"Mirror, Mirror" | ||||
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Single by Diana Ross | ||||
from the album Why Do Fools Fall in Love | ||||
Released | December 11, 1981 | |||
Recorded | 1981 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 6:08 (album version) 3:59 (single version) | |||
Label | RCA | |||
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) | Diana Ross | |||
Diana Ross singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Mirror Mirror" on YouTube |
"Mirror, Mirror" is a song by American singer Diana Ross. Written by Dennis Matkosky and Michael Sembello, and produced by Ross, the song was released as the second single from her Platinum-certified album Why Do Fools Fall in Love on December 11, 1981, by RCA Records.
Background
[edit]The song talks 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" is also notable as one of the few songs that Ross sung both lead and background vocals.[citation needed]
Music video
[edit]The accompanying music video for "Mirror Mirror" was played on BET, but was rejected by MTV. It showcases the glamorous diva lip-synching the song and during the break, she dances with the video dividing her in double vision as she spins around. Despite the rudimentary production values, it was an early BET favorite. However, it was conspicuously left off of her best-selling VHS, and later DVD, compilation Visions of Diana Ross.
Personnel
[edit]- Diana Ross − lead vocals, backing vocals, producer
- 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, New York City − mastering
- Bob Kulick − lead guitar
Charts
[edit]"Mirror Mirror" became another hit for Ross, reaching No. 2 on the soul singles chart and peaking at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100.[1] It became her second top ten hit after leaving her longtime label, Motown, in the summer of 1981.
Weekly charts[edit]
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Year-end charts[edit]
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Live performances
[edit]- "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.[citation needed]
- "Mirror Mirror" debuted live on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1981)[citation needed]
References
[edit]- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits, 8th Edition (Billboard Publications)
- ^ "Diana Ross – Mirror Mirror" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
- ^ "CAN Charts > Diana Ross". RPM. Archived from the original on March 13, 2014. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
- ^ 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 July 4, 2022.
- ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Diana Ross" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
- ^ "Diana Ross – Mirror Mirror" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
- ^ "Diana Ross – Mirror Mirror". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
- ^ "Diana Ross: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
- ^ "Diana Ross Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
- ^ "Diana Ross Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
- ^ "Diana Ross Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
- ^ "Talent in Action : Top Pop Singles". Billboard. 94 (51): TIA-20. December 25, 1982.