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The Only Way Is Up

This article is about the Yazz song. For the Drugs EP, see The Only Way Is Up (EP). For the Tiësto and Martin Garrix song, see The Only Way Is Up (Martin Garrix and Tiësto song). For the K Camp album, see Only Way Is Up.

"The Only Way Is Up"
Single by Otis Clay
from the album The Only Way Is Up
B-side"Special Kind of Love"
Released1980
Genre
Length3:46
LabelEcho
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Otis Clay
  • Troy Thompson

"The Only Way Is Up" is a song written by George Jackson and Johnny Henderson and originally released in 1980 as a single by American soul singer Otis Clay. In 1988, it became a chart-topping single in the United Kingdom for Yazz and the Plastic Population. The song is used as the theme tune to the popular ITV2/ITVBe reality television series The Only Way Is Essex.

Otis Clay version

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The song was written by George Jackson and Johnny Henderson.[1] It was first recorded by Otis Clay and released as a single by Echo Records in 1980.[2] Though not a hit, the song became the title track of Clay's album The Only Way Is Up,[3] released in Japan in 1982 and then North America in 1985.[4] It is also included on his 2012 album Truth Is.[5]

Yazz version

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"The Only Way Is Up"
Single by Yazz and the Plastic Population
from the album Wanted
B-side"Bad House Music"
ReleasedJuly 11, 1988 (1988-07-11)[6]
Genre
Length
  • 4:27 (album version)
  • 4:02 (7-inch edit)
LabelBig Life
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Coldcut
Yazz singles chronology
"Doctorin' the House"
(1988) 		"The Only Way Is Up"
(1988) 		"Stand Up for Your Love Rights"
(1988)
Music video
"The Only Way Is Up" on YouTube
Audio
"The Only Way Is Up (Extended Version)" on YouTube

The Yazz version was produced by Jonathan More and Matt Black (better known as dance duo Coldcut, who had worked with British singer Yazz on their hit single "Doctorin' the House"). "The Only Way Is Up" was Yazz's first solo single, credited to her under the name Yazz and the Plastic Population. Released in July 1988 by Big Life as the first single from her debut album, Wanted (1988), the song became an instant smash hit, spending five weeks at number one in the United Kingdom, and ultimately becoming the second biggest selling single of the year. Also on the Eurochart Hot 100, it soared to the number one position. In the United States it reached number two on the Billboard dance chart, although only making number 96 on the Billboard Hot 100.[7]

A 2009 remix was released in the United Kingdom on September 7, 2009.[8]

Background and release

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After leaving school, Yazz got a job in a nightclub in Soho and got into her first band called The Biz. She also worked as a model and then met the managers of English musical duo Wham! who would be her managers. She took singing lessons and made demo songs that was introduced to electronic music duo Coldcut.[9] Together, they wrote "Doctorin' the House" which incorporates samples from various sources, mainly TV and film dialogue. It reached number six on the UK Singles Chart in March 1988 and was a club staple. The next song they would release was "The Only Way Is Up".

Yazz told in a 1988 interview, "It was first suggested that Coldcut do a remake of the track. But they weren't keen because they felt they might spoil the original, but I felt it would be perfect for me." Coldcut decided, however, to take on the production role. Yazz expanded, "It was a real challenge for them to work with a live vocalist, as well as for me for my first single. With "Doctorin' the House" they had laid down the groove and then said 'OK, now sing over it.' This time the song was arranged and structured before we even started recording."[10] Their house version of "The Only Way Is Up" was released in July 1988, and become a huge hit in the clubs and on the charts.

