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Opposites Attract

{{Short description|1989 single by Paula Abdul and the Wild Pair}}

{{About|the Paula Abdul song}}

{{Infobox song

| name = Opposites Attract

| cover = Paula abdul opposites attract single.jpg

| alt =

| border = yes

| type = single

| artist = Paula Abdul

| album = Forever Your Girl

| B-side = One or the Other

| released = {{Start date|1989|11|17}}

| recorded =

| studio = {{unbulleted list|Creation Audio (Minneapolis)|Kren (Hollywood)|JHL (Palisades)}}

| genre = *Minneapolis funk{{cite web|first= Tom|last= Breihan|title= The Number Ones: Janet Jackson's "Escapade|website= Stereogum|date= September 6, 2021|url= https://www.stereogum.com/2159089/the-number-ones-michael-boltons-how-am-i-supposed-to-live-without-you/columns/the-number-ones|accessdate= December 2, 2023|quote= ...Paula Abdul's "Opposites Attract," a bubbly take on Minneapolis funk...}}

  • new jack swing
  • R&B{{cite book|last=Deggans|first=Eric|chapter=Paula Abdul|editor-last1=Graff|editor-first1=Gary|editor-last2=du Lac|editor-first2=Josh|editor-last3=McFarlin|editor-first3=Jim|date=January 1, 1998|title=MusicHound R&B: The Essential Album Guide|publisher=Visible Ink Press|location=Detroit|pages=2}}

| length = *{{Duration|m=4|s=25}} (album version)

| label = Virgin

| writer = Oliver Leiber

| producer = Oliver Leiber

| chronology = Paula Abdul

| prev_title = Cold Hearted

| prev_year = 1989

| next_title = Rush Rush

| next_year = 1991

| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|xweiQukBM_k|"Opposites Attract"}}}}

}}

"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

This song's accompanying music video was combination of live-action and cartoon, directed by Candace Reckinger and Michael Patterson,{{cite news|last1=Miranda|first1=Carolina A.|title=Michael Patterson and Candace Reckinger turn animation into a wild sensory art installation|url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/miranda/la-et-cam-patterson-reckinger-animaton-20170426-htmlstory.html|access-date=July 10, 2017|work=Los Angeles Times|date=April 26, 2017}} in which Abdul dances with animated cartoon cat character MC Skat Kat, voiced by the Wild Pair, Bruce DeShazer and Marvin Gunn.{{cite magazine| first = Tanner| last = Stransky| title = 20 Years Ago: Paula Abdul hits No. 1 with 'Opposites Attract'| url = http://popwatch.ew.com/2010/02/19/20-years-ago-paula-abdul-hits-no-1-with-opposites-attract| magazine = Entertainment Weekly| date = February 19, 2010| access-date = March 16, 2010}} An additional rap, written by Romany Malco, was provided by Derrick "Delite" Stevens{{cite web|url=http://blogs.citypages.com/ctg/2005/08/will_the_real_mc_skat_kat_plea.php|title=City Pages - Culture to Go - Will the real MC Skat Kat please stand up?|access-date=October 28, 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071210010151/http://blogs.citypages.com/ctg/2005/08/will_the_real_mc_skat_kat_plea.php|archive-date=December 10, 2007}} Will the real MC Skat Kat please stand up? 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.{{cite web|url=http://majordamage.net/maj_bio.html|title=Chris Bailey|access-date=November 15, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080725045150/http://majordamage.net/maj_bio.html|archive-date=July 25, 2008}} 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."{{cite magazine|author=The Stud Brothers|magazine=Melody Maker|title=Singles|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/nothingelseon/52085051636|date=April 14, 1990|access-date=February 24, 2023}} 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."{{cite magazine|title= Previews: Singles|magazine= Music & Media|date= March 3, 1990|page= 20|access-date= November 3, 2020|url= https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1990/MM-1990-03-03.pdf}} A reviewer from People Magazine described it as one of "the liveliest cuts" from the album.{{cite magazine|url= https://people.com/archive/picks-and-pans-review-forever-your-girl-vol-30-no-10|title= Picks and Pans Review: Forever Your Girl|magazine= People|date= September 5, 1988|access-date= November 13, 2020}}

