"Upside Down" is a song written and produced by Chic members Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards. It was recorded by American singer Diana Ross and issued on June 18, 1980, from Motown as the lead single from her eleventh studio album, Diana (1980). The song hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart on September 6, 1980, and stayed there for four weeks. It also hit number one on the Billboard Disco and Soul charts. The single was released a full four weeks after the album was released. "Upside Down" was also a big hit internationally, topping the singles charts in Australia, Denmark, New Zealand, Sweden, South Africa, Italy, Norway, and Switzerland, while peaking at No. 5 in Canada. It also rose to No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart, marking the highest peak performance from Ross as a solo artist since "I'm Still Waiting" in 1971. It also earned her a British Phonographic Industry silver disc award for sales in excess of 250,000 copies. The single earned Ross her ninth career Grammy Award nomination for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, losing to "Never Knew Love Like This Before" by Stephanie Mills at the 1981 Grammy Awards. "Upside Down" is listed at No. 80 on Billboard "Hot 100 60th Anniversary" (1958–2018).

Background and recording

The song was written by Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers (of the band Chic). In a 2011 interview, Nile Rodgers said "Diana Ross was the first big star we ever worked with and we took it very seriously." Rodgers and Edwards interviewed her for several days. "This was the first time in her life somebody cared about who she was; what she was — everyone previously had treated her the way we had treated Sister Sledge — they got her in and said 'Sing this'. We (took a more personal approach)."

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

All-time charts

Certifications and sales

Live performances

Ross performed the song live in 1981 during her television special Diana, with her labelmate Michael Jackson joining her onstage towards the end. In 1997, Ross performed the song live with English acid jazz and funk band Jamiroquai at the Brit Awards.

In film, television and commercials

In 2013, the song was used in a Mercedes-Benz commercial featuring chickens being moved around while their heads remain stationary as an example of the car brand's "magic body control." It was also used by Jaguar Cars in a parody of the Mercedes-Benz commercial. In 2023, the song is heard on a commercial for Nutella and the announcement video for the 2023–24 Al Nassr home kit.

Influence and legacy

Female rap duo Salt-N-Pepa covered the song for the Space Jam soundtrack, which was released on November 12, 1996. Hip-hop rapper MC Lyte sampled "Upside Down" on her November 12, 1996, hit "Cold Rock a Party (Remix)", featuring Missy Elliott and Puff Daddy. Contemporary jazz/fusion group Pieces of a Dream covered the song on their 2001 album Acquainted with the Night. In 2003, Swedish band Alcazar interpolated the melody for their song "This Is the World We Live In", released in 2004.

Risquée version

In 1999, the music group Risquée covered the song. Their version peaked at No. 25 in France and at No. 76 in Germany.

Track listings

CD maxi

Charts