Critical reception

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Bill Coleman from Billboard magazine named the song a "annoyingly catchy disco/pop smash".[11] Pan-European magazine Music & Media wrote, "Produced by Coldcut, this is an electro-soul number with more than a touch of house influences. A good, radio-friendly, dance song."[12] Matthew Collin from Record Mirror declared it as "a tale of love under stress, dedication and survival, all set to an infectious house beat." He added, "'The Only Way Is Up' is where bad house music crashes into gay Seventies disco and ends up in the top 10."[13] In 2025, Classic Pop ranked it number six in their list of "Top 20 Cover Versions of the 80s".[14]

Chart performance

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Yazz' cover of "The Only Way Is Up" was very successful globally. In Europe, it peaked at number-one in Belgium, Denmark, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Sweden and the United Kingdom. In the last of these, it hit the top spot in its third week at the UK Singles Chart, on July 31, 1988.[15] The single spent a total of five weeks on the top of the chart, becoming the second biggest selling single of the year. It entered the top 10 also in Austria (5), Finland (3), France (4), West Germany (3), Iceland (9), Norway (5), and Switzerland (2). In the latter, it was held off reaching number-one by Koreana's "Hand In Hand". On the Eurochart Hot 100, the song hit number one in September 1988.[16] Outside Europe, "The Only Way Is Up" hit number-one in New Zealand, while reaching number two in Australia. On the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart in the United States, it peaked at number two.

"The Only Way Is Up" earned a gold record in Australia and the UK, with a sale of 50,000 and 400,000 singles. And in France, it earned a silver record, after 200,000 units were sold there.

Music video

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A music video was produced to promote the single. It was later made available on YouTube in 2018, and by June 2025, the video had generated more than 11 million views.[17]

Formats and track listings

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  • 7-inch, CD, and cassette single
  1. "The Only Way Is Up" — 4:02
  2. "Bad House Music" — 4:28
  • 12-inch maxi
  1. "The Only Way Is Up" — 6:44
  2. "Bad House Music" — 7:07
  • 12-inch maxi
  1. "The Only Way Is Up" (UK extended club mix) — 6:45
  2. "The Only Way Is Up" (the up up up mix) — 7:01
  3. "The Only Way Is Up" (acid dub) — 5:50
  • CD maxi
  1. "The Only Way Is Up" (7-inch edit) — 4:02
  2. "The Only Way Is Up" (12-inch version) — 6:48
  3. "The Only Way Is Up" (speng) — 6:01
  4. "Bad House Music" — 3:00
  • 12-inch maxi – Remixes
  1. "The Only Way Is Up" (the Bam Bam remix) — 7:24
  2. "The Only Way Is Up" (the up up up mix) — 7:24
  3. "Bad House Music" — 4:28

