"Slow Hand" is a song recorded by American vocal group the Pointer Sisters for their eighth studio album Black & White (1981). The song, written by Michael Clark and John Bettis, was released by the Planet label in May 1981 as the lead single from Black & White.
Background and impact Although its sultry style recalls the Pointer Sisters' first American top-ten hit, the 1978 number two hit "Fire", "Slow Hand" was not written for the group; in fact John Bettis stated that "the Pointer Sisters were the furthest [act] from [the composers'] minds."Billboard vol. 93 #33 (August 22, 1981) p. However producer Richard Perry said he "knew 'Slow Hand' [would be] an instant smash [hit]...that...would recapitulate and expand on the intimacy [of] 'Fire'."Daily Sentinel (Grand Junction Colorado) 13 November 1981 "The Pointer Sisters' Sound: a musical evolution" by Abe Peck p. 16 (The Entertainer). Like "Fire"—which also featured Anita Pointer on lead—"Slow Hand" peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks behind "Endless Love" by Diana Ross and Lionel Richie. "Slow Hand" reached that position in August 1981 when it also reached number seven on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. In September 1981, the single was certified Gold by the RIAA. "Slow Hand" also afforded the Pointer Sisters international success, including the first appearance by the group in the top-ten on the UK Singles Chart.
Personnel The Pointer Sisters Anita Pointer – lead vocals June Pointer – backing vocals Ruth Pointer – backing vocals
Musicians John Barnes – electric piano William "Smitty" Smith – organ Paul Jackson Jr. – guitar Tim May – guitar Nathan Watts – bass John Robinson – drums Paulinho da Costa – percussion
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (1981)Peakposition Australia (Kent Music Report) 5 Canada Top Singles (RPM) 2 France (SNEP) 55 Ireland (Irish Singles Chart) 2 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) 33 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) 6 South Africa (Springbok Radio)10 UK Singles (Official Charts Company) 10 US Billboard Hot 100 2 US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)6 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard) 7 US Cash Box Top 1002
Year-end charts Chart (1981)RankAustralia (Kent Music Report)28Canada Top Singles (RPM) 68New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)20UK Singles (Official Charts Company)100US Billboard Hot 10019US Cash Box Top 1005
Certifications
Del Reeves version The song was covered in 1981 by country singer Del Reeves, whose version peaked at #53 on the Hot Country Singles chart.
Conway Twitty version
The song was covered in April 1982 by country singer Conway Twitty with minor lyric changes to accommodate a male singer. His version, on Elektra Records, topped the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart for two weeks that June, and was his last multi-week number-one song, and his last gold record.
Weekly charts Chart (1982)PeakpositionCanadian RPM Country Tracks 6
Year-end charts Chart (1982)PositionUS Hot Country Songs (Billboard)20
Certifications
References