Next up on From The Vault is, without exaggeration, one of the most recognized songs around the world. We are referring to Diana Ross’ ‘Upside Down’. Talk about a classic!
Leading the campaign for Diana’s eponymous eleventh studio collection, ‘Upside’ is without a doubt what you’d call a timeless track. Helmed by Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers, it was yet another #1 record for the Diva. At the time of its release in 1980, the track was helmed for its edgier sound and honest lyrics about a dysfunctional loving relationship.
The cut, for many, is considered Diana’s signature song; indeed it has been reinterpreted countless times by many a music hopeful on talent shows and covered and sampled several times over the years by the biggest names in music, most notably MC Lyte for her ‘Cold Rock A Party’.
With the onset of the “music video” not arriving until years after, the selected clip is one of a 1981 live performance where you can witness Ms. Ross commanding the stage by just being present and parading around.
While there exists many a stellar showing of the classic, we couldn’t resist showcasing The Boss and the King Of Pop, Michael Jackson grooving together like it’s 1999. Easily two of music’s most enduring and legendary figures, MJ and his Dirty Diana had a very strong bond throughout the years – one which birthed timeless showings such as this.
We’d say we’ve come a long way since that performance; for while Diana is obviously flaunting what her mama gave her (as she should too), she executes the whole shabang with class and sophistication aplenty. Which leaves one thinking about how sad it is that most of today’s multi-colored-wig princesses don’t possess an ounce of this.
Still, Ms. Ross’ legacy lives on through the likes of Beyonce, as well as the countless classic memories she blessed us with over the course of her illustrious career.
Your thoughts?
“Still, Ms. Ross’ legacy lives on through the likes of Beyonce”
…yeh ok
“Still, Ms. Ross’ legacy lives on through the likes of Beyonce”
I believe this, they are both drama-free divas. I hope Beyonce will keep it that way and never jeopardize her private life for fame and attention. Not Worth It. Most people just want good music and good beats.
What a great moment!
But give it a rest already with the Beyonce b*******. She is not up there with the true greats. End of
“Still, Ms. Ross’ legacy lives on through the likes of Beyonce”
…yeh ok
——
Lol! My thoughts exactly. Great flashback, but the need to randomly put beyonce into this, is pure insanity. Geez. Stop reaching…,
True diva Ms. Ross. Beyonce is a true thief. That is all in a nutshell.
This is one of my all time favourite performances!!! So Happy you posted this, That Grape Juice, I Salute you! Happy Easter!!!!!
Wow Haters….everybody know Beyonce is this generation’s Diana…except for she sings better looks better performs better….stop being haters.
Plus their careers match…diana had just as many if not more haters than Beyonce has now in her time…..
What a great iconic music moment! Its so sad and delusional some people are. I want someone to name one musician that is iconic as beyonce that captures what diana did on stage and music. Beyonce is a pop icon like mj and diana, whether u like it or not. Ask musicians like patti, tina and prince u is the real deal n todays music. Beyonce will b first or top 5! Shes rite there at that legendary front. She is the most imporant artist n today music. Just musicians like adele, paul mccartney, usher, neyo. Hell all of ur favs.
JOHNVIDAL (RIPWHITNEY-TRUE GREAT)
April 8, 2012 at 3:07 am
What a great moment!
But give it a rest already with the Beyonce b*******. She is not up there with the true greats. End of
the industry says otherwise, who are you again? #clapback
@QUEEN BEYONCE(QUEEN MOTHER ROSS)
frankly speaking i think Beyonce is better than Diana …but that’s another day’s topic
I´m so tired of delusional Beyonce stans with that “ask Patti, Adele, etc”. What the hell is that argument? It´s absurd. Everybody has said good things about anybody with talent, not just Beyonce. Do u want us to make the list of legands that have praised Mariah, Alicia Keys,etc? And yeah those are greats, but I can find legends praising Lady Gaga and Britney Spears too. And hell I can even find legands praising Taylor Swift or Rihanna. Really stop it now cos that is not a valid argument
Again, about this post: what an amazing moment. Two true greats
if u idiotic prepubescents dont let Beyonce be great, who r u gonna have left, nicki minaj, rihanna, katy perry? are these the people u want to represent ur generation? these heifers that cant stay in key for a 3-minute song if their life depended on it?
