Way before she was a judge on ‘American Idol’, the ‘X Factor’ and the Australian edition of ‘So You Think You Can Dance?’ and not long after blessing Janet Jackson with a few signature moves, Paula Abdul was a popstar in her own right. This week, From The Vault is celebrating one of Ms. Abdul’s finest visual works – the magnificent ‘Cold Hearted’
Pulled from Paula’s blockbuster debut ‘Forever Your Girl’ as its fifth single, ‘Cold’ is a Pop number with sprinkles of New Jack Swing wherein the singer warns a fellow female about a heartless, womanizing man that she compares to a “cold hearted snake “.
It was produced by Elliot Wolff – who was also responsible for the entertainer’s breakout single ‘Straight Up’ – and was one of her six Billboard chart-toppers. Unfortunately, its home soil success never translated into an overseas one.
As many of you would know, we love ourselves an epic video here at TGJ. Therefore you’ll understand why this one has a very special place in our vault. The work of Academy Award-nominated director David Fincher, the visual serves as Abdul’s homage to legendary choreographer Bob Fosse, most particularly his work on classic musical ‘All That Jazz’. The all-dance affair perfectly embodies Paula’s proposition as a “Popstar”: hook-heavy edgy Pop music, enchanting choreography, and high-octane music videos.
With Paula waving goodbye to her singing career almost two decades ago, we feel it is a shame that the current generation only knows her as a TV figure and not the award-winning stage blazer she once was. Just to express how inspiring and trend-setting she and this video have been, here’s a few well-known visuals which take inspiration from ‘Cold Hearted’: Janet Jackson’s ‘If’, Christina Aguilera’s ‘What A Girl Wants’, Britney Spears’ ‘Slave 4 U’, Ciara’s ‘Promise’.
Can you name more?
She birthed Britney and never got any credit for it.
Actually she didn’t. Janet and TINA LANDON DID
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WHO?
Janet’s inspiration.
No she wasn’t. She only got the gig as one of Jan’s early choreographers because of nepotism. She did the Jackson’s ‘Victory’ tour choreography and the rest is history.
LOL SIT BYTCH.
WORRY ABOUT RIHANNA BEING SLAVEONCE’S INSPIRATION LOL
Her choreography is unmatched to this day. The only girl capable of doing moves like her is Ciara but she is stuck on street dance and refuses to try ballet.
The girls of today don’t have what it takes to match her to be honest. Dance runs through her veins and you can literally taste the passion in every step. Nowadays these chicks get a standing ovation for twerking as if that requires any skill.
She was an amazing dancer, her music was horrible tho.
+ 1
She had a couple of cute songs but nothing iconic. Her dancing was amazing and precise.
How can yall expect me to be impressed by Tinashe when I watch this. NONE of these chicks could ever.
Ciara wouldnt kill this now mya would murder something like this homegirl is so slept on when it comes too dance and a all around artist
Lies and deceit ciara dances better than anyone mentioned
She has done hip hop street and stepping and acrobatic moves in heels not flats
She was always a phenomenal dancer and it came so natural. A lot of these overtrained dancers, if you call it that, just don’t understand. When you dance, it’s supposed to have fluidity to it and come naturally. Paula Abdul has that and that’s why amazing dancers like Janet Jackson came to her. Paula has however been quoted saying giving choreography to Janet is a catalyst to her career, so need to shade to either. Love them both. Also, that pic is giving me “If” teases.
Terrible music & singer! But, fantastic dancer! To bad her music ain’t shitt tho. Only, “Straight Up” was great.
Paula was a great choreographer and dancer, she just wasn’t a recording artist. Everybody is not meant to do everything.
Man, the memories! Long before the internet, Eminem, the song “Stan” and subsequent stan wars, I was a Paula Abdul stan. Summa y’all can’t understand now how hot this video was in 1989.