Theme from Mahogany (Do You Know Where You're Going To)
"Theme from Mahogany (Do You Know Where You're Going To)" is a song written by Michael Masser and Gerry Goffin and produced by Masser. It was initially recorded by American singer Thelma Houston in 1973, and then by Diana Ross as the theme to the 1975 Motown/Paramount film Mahogany that also starred Ross.[1] The song was released on September 24, 1975 by Motown Records as the lead single for both the film's soundtrack and Ross' seventh studio album, Diana Ross. Masser and Goffin received a nomination for Best Original Song at the 48th Academy Awards. Also, the song was nominated for AFI's 100 Years...100 Songs list constructed by the American Film Institute in 2004.
| "Theme from Mahogany (Do You Know Where You're Going To)" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Diana Ross | ||||
| from the album Mahogany | ||||
| B-side | "No One's Gonna Be a Fool Forever" | |||
| Released | September 24, 1975 | |||
| Recorded | 1975 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 3:25 | |||
| Label | Motown | |||
| Songwriter(s) | ||||
| Producer(s) | Michael Masser | |||
| Diana Ross singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Production notes edit
Produced by Masser, the song is a ballad that portrays its protagonist (Ross) as a black woman who becomes a successful Rome fashion designer.[citation needed]
Recorded with a full orchestral accompaniment, "Theme from Mahogany" became one of the most recognizable elements of the film, receiving praise from many critics.[citation needed]
Later released as a single, "Theme from Mahogany" became a number-one hit on both the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, and the Easy Listening charts.[2]
The song was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Song. Ross performed the song live at the Academy Awards ceremony via satellite from Amsterdam, the Netherlands.[citation needed]
Record World said that "Diana handles [the song] with consummate ease" and that "her frail but stunningly effective voice is captured amidst a soulful tapestry of sound."[3]
Personnel edit
- Diana Ross – vocals
- Leland Sklar – electric bass
- Hal Blaine – drums
- Lee Holdridge – arranger
Release and track listing edit
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Theme from Mahogany (Do You Know Where You're Going To)" | Gerry Goffin, Michael Masser | 3:19 |
| 2. | "No One's Gonna Be a Fool Forever" | Michael Masser, Pam Sawyer | 3:18 |
Chart performance edit
Weekly charts edit
| Year-end charts edit
|
Other versions edit
- Singer Thelma Houston was the first artist to record the song in 1973.
- French singer Nicole Rieu released a French-language version the song (titled "En courant") as a single in 1976.
- Dinah Shore recorded the song for her album Dinah! in 1976.
- Johnny Mathis included the song on his album I Only Have Eyes for You in 1976.
- Shirley Bassey included the song on her album Sings the Movies in 1995.
- 2 Brothers on the 4th Floor released a rap version of the song in 1998.
- Mariah Carey included the song on her 1998 compilation album, #1's, as an international bonus track.
- Jennifer Lopez included the song on her 1999 album On the 6, as an international bonus track.
- Tina Arena covered the song for her 2007 album Songs of Love & Loss, which also included a version of Ross' "Love Hangover".
- Filipina singer Juris included the song on her 2013 album Dreaming of You.
- Pianist Richard Clayderman included the song on his 2015 album Essential Love Songs.
See also edit
References edit
- ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas (2003). "Diana Ross". In Bogdanov, Vladimir; Woodstra, Chris; Erlewine, Stephen Thomas (eds.). All Music Guide to Soul. Allmusic. San Francisco: Backbeat Books. p. 587. ISBN 0-87930-744-7. Retrieved 2008-05-17.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2002). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961-2001. Record Research. p. 210.
- ^ "Hits of the Week" (PDF). Record World. October 11, 1975. p. 1. Retrieved 2023-03-09.
- ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970-1992. St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- ^ "Diana Ross – Theme from Mahogany (Do You Know Where You're Going To)" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
- ^ "Diana Ross – Theme from Mahogany (Do You Know Where You're Going To)" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
- ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 4071a." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
- ^ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 4060." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
- ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Do You Know Where You're Going To". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
- ^ Racca, Guido (2019). M&D Borsa Singoli 1960–2019 (in Italian). Independently Published. ISBN 9781093264906.
- ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Diana Ross" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
- ^ "Diana Ross – Theme from Mahogany (Do You Know Where You're Going To)" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
- ^ "Diana Ross – Do You Know Where You're Going To". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
- ^ "Diana Ross: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
- ^ "Diana Ross Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
- ^ "Diana Ross Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
- ^ "Diana Ross Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
- ^ "Cash Box Top Singles - 1976". Retrieved 2016-06-11.
- ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 5173a." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
- ^ "Top 100 1976 - UK Music Charts". Uk-charts.top-source.info. Retrieved 2016-10-10.
- ^ "Top 100 Hits of 1976/Top 100 Songs of 1976". Musicoutfitters.com. Retrieved 2016-10-10.
- ^ Top 50 Adult Contemporary Hits of 1976
- ^ . Cashbox Magazine. Archived from the original on 2012-08-25. Retrieved 2016-06-05.