8EEZ Playlist: The Pointer Sisters

Hello one and all.

This third entry in my duelling playlist with my good buddy, Calvin Cherry (who earned the nickname Oates on account I have blond hair like Daryl Hall), is devoted to an artist or group from the Reagan/Bush era that saw the rise of Jazzercise, the Cabbage Patch Kids, Freddy Krueger and the Iran Contra affair.

The first is a group from Oakland, CA who started like most girl groups in the Christian gospel music milieu. They were a quartet of sisters; Ruth, Bonnie, Anita and June, all sang in their father's choir and were fed a steady diet of gospel songs and Christian music—no secular music at all. After a few background vocal gigs, they were signed to Blue Thumb records where they scored a hit in 1973 with "Yes, We Can Can."

After a lineup change (Bonnie dropped out, as did June, briefly) and a new producer, Richard Perry, who was responsible for launching the careers of Carly Simon and Ringo Starr, the duo-subsequently-back-to-a-trio made it to number two with a country-tinged, R&B ballad, "Fire" in 1979. The song was a cover of a Bruce Springsteen song sent to the late Elvis Presley in the hopes of him recording it.

By 1980, a torchy, disco-ballad, "He's So Shy" launched their 1980s careers and the rest, as they say, is history. They became one of the most popular, influential dance/R&B girl groups who spawned hit after hit after hit etc. etc. They were also one of the rare pop family acts who were all-female (sisters) in the 1980s.

As per requested by me, my buddy Oates gave me his list of Pointer faves.

Cherry's Picks:

5. "I'm So Excited" (1982/1983)

This song was a chart hit in 1982 that launched their patented dance sound. A head-bopping, fun, pop/dance confection that gave the sisters a nice dose of fame. It was, however, remixed for their breakout album, ironically entitled Break Out and re-released in 1984 and peaked at number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100. Their sexy MTV video allowed the sisters to cavort in lingerie and show their sexy (and very secular) sides.

4. "Fire" (1979)

As aforementioned, Bruce Springsteen sent "Fire" to Elvis Presley for the purpose of recording it, but sadly, the King of Rock N' Roll didn't live long enough to do so. A rockabilly singer named Robert Gordon with Link Wray recorded it in 1978. But the Sisters would have the most successful rendition under Richard Perry's production and signed to his Planet label. It was also the rare song by a black group/artist with a very blatant country music style.

3. "Automatic" (1983)

The oddest song in their repertoire in that it wasn't quick to recognize the Sisters, despite having all the right ingredients. A robotic, funk/dance, R&B confection that had the distinction of having Ruth's deep bass, androgynous vocals. It went Top 5 and they scored a major hit on the Disco/Dance charts.

2. "He's So Shy" (1980)

Another rarity. A sweet-tempered disco-ballad with innocent lyrics and a nice, 60s-style girl group flavoring. Just as Disco was on its last hind legs, the Sisters still brought us to the dance floor.

1. "Jump (For My Love) (1983)

A top-tapping synth/dance/pop Hi-NRG track that gets your heart thumping and your hands slapping that thigh and those hips swaying. It was released as "Jump" only, but tacked on the subtitle when the L.A. family metal act Van Halen scored a number one smash with their massively MTV-rotated hit, "Jump."

My Picks:

5. "Slow Hand" (1981)

Another torchy ballad with strong country overtones that became their second biggest smash hit since "Fire." One could argue that the Sisters scored their biggest pop hits with country music-styled records.

4. "Neutron Dance" (1983)

From the moment the jerky synthesizer opening takes hold, you're in the zone. A great song to exercise to, jump up and down, bounce off the walls or even get into a ten-car pile-up. Actually, it was used in the opening of a said pile-up in the Eddie Murphy comedy box-office smash Beverly Hills Cop.

3. "Automatic" (1983)

It also made my cut. The song was such an enigma to those who didn't listen to Casey Kasem's AT40 show wondering if the singer was either male or female. Those who were not in the know were left wondering until D.J's announced the artist or left it to Casey K. to inform us. It went Top 5 in the summer of 1984.

2. "I'm So Excited" (1982/1983)

With their many hits, they're still known for this as their main signature song. It would be featured in countless movie and television shows. Used also in video games and just about any birthday party, Bar Mitzvah, and celebration known to man. The juicy, bouncy track has kept the Sisters in royalty checks for ages, I imagine. There is, however, one little-known fact about the song.

It's about achieving orgasm.

And finally...

1. "He's So Shy" (1980)

MY choice for the Sister's cut. It's either the sexy, come-hither lyrics or the snappy disco beat that gets my toes dancing a jig. Maybe it's the late June Pointer's girlish sweetness that comes across in her singing. So many reasons—but, it's undeniable. It's a winner.

Until next time.