Whatzupwitu

Album: Love's Alright (1993)
Charted: 121
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Long before Budweiser popularized the "Whatzuuuuup" catchphrase, Eddie Murphy made a song out of it, asking "Whatzupwitu."

    Murphy is a legendary comedian and a capable singer who had some famous friends that enabled his music endeavors. In 1985, he had a huge hit with "Party All the Time," written and produced by Rick James. "Whatzupwitu" features vocals from Michael Jackson, who also appears in the video. The novelty of Murphy singing had passed, so Jackson was the real draw on this one. He was still red hot, floating on a number of hits from his 1991 Dangerous album and not yet embroiled in legal issues. Murphy starred in the video for Jackson's Dangerous track "Remember The Time" along with Magic Johnson.

    Jackson's starpower got the song some airplay on pop radio and MTV, but it got a tepid response. Murphy's Love's Alright album stiffed, and he didn't return to music until 2013, when he released a single called "Promise (You Won't Break My Heart)."
  • Murphy wrote this song with producer Trenten Gumbs. The lyrics take a look at our place in the universe, and how unlike other living things, we tend to kill each other.
  • Wayne Isham directed the video, which finds Murphy, Jackson, and the Boys Choir Of Harlem (who sing on the track) in a virtual world populated by clouds, peace symbols and flying hearts. It didn't age well - compositing technology was still sketchy.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Jon Oliva of Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Jon Oliva of Trans-Siberian OrchestraSongwriter Interviews

Writing great prog metal isn't easy, especially when it's for 60 musicians.

John Doe of X

John Doe of XSongwriter Interviews

With his X-wife Exene, John fronts the band X and writes their songs.

Stan Ridgway

Stan RidgwaySongwriter Interviews

Go beyond the Wall of Voodoo with this cinematic songwriter.

Don Dokken

Don DokkenSongwriter Interviews

Dokken frontman Don Dokken explains what broke up the band at the height of their success in the late '80s, and talks about the botched surgery that paralyzed his right arm.

Kevin Godley

Kevin GodleySongwriter Interviews

Kevin Godley talks about directing classic videos for The Police, U2 and Duran Duran, and discusses song and videos he made with 10cc and Godley & Creme.

Richard Marx

Richard MarxSongwriter Interviews

Richard explains how Joe Walsh kickstarted his career, and why he chose Hazard, Nebraska for a hit.