Track listings and formats

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  • 7-inch and cassette single{{cite AV media notes|title=Opposites Attract|others=Paula Abdul|year=1990|type=US 7" single liner notes|publisher=Siren Records|id=7-99158}}{{cite AV media notes|title=Opposites Attract|others=Paula Abdul|year=1990|type=US cassette single liner notes|publisher=Virgin Records|id=4-99158}}
  1. "Opposites Attract" (7-inch) – 3:45
  2. "One or the Other" (LP version) – 4:08
  • US and Australian 12-inch single{{cite AV media notes|title=Opposites Attract|others=Paula Abdul|year=1990|type=US 12" single liner notes|publisher=Virgin Records|id=0-96528}}{{cite AV media notes|title=Opposites Attract|others=Paula Abdul|year=1990|type=Australian 12" single liner notes|publisher=Virgin Records|id=VOZT059}}
  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{{cite AV media notes|title=Opposites Attract|others=Paula Abdul|year=1990|type=Japanese CD single liner notes|publisher=Virgin Records|id=VJDP-102}}
  1. "Opposites Attract"  – 3:46
  2. "(It's Just) The Way That You Love Me"  – 4:03

{{col-2}}

  • UK and Australian CD single{{cite AV media notes|title=Opposites Attract|others=Paula Abdul|year=1990|type=UK CD single liner notes|publisher=Siren Records|id=SRNCD 124}}{{cite AV media notes|title=Opposites Attract|others=Paula Abdul|year=1990|type=Australian CD single liner notes|publisher=Virgin Records|id=VOZCD 059}}
  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{{cite AV media notes|title=Opposites Attract|others=Paula Abdul|year=1990|type=UK 12" single liner notes|publisher=Siren Records|id=SRNTP 124}}
  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")

{{col-end}}

Credits and personnel

Credits and personnel are adapted from Forever Your Girl album liner notes.{{cite AV media notes|others=Paula Abdul|title=Forever Your Girl|year=1988|type=Inlay cover|publisher=Virgin|id=7 90943-2}}

Charts

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{{col-2}}

=Weekly charts=

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

!Chart (1989–1990)

!Peak
position

{{single chart|Australia|1|artist=Paula Abdul|song=Opposites Attract|rowheader=true|access-date=June 21, 2019}}
{{single chart|Austria|18|artist=Paula Abdul|song=Opposites Attract|rowheader=true|access-date=June 21, 2019}}
{{single chart|Flanders|4|artist=Paula Abdul|song=Opposites Attract|rowheader=true|access-date=June 21, 2019}}
{{single chart|Canadatopsingles|1|chartid=9210|rowheader=true|access-date=June 21, 2019}}
{{single chart|Canadadance|1|chartid=9207|rowheader=true|access-date=June 21, 2019}}
scope="row"|Canada Retail Singles (The Record){{cite book|last=Lwin|first=Nanda|author-link=Nanda Lwin|date=2000|title=Top 40 Hits: The Essential Chart Guide|publisher=Music Data Canada|page=18|isbn=1-896594-13-1}}

|1

scope="row"|Canada Contemporary Hit Radio (The Record)

|1

scope="row"|Denmark (IFPI)Danish Singles Chart. 30 March 1990.

|7

scope="row"|Europe (Eurochart Hot 100){{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1990/MM-1990-05-05.pdf|title=Eurochart Hot 100 Singles|magazine=Music & Media|volume=7|issue=18|page=IV|date=May 5, 1990|access-date=July 10, 2020}}

|5

scope="row"|Finland (Suomen virallinen lista){{cite book|first=Jake|last=Nyman|year=2005|title=Suomi soi 4: Suuri suomalainen listakirja|edition=1st|publisher=Tammi|location=Helsinki|isbn=951-31-2503-3|language=fi}}

