About the song
“Slow Hand” is a captivating track performed by the renowned American vocal group The Pointer Sisters, featured on their eighth studio album, *Black & White* (1981). Released in May 1981 as the lead single from the album by the Planet label, the song was crafted by the talented songwriting duo Michael Clark and John Bettis. Despite its sultry allure reminiscent of the Pointer Sisters’ earlier hit “Fire” from 1978, “Slow Hand” was not originally intended for the group. As John Bettis later revealed, the Pointer Sisters were far from the composers’ minds when the song was written.
Nevertheless, the track was destined for success. Producer Richard Perry had an innate confidence in the song’s potential, believing that “Slow Hand” would not only become an instant hit but also echo and enhance the sensuality of “Fire.” His prediction proved accurate. The song quickly soared to the top of the charts, reaching an impressive number two position on the Billboard Hot 100 for three consecutive weeks in August 1981. It narrowly missed the top spot, being held back only by “Endless Love” by Diana Ross and Lionel Richie. Additionally, “Slow Hand” made a significant impact on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, climbing to number seven.
In September 1981, the single earned a Gold certification from the RIAA, further cementing its success. The song not only bolstered the Pointer Sisters’ standing in the American music scene but also marked their breakthrough on the international stage. It was their first track to enter the top ten on the UK Singles Chart, broadening their global appeal and solidifying their place in music history.
Video
Lyrics
As the midnight moon, was drifting through
The lazy sway of the trees
I saw the look in your eyes, lookin’ into mine
Seeing what you wanted to see
Darlin’ don’t say a word, cause I already heard
What your body’s sayin’ to mine
I’m tired of fast moves
I’ve got a slow groove
On my mind
I want a man with a slow hand
I want a lover with an easy touch
I want somebody who will spend some time
Not come and go in a heated rush
I want somebody who will understand
When it comes to love, I want a slow hand
On shadowed ground, with no one around
And a blanket of stars in our eyes
We are drifting free, like two lost leaves
On the crazy wind of the night
Darlin’, don’t say a word, ’cause I already heard
What your body’s sayin’ to mine
If I want it all night
You say it’s alright
We got the time
‘Cause I got a man with a slow hand
I got a lover with an easy touch
I got somebody who will spend some time
Not come and go in a heated rush
I found somebody who will understand
When it comes to love, I want a slow hand
If I want it all night
Please say it’s alright
It’s not a fast move
But a slow groove
On my mind
‘Cause I got a man with a slow hand
I got a lover with an easy touch
I found somebody who will spend some time
Not come and go in a heated rush
I found somebody who will understand
I found a lover with a slow hand
Oh, lover with the slow hand
And I get all excited with his easy touch
I found somebody who will spend the night
Not come and go in a heated rush