Yes We Can Can


"Yes We Can Can" is a 1973 funk song recorded by the American R&B girl group the Pointer Sisters and released on the Blue Thumb record label.
Written by Allen Toussaint, "Yes We Can Can" is a song advocating unity and tolerance. The Pointer Sisters' version features intricate background vocals and Anita Pointer's lead vocal.
The song is also used in the films The Associate, Big Momma's House, Ali, Maid in Manhattan, and Sunday Driver.

Background

"Yes We Can Can" was originally recorded as "Yes We Can" by Lee Dorsey on his album Yes We Can, released by Polydor in 1970, and co-produced with Allen Toussaint. It was producer David Rubinson's suggestion that the Pointer Sisters record the song. As Rubinson said, "I loved almost everything Allen Toussaint ever wrote, and "Yes We Can Can" was one of the songs the Pointer Sisters recorded as a demo while they were seeking a label deal.
"Yes We Can Can" was one of the first tracks the group cut in fall 1972 for their debut album. Its basic track was recorded at Pacific Recording Studio in San Francisco. The sessions were eventually moved to Studio A of Wally Heider Recording Studio in San Francisco, and Rubinson is unclear as to whether or not further recording for "Yes We Can Can" was done there.
Released in February 1973, the song became the Pointers' first hit single, reaching No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 12 on the Hot Soul Songs chart.

Personnel

Chart Peak
position
U.S. Billboard Hot 10011
U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs12
Australian Singles Chart86
Canadian Singles Chart58
French Singles Chart59
Italian Singles Chart30
Dutch Singles Chart 25

Other covers