On this day, February 11, 1989, Straight Up by Paula Abdul hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, holding the top spot from February 11 to March 3. The breakout hit also reached #1 in Canada and Norway, cementing Abdul’s status as a rising pop star.
Straight Up, the third single from her debut album Forever Your Girl, was a game changer for Abdul. The infectious beat, slick production, and her signature dance moves made it one of the most iconic songs of the late 80s. The track's success propelled her to superstardom, helping her debut album eventually become one of the best-selling records of the era.
The song’s black and white music video, directed by David Fincher, became a major hit on MTV and won Best Female Music Video at the MTV Video Music Awards. It featured Abdul’s incredible dance skills and a guest appearance by actor Arsenio Hall, further adding to its cultural impact.
80s insight: Straight Up was originally sent to Paula Abdul on a demo tape while she was still working as a choreographer. The song was so catchy that it quickly became the breakthrough hit she needed to launch her music career.
Straight Up, the third single from her debut album Forever Your Girl, was a game changer for Abdul. The infectious beat, slick production, and her signature dance moves made it one of the most iconic songs of the late 80s. The track's success propelled her to superstardom, helping her debut album eventually become one of the best-selling records of the era.
The song’s black and white music video, directed by David Fincher, became a major hit on MTV and won Best Female Music Video at the MTV Video Music Awards. It featured Abdul’s incredible dance skills and a guest appearance by actor Arsenio Hall, further adding to its cultural impact.
80s insight: Straight Up was originally sent to Paula Abdul on a demo tape while she was still working as a choreographer. The song was so catchy that it quickly became the breakthrough hit she needed to launch her music career.
