Opposites Attract
Encyclopedia
"Opposites Attract" is a song recorded by Paula Abdul
, featured on her debut album Forever Your Girl
. It was written and produced by Oliver Leiber, who came up with the title after browsing a bookstore. Vocals on the song, in addition to Abdul, were provided by Bruce DeShazer and Marv Gunn, aka 'The Wild Pair
'. "Opposites Attract" was the sixth and final single from the album, and achieved success in many countries, including the US and Australia where it was a #1 hit.
The song is distinctive for its colorful music video created and directed by Candace Reckinger & Michael Patterson, in which Abdul dances with cartoon character MC Skat Kat
, voiced by 'The Wild Pair'. The music video adds an intro rap performed by Romany Malco
. An additional rap was provided by Derrick 'Delite' Stevens
for the Street mix version of the song, which was edited for the 7"/video.
The idea of MC Skat Kat came from the Gene Kelly
film Anchors Aweigh
, where Kelly dances with Jerry Mouse from the Tom and Jerry
cartoon series. Paula even choreographed the animated character's moves to match her live-action dance moves in the video. MC Skat Kat was animated by members of the Disney animation team, working outside the studio between major projects, under the direction of Chris Bailey
. Also shown in the video are Micetro, Taboo, and Fatz, yet their names weren't revealed until the release of The Adventures of MC Skat Kat and the Stray Mob
.
The video won Abdul a Grammy Award
in 1991 for "Best Short Form Music Video".
(lead singer of Black Lab
) on vocals.
In 1997, Abdul performed this song with Clifford
during her guest appearance on Muppets Tonight
.
This video was later parodied by the Family Guy
episode "The Father, the Son, and the Holy Fonz
" with Peter Griffin
"dressed like a cat", taking the place of MC Skat Kat. Paula herself actually appears in the sequence. According to the DVD commentary, Abdul rerecorded her vocals specifically for the episode.
The song was also featured in situation comedy Sabrina the Teenage Witch in the Season 4 episode "Aging, Not So Gracefully".
The Australian sketch comedy show Fast Forward parody of the song had Humphrey B. Bear
in place of MC Skat Kat.
The song also appeared in the television version of the political thriller A Very British Coup
.
and dance-pop
singles of 1990. The single initially rose from #72 to #47 the week of December 23, 1989, and landed at #1 the week of February 10, 1990, where it remained for three weeks, matching the run of "Straight Up". It became Abdul's fourth #1 single on the Billboard Hot 100
and made her only the fourth artist in music history to score four #1 hits from a single album, after Whitney Houston
, George Michael
and Michael Jackson
. Although the single was released at the end of 1989, the song itself is considered one of the first popular songs of the 1990s. "Opposites Attract" also topped the charts in Australia
, and peaked at #2 in the United Kingdom
. It failed to enter the German Top 10, peaking at #13.
UK CD single
Paula Abdul
Paula Julie Abdul is an American singer-songwriter, dancer, choreographer, actress and television personality.In the 1980s, Abdul rose from cheerleader for the Los Angeles Lakers to highly sought-after choreographer at the height of the music video era before scoring a string of pop music-R&B hits...
, featured on her debut album Forever Your Girl
Forever Your Girl
Forever Your Girl is the debut album from singer Paula Abdul. It was released on June 13, 1988 and took 64 weeks from its release to hit number one on the Billboard 200 album sales chart, the longest an album has been on the market before hitting number one. The album was eventually certified seven...
. It was written and produced by Oliver Leiber, who came up with the title after browsing a bookstore. Vocals on the song, in addition to Abdul, were provided by Bruce DeShazer and Marv Gunn, aka 'The Wild Pair
The Wild Pair
The Wild Pair, whose real names are Bruce DeShazer and Marv Gunn, was a singing duo who were primarily known for their 1990 hit duet with Paula Abdul, "Opposites Attract"...
'. "Opposites Attract" was the sixth and final single from the album, and achieved success in many countries, including the US and Australia where it was a #1 hit.
Lyrics and music video
The lyrics are about a couple who love each other despite being different in just about every way possible.The song is distinctive for its colorful music video created and directed by Candace Reckinger & Michael Patterson, in which Abdul dances with cartoon character MC Skat Kat
MC Skat Kat
MC Skat Kat is an animated cat who appeared with Paula Abdul in the video for her song "Opposites Attract" in 1989.-History:The idea of Skat Kat came from the Gene Kelly movie Anchors Aweigh, in which Kelly's character dances with Jerry, the mouse from the Tom and Jerry cartoon series...
, voiced by 'The Wild Pair'. The music video adds an intro rap performed by Romany Malco
Romany Malco
Romany Romanic Malco, Jr. is an American actor and music producer. He has been nominated for several awards, including an NAACP Image Award, MTV Movie Award, and Screen Actors Guild Award. Malco portrayed Conrad Shepard on the Showtime series Weeds. He most recently played George St...
