Show Notes
The demo for “Straight Up” was literally pulled out of the trash — and it changed Paula Abdul’s life. In this episode, she takes us inside the creation of Forever Your Girl, her early days at Virgin Records, and the era that connected her to Prince and Janet Jackson’s Control movement.
Paula Abdul breaks down how “Straight Up” nearly disappeared before becoming a breakout hit, the creative risks she took while building her debut album Forever Your Girl, and what it was like being one of the first artists signed during the launch of Virgin Records America. She reflects on navigating label politics, cutting creative deals in the Prince ecosystem, witnessing Janet Jackson’s Control era up close, and working alongside rising producers like L.A. Reid and Babyface. This is the behind-the-scenes story of how a discarded demo became a defining moment in late-’80s pop music. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
More from Shawn Stockman's On That Note
On this episode of On That Note, Boyz II Men legend Shawn Stockman sits down with Grammy-nominated R&B singer, songwriter, and soul crooner Kenny Lattimore for an in-depth conversation about timeless R&B, legendary vocals, the power of love songs, and what it takes to build a lasting music career.
Tisha Campbell joins Shawn Stockman for a powerful and deeply personal episode of On That Note, reflecting on her legendary career in television, film, music, comedy, motherhood, and the journey of finally unmasking who she really is.
October London joins Shawn Stockman for an in-depth conversation on On That Note, discussing his journey from South Bend, Indiana to becoming one of the standout voices in modern R&B and a flagship artist for Death Row Records.