Paula Abdul Says Her Mom Thought ‘Straight Up’ Was the ‘Worst-Sounding Piece of Crap’ Upon First Listen

Paula Abdul recently shared her journey to success in the music industry on the podcast *On That Note*, hosted by Shawn Stockman. Reflecting on her early career, the singer and television personality recounted a pivotal moment when she discovered the song that would become her breakout hit, “Straight Up.” Interestingly, the initial reception of the song was far from enthusiastic.

During the podcast, Abdul recalled the scepticism she faced from industry professionals when she first presented a demo of “Straight Up.” The 63-year-old artist revealed that her own mother, Lorraine, was deeply unsupportive of her plan to pursue a music career. Lorraine’s incredulity was evident as she dismissed the idea, recounting the conversation where she expressed disbelief that her daughter would embark on what she deemed a “stupid album.” Little did they know, this would set off a chain of events leading to a major breakthrough for Paula.

Abdul explained that Lorraine’s assistant had heard their conversation and decided to share a demo written by her boyfriend, an aspiring songwriter and nuclear physicist. However, the reception of this demo was far from positive. “Two days later, my mum calls me hysterically laughing on the phone,” Paula shared, highlighting her mother’s struggle to convey the dreadful quality of the song without hurting her assistant’s feelings. Lorraine described it as a “worst sounding piece of crap” she had ever come across, leading both women to break into fits of laughter.

Despite the negative appraisal of the song’s quality, Paula felt a spark of potential in the track. While her mother expressed disbelief that anyone could find merit in the demo, Paula’s instinct told her otherwise. “I felt there was something magical about this song,” she stated. This intuition led her to retrieve the demo from the bin, a decision that would alter her trajectory in the music world.

With newfound conviction, Paula took the demo to her record label executives. The reaction was not what she had hoped for, as they viewed her enthusiasm with confusion and amusement. “They’re laughing at me and looking at me like I’m the craziest person in the freaking world,” she recalled. Yet, rather than being disheartened, Abdul joined in their laughter, affirming her belief in her own vision.

After securing approval and a modest budget for the recording session, Paula met with Elliot Wolf, the songwriter behind the demo. To her surprise, Wolf informed her that the allocated funds were insufficient for a professional studio. This led to an unconventional recording setting—Paula ended up recording in Wolf’s bathroom, utilising a “jimmy-rigged microphone” made from rubber bands and foam to cushion the sound.

After the recording session, Paula presented the revised version of the song to her label. Their reaction was cautious; they deemed it a “B-side at best.” However, Abdul was resolute in her belief that “Straight Up” deserved to be her debut single. She insisted on its potential, advocating for its release against the odds.

Finally, “Straight Up” was launched as the third single from her debut album, *Forever Your Girl*, in 1988. To her delight, it soared to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, ultimately solidifying its place as one of her signature songs. The success of “Straight Up” laid the foundation for a string of further hits, including “Forever Your Girl,” “Cold Hearted,” and “Opposites Attract,” all of which contributed to making the album a significant milestone in her career.

Today, Abdul’s story serves as an inspiring testament to believing in oneself, even when faced with overwhelming doubt from others. Her journey from being dismissed to becoming a pop icon underlines the importance of perseverance and confidence, particularly in an industry often critical of new ideas and unconventional approaches.