"Give It Up" is a song by American disco group KC and the Sunshine Band, although it was simply credited as KC in many countries, including the US. Following the backlash against many disco artists on the charts at the beginning of the 1980s, the song was a comeback hit for the act in the US. Epic Records refused to release it; however, the independent Meca Records label showed its support and the song peaked at No. 18 on the BillboardHot 100 in March 1984. The song had been an even bigger hit in the UK several months earlier, where it had hit No. 1 for three weeks in August 1983. It went on to become the 18th best-selling single of the year in the UK. It was the last of the band's hits in the US and UK, and the most successful of its 10 UK hits. In 1993 Danish group Cut 'N' Move scored a big hit with their version of "Give It Up", which went to number-one in Australia and Denmark.
In 1993, "Give It Up" was covered by Danish dance group Cut 'N' Move. Their version was very successful in several countries between 1993 and 1994, selling over one million copies. It reached number-one in Denmark for five weeks and in Australia for four weeks. The song also peaked at number 2 in Norway, number 5 in New Zealand and number 6 in Austria, Germany and Sweden. On the Eurochart Hot 100, it reached number 31 in August 1993. "Give It Up" was the first Danish record to hit the German Top 10 in a decade and was certified Gold there. In Australia, it was certified Platinum. It is sung by Zindy Laursen and Thera Hoeymans. A colorful music video was made to accompany the song. Cut 'N' Move covered the song again in 1997 for Dancemania Covers.
Track listing
Charts
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
Chart
Position
Australia
13
New Zealand
32
Certifications
Cover versions
In 1998, the song was covered by Québécois singer Jacynthe, both as a solo cover version, one in French, and one as a collaboration with K.C. himself. The song was covered by Captain Jack in 2003 on their album Party Warriors. It was covered by the German pop bandbeFour on their 2008 album We Stand United. It was covered by Annie Lennox and Chrissie Hynde during a live performance at the Royal Albert Hall in London. "Love You Long Time" by The Black Eyed Peas, from their 2010 album The Beginning, contains a sample of "Give It Up".
A version of the song is also sung by the Barmy Army for England batter Alastair Cook, with the words "Ali, Ali Cook" replacing "Baby, Give it up". For the final few overs of day four of Cook's final test match at The Oval, the song was sung continuously by the raucous crowd- led by Cook's friends in a hospitality box.
The song is heard in Richmond Valentine's lair when Valentine activates the V-Day program in .
The song was featured as the closing theme for Obrolan Artis dalam Berita, an infotainment program on Indonesian television network SCTV from its debut in 2002 until the final episode in early 2005.
The song was featured in the last series of Play Away performed by Brian Cant, Floella Benjamin and Tony Robinson and arranged by Jonathan Cohen, broadcast on 7 January 1984. It was wiped by the BBC but has now been returned following a YouTube upload.
At Queen's University, the song is used for the "Clark Hall Pub Dance", an engineering tradition performed at frosh week, sporting events, and other large gatherings.
The song is chanted by Ajax supporters in their appreciation of Donny van de Beek.
The song is played at the beginning of concerts by Scottish singer Gerry Cinnamon.
