Mirror Mirror (Diana Ross song)
"Mirror, Mirror" is a 1981 rock-styled hit song recorded by American singer Diana Ross, released as her second single on the RCA label.
| "Mirror, Mirror" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Diana Ross | ||||
| from the album Why Do Fools Fall in Love | ||||
| Released | December 11, 1981 | |||
| Recorded | 1981 | |||
| Genre | Rock, R&B, Pop, Dance | |||
| Length | 6:02 (album version) 3:59 (single version) | |||
| Label | RCA | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Dennis Matkosky, Michael Sembello | |||
| Producer(s) | Diana Ross | |||
| Diana Ross singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Mirror Mirror" on YouTube | ||||
The song, written by Dennis Matkosky and Michael Sembello, and produced by Ross herself, was release as the second single on December 11, 1981 from her Platinum-certified album, Why Do Fools Fall in Love.
The song talked of a love lost that the singer was going through and her deliberately asking herself while looking in the mirror why she allowed the love "to fall" apart, referencing the Wicked Queen's chant to the Magic Mirror in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: "Mirror, mirror on the wall".
"Mirror Mirror" became another smash for Ross, reaching #2 on the Soul chart and peaking at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100[1] It became her second top 10 hit after leaving her longtime label, Motown, in the summer of 1981.
The music video was played on BET but rejected by MTV. It showcased the glamorous diva lip-synching the song and during the break, she danced with the video dividing her in double vision as she spun around. Despite the rudimentary production values, it was an early BET favorite. However, it was conspicuously left off her best-selling VHS – and later DVD – compilation Visions Of Diana Ross.
"Mirror Mirror" is also notable as one of the few songs that Ross sung both lead and background vocals.
"Mirror Mirror" was performed during Diana Ross' live concert in front of 800,000 people, Diana Ross Live in Central Park.
"Mirror Mirror" was performed on her 2010 concert tour. It was the first time it was performed in over 15 years. "Mirror Mirror" debuted live on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1981)
Personnel
- Diana Ross - producer, lead vocals, backing vocals
- Michael Brecker - tenor saxophone
- Randy Brecker - horn arrangements
- Ray Chew - musical arrangements, acoustic piano
- Eric Gale - rhythm guitar
- Yogi Horton - drums
- Neil Jason - bass
- Ralph MacDonald - percussion
- Jeff Mironov - rhythm guitar
- Ted Jensen at Sterling Sound, NYC - mastering
- Bob Kulick - lead guitar
Charts
| Chart (1981–82) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Belgian Singles Chart | 22 |
| Canadian Singles Chart | 29 |
| Dutch Top 40 | 24 |
| New Zealand Singles Chart | 15 |
| UK Singles Chart | 36 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 8 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs | 2 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs | 14 |
| Year-end chart (1982) | Rank |
|---|---|
| US Top Pop Singles (Billboard)[2] | 86 |
References
- Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits, 8th Edition (Billboard Publications)
- "Talent in Action : Top Pop Singles". Billboard. 94 (51): TIA-20. December 25, 1982.
