
Peak
6
Weeks
21
Score
3,306
Chart Year
1986
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"Word Up" is a saying that was popular in New York and other urban areas in the US that acted as an affirmation of what was said, kind of a hipper "you bet." Cameo developed a character around the saying and wrote the lyrics about what he would say. They called the character "Vicious" and had him take out his frustrations on rappers who delve into psychodrama when they should be creating music you can dance to: "Give us music, we can that, we need to dance. We don't need that type of psychological romance." Cameo was a popular funk band in the '70s and '80s. This hit fused their funk background with elements of rap, giving them a big hit. Cameo leader Larry Blackmon got the idea for the guttural vocal from Sly Stone, who is one of his heroes. Korn and Melanie Brown have both recorded this song. It was also part of a popular mash-up with Gwen Stefani's "Hollaback Girl." The Korn version cracked the US chart at #123. In the movie The 40-year-old virgin, Steve Carell sings a karaoke version of this alone in his apartment.
Yo pretty ladies around the world Got a weird thing to show you So tell all the boys and girls Tell your brother, your sister and your mamma too 'Cause we're about to go down And you know just what to do Wave your hands in the air like you don't care Glide by the people as they start to look and stare Do your dance, do your dance, do your dance quick mamma Come on baby tell me what's the word Word up everybody say When you hear the call you've got to get it underway Word up it's the code word No matter where you say it you know that you'll be heard Now all you sucker DJ's who think you're fly There's got to be a reason and we know the reason why You try to put on those Airs and you act real cool Got to realize that you're acting like fools If there's music we can use it You're free to dance We don't have the time for psychological romance No romance, no romance, no romance for me mamma Come on baby tell me what's the word Word up everybody say When you hear the call you've got to get it underway Dial L for love C'mon all you people sing W.O.R.D. up, W.O.R.D. up, W.O.R.D. up, W.O.R.D. up W.O.R.D. up, W.O.R.D. up
| Week | Chart Date | Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sep 13, 1986 | 81 | 45 |
| 2 | Sep 20, 1986 | 73 | 53 |
| 3 | Sep 27, 1986 | 50 | 76 |
| 4 | Oct 4, 1986 | 39 | 87 |
| 5 | Oct 11, 1986 | 30 | 96 |
| 6 | Oct 18, 1986 | 22 | 104 |
| 7 | Oct 25, 1986 | 17 | 109 |
| 8 | Nov 1, 1986 | 12 | 114 |
| 9 | Nov 8, 1986 | 9 | 117 |
| 10 | Nov 15, 1986 | 7 | 119 |
| 11 | Nov 22, 1986 | 6 | 120 |
| 12 | Nov 29, 1986 | 6 | 120 |
| 13 | Dec 6, 1986 | 6 | 120 |
| 14 | Dec 13, 1986 | 12 | 114 |
| 15 | Dec 20, 1986 | 23 | 103 |
| 16 | Dec 27, 1986 | 33 | 93 |
| 17 | Jan 3, 1987 | 33 | 93 |
| 18 | Jan 10, 1987 | 44 | 82 |
| 19 | Jan 17, 1987 | 57 | 69 |
| 20 | Jan 24, 1987 | 65 | 61 |