Burning The Ground Exclusive
This Disco Friday, we turn the glitterball spotlight on a high-energy classic that perfectly fused Motown soul with the pounding heartbeat of disco: Bonnie Pointer’s electrifying version of “Heaven Must Have Sent You.”
Released in 1979 as a single from her 1978 self-titled solo debut for Motown, “Heaven Must Have Sent You” reimagined the 1966 Elgins hit as a joyous, campy, floor-filling anthem. Pointer—who had just left the Pointer Sisters to go solo—brought her dynamic voice, infectious personality, and disco ambition to the project.
In fact, the idea to remake this Motown staple as a disco track was Bonnie’s own inspiration. After hearing the Village People’s “Y.M.C.A.”, she realized how well “Heaven Must Have Sent You” could work in a similarly energetic arrangement. She took the idea straight to Berry Gordy, telling him she wanted to cut the track along with another Motown oldie, “When I’m Gone”, simply because—as she put it—“I’ve always dug them.”
Produced by Gordy himself along with Jeffrey Bowen, the result is pure disco magic. From the joyful handclaps and punchy horns to Bonnie’s unforgettable spoken-word breakdown (that “I go crazy when you touch me…” moment is iconic), the track captured everything that made the disco era so irresistible.
The 12″ disco remix helped catapult the song into clubs and onto charts, reaching #11 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #8 on the U.S. Dance chart. It also became Bonnie’s signature solo hit, and remains a beloved staple of retro DJ sets and roller rinks everywhere.
Over 40 years later, “Heaven Must Have Sent You” still shines bright—a perfect marriage of Motown nostalgia and disco decadence. Put it on, turn it up, and let Bonnie take you on a glittering ride straight to disco heaven.
🪩✨
SIDE A:
Heaven Must Have Sent You (New Version) 7:14
SIDE B:
Heaven Must Have Sent You (LP Version) 5:15
Producer – Berry Gordy
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
U.S. CHART HISTORY:
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Heaven Must Have Sent You | U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | #11 |
| 1978 | Heaven Must Have Sent You | U.S. Billboard Dance / Disco | #8 |
| 1978 | Heaven Must Have Sent You | U.S. Billboard Black Singles | #52 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Motown – M 00020 D1
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: 1979
Genre: Electronic
Style: Disco
CREDITS:
- Producer – Jeffrey Bowen
- Songwriter – Holland-Dozier-Holland
NOTES:
Side B: From the album, “Bonnie Pointer”
Buy the DISCOGS
VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
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THE GEAR:
Turntable: Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon Concorde Music Black
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro Spin Acrylic Mat
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Ject Tube Box DS2
Tubes: Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 ECC83/B759 Gold Pins Vacuum Tube – Matched Pair
DAC: Alpha Design Labs GT40a USB DAC
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner
SOFTWARE:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 25 (Recording)
Down Sampling/Dither: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator
RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
**24bit FLAC Only Available For Seven Days!
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I don’t remember hearing this one before but it’s definitely one of my new favourites now. Such a legendary line-up of artists involved too.
Thanks for the aural enlightenment, Paul 🙂
Hey John,
So glad you enjoyed it! It’s always a great feeling to discover a track that hits just right—especially one with such a legendary crew behind it. Bonnie really brought the magic on this one, and that disco arrangement still feels fresh all these years later.
Thanks for listening and for the kind words—happy to provide a little aural enlightenment anytime!
– Paul
Thank you for this throwback Paul!! Funny after all this time I don’t think I knew this was Bonnie Pointer. Listening to it now it has her signature “Pointer” vocals. I like how she took the idea straight to Berry Gordy and made it happen. That’s how you get things done! The rest, as they say, is history. Thanks for another great week Paul. I hope you have a [disco] ball of a weekend, you too Jeff, Brad, ING and everyone else here!
Hey Retro Hound,
Right? Once you hear it with fresh ears, you can definitely pick up that signature Pointer flair—sassy, soulful, and full of attitude! I love that she had the vision and the guts to pitch it straight to Berry Gordy herself. That kind of determination really made this track what it is: a total disco gem.
Thanks so much for the kind words and for being part of the groove every week. Wishing you a disco ball of a weekend too!
– Paul
I had this 12″ back in the day and always loved it. Thanks Paul!
Hey Brad,
That’s awesome to hear! There’s something special about spinning the original 12″—the energy just jumps off the grooves. Glad it brought back some good memories, and thanks for sticking with me through the music.
Appreciate you, Brad!
– Paul
Wonderful post! I believe I only have the regular version on a Motown compilation, so this will be a great way to dance into the weekend! Long live the long version!!!!
Hey ING,
Thank you! Nothing wrong with the regular version, but the long mix really lets the groove breathe—and that breakdown? Pure disco joy! So glad this one will help you dance into the weekend in style.
Long live the long version indeed!
– Paul
Rejoice!! Paul, what a disco banger this song is!! I am elated that you decided to spotlight this song today! This is a feel-good, dynamite of a record! I’m just so happy when I hear this song! I love those chimes!! Many kudos for this juggernaut!!
I hope you Paul, Retro Hound, Martika, Song_and_Dance, and the rest of this phenomenal community here have a “heavenly” weekend!!
Jeff
Jeff!!
Your energy is infectious—thank you! I’m so glad this one hit the sweet spot for you. It really is a feel-good juggernaut, and yes… those chimes are everything! Bonnie brought the sparkle, and I’m thrilled it brought some joy your way today.
Wishing you and our whole BTG family a truly heavenly weekend! Let’s keep the disco spirit alive and shining.
– Paul