Song of the Day: 'Heaven Must Have Sent You' by Bonnie Pointer

Day 13 of my series of Songs That Peaked at No. 11: Bonnie Pointer didn't need any help from her famous sisters to score this hit in 1979, which sounds as good today as it did when I was in sixth grade. (Another Holland-Dozier-Holland composition -- natch! -- originally recorded by the Elgins.) That it wound up being one of the biggest singles of the year -- the 43th biggest single overall -- despite never making it into the Top 10 speaks to its longevity, I suppose. Poor Bonnie died two years ago of alcoholic liver disease and cirrhosis at just 69, with "Heaven" her eternal gift to us -- the chimes! the scatting! -- and the biggest hit of her life. 

Of note: The Pointers Sisters' first post-Bonnie album (called "Energy") proved to be their breakthrough. Driven by the success of their cover of Bruce Springsteen's "Fire," the LP went gold -- and set the stage for a string of popular singles ("He's So Shy," "Slow Hand," "I'm So Excited," "Automatic," "Jump (for My Love)") that kept the gals on the Billboard Hot 100 throughout the 1980s.

Also: The Pointer Sisters had not one but two No. 11 singles: "Dare Me" (post-Bonnie) and "Yes We Can Can" (with Bonnie). 

Song of the Day: 'When I'm Gone' by Bonnie Pointer

Bonnie Pointer recorded two remakes of Motown hits for her 1978 self-titled solo debut album -- released by Motown (natch): today's pick plus "Heaven Must Have Sent You." "When I'm Gone" was written by Smokey Robinson, and twice he produced to be released as a single -- first Mary Wells and again for fellow Motown artist Brenda Holloway. According to Wikipedia, the song was one of the last records Wells recorded while at Motown. Fresh from the success of the million-seller "My Guy" and with her contract expiring soon, Wells decided to terminate her deal with Motown complaining that Berry Gordy had been refusing to give her the royalties. She argued that her Motown contract was invalid because she'd signed with the company at the age of 17 and was released. Had Wells not exited Motown, "When I'm Gone" would have been her next release. Instead, Gordy persuaded Holloway to give it a shot, which became a No. 25 pop hit and No. 12 R&B. Both are good. But I think Bonnie did Smokey proudest.