. An additional rap was provided by Derrick 'Delite' Stevens
Derrick Stevens
Derrick Stevens is a singer best known for lending his voice to MC Skat Kat after the character went solo, taking over from The Wild Pair who voiced the character in Paula Abdul's song and music video "Opposites Attract." However, in the Street mix version of the song, Stevens provided both the...
for the Street mix version of the song, which was edited for the 7"/video.
The idea of MC Skat Kat came from the Gene Kelly
Gene Kelly
Eugene Curran "Gene" Kelly was an American dancer, actor, singer, film director and producer, and choreographer...
film Anchors Aweigh
Anchors Aweigh (film)
Anchors Aweigh is a 1945 American musical comedy film directed by George Sidney in which two sailors go on a four-day shore leave in Hollywood, accompanied by music and song, meet an aspiring young singer and try to help her get an audition at MGM...
, where Kelly dances with Jerry Mouse from the Tom and Jerry
Tom and Jerry
Tom and Jerry are the cat and mouse cartoon characters that were evolved starting in 1939.Tom and Jerry also may refer to:Cartoon works featuring the cat and mouse so named:* The Tom and Jerry Show...
cartoon series. Paula even choreographed the animated character's moves to match her live-action dance moves in the video. MC Skat Kat was animated by members of the Disney animation team, working outside the studio between major projects, under the direction of Chris Bailey
Chris Bailey (animator)
Chris Bailey has had experience in both 2D animation and 3D animation.He went to high school at Reynolds High School, and later attended California Institute of the Arts....
. Also shown in the video are Micetro, Taboo, and Fatz, yet their names weren't revealed until the release of The Adventures of MC Skat Kat and the Stray Mob
The Adventures of MC Skat Kat and the Stray Mob
The Adventures of MC Skat Kat and the Stray Mob is a 1991 album from fictional rapper MC Skat Kat.- Background :The album came about as the result of Paula Abdul's hugely successful Opposites Attract video of 1990, which was directed by Michael Patterson and Candace Reckinger...
.
The video won Abdul a Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
in 1991 for "Best Short Form Music Video".
Cover versions and parodies
The song was covered by American indie band Mirror Ball Associates for the album Covers Vol. 1, which features Paul DurhamPaul Durham
Paul Durham is an American musician, and is the lead singer of rock band Black Lab.- Biography :Born in Twin Falls, Idaho, Durham started his musical journey singing in LDS Church services and writing folk songs under the influence of Bob Dylan....
(lead singer of Black Lab
Black Lab
Black Lab is an alternative rock band founded in Berkeley, California and currently based in Los Angeles and Montana.They released one album on Geffen Records, entitled Your Body Above Me, and scored two rock radio hits in the US, "Wash It Away" in 1997 and "Time Ago" in 1998...
) on vocals.
In 1997, Abdul performed this song with Clifford
Clifford (Muppet)
Clifford is a Muppet character, performed by Kevin Clash. He is a violet-colored creature with multi-colored dreadlocks and big lips. Like many other Muppets, it is never specified what kind of creature he is, but it is speculated that he is in fact a catfish.He was created to be the bass guitar...
during her guest appearance on Muppets Tonight
Muppets Tonight
Muppets Tonight is a live-action/puppet television series created by Jim Henson Productions and featuring The Muppets. Much like the "MuppeTelevision" segment of The Jim Henson Hour, Muppets Tonight was a continuation of The Muppet Show, set in a television studio, rather than a theater.-Format:The...
.
This video was later parodied by the Family Guy
Family Guy
Family Guy is an American animated television series created by Seth MacFarlane for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series centers on the Griffins, a dysfunctional family consisting of parents Peter and Lois; their children Meg, Chris, and Stewie; and their anthropomorphic pet dog Brian...
episode "The Father, the Son, and the Holy Fonz
The Father, the Son, and the Holy Fonz
"The Father, the Son, and the Holy Fonz" is the eighteenth episode of the fourth season of Family Guy. The episode follows Peter's decision to find a new religion for himself...
" with Peter Griffin
Peter Griffin
Peter Griffin is a fictional character and the protagonist of the animated comedy series Family Guy and the patriarch of the Griffin family. He is voiced by cartoonist Seth MacFarlane and first appeared on television, along with the rest of the family in the 15-minute short on December 20, 1998....
"dressed like a cat", taking the place of MC Skat Kat. Paula herself actually appears in the sequence. According to the DVD commentary, Abdul rerecorded her vocals specifically for the episode.
The song was also featured in situation comedy Sabrina the Teenage Witch in the Season 4 episode "Aging, Not So Gracefully".
The Australian sketch comedy show Fast Forward parody of the song had Humphrey B. Bear
Humphrey B. Bear
Humphrey B. Bear is an Australian children's television series and its fictional character namesake is an icon of Australian children's television. Humphrey B Bear was first broadcast on Adelaide's NWS-9 on Monday, 24 May 1965. The show became one of the most successful programs for pre-schoolers...
in place of MC Skat Kat.
