Opposites Attract

1989 single by Paula Abdul and the Wild Pair
"Opposites Attract"
Single by Paula Abdul
from the album Forever Your Girl
B-side"One or the Other"
ReleasedNovember 17, 1989 (1989-11-17)[1]
Studio
  • Creation Audio (Minneapolis)
  • Kren (Hollywood)
  • JHL (Palisades)
Genre
Length
  • 4:25 (album version)
  • 3:45 (single version)
LabelVirgin
Songwriter(s)Oliver Leiber
Producer(s)Oliver Leiber
Paula Abdul singles chronology
"Cold Hearted"
(1989) 		"Opposites Attract"
(1989) 		"Rush Rush"
(1991)
Music video
"Opposites Attract" on YouTube

"Opposites Attract" is a song by American singer Paula Abdul from her debut album, Forever Your Girl (1988). It was written and produced by Oliver Leiber. Vocals on the song, in addition to Abdul, were provided by Bruce DeShazer and Marv Gunn, also known as the Wild Pair. "Opposites Attract" was the sixth and final single from the album in November 1989 and achieved success in many countries, including the United States, Canada, and Australia, where it was a number-one hit. Lyrically, the song is about a couple who love each other despite being different in almost every way possible.

Music video

The song's accompanying music video was directed by Candace Reckinger and Michael Patterson,[4] in which Abdul dances with cartoon character MC Skat Kat, voiced by the Wild Pair, Bruce DeShazer and Marvin Gunn.[5] An additional rap, written by Romany Malco, was provided by Derrick "Delite" Stevens[6] 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.[7] MC Skat Kat's movements were the result of rotoscoping animation, with Michael "Boogaloo Shrimp" Chambers standing in for the character against a blue screen, then drawing the animated form over Chambers' dance moves. The Wild Pair Marvin Gunn and Bruce DeShazer did not appear in the video, although two other cats (also animated) did appear, possibly meant to represent them.

The video won the 1991 Grammy Award for Best Short Form Music Video and was nominated for Breakthrough Video at the 1990 MTV Video Music Awards.

Chart performance

"Opposites Attract" initially rose from number 72 to number 47 the week of December 23, 1989, and landed at number one the week of February 10, 1990, where it remained for three weeks, matching the run of "Straight Up". It became Abdul's fourth number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100 and made her the fourth artist in music history to score four number-one hits from a single album, after Whitney Houston, George Michael and Michael Jackson. (Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey, Usher and Katy Perry would later duplicate the feat). "Opposites Attract" also topped the charts in Australia and Canada and peaked at number two in the United Kingdom.

Critical reception

Melody Maker commented, "Lovely, lovely Paula released her fourth American Number One. This kicks off with a smart little rap then Paula jumps in and tip-taps her way through sounding happy, naive and full of herself, like the homecoming queen out on her first real date. She can do no wrong. It must be love."[8] Pan-European magazine Music & Media wrote, "For this release Abdul duets with the Wild Pair. The song also features a rap by Derrick Delite and is, of course, very danceable."[9] A reviewer from People Magazine described it as one of "the liveliest cuts" from the album.[10]

Track listings and formats

  1. "Opposites Attract" (7-inch) – 3:45
  2. "One or the Other" (LP version) – 4:08
  • US and Australian 12-inch single[13][14]
  1. "Opposites Attract" (Street mix) – 4:28
  2. "Opposites Attract" (12-inch mix) – 5:40
  3. "Opposites Attract" (dub version) – 6:25
  4. "Opposites Attract" (Magnetic mix) – 4:01
  5. "Opposites Attract" (club mix) – 6:01
  6. "Opposites Attract" (Party dub) – 3:09
  • Japanese CD single[15]
  1. "Opposites Attract"  – 3:46
  2. "(It's Just) The Way That You Love Me"  – 4:03
  1. "Opposites Attract" (Street mix) – 4:28
  2. "One or the Other" (LP version) – 4:08
  3. "Opposites Attract" (club mix) – 6:01
  4. "Opposites Attract" (Party dub) – 3:09
  • UK 12-inch single[18]
  1. "Opposites Attract" (Street mix) – 4:28
  2. "Opposites Attract" (Party dub) – 3:10
  3. "The Paula Abdul Megamix" ("Straight Up"/"Cold Hearted"/"The Way That You Love Me"/"Forever Your Girl"/"Knocked Out")

