# Slow Hand

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1981 single by The Pointer Sisters

This article is about the Pointer Sisters song. For the Eric Clapton album, see [Slowhand](/source/Slowhand). For other uses, see [Slow Hand (disambiguation)](/source/Slow_Hand_(disambiguation)).

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"Slow Hand" Single by The Pointer Sisters from the album Black & White B-side "Holdin' Out for Love" Released May 1981 Genre Soul[1] R&B Length 3:53 Label Planet Songwriters Michael Clark John Bettis Producer Richard Perry The Pointer Sisters singles chronology "Where Did the Time Go" (1980) "Slow Hand" (1981) "What a Surprise" (1981)

"**Slow Hand**" is a song recorded by American [vocal group](/source/Vocal_group) [the Pointer Sisters](/source/The_Pointer_Sisters) for their eighth studio [album](/source/Album) *[Black & White](/source/Black_%26_White_(Pointer_Sisters_album))* (1981). The song, written by Michael Clark and [John Bettis](/source/John_Bettis), was released by the [Planet](/source/Planet_Records) label in May 1981 as the [lead single](/source/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](/source/Fire_(Bruce_Springsteen_song))", "Slow Hand" was not written for the group; in fact [John Bettis](/source/John_Bettis) stated that "the Pointer Sisters were the furthest [act] from [the composers'] minds."[2] However producer [Richard Perry](/source/Richard_Perry) said he "knew 'Slow Hand' [would be] an instant smash [hit]...that...would recapitulate and expand on the intimacy [of] 'Fire'."[3] Like "Fire"—which also featured [Anita Pointer](/source/Anita_Pointer) on lead—"Slow Hand" peaked at number two on the [*Billboard* Hot 100](/source/Billboard_Hot_100), for three weeks, behind "[Endless Love](/source/Endless_Love_(song))" by [Diana Ross](/source/Diana_Ross) and [Lionel Richie](/source/Lionel_Richie). "Slow Hand" reached that position in August 1981 when it also reached number seven on the [Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs](/source/Hot_R%26B%2FHip-Hop_Songs) chart. In September 1981, the single was certified [Gold](/source/RIAA_certification) by the [RIAA](/source/Recording_Industry_Association_of_America).[4] "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](/source/UK_Singles_Chart).

## Personnel

**The Pointer Sisters**

- [Anita Pointer](/source/Anita_Pointer) – lead vocals

- [June Pointer](/source/June_Pointer) – backing vocals

- [Ruth Pointer](/source/Ruth_Pointer) – backing vocals

**Musicians**

- John Barnes – electric piano

- [William "Smitty" Smith](/source/William_%22Smitty%22_Smith) – [organ](/source/Electric_organ)

- [Paul Jackson Jr.](/source/Paul_Jackson_Jr.) – guitar

- Tim May – guitar

- [Nathan Watts](/source/Nathan_Watts) – bass

- [John Robinson](/source/John_Robinson_(drummer)) – drums

- [Paulinho da Costa](/source/Paulinho_da_Costa) – percussion

## Charts

Weekly charts Chart (1981) Peak position Australia (Kent Music Report)[5] 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)[6] 10 UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[7] 10 US Billboard Hot 100 2 US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[8] 6 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[9] 7 US Cash Box Top 100[10] 2 Year-end charts Chart (1981) Rank Australia (Kent Music Report)[11] 28 Canada Top Singles (RPM)[12] 68 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[13] 20 UK Singles (Official Charts Company) 100 US Billboard Hot 100[14] 19 US Cash Box Top 100[15] 5

## Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales New Zealand (RMNZ)[16] Platinum 30,000‡ ‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

## Del Reeves version

The song was covered in 1981 by country singer [Del Reeves](/source/Del_Reeves), whose version peaked at #53 on the [Hot Country Singles](/source/Hot_Country_Songs) chart.

