Knocked Out

Album: Forever Your Girl (1988)
Charted: 21 41
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This was supposed to be the breakout single for Paula Abdul, who as a Laker Girl and a choreographer on videos by the likes of Janet Jackson and ZZ Top made a lot of contacts and got the opportunity to record an album. She didn't have much vocal training, so her record company paired her with a top production team: Babyface and L.A. Reid. They supplied "Knocked Out," a song they wrote with their cohort Daryl Simmons. These guys were used to working with more refined singers, and the sessions did not go well. Abdul fared far better by choosing demos from two unheralded producers: Elliot Wolff and Oliver Leiber. Both were more laid-back and willing to compensate for Paula's vocal deficiencies, and their songs ended up being the big hits from the album.

    "Knocked Out" was released first and reached #41 in the US - it also did very well in the dance clubs. The next single was one of Leiber's songs: "(It's Just) The Way That You Love Me," which reached #88. Next came Wolff's "Straight Up," which went to #1. "Forever Your Girl" (Leiber), "Cold Hearted" (Wolff) and "Opposites Attract" also reached the top spot.
  • According to L.A. Reid, he and Babyface gave her this song in exchange for her choreographing one of Babyface's videos.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Philip Cody

Philip CodySongwriter Interviews

A talented lyricist, Philip helped revive Neil Sedaka's career with the words to "Laughter In The Rain" and "Bad Blood."

Rob Thomas of Matchbox Twenty

Rob Thomas of Matchbox TwentySongwriter Interviews

Rob Thomas on his Social Distance Sessions, co-starring with a camel, and his friendship with Carlos Santana.

Mike Scott of The Waterboys

Mike Scott of The WaterboysSongwriter Interviews

The stories behind "Whole Of The Moon" and "Red Army Blues," and why rock music has "outlived its era of innovation."

Metallica

MetallicaFact or Fiction

Beef with Bon Jovi? An unfortunate Spandex period? See if you can spot the true stories in this Metallica version of Fact or Fiction.

Dwight Twilley

Dwight TwilleySongwriter Interviews

Since his debut single "I'm On Fire" in 1975, Dwight has been providing Spinal-Tap moments and misadventure.

Leslie West of Mountain

Leslie West of MountainSongwriter Interviews

From the cowbell on "Mississippi Queen" to recording with The Who when they got the wrong Felix, stories from one of rock's master craftsmen.