Pointer Sisters-Break Out

If you were growing up in the 70's and 80's, and listening to the radio, the Pointer Sisters were ubiquitous; their songs saturated the airwaves.  There was not a time that I didn't enjoy one of their many hits, and this blog will focus on the singles of  their Triple Platinum album Break out.

When the Pointers were recording songs for what would become Break Out, they were already stars in their own right.  They had a Grammy to their name for Best Country Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group for a song that they wrote called Fairytale.  They had amassed several gold singles and gold albums, and they had a massive hits in the early 80's with songs like He's So Shy and Slow Hand.

The album, prior to Break Out, was entitled So Excited.  The first single off the album was the snoozer American Music, which charted in the Pop Top Twenty.  The song's sluggish performance  affected the second single that was released entitled I'm So Excited, charting at a disappointing #30 on the Pop Charts.

 The Sisters and their producer, Richard Perry, were frustrated that I'm So Excited was not the hit it deserved to be.  So, for their next album, Perry started looking for songs that would reestablish the Pointers with a African American  audience.  It was his belief that African American recording artists should have a strong fan base with their own race.  Perry heard a song called Nightline, that Michael Jackson had recorded and was considering to have on his mega hit album, Thriller (Have you heard  of that album?).  When Jackson decided to not use it, Perry snagged Nightline for the Pointer Sisters.  Perry's idea was to use Nightline as the blueprint for the album.  All the songs that were to be included had to be just as good or better than it.  Thus, the search was on.  Perry and the Pointers found the following tracks and Break Out was completed.

I Need You:  This song was the first single to be released off of Break Out.  There was a method to the madness: it was the most R&B worthy song and it was aimed for their black audience.  The Pointers connected with the song immediately, as they found the lyrics to be how they felt about each other in life.  I do like the song too, as it reminds me of Paula, Sarah, and Hannah and how important they are to me.  This genuine, and more emotional song charted at number 48 on the Pop listings, and number 13 R&B.

Automatic: I have to admit, this gem was my absolute favorite when released.  I love the thumping bass, and the Ruth Pointer's smokey contralto vocals.  I have to share something with you: when I first heard this song, I thought it was a dude singing it.  No joke.  It turns out that Automatic was the last song recorded for the album and black radio demanded that it be released as the second single.  Automatic gave the Pointers a number one R&B hit, the second one they had since How Long (Betcha Got a Chick on the Side).  Automatic reached its peak at number 5 on the Pop chart, giving Ruth Pointer a show piece just for her.

Jump (For My Love):  This song was the THE hit of the album, and is what the Pointer Sisters are remembered for in their long line of hit singles.  Lead vocals were handled by June Pointer, the percussive beat, June's fiery lead and the joyous harmonies all made Jump the hit that is best remembered today! If you ask someone to name a Pointer Sisters tune, this song is most likely the one they responded with as the answer.  The song peaked at number 3 on the pop and R&B charts.

I'm So Excited: Remember when I said earlier that this song was kinda of a dud for the Pointers upon its initial release?  After Automatic and Jump (For My Love) had been released, one of the executives at Planet Records had the brilliant idea of releasing the track again, striking while the iron was hot.  With a slightly remixed track, I'm So Excited took radio by storm.  Lead by Anita Pointer, the song finally got the fame it deserved.  The song shot into the Pop Top Ten and landed at number 9, and I still hear this song whenever I turn the radio to Mix 107.7.  In a move that was unheard of at the time, Break Out was reissued to capitalize the success of I'm So Excited.  Because of license restrictions, one of the 10 tracks had to be dumped.  The track, Nightline, once the blueprint of Break Out, was dropped to make room for I'm So Excited.  The entire album's tracks were reorganized and released with a new song sequence.

Neutron Dance:  This was the song that managed to killed two birds with one stone.  How you ask?  At the time the song was released, Richard Perry got a call from the producers of the film Beverly Hills Cop.  They wanted a song that no one had heard of, and used Neutron Dance as their example.  Perry had the shrewd idea of suggesting the song to them, telling the producers that it was sure fire hit, and to get on board because it was the next song to be released from Break Out.  Neutron Dance, again showcasing Ruth Pointer's gospel infused vocals, shot up the charts and landed at number 6 on the Pop Charts.  When it was added to the soundtrack of Beverly Hills Cop soundtrack, the song helped to sell another million copies of the soundtrack AND Break Out.  Not a bad day's work for the little engine that could.

Baby Come and Get It: This was the sixth and final single released off of Break Out.  When being interviewed, Richard Perry admitted that he got greedy with this one.  Because of the other songs were doing so well, he felt this one would have enough juice to become a hit.  There isn't anything wrong with the song per se, but compared to the other blockbusters singles that preceded it, it falls short.  I do recall hearing it a time or two on the radio and that was it.  Another feisty lead by June, Baby Come and Get It peaked at number 44 Pop, and number 24 R&B.

When released, Break Out quickly became the hallmark of the Pointer Sisters recording career.  The album peaked at number 8 on the Pop Album charts and sold in excess of 3 million copies, and was certified Triple Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).  Before its release, the Pointers were given a bad rap.  They could sell singles, but not albums.  Break Out changed all that for the Pointers.  This was their first platinum album, and the first multi-platinum album to boot.

In Early 1985, Break Out netted the Sisters some pretty impressive hardware.  First was the American Music Awards, where they were won twice for Favorite Band Duo or Group (R&B) and Favorite Group Video Artist (R&B).  Next, the Pointers won two Grammy Awards:  One for Automatic for Best Vocal Arrangement for Two or More Voices, and one for Jump (For My Love) for Best Pop Performance by Duo or Group.

Break Out is just simply one of the albums that I love to listen to when I want a Pointer Sisters fix.  If you haven't heard the album in its entirety, I urge you to look it up.  Get ready to get up and dance and to relive some wonderful memories of days gone by.

If you are a music nut like me, you can purchase Break Out, the Deluxe Edition from Amazon.  The package features not only the original version of the album that included Nightline, but also the re sequenced release and the single versions of the songs listed above.  Have a listen and let me know your thoughts.