Pointer Sisters – Fire

“Fire” is a single from the Pointer Sisters  album, Energy, from 1978. The single charted #2 in USA and #34 in UK.

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Pointer Sisters - Fire

Fire - The Pointer Sisters at The Attic 1981

This smoldering song was written by Bruce Springsteen, who at the time was embroiled in litigation with his former manager, which kept him from recording his own songs. His friend Robert Gordon was the first to record it, releasing it on his 1978 album Fresh Fish Special. The song became a hit when the Pointer Sisters recorded it later in 1978 at the suggestion of their producer, Richard Perry, their version hitting #2 in the US.

Springsteen wrote this for Elvis Presley, his idol growing up. He sent Elvis a demo of it in 1977, but Presley died soon after. The song would have fit well for Elvis, as it’s about a passionate lust a couple has for each other.

Springsteen did not record the song himself on his next album, Darkness on the Edge of Town, but he did play it occasionally during the tour promoting the LP, first performing it live at the tour opener in Buffalo, NY, on May 23, 1978.

The song might have remained a minor entry in his repertoire if it hadn’t been heard by producer Richard Perry, who was looking for material for his first record with the Pointer Sisters. Their career was in a downturn, and they had been reduced to a trio by the departure of Bonnie Pointer. As part of their first sessions for his Planet Records label, Perry had them record a soul/pop arrangement of “Fire” and he released it as a single in the fall of 1978. The result was a gold-selling hit that just missed topping the charts in early 1979 and re-established the Pointers as a commercial force.

Personnel
Anita Pointer – lead & backing vocals
Ruth Pointer – backing vocals
June Pointer – backing vocals
Davey Johnstone – guitar
Gerald Johnson – bass
Rick Jaeger – drums
Lenny Castro – tambourine
David Paich – organ, high piano
Jai Winding – acoustic piano