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Work That Body (song)

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"Work That Body"
Single by Diana Ross
from the album Why Do Fools Fall in Love
B-side"Two Can Make It"
ReleasedMarch 19, 1982 (1982-03-19)
Recorded1981 (1981)
StudioPower Station, New York
Genre
Length4:57
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Ray Chew
  • Diana Ross
Diana Ross singles chronology
"Mirror Mirror"
(1981) 		"Work That Body"
(1982) 		"It's Never Too Late"
(1982)
Music video
"Work That Body" on YouTube

"Work That Body" is a song by American singer Diana Ross recorded for her eleventh studio album Why Do Fools Fall in Love (1981). The song was written by Ross (her first written song), and producers Paul Jabara and Ray Chew. The song was written during the popularity of aerobics classes.[1]

It was released as the third single from the album in 1982 by RCA Records with the song "Two Can Make It" on the flip side (words and music by Dean Pitchford and Tom Snow). Immediately after its release, it rose to the 14th position of the Billboard's Dance chart (along with "Mirror Mirror"),[2] although it reached only the 44th position on the Billboard Hot 100,[3] it reached the 34th position on the Hot Black Singles; however, Cash Box magazine's R&B chart reflected a much higher popularity, peaking at #12.[4] In the UK, the song became a big hit, rising to 7th position.[5]

Critical reception

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A reviewer of Record Mirror stated that this is a healthy, energetic product, ideal for Jane Fonda-style workouts.[6] Rolling Stone called the song "an exciting piece of artistic dance music", and Billboard praised "one of the grittiest vocals in [Ross'] career" and suggested that "listeners will probably be burning a hole in through the floor with their feet".[1]

Track listing

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7" / 12" single
A. "Work That Body" – 4:57
B. "Two Can Make It" – 3:23
7" single
A. "Work That Body" – 3:29
B. "Two Can Make It" – 3:23
12" maxi-single
A. "Work That Body" (12" Mix) – 6:32
B. "Two Can Make It" – 3:23
12" single
A. "Work That Body" (Extended Remix) – 6:21
B. "Two Can Make It" – 3:23

Personnel

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  • Diana Ross – lead vocals, backing vocals
  • Ray Chew – acoustic piano, arrangements
  • Jeff Mironov – electric guitar
  • Neil Jason – bass
  • Yogi Horton – drums
  • Ralph MacDonald – percussion
  • Margaret Dorn – backing vocals
  • Leata Galloway – backing vocals
  • Millie Whiteside – backing vocals

Charts

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Chart performance for "Work That Body"
Chart (1982) Peak
position
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[7] 19
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[8] 10
Ireland (IRMA)[9] 10
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[10] 16
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[11] 15
UK Singles (OCC)[5] 7
US Billboard Hot 100[3] 44
US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[2] 14
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[4] 34

Cover versions

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  • American artist RuPaul recorded a cover version of the song for his album Foxy Lady (1996).[12]

References

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  1. ^ a b Hoerburger, Rob (November 14, 1981). "Closeup: Diana Ross – Why Do Fools Fall in Love" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 93, no. 45. p. 112. ISSN 0006-2510. Archived from the original on October 8, 2022.
  2. ^ a b "Diana Ross Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  3. ^ a b "Diana Ross Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  4. ^ a b "Diana Ross Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  5. ^ a b "Diana Ross: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  6. ^ Sunie (May 15, 1982). "Diana Ross – "Work That Body" review" (PDF). Record Mirror. p. 15. ISSN 0144-5804. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 20, 2022.
  7. ^ "Diana Ross – Work That Body" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  8. ^ Pennanen, Timo (2021). "Diana Ross". Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021 (PDF) (in Finnish). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. p. 219. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  9. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Work That Body". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  10. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Diana Ross" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  11. ^ "Diana Ross – Work That Body" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  12. ^ "RuPaul – Foxy Lady (1996, CD)" at Discogs. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
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