Chain Reaction (song)
Encyclopedia
"Chain Reaction" is a melodic Pop song, sung by Diana Ross
, written by the Bee Gees
, who also provided the backing vocals for the single. The track was released on the album Eaten Alive
in 1985 and as a single twice - in 1985 and again in 1986
.
According to the Gibbs biography, the brothers had initial reservations about offering the song to Diana in case it was too Motown-like for her.
The single became her first #1 single in the UK
since I'm Still Waiting
in 1971. The song also reached #1 in Australia and was the top selling single of the year (1986) in that country. In New-Zealand, it peaked at #3.
The song fared less well in the USA where it initially peaked at #95 on the Billboard Hot 100
late in 1985. A few months later, a remixed version of the song was issued as a single (Ross performed this version of the song on the American Music Awards
, which she hosted that year). The new version re-entered the chart and performed better, but with the diminished momentum, it stalled at #66. Twenty-five years later - 2011 - it stands as Diana's last appearance on the Hot 100.
12" UK remix single
French 2-track CD single
pop
group
Steps covered "Chain Reaction". The song reached #2 in the UK. The song was performed by the Top 4 Finalists on American Idol (season 6)
.
CD2 (Limited Edition Club Mixes CD - Sold Out On Day Of Release)
Cassette
Australian CD Single (JIVE/EBUL)
CDR UK EBUL/JIVE, 2001 [PROMO ONLY]
Remixes
" two years earlier.
Diana Ross
Diana Ernestine Earle Ross is an American singer, record producer, and actress. Ross was lead singer of the Motown group The Supremes during the 1960s. After leaving the group in 1970, Ross began a solo career that included successful ventures into film and Broadway...
, written by the Bee Gees
Bee Gees
The Bee Gees are a musical group that originally comprised three brothers: Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb. The trio was successful for most of their 40-plus years of recording music, but they had two distinct periods of exceptional success: as a pop act in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and as a...
, who also provided the backing vocals for the single. The track was released on the album Eaten Alive
Eaten Alive (album)
Eaten Alive is a 1985 album by Diana Ross, released on the RCA label.-Overview:The album was conceived by the members of the Bee Gees and includes the UK and Australian #1 hit, "Chain Reaction" along with the #10 R&B title track—written and co-produced with Michael Jackson—which stalled...
in 1985 and as a single twice - in 1985 and again in 1986
1986 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1986.-January-June:*January 23 – The first induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame takes place...
.
According to the Gibbs biography, the brothers had initial reservations about offering the song to Diana in case it was too Motown-like for her.
The single became her first #1 single in the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
since I'm Still Waiting
I'm Still Waiting
"I'm Still Waiting" is a popular song by Diana Ross which first appeared on her 1970 album Everything Is Everything.Written and produced by Deke Richards,"I'm Still Waiting" continued the vein of sophisticated soul as heard on her breakthrough solo hit "Ain't No Mountain High Enough." Despite this,...
in 1971. The song also reached #1 in Australia and was the top selling single of the year (1986) in that country. In New-Zealand, it peaked at #3.
The song fared less well in the USA where it initially peaked at #95 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
late in 1985. A few months later, a remixed version of the song was issued as a single (Ross performed this version of the song on the American Music Awards
American Music Awards
-Conception:The AMAs were created by Dick Clark in 1973 to compete with the Grammys after the move of that year's show to Nashville, Tennessee led to CBS picking up the Grammy telecasts after its first two in 1971 and 1972 were broadcast on ABC...
, which she hosted that year). The new version re-entered the chart and performed better, but with the diminished momentum, it stalled at #66. Twenty-five years later - 2011 - it stands as Diana's last appearance on the Hot 100.
