Paula Abdul discography

Paula Abdul discography
Studio albums	3
EPs	1
Compilation albums	6
Singles	16
Video albums	4
Music videos	20
Remix albums	1
Other appearances	3

The discography of American singer and dancer Paula Abdul consists of three studio albums, one remix album, six compilation albums, four video albums, sixteen singles, and three other appearances. Having found success as a choreographer for artists such as Janet Jackson, Abdul launched her own music career with the release of her debut studio album Forever Your Girl (1988). The album topped the Billboard 200 chart, and to date holds the record for the longest climb to number one for an album. The project spawned a number of successful singles, and is one of only nine albums to have four singles top the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It went on to earn a seven-times platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

Abdul released the Shut Up and Dance: Mixes (1990) remix album to a positive commercial reaction, earning a platinum certification from the RIAA. She continued to find success with the release of Spellbound (1991), her second studio album. It debuted at number five on the Billboard 200, climbing to the top soon after it was released. The album's first two singles both topped the Hot 100 chart with the first, "Rush Rush" becoming first number-one single in six years to spend more than four weeks on top. Third single "Blowing Kisses in the Wind" reached the top ten. Despite the album's achievements, it failed to match the success of its predecessor. Following a musical hiatus while dealing with personal issues, Abdul returned with the release of Head over Heels (1995), her third and final studio effort. The album and coinciding singles were deemed commercial failures, and were met with a mixed reaction from critics. Following the release of the album, Abdul entered a second musical hiatus.

Abdul released the single "Dance Like There's No Tomorrow" (2008) with Randy Jackson, her first single in twelve years. She later released "I'm Just Here for the Music" (2009) the following year. Throughout her career, she has sold over 50 million records worldwide. ^[1] Billboard listed her as the 92nd Greatest Artist of all Time. ^[2] She is recognized as the reigning "Dance-pop Princess" by the media ^[3] while others says she is the original "Pop Princess" of her generation. ^{[4] [5] [6]} According to RIAA, She has sold 11.5 million certified albums in the United States. ^[7]

Albums

Studio albums

List of studio albums, with selected details, chart positions, sales, and certifications

Title	Album details	Peak chart positions										Certifications
		US [8]	AUS [9]	CAN [10]	FRA [11]	GER [12]	JPN [13]	NLD [14]	NZ [15]	SWE [16]	UK [17]
Forever Your Girl	Released: June 15, 1988 Label: Virgin (#90943) [18] Formats: LP, CD, cassette	1	1	1	12	24	95	19	19	6	3	RIAA: 7× Platinum [19] ARIA: Platinum [20] BPI: Platinum [21] MC: 7× Platinum [22] RMNZ: Platinum [23]
Spellbound	Released: May 14, 1991 Label: Virgin (#91611) [24] Formats: LP, CD, cassette	1	3	6	36	17	12	45	14	6	4	RIAA: 3× Platinum [19] ARIA: Gold [20] BPI: Gold [21] MC: 2× Platinum [22]
Head over Heels	Released: June 13, 1995 Label: Virgin (#40525) [25] Formats: LP, CD, cassette	18	27	21	—	—	32	74	—	—	61	RIAA: Gold [19]
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Compilation albums

List of compilation albums, with selected details and chart positions

Title	Album details	Peak chart positions
		US R&B [26]
The Greatest	Released: 1998 Label: Virgin (#VJCP 51044) [27] Formats: CD	—
Greatest Hits	Released: September 26, 2000 Label: Virgin (#48980) [28] Formats: CD	—
Greatest Hits: Straight Up!	Released: May 8, 2007 Label: Virgin (#90527) [29] Formats: CD, digital download	86
10 Great Songs	Released: June 14, 2011 Label: Virgin (#83249) [30] Formats: CD, digital download	46
Straight Up! The Very Best of Paula Abdul	Released: June 18, 2012 Label: Music Club Deluxe (#B006ZGDD5C) Formats: CD	—
Icon	Released: October 8, 2013 Label: Virgin (#B0018870-02) Formats: CD	—
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Remix albums

