Which Way is Up? is a 1977 comedy film starring Richard Pryor. It was directed by Michael Schultz, and is a remake of the 1972 Italian film The Seduction of Mimi, which was written and directed by Lina Wertmüller. Pryor plays three roles: an orange picker who plays with two women, the orange-picker's father and a Reverend who gets the orange picker's wife pregnant.
When he falls into a union action by mistake, Leroy Jones is laid off from his job picking oranges. The only option given to find work to provide for his wife Annie Mae, their kids, and his father Rufus, is to leave them behind and go to Los Angeles, where more jobs are available. While he is away, Leroy becomes smitten with Vanetta, a beautiful labor activist. When he returns home, he has to juggle his wife, his new romance with Vanetta and his new job. Meanwhile, the Rev. Lennox Thomas takes advantage of Leroy's absence to cavort with Annie Mae, leading Leroy to take revenge with the reverend's wife.
Which way is up, what's goin' down?
I just don't know, no
I don't know, I don't know
C'mon turn around
Which way is up, what's goin' down?
The world is moving much too fast
Enjoy the good things and make them last
Each day there's something new to learn
Everyday is a new way for what you learn
I've gotta make money, I've got to live
I'm not complainin?, that's just the way it is
A ball and chain around my neck
The more I dig out, the deeper I get
Which way is up, what's goin' down?
I just don't know, no
C'mon turn around, people
Which way is up, what's goin' down?
I just don't know, no
C'mon turn around
Got a whole new outlook on life itself
I'm gonna make it, won?t settle for nothin' else
It's upto me to achieve it
And I know I will 'coz I believe it
The more I know, the more I'll grow
Knowledge is key and I wanna flow
This ball and chain is comin' off my neck
I'm gonna pick this ball and chain
I'm gonna put it in check
Which way is up, what's goin' down?
I just don't know, no
C'mon turn around, help me
Which way is up, which way is up?
Which way is up? That way
Which way is up?
Which way?
Which way?
Which way? That way
Which way? That way