@JOHNVIDAL
yeah go look for em, and when i find em let us know and make sure their praising their artistry and musicianship like they do with Beyonce not “oh she’s nice, i like her blah blah blah”
Beyonce have the greats lining up at her concert, freaking Stevie Wonder paying tribute to her, winning legendary award only MJ has.
u dont have to like her but u will deal with the fact that the industry puts her up there … and rightfully so, i wish Bey was a rapper so we can hear all her accomplishments in em lyrics …. VH1 Greatest Women Top 3
oh btw …the term “delusional” is now played out, it’s called differing opinions
yes it is valid arguement, Adele just said the only artist she desires a duet with in all of the industry is Beyonce.. that’s something! Alicia Offkeys cant keep up!
THE WASP ARE UPSET ON THIS EASTER SUNDAY ….YES WE ALL KNOW BEYONCE IS THE BEST, AND NOTHING TOWARDS MS ROSS BUT BEYONCE WILL ROSS OUT THE PARK AND Y’ALL KNOW IT@JOHN DID YOU SEE AKEYS SING A NIP FUNERAL#CLAPBACK LOL@GRAMMY I HAD TO USE THAT,
BLOW
@GRAMMY ALSO LETS NOT FORGET NICKI MANJI EITHER THAT WANTS TO WORK BEYONCE
Rip King MJ
Diana Ross is a true icon for black music.She is so classy but she wasnt all that talented.She is probably the first female puppet master black.
God bless her heart
@kat whats been up with you lately babe with all your shade toward the king /queen
@RICHNBLACK11(JUST LIKE BEY)
i know my Richie friend, but all the lessors do.. we cant make a case with them lol .. yeah u can totally #clapback on their wasp asses anytime 😉
@Grammy Dammy Sammy
Most great artists have been praised besides Bey, and trust your King knows the truth when she see it, including Alicia “I have 14 grammys” Offkeys and Mariah ” your fave wishes she could sing/write songs and earn 18 hits like me” Carey.
Goodbye.
@UGH
Thank u! They really don´t understand how invalid is the game they try to play 🙂
Bey stans are the only ones making lists of achievements on here again and again. When we could could do it with everybody else (if we had the time but we have lives). Not only that, but just with one achievement of a true great we could destroy Bey ones put together. It´s the reality
@GRAMMY DAMMY SAMMY
I know the rest you mentioned are worse than her. I´m not delusional like some of you. But having no competition doesn´t make anybody great. Call me when the girl has a career full of timeless hits written by her or at least sung in a way that impacted the world. Still didn´t happen my friend
Back to the video: Michael even looked beautiful here…
I hate they did it again all about Bey. Thanks to Bey´s number one stan (Sam), while this is about Diana and Michael
Also, to the persons attacking Alicia Keys: what makes her great artist is not her singing on key, it´s her amazing talent to create powerful songs. Stay mad (hell I don´t even care about Alicia)
Shes beautiful and an Icon ..ive had the pleasure of meeting her
is it me, or is Rihanna the Diana Ross of her time.. sure seems like it
TeamBreezy
April 8, 2012 at 2:26 pm
Shes beautiful and an Icon ..ive had the pleasure of meeting her
is it me, or is Rihanna the Diana Ross of her time.. sure seems like it
ITS YOU HUN CAUSE IT DAMN SUR AINT RIHANNA
@JohnVidal (RIPWhitney-true great)
Co-f*****’-sign with you 100%, they make all about that b****, it’s getting ridiculous, at this point i mean what the f*** she has done for the Music.
wow, this was before thriller was released.
TEAMBREEZY
April 8, 2012 at 2:26 pm
Shes beautiful and an Icon ..ive had the pleasure of meeting her
is it me, or is Rihanna the Diana Ross of her time.. sure seems like it
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child please
I take back what I said. Diana is a legend that Bey will never be.
Diana’s weave>>>> beyonce’s career.
I’m sorry I was disrespectful to Diana. Sometimes I’m a real piece of s***
Beyonce is a hoodrat just like everyone I know. She sings like how we scream out the window in the hood that’s why I love ha. Ghetto trash is all beyonce and her fans are. You can put lipstick on a p**. At the end of the day it’s still a p**. I got hit in the head with a shovel today. So my common sense came back. 🙂
Beyonce like every true ghetto folks has mastered the art of being a thief. It’s the only “supreme” talent she has. 🙂
Truth
April 8, 2012 at 3:19 am
True diva Ms. Ross. Beyonce is a true thief. That is all in a nutshell.
__________________
THIS!!! And Miss Ross is one of the many she’s stolen from!
Onyx
April 8, 2012 at 4:23 pm
@JohnVidal (RIPWhitney-true great)
Co-f*****’-sign with you 100%, they make all about that b****, it’s getting ridiculous, at this point i mean what the f*** she has done for the Music.