The song also appeared in the television version of the political thriller A Very British Coup
A Very British Coup
A Very British Coup is a 1982 novel by British politician Chris Mullin. In 1988, the novel was adapted for television, directed by Mick Jackson, with a screenplay by Alan Plater and starring Ray McAnally...
.
Chart performances
"Opposites Attract" became one of the most popular R&BRhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues, often abbreviated to R&B, is a genre of popular African American music that originated in the 1940s. The term was originally used by record companies to describe recordings marketed predominantly to urban African Americans, at a time when "urbane, rocking, jazz based music with a...
and dance-pop
Dance-pop
Dance-pop is dance-oriented pop music that originated in the early 1980s. Developing from post-disco, it is generally up-tempo music intended for clubs with the intention of being danceable or merely dancey...
singles of 1990. The single initially rose from #72 to #47 the week of December 23, 1989, and landed at #1 the week of February 10, 1990, where it remained for three weeks, matching the run of "Straight Up". It became Abdul's fourth #1 single on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
and made her only the fourth artist in music history to score four #1 hits from a single album, after Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston
Whitney Elizabeth Houston is an American singer, actress, producer and a former model. Houston is the most awarded female act of all time, according to Guinness World Records, and her list of awards include 1 Emmy Award, 6 Grammy Awards, 30 Billboard Music Awards, 22 American Music Awards, among...
, George Michael
George Michael
George Michael is a British musician, singer, songwriter and record producer who rose to fame in the 1980s when he formed the pop duo Wham! with his school friend, Andrew Ridgeley...
and Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
. Although the single was released at the end of 1989, the song itself is considered one of the first popular songs of the 1990s. "Opposites Attract" also topped the charts in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, and peaked at #2 in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. It failed to enter the German Top 10, peaking at #13.
Track listings
US/Euro 12"/Euro CD single- "Opposites Attract" - Street mix
- "Opposites Attract" - 12" mix
- "Opposites Attract" - Dub mix
- "Opposites Attract" - Magnetic mix
- "Opposites Attract" - Club mix
- "Opposites Attract" - Party dub
UK CD single
- "Opposites Attract" - Street mix
- "One or the Other" - album track
- "Opposites Attract" - Club mix
- "Opposites Attract" - Party dub
Official mixes
- Album version 4:23
- 7" mix / 7" Edit 3:46 - Keith Cohen
- Street mix 4:35 - as above
- Magnetic mix 4:33 - as above
- Dub version 6:26 - as above
- 1990 mix 6:48 - as above
- 12" mix 5:39 - Steve Beltran
- Club mix 6:04 - Chris CoxChris Cox (DJ)Chris Cox is a dance music producer, remixer, and DJ from USA and has worked on over 400 records. He has had a total of 40 Billboard dance chart number ones as part of the hitmaking remix team Thunderpuss, and others with Pusaka and as a solo artist. He was nominated for a Grammy in 2004 for his...
for Hot Tracks remix service - Party dub 3:10 - as above
- Shep's Special mix 6:43 - Shep PettiboneShep PettiboneRobert E. Pettibone, Jr. is a record producer, remixer, songwriter and club DJ, one of the most prolific of the 1980s. His earliest work known to the public was for one of New York City's top disco/dance radio stations, WRKS 98.7 "Kiss" FM, and later as remixer/producer for the disco label Salsoul...
Peak positions
| Chart (1989/90) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian ARIA Singles Chart | 1 |
| Austrian Singles Chart | 18 |
| Canadian Singles Chart Canadian Singles Chart The Canadian Singles Chart is currently compiled by the U.S.-based music sales tracking company, Nielsen SoundScan . The chart is compiled every Wednesday, and is published by Jam! Canoe on Thursdays.... |
1 |
| Dutch Top 40 | 4 |
| French SNEP Singles Chart | 23 |
| German Singles Chart | 13 |
| Irish Singles Chart Irish Singles Chart The Irish Singles Chart is Ireland's music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association and compiled on behalf of the IRMA by Chart-Track. Chart rankings are based on sales, which are compiled through over-the-counter retail data captured... |
8 |
| New Zealand Singles Chart | 6 |
| Norwegian Singles Chart | 6 |
| Swedish Singles Chart | 11 |
| Swiss Singles Chart | 19 |
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
2 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
1 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play | 24 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,... 1 |
3 |
End of year charts
| End of year chart (1990) | Position |
|---|---|
| Australian Singles Chart | 6 |
| Dutch Top 40 | 44 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 14 |
Certifications
| Country | Certification | Date | Sales certified |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | Gold | March 12, 1990 | 500,000 |
Chart successions
See also
- Hot 100 number-one hits of 1990 (United States)
- Amy GrantAmy GrantAmy Lee Grant is an American singer-songwriter, musician, author, media personality and actress, best known for her Christian music. She has been referred to as "The Queen of Christian Pop"...
's "Good for MeGood For Me"Good For Me" is a 1992 single by Christian music singer Amy Grant. It was released as the sixth single from the Heart In Motion album, but only the fourth song from the album released as a pop radio single...
" (another song with a similar theme)