Credits and personnel

Credits and personnel are adapted from Forever Your Girl album liner notes.[19]

  • Paula Abdul – lead vocals
  • The Wild Pair (Bruce DeShazer and Marv Gunn) – lead vocals
  • Oliver Leiber – writer, producer, drum programming, keyboard, guitar
  • Keith "K.C." Cohen – mixing at Skip Saylor Studio (Los Angeles)
  • Pete Martinsen – engineering
  • Russell Bracher – engineering
  • Jeff Lorber – engineering, additional drum programming
  • Cliff Jones – engineering
  • Yvette Marine – background vocals
  • Patti Brooks – background vocals

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1989–1990) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[20] 1
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[21] 18
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[22] 4
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[23] 1
Canada Dance/Urban (RPM)[24] 1
Canada Retail Singles (The Record)[25] 1
Canada Contemporary Hit Radio (The Record)[25] 1
Denmark (IFPI)[26] 7
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[27] 5
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[28] 6
France (SNEP)[29] 23
Ireland (IRMA)[30] 8
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[31] 4
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[32] 4
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[33] 6
Norway (VG-lista)[34] 6
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[35] 11
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[36] 19
UK Singles (OCC)[37] 2
US Billboard Hot 100[38] 1
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[39] 45
US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[40] 24
US Dance Singles Sales (Billboard)[41] 7
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[42] 3
West Germany (Official German Charts)[43] 14

Year-end charts

Chart (1990) Position
Australia (ARIA)[44] 6
Belgium (Ultratop)[45] 29
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[46] 13
Canada Dance/Urban (RPM)[47] 22
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[48] 29
Germany (Official German Charts)[49] 83
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[50] 44
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[51] 44
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[52] 40
UK Singles (OCC)[53] 25
US Billboard Hot 100[54] 14
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[55] 40

Decade-end charts

Chart (1990–1999) Position
Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)[56] 30

Certifications and sales

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[44] Platinum 70,000^
Canada (Music Canada)[57] Gold 50,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[58] Silver 200,000^
United States (RIAA)[1] Gold 500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States November 17, 1989
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • cassette
 Virgin [1]
Japan January 21, 1990 Mini-CD [59]
United Kingdom March 26, 1990
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • 12-inch vinyl
 Siren [60]
April 16, 1990
  • 7-inch vinyl with poster
  • 12-inch gatefold vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
 [61]

