Burning The Ground Exclusive
BTG fans have spoken.
Ladies Of The 80s: Soundtrack Edition is officially returning for a fourth week!
To begin, we have the Pointer Sisters, one of the most successful and versatile female groups of the 1980s, with “Neutron Dance” from the blockbuster soundtrack to Beverly Hills Cop.
And because one Pointer Sisters classic is never enough, the flip side contains “I’m So Excited.”
Today’s record is a rare Japanese promotional 12-inch that pairs special extended versions of both hits. It is an unusual coupling that appears to have been created exclusively for the Japanese market.
What a way to begin week four.
“Neutron Dance” first appeared on the Pointer Sisters’ 1983 album Break Out. The album became the biggest commercial success of their career and produced an incredible run of singles, including “Automatic,” “Jump (For My Love),” “I’m So Excited,” and “Neutron Dance.”
Written by Allee Willis and Danny Sembello and produced by Richard Perry, “Neutron Dance” featured Ruth Pointer on lead vocals, with Anita and June supporting her.
Ruth was not immediately convinced by the song.
The word “neutron” made her think about bombs, violence, and the threat of nuclear war. Allee Willis encouraged her to stop worrying about the title and sing it with the same gospel spirit Ruth had developed in church.
That advice changed everything.
Ruth’s performance gives the track its soul. She does not simply sing over the electronic production. She attacks it with the force of a gospel performance, turning a strange title into a celebration of survival, determination, and joy.
The verses describe frustration and hardship, but the chorus refuses to surrender. Ruth sounds as though she is determined to keep moving no matter what happens around her.
Sometimes the best answer to trouble is to dance through it.
The song’s path to Beverly Hills Cop also involved a strange twist.
“Neutron Dance” had already appeared on Break Out when Allee Willis received a package from the movie’s producers. Inside was a copy of her own song, along with a request for new music that sounded like it.
Willis and Danny Sembello wrote Patti LaBelle’s “Stir It Up” for the film, but the producers also decided to use “Neutron Dance” itself.
Apparently, no one could write a better “Neutron Dance” than the original writers.
The song plays during the wild opening chase in Beverly Hills Cop. Eddie Murphy’s Axel Foley is caught in the back of a speeding truck as it smashes through traffic and leaves destruction across Detroit.
The scene moves fast.
The song moves faster.
Released in December 1984, Beverly Hills Cop became one of the defining comedies of the decade. Its soundtrack was equally successful, featuring Glenn Frey’s “The Heat Is On,” Patti LaBelle’s “New Attitude” and “Stir It Up,” Harold Faltermeyer’s “Axel F,” and the Pointer Sisters’ “Neutron Dance.” The album later won the Grammy Award for Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media.
The movie gave “Neutron Dance” the push it needed to become a major single.
It reached number six on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1985, becoming the fourth Top 10 hit released from Break Out and the final Top 10 pop hit of the Pointer Sisters’ career.
The music video continued the Beverly Hills Cop connection. Ruth, Anita, and June appear as unhappy movie-theater employees while scenes from the film play around them. Bronson Pinchot, who appeared in the movie as Serge, also joined the fun.
The record captures the Pointer Sisters at their commercial peak.
Ruth’s gospel-powered lead vocal is surrounded by synthesizers, electronic drums, handclaps, and a rhythm that never stops pushing forward. It sounds mechanical and human at the same time.
Then we turn the record over.
“I’m So Excited” had already lived more than one life before appearing on this Japanese promo.
Written by Anita, June, and Ruth Pointer with Trevor Lawrence, the song was originally released in 1982. That first release reached number 30 on the Billboard Hot 100.
A remixed version returned in 1984, was added to later pressings of Break Out, and climbed to number nine. It became one of the group’s signature recordings and remains nearly impossible to hear without singing along.
While “Neutron Dance” features Ruth out front, “I’m So Excited” belongs to Anita.
She begins with a controlled sense of anticipation, but that control does not last long. By the chorus, the sisters are practically exploding out of the speakers.
The Japanese promotional 12-inch gives both songs extra room.
“Neutron Dance” was mixed by Bill Schnee and edited by Michael Brooks. The extended arrangement stretches the introduction, emphasizes the electronic rhythm, and allows Ruth’s vocal ad-libs to build toward the chorus.
“I’m So Excited” was remixed by Gabe Veltri and Jim Tract, with Trevor Lawrence credited as associate producer. Their version expands the percussion, vocals, and instrumental passages without weakening the song’s immediate pop appeal.
This is not simply a soundtrack single with an unrelated B-side.
It is a snapshot of the Pointer Sisters at the height of their powers.
One side gives us the gospel-charged electronic rush of “Neutron Dance.”
The other gives us the unstoppable celebration of “I’m So Excited.”
The Pointer Sisters had already traveled through gospel, jazz, country, funk, soul, rock, and disco before conquering 1980s pop. Few groups could move between so many styles while keeping their identity intact.
That range makes them perfect for Ladies Of The 80s.
Week four is here.
The readers are excited.
The Pointer Sisters are excited.
And somewhere in Detroit, Axel Foley is hanging from the back of a runaway truck.
Let’s do the Neutron Dance.
SIDE A:
Neutron Dance (Special Extended Version) 5:36
Edited By – Michael Brooks
Producer – Richard Perry
Remix – Bill Schnee
SIDE B:
I’m So Excited (Special Extended Version) 5:41
Producer – Trevor Lawrence
Remix – Gabe Veltri, Jim Tract
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
| Single | Chart | Peak Position |
|---|---|---|
| Neutron Dance | Australia (Kent Music Report) | 4 |
| Neutron Dance | Canada Top Singles (RPM) | 1 |
| Neutron Dance | Germany Singles Chart | 18 |
| Neutron Dance | Ireland Singles Chart | 14 |
| Neutron Dance | UK Singles Chart | 31 |
| Neutron Dance | US Billboard Hot 100 | 6 |
| Neutron Dance | US Billboard Hot Black Singles | 13 |
| Neutron Dance | US Billboard Adult Contemporary | 23 |
| Neutron Dance | US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play | 4 |
| I’m So Excited | Canada Top Singles (RPM) | 21 |
| I’m So Excited | Ireland Singles Chart | 6 |
| I’m So Excited | UK Singles Chart | 11 |
| I’m So Excited | US Billboard Hot 100 | 9 |
| I’m So Excited | US Billboard Adult Contemporary | 25 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Planet (15) – PLR-12002
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Single
Country: Japan
Released: 1984
Genre: Electronic, Funk / Soul
Style: Synth-pop, Soul
NOTES:
Track A: From the Paramount motion picture “Beverly Hills Cop.”
Special Extended Version 45 RPM
Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS
VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for BURNING THE GROUND
THE GEAR:
Turntable: Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon Concorde Music Black
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Ject Tube Box DS2
Phono Tubes: Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 ECC83/B759 Gold Pins Vacuum Tube – Matched Pair
Audio Interface: MOTU M4
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro Spin Acrylic Mat
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Cleaning Solution: Turgikleen Record Cleaning Solution
Scanner: 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
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