The single became her first #1 single in the UK since "I'm Still Waiting" in 1971. The song also reached #1 in Australia and was the top selling single of the year (1986) in that country. In New Zealand, it peaked at #3.
The song fared poorly in the USA where it initially peaked at #95 on the Billboard Hot 100 late in 1985. A few months later, a remixed version of the song was issued as a single (Ross performed this version of the song on the American Music Awards, which she hosted that year). The new version re-entered the chart and performed better, but with the diminished momentum, it stalled at #66. Twenty-six years later - 2012 - it stands as Diana's last appearance on the Hot 100.
Chain Reaction
Diana Ross Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You got a pedestal and put me on it
You made me love you out of feeling nothing
Something that you do
Oh, and I was there, not dancing with anyone
You took a little, then you took me over
You set your mark on stealing my heart away
Crying, trying, anything for you
I'm in the middle of a chain reaction (chain reaction)
You give me all the after-midnight action (don't pass me by)
I want to get you where I can let you make
All that love to me
I'm on a journey for the inspiration (inspiration)
To anywhere and there ain't no salvation (don't make me cry)
I need you to get me nearer to you
So you can set me free
We talk about love, love, love
We talk about love
We talk about love, love, love
We talk about love
You make me tremble when your hand moves lower (in love)
You taste a little then you swallow slower (in love, in love)
Nature has a way of yielding treasure
Pleasure made for you, oh
You gotta plan, your future is on the run
Shine a light for the whole world over
You never find your love if you hide away
Crying, dying, all you gotta do is
Get in the middle of a chain reaction (chain reaction)
You get a medal when you're lost in action (don't pass me by)
I want to get your love all ready (come love with me)
For the sweet sensation, instant radiation
You let me hold you for the first explosion (first explosion)
We get a picture of our love in motion (don't make me cry)
My arms will cover, my lips will smother you
With no more left to say
We talk about love, love, love
We talk about love
You let me hold you for the first explosion (chain reaction)
My arms will cover you
All you gotta do
(You get in the middle of a chain reaction) a chain reaction
(You get a medal when you're lost in action) don't pass me by
(I want to get your love all ready) said, love with me
(For the sweet sensation, instant radiation) oh, oh
(You let me hold you for the first explosion) the first explosion
(We get a picture of our love in motion) your crazy love
(My arms will cover, my lips will smother you)
(With no more left to say) all you gotta do
(Get in the middle of a chain reaction) a chain reaction
(You get a medal when you're lost in action) don't pass me by
(I want to get your love so ready) come love with me
(For the sweet sensation, instant radiation) oh, oh
(You let me hold you for the first explosion) the first explosion
(We get a picture of our love in motion)
The song "Chain Reaction" by Diana Ross, talks about how love can take two individuals who may not know each other very well and transform them into a state of desire for one another. The first verse describes how the subject of the song took a mystery and made the singer want it. Then, the individual puts the singer on a pedestal, which makes her fall in love "out of feeling nothing." The individual takes a little, then takes her over, and puts a mark on her heart. The chorus says she is in the middle of a chain reaction and wants the inspiration to get closer to the subject. The second verse talks about how the subject makes the singer tremble and how nature yields everything that brings pleasure. The bridge explains how the individual has a plan and the future is on the run. All the singer has to do is get in the middle of the chain reaction, and everything will fall into place.
Overall, "Chain Reaction" is a love song that portrays falling in love out of nowhere. It speaks to how love can happen at any time and to anyone. It also discusses taking risks to find love and not hiding away. Ultimately, the song suggests that love can bring individuals together as they move toward the future.
