Straight Up (song)

Straight Up (song)

Infobox Single
Name = Straight Up


Artist = Paula Abdul
from Album = Forever Your Girl
B-side =
Released = 1988
Format = CD Single
Recorded =
Genre = Pop
Length = 4:11 (Album Version)
3:52 (7" Edit)
Label = Virgin
Writer = Elliot Wolff
Producer = Elliot Wolff
Certification = Gold (US)
Chart position = * #1 (U.S.)
* #3 (U.K)
* #27 (Australia)
* #3 (Germany)
Last single = "(It's Just) The Way That You Love Me"
(1988)
This single = "Straight Up"
(1989)
Next single = "Forever Your Girl"
(1989)
Misc = Extra album cover 2
Upper caption = Alternate cover
Type = single


Lower caption =

"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.

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.

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 four 1989 MTV Video Music Awards for Best Female Video, Best Editing, Best Choreography, and the first Best Dance 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.

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.

Track listings and formats

US 12" Record

# Straight Up - 12" Remix (Elliot Wolff)
# Straight Up - Power Mix (Elliot Wolff)
# Straight Up - House Mix (Elliot Wolff)
# Straight Up - Marley Marl Mix (Elliot Wolff)

US Cassette

# Straight Up - LP (Elliot Wolff)
# Straight Up - Power Mix (Elliot Wolff)

Official remixes

*7" Edit
*12" Remix
*Power Mix
*House Mix
*Marley Marl Mix

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".
* It was covered in 2005 by electro-industrial group Dismantled, off the EP "Breed to Death".

Appearances in other media, etc.

*In an episode of "Family Matters", the character Eddie Winslow is listening to the video.
*On the "Full House" episode, "Honey, I Broke the House", D.J. Tanner and Kimmy Gibbler are listening to the song on their headphones, when Kimmy breaks out and sings the chorus briefly.
* The song is featured in "".
* On VH1's "I Love the 80s: 3D" Paula Abdul introduces the "hearthrobs" of the 80s with this song in the background.
* This song appears on the game .

See also

* Hot 100 number-one hits of 1989 (United States)


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