## Conway Twitty version

"Slow Hand" Single by Conway Twitty from the album Southern Comfort B-side "When Love Was Something Else" Released April 24, 1982 Genre Country Length 2:56 Label Elektra Songwriters Michael Clark, John Bettis Producers Jimmy Bowen, Conway Twitty Conway Twitty singles chronology "The Clown" (1981) "Slow Hand" (1982) "Over Thirty (Not Over the Hill)" (1982)

The song was covered in April 1982 by country singer [Conway Twitty](/source/Conway_Twitty) with minor lyric changes to accommodate a male singer. His version, on [Elektra Records](/source/Elektra_Records), topped the *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))* [Hot Country Singles](/source/Hot_Country_Songs) chart for two weeks that June, and was his last multi-week number-one song, and his last gold record.[17]

### Weekly charts

Chart (1982) Peak position US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[18] 1 Canadian RPM Country Tracks 6

### Year-end charts

Chart (1982) Position US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[19] 20

### Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales United States (RIAA)[20] Platinum 1,000,000‡ ‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Molanphy, Chris (June 16, 2023). ["Yes We Can Edition"](https://slate.com/podcasts/hit-parade/2023/06/how-the-pointer-sisters-made-harmonies-exciting). *Hit Parade | Music History and Music Trivia* (Podcast). [Slate](/source/Slate_(magazine)). Retrieved July 1, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** *Billboard* vol. 93 #33 (August 22, 1981) p.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** *Daily Sentinel (Grand Junction Colorado)* 13 November 1981 "The Pointer Sisters' Sound: a musical evolution" by Abe Peck p. 16 (The Entertainer).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["RIAA searchable certification database: Pointer Sisters"](https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&se=pointer+sisters#search_section). Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved December 26, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-aus_5-0)** [Kent, David](/source/David_Kent_(historian)) (1993). *Australian Chart Book 1970–1992* (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 235. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-646-11917-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-646-11917-6).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["SA Charts 1965–March 1989"](http://www.rock.co.za/files/springbok_top_20_(P).html). Retrieved September 10, 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Slow Hand : The Pointer Sisters"](https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/17427/pointer-sisters/). *Officialcharts.com*. Retrieved January 2, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** [Whitburn, Joel](/source/Joel_Whitburn) (2002). *Top Adult Contemporary: 1961-2001*. Record Research. p. 194.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** [Whitburn, Joel](/source/Joel_Whitburn) (2004). *Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004*. Record Research. p. 465.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Cash Box Top 100 Singles, September 5, 1981"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150603141823/http://tropicalglen.com/Archives/80s_files/19810905.html). Archived from [the original](http://tropicalglen.com/Archives/80s_files/19810905.html) on June 3, 2015. Retrieved January 15, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-aus81_11-0)** ["National Top 100 Singles for 1981"](https://i.imgur.com/RgsDOOc.jpg). [Kent Music Report](/source/Kent_Music_Report). January 4, 1982. p. 7. Retrieved January 11, 2022 – via [Imgur](/source/Imgur).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada"](https://web.archive.org/web/20121020235834/http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?brws_s=1&file_num=nlc008388.4689&type=1&interval=24&PHPSESSID=mhe12pta2k83e08udtq66ot062). *www.collectionscanada.gc.ca*. Archived from [the original](http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?brws_s=1&file_num=nlc008388.4689&type=1&interval=24&PHPSESSID=mhe12pta2k83e08udtq66ot062) on October 20, 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["The Official New Zealand Music Chart"](https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/annual-singles/1981-12-31). *Aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Top 100 Hits of 1981/Top 100 Songs of 1981"](https://www.musicoutfitters.com/topsongs/1981.htm). *Musicoutfitters.com*. Retrieved December 25, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Cash Box YE Pop Singles - 1981"](https://web.archive.org/web/20161022115158/http://tropicalglen.com/Archives/80s_files/1981YESP.html). Archived from [the original](http://tropicalglen.com/Archives/80s_files/1981YESP.html) on October 22, 2016. Retrieved January 15, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-New_ZealandPointer_SistersSlow_HandsingleCertRef_16-0)** ["New Zealand single certifications – Pointer Sisters – Slow Hand"](https://www.radioscope.co.nz/2024/00/00/single-cert-search/). Radioscope. Retrieved September 5, 2025. *Type*Slow Hand *in the "Search:" field* *and press Enter.*

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** [Whitburn, Joel](/source/Joel_Whitburn) (2004). *The Billboard Book Of Top 40 Country Hits: 1944-2006, Second edition*. Record Research. p. 362.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-sc_Billboardcountrysongs_Conway_Twitty_18-0)** "[Conway Twitty Chart History (Hot Country Songs)](https://www.billboard.com/artist/Conway-Twitty/chart-history/CSI)". *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["Hot Country Songs – Year-End 1982"](https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1982/hot-country-songs). *Billboard*. Retrieved June 23, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-United_StatesConway_TwittySlow_HandsingleCertRef_20-0)** ["American single certifications – Conway Twitty – Slow Hand"](https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Conway+Twitty&ti=Slow+Hand&format=Single&type=#search_section). [Recording Industry Association of America](/source/Recording_Industry_Association_of_America). Retrieved June 23, 2025.

