Upside Down – Diana Ross | Top 40 Chart Performance, Story and Song Meaning
Chart Performance: Pop (#1), R&B (#1) and Dance (#1); 1980
Story Behind The Song By Ed Osborne
By 1980, 21 years had passed since a young Detroit girl named Diane Earle had joined the Primettes, and begun her journey to international stardom. Her initial “coming out” took place on Halloween day of 1964 when Baby Love soared into the number one spot.
Ten more chart toppers down the road and Diana was flying solo. In 1970 Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, her second release, reached #1. Another ten years passed and this time Diana Ross had not had a #1 or even a Top 10 single since 1976’s Love Hangover.
Enter red-hot producers Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers of Chic fame. Despite their best efforts, Diana was not pleased with the results so they suggested Diana remix the new album’s tracks herself.
This she did, with the help of Motown producer Russ Terrana. Diana became her biggest solo album, and Upside Down put her back on top at #1 for one last time.
This content and all Song Meaning articles were created and written by Top 40 Contributing Editor Ed Osborne. © 2024 Ed Osborne. All Rights Reserved. In addition to these song meaning articles, Ed has written our “Year in Music 1960s-1990s” articles.
Produced by:
- Nile Rodgers
- Bernard Edwards
Lyrics Written by:
- Nile Rodgers
- Bernard Edwards
Awards:
- “Upside Down” won Best British Single at the 1981 Brit Awards
Ed Osborne
Hi. I got my first record at age two and never looked back, spending a decades-long career in radio and the music business. Even after years of reading about and listening to all types of music, I am still fascinated by it. Apart from that, I’m endlessly intrigued by art, nature, and the inner lives of people (and dogs).