"Yes We Can Can" is a funk song written by Allen Toussaint, and first released by Lee Dorsey in 1970. It was popularized when it was recorded by the American R&B girl group the Pointer Sisters.

"Yes We Can"
Single by Lee Dorsey
from the album Yes We Can
Released1970
GenreFunk, soul
Length3:04
LabelPolydor
Songwriter(s)Allen Toussaint
Producer(s)Allen Toussaint
"Yes We Can Can"
Single by the Pointer Sisters
from the album The Pointer Sisters
B-side"Jada"
ReleasedFebruary 1973
RecordedPacific Recording,
Wally Heider Recording/ Studio A [?]
San Francisco[1]
GenreFunk[2]
Length6:02 (Album Version)
3:55 (7" Version)
LabelBlue Thumb
Songwriter(s)Allen Toussaint
Producer(s)David Rubinson
The Pointer Sisters singles chronology
"Destination No More Heartaches"
(1972)
"Yes We Can Can"
(1973)
"Wang Dang Doodle"
(1973)

Lee Dorsey original

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"Yes We Can" was recorded by Lee Dorsey on his album Yes We Can (album), released by Polydor in 1970 and also released as a single, and co-produced with Allen Toussaint.[3]

Background to The Pointer Sisters cover

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A cover of "Yes We Can" re-titled "Yes We Can Can" was recorded by The Pointer Sisters. 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.[1]

"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.[1]

Released in February 1973, the song became the Pointers' first hit single, reaching number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 12 on the Hot Soul Singles chart.[4]

Personnel

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Charts

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Chart (1973) Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[5] 86
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 11
U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs 12
Canadian Singles Chart 58
French Singles Chart 59
Italian Singles Chart 30
Dutch Singles Chart (the Netherlands) 25

Other covers

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Classic Tracks: The Pointer Sisters' "Yes We Can Can"". Mixonline.com. 3 January 2006. Retrieved July 21, 2016.
  2. ^ Molanphy, Chris (March 25, 2022). "Killing Me Softly Edition". Hit Parade | Music History and Music Trivia (Podcast). Slate. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  3. ^ Billboard.com - Discography - Lee Dorsey - Yes We Can
  4. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 465.
  5. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 235. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
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