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Not s***!….if nEthing she has taught ppl how to sling their weaves a lil harder!
In her day Ms Ross was a bad mutha. Awww look at my boo MJ, he seriously was in love with her and I can’t blame him, I truly think that’s the only woman he’s ever loved. If I was Diana, I would have turned his young @$$ OUT!!!! Talk about cougar!!! lol
badgirl
April 8, 2012 at 7:24 pm
In her day Ms Ross was a bad mutha. Awww look at my boo MJ, he seriously was in love with her and I can’t blame him, I truly think that’s the only woman he’s ever loved. If I was Diana, I would have turned his young @$$ OUT!!!! Talk about cougar!!! lol
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LOL that was funny!
Nothing about Beyonce as an artist says Diana Ross … comparing them because they both were lead singers of successful groups is simply pathetic
Bey is super talented .. but her and Diana r night and day
ijs
Damn why is everybody picking on the last sentence of the article. WTF. This is about Diana and MJ and nothing else. Can we not just leave it at that. All the newcomers after Diana are just by products of the past. These legends up there had class, sophistication, pure voices without technical induced help, half naked bodies and provocative dancing. That is what makes Legends always be legends. Its their God given talent to perform live without being off key and help from backing records. But I understand that the younger Generations can not relate to this, who can blame them, thats all they got now, autotune music and to take you mind of the bad singing we throw in some exposed body parts! Yeah hate me for my comments but its the truth.
TGJ Staff please get it together! Bey is a budding icon in her own right but she does NOT continue Ms. Ross’s legacy. I would love to see Bey get on stage with no props no choreography and let the music move her and still be able to keep the audience mesmerized and engaged.
When Bey performs it’s a fantastic on-point performance, but it lacks what Diana and so many other great singers/performers had…the essence of spontaneity! In this clip, Diana allowed the music to move her and she brought MJ up there w/ no practice. So pls do not try to compare the two they are not on the same level.
Two greats together. Now that is entertainment. Look at their stage presence. WOW
Diana always had the “IT” factor. She is no joke on the concert stage.
Beyonce and Diana are two very different performers. Beyonce has a stronger voice and it leaves me cold. Diana has a softer voice and inspires me like no other. Diana is a great actress on the screen and stage. Beyonce is a good performer but depends to much on s** for my taste. Diana broke down the doors that Beyonce could easily walk through (also it helped that she is light skinned). Diana has a interesting personality, Beyonce not so much. So it is really unfair to say she carrys on the legacy of Diana Ross. Diana Ross was the first female, African American global superstar. Beyonce will never accomplish all that Diana has historically.
diana ross is a living legend and i do mean legend,she is the ultimate diva she invented the name,she is a true icon and a trailblazer who broke down racial barriers with her unique voice,only people who are of a limited intellect would even contemplate that beyonce is in the same league as miss ross,in the fullness of time beyonce will be forgotten while diana ross will always be rememberd,none of beyonces music is memorable and has a five second lifespan while miss ross has one of the greatest back catalogues ever in music.yes beyonce does have a more powerful voice than miss ross but there are a thousand singers like her who all sound the same,no one ever sounded like diana ross,the voice of miss ross is unique,power does not make for great singing,some of the greatest vocalists in history did not have particularly powerful voices,ella ,saragh vaughn,peggy lee,nina simone,billie holliday,dusty springfield to name just a few and diana ross is alongside them,beyonce will be alongside the madonnas,britneys of this world,sad but true.as for acting beyonce has no screen prescence and she is very limited,diana ross is an awsome actress just one play of lady sings the blues will confirm this,but in a world where some people thought the bodyguard was a good film i am proberbley wasting my time.
Give me Michael any day!! And w/ Diana? Pure magic! Played this over and over again. There will NEVER be another Michael Jackson. NEVER. Miss you, Angel. Millions of us do. xoxoox
Beyonce is not a diana ross and will never be a diana ross. Ross helped make blacks accessible to TV audiences and helped the racial issues in the 1960s.
Beyonce is the “Lola Falona” of the 2000s. Beyonce is not a role model as she did not open doors for blacks; the door was already open. Also, Beyonce has never made a signature song that has lasted since 1964 “Baby Love.” Give us all a break! those of you who post here have your education where you sit after your first cup of coffee in the morning! Only, the ignorants will reduce Ross to wigs, gowns, hair, gay fans, loudness, et.
Given what Ross had to begin with, Ross will be remembered…not Whitney Houston who drowned in her own bath water, or Beyonce who shows her body and hair but whose voice can be found in any nightclub!
Ross is an original!