List of remix albums, with selected details, chart positions, and certifications

Title	Album details	Peak chart positions									Certifications
		US [8]	AUS [9]	CAN [10]	FRA [11]	GER [12]	NLD [14]	NZ [15]	SWE [16]	UK [17]
Shut Up and Dance: Mixes	Released: May 8, 1990 Label: Virgin (#91362) [31] Formats: LP, CD, cassette	7	16	14	44	37	29	4	24	40	RIAA: Platinum [19] MC: Platinum [22] RMNZ: Gold [32]

Video albums

List of video albums, with selected details and certifications

Title	Album details	Certifications
Straight Up [a]	Released: 1989 Label: Virgin (#VVD 639) [34] Formats: VHS	RIAA: 2× Platinum [19] CRIA: Gold [22]
Captivated: The Video Collection '92	Released: June 29, 1992 Label: Virgin (#VIR 769) [35] Formats: VHS, LD	RIAA: Gold [19]
Under My Spell: Live	Released: February 27, 1996 Label: Virgin (#6523) [36] Formats: VHS
Video Hits	Released: January 11, 2005 Label: Virgin (#9771) [37] Formats: DVD

Extended plays

List of extended plays with selected details

Title	EP details
The Singles	Released: January 1992 Label: Virgin (#VJCP 14038) [38] Formats: CD (Japan exclusive)

Singles

List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name

Title	Year	Peak chart positions										Certifications	Album
		US [39]	AUS [40]	CAN [41]	FRA [42]	GER [12]	IRL [43]	NLD [44]	NZ [45]	SWE [46]	UK [17]
"Knocked Out"	1988	41	82	27	45	—	17	—	—	—	21		Forever Your Girl
"(It's Just) The Way That You Love Me"		3	76	5	—	—	—	—	12	—	74	RIAA: Gold [19]
"Straight Up"		1	27	2	12	3	6	2	6	2	3	RIAA: 2× Platinum [19] BPI: Silver [21] GLF: Gold [47] MC: platinum [22]
"Forever Your Girl"	1989	1	51	1	—	17	21	13	11	—	24	RIAA: Gold [19]
"Cold Hearted"		1	68	2	33	38	—	63	25	—	46	RIAA: Platinum [19] MC: Gold [22]
"Opposites Attract" (with the Wild Pair)		1	1	1	23	14	8	4	6	11	2	RIAA: Gold [19] ARIA: 2× Platinum [20] BPI: Silver [21] MC: Gold [22]
"Rush Rush"	1991	1	2	1	24	12	11	6	7	7	6	RIAA: Platinum [19] ARIA: Gold [20] GLF: Gold [47]	Spellbound
"The Promise of a New Day"		1	31	2	—	86	—	39	26	37	52
"Blowing Kisses in the Wind"		6	—	7	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"Vibeology"		16	63	19	—	—	29	20	50	—	19
"Will You Marry Me?"	1992	19	54	6	—	74	—	—	—	—	73
"My Love Is for Real"	1995	28	7	20	—	87	—	—	20	—	28		Head over Heels
"Crazy Cool"		58	76	49	—	89	—	—	—	—	—
"Ain't Never Gonna Give You Up"	1996	— [b]	110	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"Dance Like There's No Tomorrow" (with Randy Jackson)	2008	62	—	68	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Randy Jackson's Music Club, Vol. 1
"I'm Just Here for the Music"	2009	87	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Non-album single
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Promotional singles

List of promotional singles, showing year released and album name

Title	Year	Album
"Dream Medley" [48]	2012	Non-album single

Charity singles

List of charity singles, showing year released and album name

Title	Year	Album
"Check Yourself" [49]	2014	Non-album single

Other appearances

List of songs, showing year released and album name

Title	Year	Album
"Bend Time Back Around"	1992	Beverly Hills, 90210: The Soundtrack . [50]
"Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah"	1993	For Our Children: The Concert [51]
"So Free" [52]	2012	Non-album single

