“The Promise Of A New Day” was a number one hit in the USA with further hits in “Blowing Kisses In The Wind” and “Will You Marry Me” (obviously a question to Emilio Estevez who she did marry), although only the great “Vibeology” would make any impact in the UK. “Rush Rush” would mark the last top 10 hit for Paula in the UK. In many ways Paula took some risks with this album recording the album with The Family Stand who had a big hit with “Ghetto Heaven”. This was the first of five top 20 US hits from the number one “Spellbound” album. “Cold hearted” is worth checking out for the excellent Bob Fossee inspired choreography, and a video which has been imitated by Geri Halliwell’s “It’s Raining Men” and Jennifer Lopez in “I’m Glad”.Ī massive hit would follow with the irritating “Opposites Attract” in the USA and the U.K., which ultimately was probably the result of the innovative video of Paula dancing with a cartoon cat (MC Skat Cat).įortunately, we had a couple of years to recover and Paula made a mature return with the classic 1991 ballad “Rush, Rush” featuring Keanu Reaves in the 50s ‘Rebel Without A Cause’ inspired video and a much more mature sound. Other big hits followed especially in the USA where a further three releases hit the number one spot, although “Forever Your Girl” and “Cold Hearted” would make little impact in the UK. Success eventually came with the massive number one US hit “Straight Up” (UK No.3) which I think stands the test of time, in 1989 which was the first of a number of videos directed by David Fincher, later to direct Fight Club and Panic Room, to name but two.įurther hits followed including “Just The Way That You Love Me” hitting big in the USA and flopping several times in the UK. Success was initially slow to come, especially in the UK with numerous singles released several times including the LA and Babyface (beginning to make an impact with Karyn White) produced “Knocked Out” released three times in the UK and only ever reaching number 21! I was a poor student at university in Hull and slightly irritated about buying the same single three times. This was a huge album selling 7 million copies in the USA and including 4 number one singles.
However, she had clear ambitions to become a pop star releasing her debut album “Forever Your Girl” in 1988. Paula started as a cheerleader in the 1980’s for the LA Lakers, but within a few years she was a choreographer for The Jackson’s and notably Janet Jackson and can be spotted in the video for “What Have You Done For Me Lately?” as one of Janet’s friends. Also, for some added trivia Paula was the choreographer of the famous foot tapping piano scene in Tom Hanks ‘Big’, appeared as a dancer in Eddie Murphy’s 1989 film ‘Coming To America’ and was in one of my favourite 80’s films ‘Can’t Buy Me Love’ starring a very young and cute Patrick Dempsey. She also provides a link between the start of Janet Jackson‘s career and Kylie‘s renaissance in 2000. Paula Abdul might be best known as a judge on American Idol, but this belies to a steely determination to become a pop star at the end of the 80’s/early 90’s, albeit more successful in America than in the UK. Straight up now tell me where are you now, Paula Abdul oh oh oh?!
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