The Pointer Sisters is an American vocal group originally of four sisters … Read Full Bio ↴The Pointer Sisters is an American vocal group originally of four sisters out of the West Oakland Church of God where their father was a preacher. Under management & production of David Rubinson & later Richard Perry, the sisters became a hugely successful act throughout the '70s & '80s, creating a two-and-a-half decades long career. Amongst the many hit tracks included "Jump (For My Love)", "He's So Shy", "Happiness", "Fairytale" and "Neutron Dance". They had many record labels starting with their first failed single on Atlantic on through to long periods with Blue Thumb, Planet, RCA, and later Motown and even SBK.

Bonnie Pointer and June Pointer first formed a secular singing duo in the late '60s and began performing in clubs around the San Francisco Bay area; Anita Pointer and Ruth Pointer later joined them. The Pointer Sisters hooked up with David Rubinson who was a record producer affiliated with Bill Graham. They would perform onstage with the flamboyant Sylvester of The Cockettes, and they'd done some work as background singers on recordings by Elvin Bishop, Boz Scaggs, Cold Blood and other San Francisco Bay Area groups.

Their big breakthrough was a cover of an Allen Toussaint composition originally recorded in 1970 by Lee Dorsey, the song was "Yes We Can Can" released by The Pointer Sisters in March 1973. The girls' voices were added over funky backing tracks laid down with the help of Rubinson's contacts like Tower of Power guitarist Willie Fulton. They sang live around a single mic, with Anita handling lead, and upon release the record soon hit Number 11 on Billboard's pop chart and Number 12 on the R&B chart. In 1974 the group surprised white audiences when they broke the color barrier in at The Grand Ol' Opry when performing their Country Grammy award winning country song "Fairytale" in Nashville. "How Long (Betcha Got A Chick On The Side)" was a 1975 #1 R&B hit from their Steppin LP, with classic funky keys of Herbie Hancock on clavinet & wicked guitar stylings of Wah Wah Watson...

Bonnie Pointer left the group in 1977 for a solo career, and in 1978, the remaining sisters switched labels to Planet & production duties went to Richard Perry who modernized their sound away from a nostalgia based act into a more contemporary look & sound for the 1980's.

They produced the album Energy, with a classic country flavored updates of Sly Stone's "Everybody Is A Star", and a rendition of another Allen Toussaint song called "Happiness". The Perry streak included 1984's Break Out, which did exactly that going triple platinum and winning two Grammys for the singles Automatic and "Jump (for My Love)". This period in the early 80's ostensibly represents the group's commercial peak as a charting act. Their last big hit was Neutron Dance from the Beverly Hills Cop soundtrack.

As the '80s wound down, June Pointer recorded two solo albums, and later left the trio by 2001. Anita also did some solo project work, and had a minor hit with a song called, "Overnight Success."

Anita and Ruth still perform concerts under the group's name. Ruth's daughter, Issa Pointer, is the trio's newest member. June suffered a stroke on February 27, 2006. While hospitalized, she was diagnosed with cancer, which had metastasized in her breast, colon, liver and bones. She died at UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles, California on April 11, 2006 at the age of 52.

Who Do You Love
The Pointer Sisters Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Driving off in the rain and snow
Oh the jets ain't jumping cause the clouds too low
I wanna know
I wanna know
I wanna know
The ice on the window the highway the sea
Who do you love is it him or is it me
Hey hey I wanna know

I called Detroit city on the telephone
The man on the line tell me you ain't home
I wanna know
Who's that voice
What's
There's a deep red glow in the early morning sky
Who do you love better make up your mind

Don't wanna buy love
Don't wanna try love
I just want your love babe

Hey alright

Well its five in the morning and the place is dead
I'm gonna rest my body on a empty bed
Who do you love
I gotta know
What's his name baby
What's your game
Make up your mind are you his are you mine
When you get back I ask you one more time

Hey hey
Hey hey

Overall Meaning

The Pointer Sisters' song "Who Do You Love" is about a woman who is uncertain about her partner's feelings for her. The song is set in a wintry landscape, with the singer driving through the snow and rain, feeling unsure and vulnerable. The lyrics express the singer's desire to know who her partner loves, and whether it's her or someone else. She feels jealous and suspicious, wondering if her partner is being honest with her or if he's seeing someone else behind her back. She calls him on the phone, but he's not home, and she hears someone else's voice in the background. She tells him she just wants his love, but she needs to know who he loves and whether he's committed to her.

The overall theme of the song is about the uncertainty and insecurities that can come with being in a relationship. The singer feels a sense of urgency to know the truth, as she can't continue to be in a relationship that's based on lies and deception. The song is notable for its catchy melody and driving beat, which makes it an upbeat and energetic song despite the melancholic lyrics. The Pointer Sisters' powerful vocals and harmonies add to the song's intensity and emotion.

Line by Line Meaning

Driving off in the rain and snow
Leaving in inclement weather

Oh the jets ain't jumping cause the clouds too low
Flights not taking off due to the weather

I wanna know
Asking a question

The ice on the window the highway the sea
Describing a winter drive

Who do you love is it him or is it me
Asking a question about love

Hey hey I wanna know
Repeating the desire for an answer

I called Detroit city on the telephone
Calling a city for information

The man on the line tell me you ain't home
Being informed someone is unavailable

I wanna know
Reiterating desire for information

Who's that voice
Questioning identity of a speaker

What's
Continuation of the inquiry