Music videos

List of music videos, showing year released and directors

Title	Year	Director(s)
"Knocked Out" (2 versions)	1988	Daniel Kleinman (original version) [34]
		Candace Reckinger and Michael Patterson (remix)
"(It's Just) The Way That You Love Me" (2 versions)		David Fincher [34]
"Straight Up"	1989
"Forever Your Girl"
"Cold Hearted"
"Opposites Attract"		Candace Reckinger and Michael Patterson
"1990 Medley Mix"	1990	—
"Skat Strut" (by MC Skat Kat)	1991
"Rush Rush"		Stefan Würnitzer
"The Promise of a New Day"		Big TV!
"Blowing Kisses in the Wind"
"Vibeology" (2 versions)	1992	Stephen Wurnitzer [53]
"Will You Marry Me?"		Big TV! [54]
"My Love Is for Real"	1995	Michael Haussman
"Crazy Cool"		Matthew Rolston
"Ain't Never Gonna Give You Up"	1996
"Dance Like There's No Tomorrow"	2008	Paula Abdul [55]

Notes

1. Not to be confused with a VHS promotional release of the same title, featuring only "Straight Up" music video issued by Siren. ^[33]
2. "Ain't Never Gonna Give You Up" did not chart on the Billboard Hot 100, though did peak at number twelve on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.

See also

• List of best-selling remix albums
• Lists of Billboard number-one singles (United States)
• List of Billboard number-one dance club songs
• List of number-one adult contemporary hits (United States)
• Billboard Year-End number one singles
• List of number-one singles in Canada
• List of UK top-ten singles in 1991
• List of Australian chart achievements and milestones