|6

{{single chart|France|23|artist=Paula Abdul|song=Opposites Attract|rowheader=true|access-date=June 21, 2019}}
{{single chart|Ireland2|8|song=Opposites Attract|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|Dutch40|4|year=1990|week=10|rowheader=true|access-date=June 21, 2019}}
{{single chart|Dutch100|4|artist=Paula Abdul|song=Opposites Attract|rowheader=true|access-date=June 21, 2019}}
{{single chart|New Zealand|6|artist=Paula Abdul|song=Opposites Attract|rowheader=true|access-date=June 21, 2019}}
{{single chart|Norway|6|artist=Paula Abdul|song=Opposites Attract|rowheader=true|access-date=June 21, 2019}}
scope="row"|Quebec (ADISQ){{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151129063315/http://bibnum2.banq.qc.ca/bna/palmares/2010-Anglo-Allophone/Anglo-Compilation_succes_ordre_alpha_interpretes.pdf|url=http://bibnum2.banq.qc.ca/bna/palmares/2010-Anglo-Allophone/Anglo-Compilation_succes_ordre_alpha_interpretes.pdf|title=Palmarès de la chanson anglophone et allophone au Québec|publisher=BAnQ|date=12 July 1997|access-date=27 April 2025|archive-date=29 November 2015|language=fr|url-status=dead}}

|align="center"|2

{{single chart|Sweden|11|artist=Paula Abdul|song=Opposites Attract|rowheader=true|access-date=June 21, 2019}}
{{single chart|Switzerland|19|artist=Paula Abdul|song=Opposites Attract|rowheader=true|access-date=June 21, 2019}}
{{single chart|UK|2|date=19900505|rowheader=true|access-date=June 21, 2019}}
{{single chart|Billboardhot100|1|artist=Paula Abdul|rowheader=true|access-date=June 21, 2019}}
{{single chart|Billboardadultcontemporary|45|artist=Paula Abdul|rowheader=true|access-date=June 21, 2019}}
{{single chart|Billboarddanceclubplay|24|artist=Paula Abdul|rowheader=true|access-date=June 21, 2019}}
{{single chart|Billboarddancesales|7|artist=Paula Abdul|rowheader=true|access-date=February 4, 2022}}
{{single chart|Billboardrandbhiphop|3|artist=Paula Abdul|rowheader=true|access-date=June 21, 2019}}
{{single chart|West Germany|14|artist=Paula Abdul|song=Opposites Attract|songid=2088|rowheader=true|access-date=June 21, 2019}}

{{col-2}}

=Year-end charts=

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

!Chart (1990)

!Position

scope="row"|Australia (ARIA){{cite web|url=https://www.aria.com.au/charts/1990/singles-chart|title=ARIA Top 50 Singles for 1990|publisher=ARIA|access-date=June 21, 2019}}

|6

scope="row"|Belgium (Ultratop){{cite web|url=https://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=1990|title=Jaaroverzichten 1990|publisher=Ultratop|language=nl|access-date=June 21, 2019}}

|29

scope="row"|Canada Top Singles (RPM){{cite magazine|url=http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.9139&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.9139.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.9139|title=Top 100 Hit Tracks of 1990|magazine=RPM|via=Library and Archives Canada|access-date=June 21, 2019}}

|13

scope="row"|Canada Dance/Urban (RPM){{cite magazine|url=http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.9163&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.9163.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.9163|title=Top 50 Dance Tracks of 1990|magazine=RPM|via=Library and Archives Canada|access-date=June 21, 2019}}

|22

scope="row"|Europe (Eurochart Hot 100){{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1990/MM-1990-12-22.pdf|title=Eurochart Hot 100 of 1990|magazine=Music & Media|via=World Radio History|volume=7|issue=51|page=60|date=December 22, 1990|oclc=29800226|access-date=January 15, 2020}}

|29

scope="row"|Germany (Media Control){{cite web|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/single-jahr/for-date-1990|title=Top 100 Singles–Jahrescharts 1990|publisher=GfK Entertainment|language=de|access-date=June 21, 2019}}

|83

scope="row"|Netherlands (Dutch Top 40){{cite web|url=http://www.top40.nl/pdf/Top%20100/top%20100%20-%201990.pdf|title=Single top 100 over 1990|publisher=Top40|language=nl|access-date=April 12, 2010}}

