Yazz - The Only Way Is Up

The original Yazz, queen.

Great song--love it!

That was 1988...now here she is more recently (five years ago)...

Didn't she move to Spain and become a Christian music singer? After that, I haven't heard anything by her. "Wanted!" was one of the key albums to soundtrack my life in 1988/89.

Who?

Yazz (born Yasmin Evans; 19 May 1960) is a British pop singer, who remains perhaps best known for her 1988 UK number one single "The Only Way Is Up". Some of her records are credited to Yazz and the Plastic Population.

She soon launched a solo career on Big Life records, a label set up by her husband Jazz Summers, releasing her debut solo single, "The Only Way Is Up", in the summer of 1988. It went on to spend five weeks at the top of the UK Singles Chart, eventually becoming the second-biggest-selling UK single of the year. Her follow-up "Stand Up for Your Love Rights" was another big hit (UK number 2), while her debut album Wanted (UK number 3) was certified double platinum in the UK in September 1989 for sales exceeding 600,000.

During this period, Yazz began to reevaluate her career choices: she wanted to give up a lifestyle that included her failed marriage to Summers (their union had resulted in a daughter, Rio, born in April 1990), and her dependency on alcohol. After she had researched various religions, a friend who used to be her hairstylist suggested she try visiting her church. Soon, she decided to "turn her life over to Christ".

Her 2008 album Running Back to You, distributed in the UK by ICC Records, charted her spiritual journey and her new-found Christian faith. Yazz is now based in Spain, and is an active member of the Calahonda Baptist Church.

I’m guessing she would no longer stand up for our love rights.

Me too, r6. A shame!

Has this ever been used as an election anthem? (I know Sunak's people recently used D:Ream's "Things Can Only Get Better").

[quote] (I know Sunak's people recently used D:Ream's "Things Can Only Get Better").

Then you know nothing.

Apologies--I stand corrected; you are quite right. That's what happens sometimes when you sloppily scan headlines.

I do love both songs, though. Naff, but effortlessly danceable.

It was fun that the song was used as the theme to TOWIE. They did a nice update of the music.

This song was in my head all weekend, and I hadn't even seen this thread.

Love Soul II Soul too, from roughly the same period.

i love this era of dance music

[quote]Has this ever been used as an election anthem?

Great idea especially this year.

This song is unknown in the US and a mediocre dance track from over 30 years ago isn't exactly what a campaign would have in mind for a theme song. Jesus some of you are borderline retarded.

R16. The choice as a campaign theme aside, the song was a big hit and a great dance track whether it was from yesterday or 30 years ago. The title, "The Only Way Is Up" is a great, positive and optimistic message.

Retarded, really? Talk about an out-of-date expression.

[quote]This song is unknown in the US and a mediocre dance track from over 30 years ago isn't exactly what a campaign would have in mind for a theme song. Jesus some of you are borderline retarded.

1) No one suggested that it should be used now, in 2024; the question was "Has it ever been used?"

2) There are countries other than the United States

[quote]There are countries other than the United States

But this is about Kamala Harris. This song is unknown in the US. And it's also rather shit. And a dance track from 30-odd years ago is not going to be used as a campaign song.

Actually, I don't think a dance song would be used as a presidential campaign song, period. It would be a rock song. Dance is too niche and "gay."

[quote]Talk about an out-of-date expression.

Ironic, since you're talking about a song from four decades ago that nobody in the US has ever heard of.

Is there some autistic poster here who just keeps going back to it being used in the 2024 elections? We're talking about the song. And, regarding it being "shit" - opinions are like assholes (you know the rest.)

[quote]Has this ever been used as an election anthem? (I know Sunak's people recently used D:Ream's "Things Can Only Get Better").

Sadly Keir Starmer, a fan of the 80s acide house rave scene, turned down my suggestion that this song would be appropriate.

When Lisa Stansfield had her first hit People Hold On, it was credited as Coldcut ft Lisa Stansfield and she was dubbed "The New Yazz".

Quickly Yazz became "The Old Lisa Stansfield"

This really was a great period in British dance music - S'Express, Coldcut, The Beatmasters, D Mob, Bomb The Bass.

[quote]Ironic, since you're talking about a song from four decades ago that nobody in the US has ever heard of.

R20. Sweetheart--you haven't heard of the song. However, there are millions of people in the United States who have heard of this song, know it, danced to it and enjoyed it. What the hell are your talking about saying no one in the U.S. ever heard of this son? That's your uninformed opinion. But millions in the U.S. remember this song and still like it.

If it's not worthy of being a campaign song, then so be it. But don't say no one in the U.S. ever heard of it. Millions of people in the U.S. used to love this song--and millions probably still do. The song came out in 1988. It's not ancient history. Not everyone was born yesterday.