References

1. "FOX Broadcasting Company | Full Episodes, Shows, Schedule". FOX Broadcasting Company | Full Episodes, Shows, Schedule. Retrieved 2021-09-11.
2. "Paula Abdul". Billboard. Retrieved 2021-09-11.
3. Graff, Gary (15 November 1991). "Paula Abdul Dance-pop princes defends herself against accusations, innuendoes". baltimoresun.com. Retrieved 2021-09-11.
4. McIntyre, Hugh. "Almost 30 Years In, Paula Abdul Is Still All About The Music: Interview". Forbes. Retrieved 2021-09-11.
5. "Paula Abdul". Metacritic. Retrieved 2021-09-11.
6. "How "Forever Your Girl" Made Paula Abdul The Original Britney". BuzzFeed News. 13 June 2018. Retrieved 2021-09-11.
7. "Gold & Platinum". RIAA. Retrieved 2021-09-11.
8. "Paula Abdul – US – Billboard 200 Albums". Billboard. billboard.com. Retrieved 2015-03-21.
9. "Paula Abdul – Australia – Albums". ARIA Charts . Hung Medien. australian-charts.com. Retrieved 2015-03-21.
10. For peak positions of Abdul's albums in Canada, use a link depending on a title:
    • "Paula Abdul – Canada – Forever Your Girl". RPM . Archived from the original on 2015-04-15. Retrieved 2015-03-21.
11. For peak positions of Abdul's albums in France, use the link below searching her name in the field Les "Charts Runs" de chaque Album Classé:
    • "Paula Abdul – France – Albums". Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique . Info Disc. infodisc.fr. Archived from the original on 2008-08-20. Retrieved 2015-03-21.
12. "Paula Abdul – Germany – Albums/Singles". Media Control Charts (in German). GfK Entertainment. officialcharts.de. Archived from the original on April 10, 2015. Retrieved 2015-03-21.
13. http://ranking.oricon.co.jp/free_contents/search/ranking_list.asp?itemcd=298361&samecd=1&chart_kbn=11A&linkcd=30009423%5B‍%5D
14. "Paula Abdul – Netherlands – Albums". GfK Dutch Charts (in Dutch). Media Control GfK International. dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 2015-03-21.
15. "Paula Abdul – New Zealand – Albums". Recorded Music NZ (in Dutch). ung Medien. charts.org.nz. Retrieved 2015-03-21.
16. "Paula Abdul – Sweden – Albums". Hung Medien. eMedia Jungen. swedishcharts.com. Retrieved 2015-03-21.
17. "Paula Abdul – UK – Albums/Singles". Official Charts Company . Retrieved 2015-03-21.
18. Abdul, Paula (1988). Forever Your Girl (Liner Notes) (Vinyl Album). Paula Abdul. United States of America: Virgin Records.
19. For sales certifications received by Abdul in the US, use the RIAA link:
    • US – Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA)
20. Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
21. For sales certifications received by Abdul in the UK, use the BPI link:
    • UK – British Phonographic Industry (BPI) Archived 2017-11-17 at the Wayback Machine
22. For sales certifications received by Abdul in Canada, use the CRIA link:
    • Canada – Canadian Recording Industry Association (CRIA) ^{[ permanent dead link ‍]}
23. "The Official New Zealand Music Chart".
24. Abdul, Paula (1991). Spellbound (Liner Notes) (Vinyl Album). Paula Abdul. United States of America: Virgin Records.
25. Abdul, Paula (1995). Head over Heels (Liner Notes) (Vinyl Album). Paula Abdul. United States of America: Virgin Records.
26. "Paula Abdul – US – R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard. Retrieved 2015-03-21.
27. Abdul, Paula (1998). The Greatest (Liner Notes) (Compact Disc). Paula Abdul. Japan: Virgin Records.
28. Abdul, Paula (2000). Greatest Hits (Liner Notes) (Compact Disc). Paula Abdul. United States of America: Virgin Records.
29. Abdul, Paula (2007). Greatest Hits: Straight Up! (Liner Notes) (Compact Disc). Paula Abdul. United States of America: Virgin Records.
30. Abdul, Paula (2011). 10 Great Songs (Liner Notes) (Compact Disc). Paula Abdul. United States of America: Virgin Records.
31. Abdul, Paula (1990). Shut Up and Dance: Mixes (Liner Notes) (Vinyl Album). Paula Abdul. United States of America: Virgin Records.
32. "The Official New Zealand Music Chart".
33. Paula Abdul – Straight Up (Promo, VHS)
34. Abdul, Paula (1989). Straight Up (Liner Notes) (Video Album). Paula Abdul. United States of America: Virgin Records.
35. Abdul, Paula (1991). Captivated: The Video Collection '92 (Liner Notes) (Video Album). Paula Abdul. European Union: Virgin Records.
36. Abdul, Paula (1996). Under My Spell: Live (Liner Notes) (Video Album). Paula Abdul. United States of America: Virgin Records.
37. Abdul, Paula (2005). Video Hits (Liner Notes) (Video Album). Paula Abdul. United States of America: Virgin Records.
38. Abdul, Paula (1991). The Singles (Liner Notes) (Compact Disc). Paula Abdul. Japan: Virgin Records.
39. "Paula Abdul – US Billboard Hot 100 Singles". Billboard. Retrieved 2015-03-21.
40. Australian (ARIA) singles chart peaks:
