<P> "The Only Way Is Up" is a song written by George Jackson and Johnny Henderson and originally released in 1980 as a single by soul singer Otis Clay . In 1988, it became a chart - topping single for Yazz and the Plastic Population . The song is the official theme tune for award - winning ITV2 series The Only Way Is Essex . The song was a favourite of M People's, who would frequently play it on their live tours . The band's lead singer, Heather Small, has described it as her favourite song, and once explained that, should she ever be anywhere, this is the song that she would sing . </P> <P> The song was first recorded by Otis Clay and released as a single on the Echo label in 1980 . Though not a hit at the time, the song became the title track of Clay's 1982 LP, The Only Way Is Up . </P> <P> The Yazz version was produced by Jonathan More and Matt Black (better known as dance duo Coldcut, who had worked with Yazz on their hit single "Doctorin' the House"). Released as a single in July 1988, "The Only Way Is Up" became an instant smash hit, spending five weeks at number one in the United Kingdom, and ultimately becoming the second biggest selling single of the year . In the United States, however, it fared less well, peaking at number 96 on the Billboard Hot 100, though it did reach number two on the Billboard dance chart . </P> <P> The cover version's opening horn blast is a sample from Sharon Redd's 1982 dance classic "Beat the Street". </P>

When was yazz the only way is up