1988
Knocked Out
Forever Your Girl
L.A. Reid, Daryl Simmons and Babyface
“Knocked Out” was the first song Paula recorded for her album and was also chosen to be the first commercial single from the “Forever Your Girl” album.
“Knocked Out” was written and produced by Babyface, L.A. Reid and Daryl Simmons in 1987.
The song was originally included on a Virgin Records sampler for the launch of Virgin Records America. In the spring of 1988 it was released as a single to test Abdul's commercial appeal.
"Knocked Out" proved to be successful for a low budget single, but failed to reach the Billboard Hot 40 chart.
Image from the 1988 music video.
The original music for "Knocked Out" video was directed by Danny Kleinman and Limelight Film and Video Productions. It featured Abdul and a large number of dancers working out dance routines on the dance floor. The video received little airplay from MTV and slowly faded from the music scene.
A second video for “Knocked Out” was created to promote a re-release of the single in the UK. Abdul did not film any new footage for the re-edited video.
The video was re-edited by Jim Gable (8-1-89) and was focused on a boxing match, while screen caps of Abdul's other videos including clips from the original “Knocked Out” video played in the background.
Image from the 1989 music video.
In the UK, "Knocked Out" was released three times. It was originally Abdul's first single, and charted on September 24, 1988, peaking at a lowly #98.
Following the success of "Straight Up" and its follow-up "Forever Your Girl", "Knocked Out" was reissued and peaked at #45 on 19 August 1989, just missing out on the all-important Top 40.
Finally, after the huge success of "Opposites Attract" in 1990, the single was extensively reworked by Shep Pettibone and it finally cracked the UK Top 30, peaking at #21 on the 28th July 1990.
The remixed version of "Knocked Out" which was released in the UK as well as Germany was from the Shut Up and Dance remix album. While this version was not issued as a single in the United States, it did receive significant airplay and just missed the American Top 40, peaking at #41.
The video was released commercially on VHS but not DVD and is available for download on the U.S. iTunes store.
US 12" Vinyl Single - Virgin 0-96661 (1988):
A1. Knocked Out (Round 1 - Extended Mix)
A2. Knocked Out (Round 2 - Instrumental)
B1. Knocked Out (Round 3 - Radio Edit)
B2. Knocked Out (TKO Dub)
UK 7” Vinyl Single - Siren SRNP 92 (1988):
A. Knocked Out
B. Knocked Out (Instrumental)
US Single, Promo CD - Virgin PRCD9329 (1988):
1. Knocked Out
2. Knocked Out (Round 3 - The Radio Edit)
3. Knocked Out (Round 1 - The Extended 12" Mix)
UK 7” Vinyl Shape Picture Disc - Limited Edition (1988):
A. Knocked Out
B. Knocked Out (Instrumental)
UK CD Single - Siren SRNCD 92 (1988):
1. Knocked Out (7" Version)
2. Knocked Out (Round 1 - Extended Mix)
3. Knocked Out (Round 2 - TKO Dub)
4. Knocked Out (Round 3 - Instrumental)
UK 7" Vinyl Single - Wraparound P/s & Press Release
1. Knocked Out - Pettibone Edit
2. Knocked Out
UK 12” Vinyl Remixes - Siren SRNX 92 (1989)
A. Knocked Out (House 12")
B1. Knocked Out (12" Mix)
B2. Knocked Out (Bassey Thang)
UK CD Maxi-Single - Virgin VUSCD 23 (1990 Reissue):
1. Knocked Out (Pettibone Edit)
2. The Way That You Love Me (Houseafire Edit)
3. Forever Your Girl (Remix)
4. Opposites Attract (7")
Brazilian Promo 12" Vinyl Single (1990)
1. Knocked Out - Pettibone Edit 7"
2. Knocked Out - Pettibone Edit 12"
3. M.C. Hammer - U Can't Touch This
Japan Mini-CD Single (1988) Virgin VJD-12022:
1. Knocked Out
2. Next To You
3. Knocked Out (Extended Mix)
US Cassette Single (1988) Virgin 99329-4:
A1. Knocked Out (Album Version)
A2. Knocked Out (Instrumental)
B1. Knocked Out (Album Version)
B2. Knocked Out (Instrumental)
UK Cassette Single (Reissue) 1990 - Virgin VUSC 23:
A1. Knocked Out (Pettibone Edit)
A2. Knocked Out (Album Version)
B1. Knocked Out (Pettibone Edit)
B2. Knocked Out (Album Version)
Knocked Out
I was in love the moment that
I saw you
I followed you thru the crowd and I almost lost you
I was dying to tell you but scared of your reaction
But I can't hold back because I'm rushed
with this thing called passion
Churus:
You've got me knocked out turn me inside out
It's you that makes my heart beat
You've got me knocked out
Baby there's no doubt
You swept me off my feet
I walked your way hoping that
Maybe you noticed
I don't want to move so fast
I don't want to blow it
Never did I think love could be so amazing
But the things that you're making me do
It's driving me crazy
Chorus x 2
I want us to be closer, boy I wanna be
Startin' somethin with you baby
My heart is steady knockin boy you've got my body rockin,
caught blow-by-blow, love T.K.O.
Chorus x 2
Written by L.A. Reid/Babyface/D. Simmons
Produced by L.A. & Babyface for Laface Productions, Inc.
© 1988 Kermy Music/Hip Trip Music (BMI)
Lead Vocals: Paula Abdul
Keyboards: Babyface
Drums, Percussion Programming: L.A. Reid
Backing Vocals: Paula Abdul, Pebbles, Yvette Marine, Darryl Simmons, Babyface
Bass Synths: Kayo
Recorded at Studio Masters & Silverlake, Hollywood, CA
Mixed at Galaxy Sound, Hollywood, CA
Recording & Mix engineer: Jon Gass for Ratstyle Productions
Knocked Out (Dance Mix) Video Credits
UK
O Pictures, Inc.
6-21-90
Directed by Michael Patterson and Candace Recklinger. Produced by Carl Wyant.
Executive Producers: Sharon Oreck and Richard Bell. Director of Photography: Eric Engler
Art Director: Guy Greville-Morris
Editors: Jim Haygood, Alan Carter and Gino Gable