|44

scope="row"|Netherlands (Single Top 100){{cite web|url=https://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=1990&cat=s|title=Jaaroverzichten – Single 1990|publisher=MegaCharts|language=nl|access-date=June 21, 2019}}

|44

scope="row"|New Zealand (RIANZ){{cite web|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/annual-singles/1990-12-31|title=End of Year Charts 1990|publisher=Recorded Music NZ|access-date=April 2, 2020}}

|40

scope="row"|Sweden (Topplistan){{cite web|url=http://www.grammotex.se/topp90singlar.htm|title=Årstopplistan 1990, Singlar|publisher=Grammotex|language=sv|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010216102929/http://www.grammotex.se/topp90singlar.htm|archive-date=February 16, 2001|access-date=April 7, 2025}}

|41

scope="row"|UK Singles (OCC){{cite magazine|title=1990 Top 100 Singles|magazine=Music Week|location=London, England|page=41|date=March 2, 1991}}

|25

scope="row"|US Billboard Hot 100{{cite magazine|title=1990 The Year in Music & Video: Top Pop Singles|magazine=Billboard|volume=102|issue=51|page=YE-14|date=December 22, 1990}}

|14

scope="row"|US Hot R&B Singles (Billboard){{cite magazine|title=The Year in Music 1990: Top R&B Singles|magazine=Billboard|volume=102|issue=51|page=YE-22|date=December 22, 1990}}

|40

=Decade-end charts=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

!Chart (1990–1999)

!Position

scope="row"|Canada (Nielsen SoundScan){{cite web|url=http://www.jamshowbiz.com/JamMusicCharts/100_1990.html|title=Top 100 singles of the 1990s|last=Lwin|first=Nanda|publisher=Jam!|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000829070927/http://www.jamshowbiz.com/JamMusicCharts/100_1990.html|archive-date=August 29, 2000|access-date=March 26, 2022}}

|30

{{col-end}}

Certifications and sales

{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|award=Platinum|relyear=1990|certyear=1990|certref=|access-date=June 21, 2019}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|type=single|artist=Paula Abdul|title=Opposites Attract|award=Gold|relyear=1990|certyear=1990|access-date=August 9, 2019}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Paula Abdul with The Wild Pair|title=Opposites Attract|award=Silver|relyear=1990|certyear=1990|id=4920-2198-1|access-date=October 31, 2020}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|artist=Paula Abdul|title=Opposites Attract|award=Gold|relyear=1989|certyear=1990|access-date=June 21, 2019|refname="riaa"}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true}}

Release history

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"

!scope="col"|Region

!scope="col"|Date

!scope="col"|Format(s)

!scope="col"|Label(s)

!scope="col"|{{abbr|Ref.|Reference}}

scope="row"|United States

|November 17, 1989

|{{hlist|7-inch vinyl|12-inch vinyl|cassette}}

|rowspan="2"|Virgin

|

scope="row"|Japan

|January 21, 1990

|Mini-CD

|{{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/156645/products/298542/1|title=甘い誘惑 {{!}} ポーラ・アブドル|trans-title=Sweet Temptation {{!}} Paula Abdul|publisher=Oricon|language=ja|access-date=September 1, 2023}}

scope="row" rowspan="2"|United Kingdom

|March 26, 1990

|{{hlist|7-inch vinyl|12-inch vinyl}}

|rowspan="2"|Siren

|{{cite magazine|title=New Singles|magazine=Music Week|page=33|date=March 24, 1990}}

April 16, 1990

|{{hlist|7-inch vinyl with poster|12-inch gatefold vinyl|CD|cassette}}

|{{cite magazine|title=New Singles|magazine=Music Week|page=39|date=April 14, 1990}}

References

{{Reflist}}

External links

{{Wikiquote}}

{{Paula Abdul}}

{{Grammy Award for Best Music Video}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:1988 songs

Category:1989 singles

Category:Animated music videos

Category:Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles

Category:Cashbox number-one singles

Category:Grammy Award for Best Short Form Music Video

Category:Male–female vocal duets

Category:New jack swing songs

Category:Number-one singles in Australia

Category:Paula Abdul songs

Category:RPM Top Singles number-one singles

Category:Songs written by Oliver Leiber

Category:Virgin Records singles