Line by Line Meaning
You took a mystery and made me want it
You presented something unknown to me and I became intrigued by it
You got a pedestal and put me on it
You placed me in a position of high regard and admiration
You made me love you out of feeling nothing
You inspired me to love you despite not having any initial strong feelings for you
Something that you do
It was something about your actions or behavior that caused my love to grow
Oh, and I was there, not dancing with anyone
I was present physically but emotionally unattached to anyone else
You took a little, then you took me over
You started with a small impact but eventually took total control over my emotions
You set your mark on stealing my heart away
You made your intentions clear about wanting to win and keep my heart for yourself
Crying, trying, anything for you
I was willing to put in effort and sacrifice for your sake
I'm in the middle of a chain reaction (chain reaction)
I'm currently experiencing a series of events that are causing my emotions to escalate
You give me all the after-midnight action (don't pass me by)
You provide me with heightened excitement and enjoyment in the late hours, as I don't want to miss out on this
I want to get you where I can let you make
All that love to me
I desire to be close to you and allow you to express your love to me physically
I'm on a journey for the inspiration (inspiration)
I'm searching for something or someone that inspires and motivates me to move forward
To anywhere and there ain't no salvation (don't make me cry)
I'm willing to go anywhere, even if there's no escape or rescue from hardship, but I hope you won't cause me emotional pain
I need you to get me nearer to you
So you can set me free
I require your presence to bring me closer to you and set me free from any emotional burdens
We talk about love, love, love
We talk about love
We discuss and contemplate the subject of love frequently
You make me tremble when your hand moves lower (in love)
Your touch creates sensations in my body that cause me to quiver, due to being in love with you
You taste a little then you swallow slower (in love, in love)
You consume things with more care and deliberation, because you're in love
Nature has a way of yielding treasure
Pleasure made for you, oh
The natural world has a tendency to provide rewards or pleasures that are meant for you
You gotta plan, your future is on the run
You have a strategy for your future that's fast-paced and moving ahead quickly
Shine a light for the whole world over
You bring illumination or guidance to the entire world, through your actions or beliefs
You never find your love if you hide away
You won't discover true love if you avoid taking risks or being vulnerable with others
Crying, dying, all you gotta do is
Feeling sad or hopeless can be resolved by simply taking action
You get a medal when you're lost in action (don't pass me by)
You receive recognition or praise, even when you're faced with challenges or setbacks, so please don't ignore me
I want to get your love all ready (come love with me)
I'm eager and prepared to receive your love, and I invite you to share it with me
For the sweet sensation, instant radiation
You let me hold you for the first explosion (first explosion)
If we embrace each other, there will be an immediate and strong release of positive energy, like the first explosion of a chemical reaction
We get a picture of our love in motion (don't make me cry)
Our love will be captured and developed over time like a moving picture, but I hope it won't cause me to become emotional
My arms will cover, my lips will smother you
I will embrace you tightly and shower you with kisses
With no more left to say
We've exhausted all the words we need to express our feelings
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Barry Gibb, Maurice Gibb, Robin Gibb
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bewarethedecks
Trying to clarify some earlier posts. The Bee Gees wrote and produced albums for different artists during the early 80s.
On those albums, with only a few exceptions, Barry was the only brother to record background vocals on the various songs. The exceptions are on Kenny Rogers "Eyes That See In The Dark". There, Maurice is credited with some background work...and...all three brothers sang backing vocals on "Living With You".
The albums the Gibb brothers worked on during the early 80's were well received overseas, but, didn't do all that well here in the US.
The success of the "Saturday Night Fever" soundtrack made the Bee Gees the main target of the Disco Backlash. Their 1981 album "Living Eyes" sank quietly and the brothers put their own studio projects on hold to produce albums for others until the Backlash was over.
In hindsight, the albums by Kenny Rogers, Dionne Warwick and Diana Ross were quite good indeed. Sadly, they were largely ignored by radio stations due to the Bee Gees being deemed a liability at that point in time.
@darrellwallace4182
This song is so under rated!
It's pop perfection! The beat, the chorus, the hook......it's flawlessly created and Diana Ross delivers it magnificently!
Love it, love it LOVE IT!!!❤❤❤❤
@juliereminiec4937
darrell ,would this song be a good cover for A All female power Metal band ?
@MSMNBC
This video is saying alot with the volume off.
@jacquelinehunter7483
How can you possibly go wrong with Diana Ross and the Bee Gees?? YOU CAN'T!! YOU JUST CAN'T!! LOVE IT!!❤❤🎶2020
@durango8882
Motortown! 👏🏻
@jmnny85
This!! 👍
@tommyz9910
It is an impossibility.
@Charlotte333
I ❤️ this …
@victor_dakota7986
One of Diana's MOST UNDERRATED songs EVER!!!! Love this song!!
@azsunshine711
Me too! Brings back awesome memories!