    • Top 50 peaks: "Paula Abdul – Australia – Singles". ARIA Charts . Hung Medien. australian-charts.com. Retrieved 2015-03-21.
    • "Forever Your Girl" and "Knocked Out" (1989 release): "Response from ARIA re: chart inquiry, received 2014-01-17". Imgur.com. Archived from the original on 2014-11-29. Retrieved 2015-08-28.
    • "Cold Hearted": "The ARIA Australian Top 100 Singles Chart – Week Ending 14 January 1990 (61–100)". Imgur.com. Retrieved 2016-04-21. N.B. The HP column displays the highest peak reached.
    • Top 100 peaks from January 1990 to December 2010: Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
    • "Crazy Cool": "The ARIA Australian Top 100 Singles Chart – Week Ending 29 Oct 1995". Imgur.com (original document published by ARIA). Retrieved 2017-07-12.
    • "Blowing Kisses in the Wind" and "Ain't Never Gonna Give You Up": "Response from ARIA re: chart inquiry, received 2015-07-15". Imgur.com. Archived from the original on 2015-07-16. Retrieved 2015-08-28.
41. For peak positions of Abdul's singles in Canada, use a link depending on a title:
    • "Paula Abdul – Canada – Singles – "Straight Up". RPM . Archived from the original on 2015-10-01. Retrieved 2015-03-21.
    • "Paula Abdul – Canada – Singles – "Forever Your Girl". RPM. Archived from the original on 2015-10-01. Retrieved 2015-03-21.
    • "Paula Abdul – Canada – Singles – "Cold Hearted". RPM. Archived from the original on 2015-04-15. Retrieved 2015-03-21.
    • "Paula Abdul – Canada – Singles – "(It's Just) The Way That You Love Me '89". RPM. Archived from the original on 2015-10-01. Retrieved 2015-03-21.
    • "Paula Abdul – Canada – Singles – "Opposites Attract". RPM. Archived from the original on 2015-04-15. Retrieved 2015-03-21.
    • "Paula Abdul – Canada – Singles – "Knocked Out '90". RPM. Archived from the original on 2016-03-10. Retrieved 2015-03-21.
    • "Paula Abdul – Canada – Singles – "Rush Rush". RPM. Retrieved 2015-03-21.
    • "Paula Abdul – Canada – Singles – "The Promise of a New Day". RPM. Archived from the original on 2015-10-01. Retrieved 2015-03-21.
    • "Paula Abdul – Canada – Singles – "Blowing Kisses in the Wind". RPM. Archived from the original on 2015-10-01. Retrieved 2015-03-21.
    • "Paula Abdul – Canada – Singles – "Vibeology". RPM. Archived from the original on 2015-10-01. Retrieved 2015-03-21.
    • "Paula Abdul – Canada – Singles – "Will You Marry Me?". RPM. Archived from the original on 2015-10-01. Retrieved 2015-03-21.
    • "Paula Abdul – Canada – Singles – "My Love Is for Real". RPM. Archived from the original on 2015-04-15. Retrieved 2015-03-21.
    • "Paula Abdul – Canada – Singles – "Crazy Cool". RPM. Archived from the original on 2015-10-01. Retrieved 2015-03-21.
42. "Paula Abdul – France – Singles". Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique . Webedia. chartsinfrance.net. Retrieved 2015-03-21.
43. http://www.irishcharts.ie/search/placement Irishcharts.ie
44. "Paula Abdul – Netherlands – Singles". GfK Dutch Charts (in Dutch). Media Control GfK International. dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 2015-03-21.
45. "Paula Abdul – New Zealand – Singles". Recorded Music NZ (in Dutch). ung Medien. charts.org.nz. Retrieved 2015-03-21.
46. "Paula Abdul – Sweden – Singles". Hung Medien. swedishcharts.com. Retrieved 2015-03-21.
47. "Archived copy" (PDF). ifpi.se. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 August 2013. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
48. "Paula Abdul returns to the ballroom for an exclusive performance of her new single 'Dream Medley' on 'Dancing with the Stars: All-Stars the Results Show'". Niagara Frontier Publications. November 20, 2012. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
49. Newswire, MultiVu – PR (October 1, 2014). "Avon Foundation for Women Launches Global #CheckYourself Campaign for Breast Cancer Awareness Month". Multivu. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
50. Beverly Hills, 90210: The Soundtrack (Liner Notes) (Compact Disc). Various artists. United States of America: Giant Records. 1992.
51. For Our Children: The Concert (Liner Notes) (Compact Disc). Various artists. United States of America: Walt Disney Records. 1992.
52. "So Free (feat. Paula Abdul) – Single by Shine 2009". Apple Music. Archived from the original on July 1, 2023. Retrieved June 11, 2019.
53. "Vibeology single | Paula-Abdul.com". Paula Abdul Official Fan Site. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
54. "Will You Marry Me? single | Paula-Abdul.com". Paula Abdul Official Fan Site. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
55. "Dance Like There's No Tomorrow | Paula Abdul | Music Video". MTV. Archived from the original on February 27, 2009. Retrieved May 18, 2022.

External links

• Paula Abdul discography at Discogs