Charts

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Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[50] Gold 35,000^
France (SNEP)[51] Silver 250,000*
Sweden (GLF)[52] Gold 25,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[6] Gold 500,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Solomon, Felicia Kate (2019). "Musical Acknowledgments". Lucia's Poltergeist. Leicestershire: Troubador Publishing. p. 516. ISBN 978-1789015-799.
  2. ^ "Otis Clay – The Only Way Is Up / Messing With My Mind ", Northern Soul Direct. Retrieved December 3, 2020
  3. ^ Jon Kutner, Spencer Leigh (eds.), 1,000 UK Number One Hits, Omnibus Press, 2010, p.
  4. ^ Barr, Greg (September 23, 1988). "Feats of Clay". The Ottawa Citizen. Postmedia Network. p. B3. ISSN 0839-3222. ProQuest 239260543. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  5. ^ Clay, Otis (May 22, 2014). "Q&A: Singer Otis Clay's got the blues and more". TCA Regional News (Interview). Interviewed by Johnson, Kevin C. Tribune Content Agency. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  6. ^ a b "British single certifications – Yazz and the Plastic Population – The Only Way Is Up". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved April 8, 2022.
  7. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Hot Dance/Disco: 1974-2003. Record Research. p. 285.
  8. ^ "Radio1 Rodos :: New Music :: U.K. Forthcoming Releases". Radio1.gr. Retrieved March 20, 2014.
  9. ^ "Yazz: The only way is up for the singer who is now a powerful woman of God". crossrhythms.co.uk. Retrieved September 4, 2017.
  10. ^ Jeffery, Tim (July 16, 1988). "RM Dance". Record Mirror. p. 18. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
  11. ^ Coleman, Bill (December 3, 1988). "Yazz Is 'Wanted' For Assault With A Catchy Beat" (PDF). Billboard. p. 27. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
  12. ^ "Previews: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 5, no. 32. August 6, 1988. p. 15. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  13. ^ Collin, Matthew (July 23, 1988). "RM Dance". Record Mirror. p. 20. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
  14. ^ O'Brien, Jon (April 22, 2025). "Top 20 cover versions of the 80s". Classic Pop. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
  15. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100 31 July 1988 - 06 August 1988". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  16. ^ a b "Eurochart Hot 100" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 5, no. 38. September 17, 1988. p. 18. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  17. ^ "Yazz - The Only Way Is Up". YouTube. August 2, 2018. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
  18. ^ "Yazz And The Plastic Population – The Only Way Is Up". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  19. ^ "Yazz And The Plastic Population – The Only Way Is Up" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  20. ^ "Yazz And The Plastic Population – The Only Way Is Up" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  21. ^ "Yazz And The Plastic Population – The Only Way Is Up" (in French). Le classement de singles. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  22. ^ Pennanen, Timo (2021). "Yazz & The Plastic Population". Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021 (PDF) (in Finnish). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. p. 286. Retrieved July 14, 2022.
  23. ^ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 10 (30. september 1988)" (PDF). Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). Retrieved July 23, 2018.
  24. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – The Only Way Is Up". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  25. ^ "Classifiche". Musica e Dischi (in Italian). Retrieved May 30, 2022. Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Yazz".
  26. ^ Radio Luxembourg Singles. August 8, 1988.
  27. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Yazz And The Plastic Population" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  28. ^ "Yazz And The Plastic Population – The Only Way Is Up" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  29. ^ "Yazz And The Plastic Population – The Only Way Is Up". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  30. ^ "Yazz And The Plastic Population – The Only Way Is Up". VG-lista. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  31. ^ Portuguese Charts Archive. January 1989.
  32. ^ "Palmarès de la chanson anglophone et allophone au Québec" (PDF) (in French). BAnQ. January 21, 1989. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 29, 2015. Retrieved September 11, 2019.
  33. ^ "Yazz And The Plastic Population – The Only Way Is Up". Singles Top 100. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  34. ^ "Yazz And The Plastic Population – The Only Way Is Up". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  35. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 6, 2020.
  36. ^ "Billboard > Yazz Chart History > Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  37. ^ "Billboard > Yazz Chart History > Dance Singles Sales". Billboard. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  38. ^ "Billboard > Yazz Chart History > Dance Club Songs". Billboard. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  39. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Yazz And The Plastic Population – The Only Way Is Up" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved April 24, 2025.
  40. ^ "1988 ARIA Singles Chart". ARIA. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  41. ^ "1988 Belgian Flanders Singles Chart" (in Dutch). ultratop.be. Retrieved March 7, 2014.
  42. ^ "Top 25 Dance Singles of '88" (PDF). RPM. Vol. 49, no. 10. December 24, 1988. p. 10. Retrieved July 14, 2019.
  43. ^ "1988 Year End Eurocharts" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 6, no. 52/1. January 1, 1988. p. 30. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
  44. ^ "Single top 100 over 1988" (PDF) (in Dutch). Top40. Retrieved September 22, 2010.
  45. ^ "The Official New Zealand Music Chart".
  46. ^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1988" (in German). Retrieved April 24, 2025.
  47. ^ "Chart Archive - 1980s Singles". EveryHit.com. Retrieved August 4, 2012.
  48. ^ "Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts 1988" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved April 24, 2025.
  49. ^ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (pdf ed.). Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 307.
  50. ^ "The ARIA Australian Top 100 Singles Chart – 1989". ARIA. Retrieved January 7, 2020 – via Imgur.com. The circular symbol indicates gold certification.
  51. ^ "French single certifications – Yazz and the Plastic Population – The Only Way Is Up" (in French). InfoDisc. Retrieved April 8, 2022. Select YAZZ AND THE PLASTIC POPULATION and click OK. 
  52. ^ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 1987−1998" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 17, 2011. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
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