v t e The Pointer Sisters Ruth Pointer Issa Pointer Sadako Pointer Bonnie Pointer June Pointer Anita Pointer Studio albums The Pointer Sisters That's a Plenty Steppin' Having a Party Energy Priority Special Things Black & White So Excited! Break Out Contact Hot Together Serious Slammin' Right Rhythm Only Sisters Can Do That Live albums Live at the Opera House Compilation albums The Best of the Pointer Sisters Singles "Yes We Can Can" "Wang Dang Doodle" "Steam Heat" "Fairytale" "How Long (Betcha' Got a Chick on the Side)" "Fire" "Everybody Is a Star" "Happiness" "He's So Shy" "Slow Hand" "Should I Do It" "I'm So Excited" "Automatic" "Jump (For My Love)" "Neutron Dance" "Dare Me" "Sisters Are Doing It for Themselves" (with Natalia) Related articles Discography Pinball Number Count

v t e Conway Twitty Studio albums Sings Saturday Night with Conway Twitty Lonely Blue Boy I Can't See Me Without You Honky Tonk Angel I'm Not Through Loving You Yet Linda on My Mind The High Priest of Country Music Now and Then I've Already Loved You in My Mind Georgia Keeps Pulling on My Ring Cross Winds Heart & Soul Rest Your Love on Me Mr. T Southern Comfort Dream Maker Lost in the Feeling By Heart Don't Call Him a Cowboy Chasin' Rainbows Fallin' for You for Years Borderline Still in Your Dreams House on Old Lonesome Road Crazy in Love Even Now Final Touches Collaboration albums We Only Make Believe Lead Me On Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man Country Partners Dynamic Duo Compilation albums Number Ones Classic Conway Conway's Latest Greatest Hits Volume 1 Greatest Hits Volume III 25 Number Ones Notable singles "It's Only Make Believe" "Mona Lisa" "Danny Boy" "Lonely Blue Boy" "What Am I Living For" "Next in Line" "I Love You More Today" "To See My Angel Cry" "Hello Darlin'" "Fifteen Years Ago" "How Much More Can She Stand" "I Can't See Me Without You" "(Lost Her Love) On Our Last Date" "I Can't Stop Loving You" "She Needs Someone to Hold Her (When She Cries)" "You've Never Been This Far Before" "There's a Honky Tonk Angel (Who'll Take Me Back In)" "I'm Not Through Loving You Yet" "I See the Want To in Your Eyes" "Linda on My Mind" "Touch the Hand" "This Time I've Hurt Her More Than She Loves Me" "After All the Good Is Gone" "The Games That Daddies Play" "I Can't Believe She Gives It All to Me" "Play Guitar Play" "I've Already Loved You in My Mind" "Georgia Keeps Pulling on My Ring" "Boogie Grass Band" "Your Love Had Taken Me That High" "Don't Take It Away" "I May Never Get to Heaven" "Happy Birthday Darlin'" "I'd Love to Lay You Down" "Rest Your Love on Me" "Tight Fittin' Jeans" "Red Neckin' Love Makin' Night" "The Clown" "Slow Hand" "We Did But Now You Don't" "The Rose" "We Had It All" "Lost in the Feeling" "Heartache Tonight" "Three Times a Lady" "Somebody's Needin' Somebody" "I Don't Know a Thing About Love (The Moon Song)" "Ain't She Somethin' Else" "Don't Call Him a Cowboy" "Between Blue Eyes and Jeans" "Desperado Love" "Fallin' for You for Years" "Julia" "I Want to Know You Before We Make Love" "That's My Job" "Goodbye Time" "Saturday Night Special" "I Wish I Was Still in Your Dreams" "She's Got a Single Thing in Mind" "House on Old Lonesome Road" "Fit to Be Tied Down" "Crazy in Love" "I Couldn't See You Leavin'" "Rainy Night in Georgia" Collaboration singles "After the Fire Is Gone" "Lead Me On" "Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man" "Feelins'" "The Letter" "I Can't Love You Enough" "Making Believe" "Don't Cry Joni" Related articles Discography Discography with Loretta Lynn Jenkins v. Commissioner Joni Lee Twitty City

Authority control databases MusicBrainz work MusicBrainz release group

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Slow Hand](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slow_Hand) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slow_Hand?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.