Music video
At the beginning of the video, Diana Ross performs the song on a stage in front of spectators, while we see scenes in color and black-and-white photography. The scenes in black-and-white photography are live performances by the Supremes on video dar. the way Ross has the hit on a street with background dancers in a studio. While the band finished in the black and white scenes of their show, dancing with the audience and using a combination of both color scenes a producer gets in a cab from a nervous breakdown.Charts
| Chart (1985/86) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 66 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,... |
85 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks The Adult Contemporary chart is a weekly chart published in Billboard magazine that lists the most popular songs on adult contemporary and "lite-pop" radio stations in the United States... |
25 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play Hot Dance Club Play The Hot Dance Club Songs chart is a weekly national survey of the songs that are most popular in U.S. dance clubs... |
7 |
| UK Singles Chart | 1 |
| Canadian RPM 100 Singles RPM (magazine) RPM was a Canadian music industry publication that featured song and album charts for Canada. The publication was founded by Walt Grealis in February 1964, supported through its existence by record label owner Stan Klees. RPM ceased publication in November 2000.RPM stood for "Records, Promotion,... |
40 |
| German Singles Chart | 11 |
| Swiss Singles Chart | 20 |
| French Singles Chart | 20 |
| Dutch Top 40 | 40 |
| Australia Kent Music Report | 1 |
| New Zealand Singles Chart | 3 |
Chain Reaction '93
In 1993, Diana Ross released Chain Reaction '93. Producing the remix herself, the single was also successful in the United Kingdom. This version's purely instrumental sound differs it from the original. A music video was not recorded for the song.Track listing
CD single- Chain Reaction '93 - 3:47
- Upside Down - 4:07
12" UK remix single
- "Chain Reaction" (Original 12" Version) - 6:50
- "Chain Reaction" (Reaction Dub, remix by E-Smoove) - 6:34
- "Chain Reaction" (Low End Mix, remix by Dewey B and Spike) - 6:15
- "Chain Reaction" (Low End Dub, remix by Dewey B and Spike) - 6:15
- "Chain Reaction" (Smoove Reaction Instrumental, remix by E-Smoove) - 8:40
French 2-track CD single
- Original Single Version - 3:47
- '93 Remix
- Italy 12"
- "Chain Reaction" (Original Single Version) - 3:47
- "Love Hangover" (Tribal Hangover - remix and additional production by Frankie Knuckles for Def Mix Productions) - 9:31
- "Upside Down" ('93 Remix - Remix and additional production by Satoshi Tomiie and David Morales for Def Mix Productions.) - 8:09
- "Upside Down" (Dub 2 - Remix and additional production by Satoshi Tomiie and David Morales for Def Mix Productions.) - 7:37
- "Someday We'll Be Together" ('93 Remix - Remix and additional production by Frankie Knuckles for Def Mix Productions) - 8:45
Charts
| Chart (1993) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles Chart | 20 |
Steps cover version
In 2001, BritishUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
group
Band (music)
In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...
Steps covered "Chain Reaction". The song reached #2 in the UK. The song was performed by the Top 4 Finalists on American Idol (season 6)
American Idol (Season 6)
The sixth season of American Idol premiered on the Fox Broadcasting Company as a two-night, four-hour premiere special on January 16 and January 17, and ran until May 23, 2007. Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, and Randy Jackson returned to judge once again, and Ryan Seacrest returned as host...
.
Music video
The first scene we see is two paramedics lifting a patient on a stretcher out of the back of an ambulance and take him inside the hospital. We first see Claire starting the song and then Faye sings. Then we get to see the band members together. We soon realize that H is the patient and gets up and starts singing. Then Lisa sings her part. Finally, we see the whole group singing featuring two men playing the drums. In the makings of Chain Reaction, it was said that H wanted to be on stetcher so he didn't have to move aroundTrack listings
CD1- Chain Reaction - 3:56
- One for Sorrow [Tony Moran US Remix] - 3:29
- Stop Me From Loving You - 3:45
CD2 (Limited Edition Club Mixes CD - Sold Out On Day Of Release)
- Chain Reaction [Graham Stack Extended Mix] - 6:28
- One for Sorrow [Tony Moran Extended Club Mix] - 6:38
- One for Sorrow [Sleazesisters 12" Anthem Mix] - 6:48
Cassette
- Chain Reaction - 3:56
- One for Sorrow [Tony Moran US Remix] - 3:29
Australian CD Single (JIVE/EBUL)
- Chain Reaction 3:56
- One For Sorrow (Tony Moran US Remix) 3:29
- Stop Me From Loving You 3:45
CDR UK EBUL/JIVE, 2001 [PROMO ONLY]
- Chain Reaction (Kool De Sac Mix) 8.03
- Chain Reaction (Xenomania Remix) 6.19
- Chain Reaction (Xenomania Trance Remix) 7.33
- Chain Reaction (Hit Squad Remix) 6.30
- Chain Reaction (Tribal Remix) 4.19.
Remixes
- Chain Reaction (Almighty Mix) - Promo
- Chain Reaction (Hit Squad Remix) - Promo
- Chain Reaction (Kod De Sac Remix) - Promo
Chart performance
The song entered the UK charts at #2 and spent 11 weeks in the top 75. It became their biggest selling single since they released "Say You'll Be Mine / Better the Devil You KnowBetter the Devil You Know
"Better the Devil You Know" is a dance-pop song written by Stock, Aitken & Waterman for Kylie Minogue's third studio album Rhythm of Love.-Background:...
