In the 123rd edition of Throwback Vibez (2023), we recollect and reflect on “Yes We Can Can” by The Pointer Sisters.
The vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez ! Throwback Vibez
is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past. The records that grace this column are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re ancient – no fossils
! All genres of music are welcome. In the 123rd edition of Throwback Vibez
(2023), we recollect and reflect on
“Yes We Can Can”, performed by
The Pointer Sisters.
It is amazing the work that can be put in with a vamp. Never underestimate the power of repetition because it can be the catalyst for a great, great song.
Grammy winners
The Pointer Sisters have no shortage of hits – they mark one of the great girl groups of the 1970s and 80s. They struck gold on their 1973 album, fittingly titled
The Pointer Sisters, with an ,
Allen Toussaint-penned funk record,
“Yes We Can.” Originally performed by
Lee Dorsey (1924 – 1986), it would be The Pointer Sisters who would make
“Yes We Can Can” into a pop hit. “Yes We Can Can” just missed the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100, settling for a no. 11 peak (still awesome). As far as success on the R&B charts, “Yes We Can Can” also performed well, peaking at no. 12. Focusing on this cover (hard to believe
), that fat bass line, emphasizing a C chord faithfully, riding a funky groove is EPIC (
David Rubinson produces)!
It’s not just the simple music that’s lit
– potent AF. It’s also the vocals by The Pointer Sisters, led by
Anita Pointer. The ladies ooze with musicianship, personality, and, what else, soul! That groove, which runs the course of six minutes, is plenty of fuel for the fire. Anita’s lead – melody and riffs – are on autopilot. “Now’s the time for all good men / To get together with one another,” she sings, adding, “We got to iron out our problems / And iron out our quarrels / And try to live as brothers.” Preach, girl! Likewise, her sisters’ harmonized vocals are locked-in, adding to the sheer excellence of
“Yes We Can Can”. Of course, the centerpiece is the chorus, which is catchy, infectious, and memorable to the nth degree!
“I know we can make it
I know darn well we can work it out
Oh yes we can, I know we can-can
Yes we can can, why can’t we?
If we wanna, yes we can-can.”
The Pointer Sisters •
The Pointer Sisters •
UMG Recordings, Inc. •
1973
The Pointer Sisters, Yes We Can Can: Throwback Vibez 
No. 123 (2023) [
: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; UMG Recordings, Inc.; John Alan Sperry, PIRO via Pixabay]
2 Comments
Harry Connick Jr., Yes, We Can | COVERS · August 16, 2023 at 8:00 am
[…] more famous and more successful early version is the cover by
The Pointer Sisters dubbed,
“Yes We Can Can”. Focusing on the Connick, Jr. rendition, there’s lots to […]
The Pointer Sisters vs. Harry Connick, Jr. | Head 2 Head
· September 9, 2023 at 9:00 am
[…]
“Yes We Can.” Originally performed by
Lee Dorsey, The Pointer Sisters made
“Yes We Can Can” into a pop hit. “Yes We Can Can” peaked at no. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 and no. 12 on the […]
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