Knocked Out

"Knocked Out" is the debut single by American singer and dancer Paula Abdul, released on May 4, 1988 by Virgin Records from her debut album, Forever Your Girl (1988). The song was written by Babyface, L.A. Reid and Daryl Simmons and produced in 1987 by the former two. Babyface and Simmons also provide background vocals with Pebbles and Yvette Marine.

Critical reception
Paul Mathur from Melody Maker wrote, "Paula isn't as clever as Jessica but she's almost as accomplished in the art of artifice. When she sings, plastic takes on whole new forms, Madonna looks like Joni Mitchell and I'm humming for weeks. She cuts her soul pop jib with scissors the size of shears, but she doesn't give two hoots, and for that alone we should cherish her."

Personnel

 * Paula Abdul: lead and background vocals
 * Babyface: songwriter, producer, arranger, keyboards, background vocals
 * L.A. Reid: songwriter, producer, arranger, LM-1 programming, percussion programming
 * Daryl Simmons: songwriter, arranger, background vocals
 * Kayo: Memory Moog bass
 * Pebbles, Yvette Marine: background vocals