" two years earlier.
Chart positions
| Chart (2001) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Singles Chart | 41 |
| Irish Singles Chart Irish Singles Chart The Irish Singles Chart is Ireland's music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association and compiled on behalf of the IRMA by Chart-Track. Chart rankings are based on sales, which are compiled through over-the-counter retail data captured... |
8 |
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
2 |
End-of-year charts
| End of year chart (2001) | Position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
37 |
Other cover versions
- The ShadowsThe ShadowsThe Shadows are a British pop group with a total of 69 UK hit-charted singles: 35 as 'The Shadows' and 34 as 'Cliff Richard and the Shadows', from the 1950s to the 2000s. Cliff Richard in casual conversation with the British rock press frequently refers to the Shadows by their nickname: 'The Shads'...
did an instrumental version on Simply Shadows (1987).
- Cliff RichardCliff RichardSir Cliff Richard, OBE is a British pop singer, musician, performer, actor, and philanthropist who has sold over an estimated 250 million records worldwide....
did a cover with Steps in 2001 on the ITV show 'Cliff Richard-The Hits I Missed'.
- Australian group Young DivasYoung DivasYoung Divas was an Australian girl group that had consisted of previous Australian Idol contestants. The original line up consisted of season one finalist Paulini Curuenavuli, season two finalist Ricki-Lee Coulter, season three winner Kate DeAraugo and runner-up Emily Williams...
recorded a cover of the song for their second album New AttitudeNew Attitude (album)New Attitude is the second album by the Young Divas and the first to feature Jessica Mauboy who replaced Ricki-Lee Coulter after she left to concentrate on her solo career....
, released in 2007.
- U.K bubblegum pop duo Same DifferenceSame DifferenceSame Difference can refer to:* Same Difference, a British singing duo* Same Difference , an album by Swedish death metal band Entombed* Same Difference , a show which aired on Channel 4...
performed this song on semi-final night on The X FactorThe X Factor (UK series 4)The fourth UK series of The X Factor was broadcast on ITV in autumn 2007. The first show aired on 18 August 2007 and the series was won by Leon Jackson on 15 December 2007, with Rhydian Roberts the runner-up and Dannii Minogue emerging as the winning mentor...
. After a lavish performance which featured almost an entire circus, they were voted into the final but did not win, Leon JacksonLeon JacksonLeon Jackson is a Scottish singer-songwriter. He won the fourth series of British talent show The X Factor in 2007. Following his win, Jackson was the main star of his on-web series entitled Leon's Life, which ran from 2007 until 2008...
later won but Same DifferenceSame DifferenceSame Difference can refer to:* Same Difference, a British singing duo* Same Difference , an album by Swedish death metal band Entombed* Same Difference , a show which aired on Channel 4...
did release their first album PopPop (Same Difference album)Pop is the debut studio album from British pop duo and 2007 The X Factor finalists Same Difference. The album was released on December 1, 2008 by Syco Records.-Background:...
on 1 December 2008.
- Irish pop group The NolansThe NolansThe Nolans are an Anglo-Irish all-female band consisting of a group of sisters. The group, best known for their song "I'm In the Mood for Dancing", gained prominence as guest performers on numerous television shows in the United Kingdom...
covered this song in 2009 as part of the one-off reunion tour. It was released on the follow-up album I'm in the Mood AgainI'm in the mood againI'm In The Mood Again is the 2009 comeback album by The Nolans, an Irish all-girl pop band most famous in the 1980s. Although eight people have been involved in the line up of the band only four, Coleen, Linda, Maureen and Bernie, returned for the album...
(2009)
- Swedish pop-dance singer Daniela Vecchia recorded cover of the song and released it as a standing-alone CD-single in January 2010.
- U.K Indie Rock Band NoisettesNoisettesNoisettes are an English indie rock band from London, comprising singer and bassist Shingai Shoniwa, guitarist Dan Smith, and drummer Jamie Morrison...
Performed a rock cover during their February/March 2010 U.K tour.
- UK car insurance comparison site Confused.comConfused.comConfused.com, part of the Admiral Group, is a British price comparison website specialising in insurance and financial services.-History:Confused.com launched in 2002, becoming the UK’s first car insurance comparison site. It is based in Cardiff, Wales with its offices located near the headquarters...
covered the song on a 2011 advert starring Louise DearmanLouise DearmanLouise Dearman is a British musical theatre performer, currently playing the role of Glinda in the West End production of Wicked. She has a number of other professional stage and television credits, such as Eva Perón in Evita, and released her debut solo album, You and I, in 2005.-Early...
.