"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. 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 the Academy Award 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.
Release and reception
The song was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song. Diana Ross performed the song live at the 48th Academy Awards ceremony via satellite from Amsterdam.
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."
Track listing
Personnel Diana Ross – vocals Leland Sklar – electric bass Hal Blaine – drums Lee Holdridge – arranger
Chart performance
Weekly charts Chart (1975–1976) Peakposition Australia (Kent Music Report) 38 Italy (Musica e dischi) 6 US Cashbox Top 100 1
Year-end charts Chart (1976) Position UK Singles (OCC) 73 US Billboard Hot 100 43 US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)Top 50 Adult Contemporary Hits of 197629 US Cashbox Top 100 51
Other versions
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. Amii Stewart recorded the song and released it as the first single from her 1994 cover album Lady to Ladies in 1994. Shirley Bassey included the song on her album Sings the Movies in 1995. Mariah Carey included the song as a promotional single on the international versions of her compilation album #1's in 1998. Jennifer Lopez included the song on the international versions of her album On the 6 in 1999. Pete Yorn and Liz Phair recorded the song for his 2021 album Pete Yorn Sings the Classics.
See also List of number-one adult contemporary singles of 1975 (U.S.) List of Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles of 1976
References
External links List of cover versions of "Theme from Mahogany (Do You Know Where You're Going To)" at SecondHandSongs.com