard (Nielsen Business Media) 92 (46): 87. November 15, 1980. ISSN 0006-2510.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 "Song title 119 – Upside Down". TsorT. Retrieved April 25, 2014.
  15. ↑ Pennanen, Timo (2006). Sisältää hitin - levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Tammi. ISBN 978-951-1-21053-5.
  16. ↑ "InfoDisc : Tous les Titres par Artiste" (in French). InfoDisc. Select "Diana Ross" from the artist drop-down menu. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  17. ↑ "Officialcharts.de – Diana Ross – Upside Down". GfK Entertainment. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  18. ↑ "The Irish Charts – All there is to know". Irishcharts.ie. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  19. ↑ "SINGOLI – I NUMERI UNO (1959-2006) (parte 3: 1980-1990)" (in Italian). It-charts.150m.com. Retrieved August 31, 2013.
  20. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Diana Ross - Upside Down search results" (in Dutch) Dutch Top 40. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  21. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Diana Ross – Upside Down" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  22. ↑ "Charts.org.nz – Diana Ross – Upside Down". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  23. ↑ "Norwegiancharts.com – Diana Ross – Upside Down". VG-lista. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  24. ↑ "South African Rock Lists Website SA Charts 1969 – 1989 Acts (R)". Rock.co.za. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  25. ↑ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (in Spanish) (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
  26. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – Diana Ross – Upside Down". Singles Top 60. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  27. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Diana Ross – Upside Down". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  28. ↑ "Archive Chart: 1980-08-09" UK Singles Chart. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 29.2 "Diana Ross – Awards". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  30. ↑ CASH BOX Top 100 Singles – Week ending SEPTEMBER 13, 1980 at the Wayback Machine (archived September 15, 2012). Cash Box magazine. Retrieved April 25, 2014.
  31. ↑ "Forum – ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts – Top 100 End of Year AMR Charts – 1980s". Australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved April 25, 2014.
  32. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten 1980" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved April 24, 2014.
  33. ↑ "Top Singles – Volume 34, No. 6, December 20 1980". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved April 25, 2014.
  34. ↑ "TOP – 1980" (in French). Top-france.fr. Retrieved April 25, 2014.
  35. ↑ "I singoli più venduti del 1980" (in Italian). Hit Parade Italia. Creative Commons. Retrieved April 25, 2014.
  36. ↑ "Single Top 100 1980" (PDF) (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved April 25, 2014.
  37. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1980" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Hung Medien. Retrieved April 25, 2014.
  38. ↑ "Top 20 Hit Singles of 1980". Rock.co.za. Retrieved April 25, 2014.
  39. ↑ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1980" (in German). Hitparade.ch. Hung Medien. Retrieved April 25, 2014.
  40. ↑ "Top 100 Hits for 1980". The Longbored Surfer. Retrieved April 25, 2014.
  41. ↑ The CASH BOX Year-End Charts: 1980 at the Wayback Machine (archived September 15, 2012). Cash Box magazine. Retrieved April 25, 2014.
  42. ↑ Bronson, Fred (2 August 2012). "Hot 100 55th Anniversary: The All-Time Top 100 Songs". Billboard (Prometheus Global Media). Retrieved 9 August 2013.
  43. ↑ "Diana Ross – Upside Down". Dailymotion. Retrieved August 31, 2013.

External links