Chart-topping optimism: Revisiting 'The Only Way Is Up' by Yazz

Here's a song that's not really my cup of tea, but which was pretty big in its heyday. "The Only Way Is Up" was famously performed by Yazz and the Plastic Population, helping to further establish electronic dance pop music as a musical force. Released in 1988, it became a massive hit, reaching number one on the UK Singles Chart and staying there for five weeks (though the UK's best-selling single of 1988 was "Mistletoe and Wine" by Cliff Richard). The song was also a success in several other countries, including Ireland, Sweden, and New Zealand.

The song was originally written by George Jackson and Johnny Henderson and first recorded by the soul singer Otis Clay in 1980. However, it was Yazz's dance-pop cover that brought it widespread recognition. Yazz's version of "The Only Way Is Up" was a high-energy dance track, emblematic of the late 1980s house music scene and probably somewhere in the Hi-NRG (pronounced "high energy") music genre.

The song's uplifting lyrics and infectious beat made it an anthem of optimism and resilience for some, similar to "Survivor" by Destiny’s Child (or for rock fans, "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor). It became Yazz's biggest hit and remains her most well-known song "The Only Way Is Up" became a significant song of the late 1980s, particularly in the UK. Its message of hope and upward mobility resonated with listeners during a time of social and economic change.

The song is often associated with the feel-good, carefree vibe of the era and continues to be a popular choice for retro playlists and events. IIt definitely doesn't come across as a rebellious anthem about "young people sticking it to the man." Its vibe is more about just having a good time, even though its lyrics actually have some political connotations. It also definitely nostalgia fodder for some.

"The Only Way Is Up" beyond chart performance

In addition to topping the UK Singles Chart, the song also performed well internationally. It reached the top ten in several countries and achieved gold or platinum status in a number of them. In the United States, the song peaked at number 96 on the Billboard Hot 100.

"The Only Way Is Up" is a classic example of late 1980s pop music, with a legacy of continued popularity and frequent use in media and advertising. Speaking for myself, if I was to spin this song into something grand, I would extrapolate its upbeat lyrical content into something that would inspire people to actually mobilize, to help them understand that their life situations could be improving rather than worsening (and thus having an uplifting connotation) .

The song offers sort of a "Philosophy of Life," at least potentially, and maybe every conscious living thing needs love and acceptance wherever they may live (no matter what circumstances!) — and that means both inside and outside your house, and across borders. Or you can just mindlessly dance to this and act like nothing's wrong. I guess the choice is yours!

Yazz became a Christian and now lives in Spain and was previously a catwalk model.