References

  1. ^ a b c "American single certifications – Paula Abdul – Opposites Attract". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  2. ^ a b Breihan, Tom (September 6, 2021). "The Number Ones: Janet Jackson's "Escapade". Stereogum. Retrieved December 2, 2023. ...Paula Abdul's "Opposites Attract," a bubbly take on Minneapolis funk...
  3. ^ Deggans, Eric (January 1, 1998). "Paula Abdul". In Graff, Gary; du Lac, Josh; McFarlin, Jim (eds.). MusicHound R&B: The Essential Album Guide. Detroit: Visible Ink Press. p. 2.
  4. ^ Miranda, Carolina A. (April 26, 2017). "Michael Patterson and Candace Reckinger turn animation into a wild sensory art installation". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 10, 2017.
  5. ^ Stransky, Tanner (February 19, 2010). "20 Years Ago: Paula Abdul hits No. 1 with 'Opposites Attract'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved March 16, 2010.
  6. ^ "City Pages - Culture to Go - Will the real MC Skat Kat please stand up?". Archived from the original on December 10, 2007. Retrieved October 28, 2007. Will the real MC Skat Kat please stand up?
  7. ^ "Chris Bailey". Archived from the original on July 25, 2008. Retrieved November 15, 2009.
  8. ^ The Stud Brothers (April 14, 1990). "Singles". Melody Maker. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
  9. ^ "Previews: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. March 3, 1990. p. 20. Retrieved November 3, 2020.
  10. ^ "Picks and Pans Review: Forever Your Girl". People. September 5, 1988. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  11. ^ Opposites Attract (US 7" single liner notes). Paula Abdul. Siren Records. 1990. 7-99158.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  12. ^ Opposites Attract (US cassette single liner notes). Paula Abdul. Virgin Records. 1990. 4-99158.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  13. ^ Opposites Attract (US 12" single liner notes). Paula Abdul. Virgin Records. 1990. 0-96528.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  14. ^ Opposites Attract (Australian 12" single liner notes). Paula Abdul. Virgin Records. 1990. VOZT059.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  15. ^ Opposites Attract (Japanese CD single liner notes). Paula Abdul. Virgin Records. 1990. VJDP-102.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  16. ^ Opposites Attract (UK CD single liner notes). Paula Abdul. Siren Records. 1990. SRNCD 124.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  17. ^ Opposites Attract (Australian CD single liner notes). Paula Abdul. Virgin Records. 1990. VOZCD 059.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  18. ^ Opposites Attract (UK 12" single liner notes). Paula Abdul. Siren Records. 1990. SRNTP 124.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  19. ^ Forever Your Girl (Inlay cover). Paula Abdul. Virgin. 1988. 7 90943-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  20. ^ "Paula Abdul – Opposites Attract". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  21. ^ "Paula Abdul – Opposites Attract" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  22. ^ "Paula Abdul – Opposites Attract" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  23. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 9210." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  24. ^ "Top RPM Dance/Urban: Issue 9207." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  25. ^ a b Lwin, Nanda (2000). Top 40 Hits: The Essential Chart Guide. Music Data Canada. p. 18. ISBN 1-896594-13-1.
  26. ^ Danish Singles Chart. 30 March 1990.
  27. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 7, no. 18. May 5, 1990. p. IV. Retrieved July 10, 2020.
  28. ^ Nyman, Jake (2005). Suomi soi 4: Suuri suomalainen listakirja (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Tammi. ISBN 951-31-2503-3.
  29. ^ "Paula Abdul – Opposites Attract" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  30. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Opposites Attract". Irish Singles Chart.
  31. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 10, 1990" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  32. ^ "Paula Abdul – Opposites Attract" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  33. ^ "Paula Abdul – Opposites Attract". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  34. ^ "Paula Abdul – Opposites Attract". VG-lista. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  35. ^ "Paula Abdul – Opposites Attract". Singles Top 100. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  36. ^ "Paula Abdul – Opposites Attract". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  37. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  38. ^ "Paula Abdul Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  39. ^ "Paula Abdul Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  40. ^ "Paula Abdul Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  41. ^ "Paula Abdul Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
  42. ^ "Paula Abdul Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  43. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Paula Abdul – Opposites Attract" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  44. ^ a b "1990 ARIA Singles Chart". ARIA. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  45. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 1990" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  46. ^ "Top 100 Hit Tracks of 1990". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  47. ^ "Top 50 Dance Tracks of 1990". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  48. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 of 1990" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 7, no. 51. December 22, 1990. p. 60. OCLC 29800226. Retrieved January 15, 2020 – via World Radio History.
  49. ^ "Top 100 Singles–Jahrescharts 1990" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  50. ^ "Single top 100 over 1990" (PDF) (in Dutch). Top40. Retrieved April 12, 2010.
  51. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1990" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  52. ^ "End of Year Charts 1990". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved April 2, 2020.
  53. ^ "1990 Top 100 Singles". Music Week. London, England: Spotlight Publications. March 2, 1991. p. 41.
  54. ^ "1990 The Year in Music & Video: Top Pop Singles". Billboard. Vol. 102, no. 51. December 22, 1990. p. YE-14.
  55. ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 1990". Billboard. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
  56. ^ Lwin, Nanda. "Top 100 singles of the 1990s". Jam!. Archived from the original on August 29, 2000. Retrieved March 26, 2022.
  57. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Paula Abdul – Opposites Attract". Music Canada. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
  58. ^ "British single certifications – Paula Abdul with The Wild Pair – Opposites Attract". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  59. ^ "甘い誘惑 | ポーラ・アブドル" [Sweet Temptation | Paula Abdul] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
  60. ^ "New Singles". Music Week. March 24, 1990. p. 33.
  61. ^ "New Singles". Music Week. April 14, 1990. p. 39.

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