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In 1966, a little known group from Detroit (The Elgins) who had signed with a little known subsidiary of Motown (V-I-P), was lucky enough to record and release a song by a prolific and uber- talented songwriting team (Holland-Dozier-Holland) and score a "Great Song of the '60s:" ("Heaven Must Have Sent You").
It reached #9 on Billboard's Soul Chart...but was an even bigger hit in 1971 when it was re-released in the UK on a more high profile Motown subsidiary: Tamla Records. Across the pond, it was a #3 hit.
Then, in 1979, Bonnie Pointer, after leaving her sisters for a solo career, had signed with the BIG label (Motown itself), and in the process of putting together her solo debut album, she was determined to record a disco version of "Heaven Must Have Sent You."
Permission granted...and when it was released as a single, it was amazing! Bonnie knew exactly what she wanted to do with it...and turned it into a showcase.
The mix sounds exactly like a classic Motown song (which it was), but with a heavy beat, an incredible bassline, lots of violins, chimes, and hand claps, and a vocal that featured Bonnie's solid alto to soprano range. Then, about 3/4 of the way through, she slips into an impression of Louis Armstrong you'll have to hear to believe. (So check out the link!!)
Bonnie's 7-minute disco version ended up at #8 on Billboard's Dance Chart and the much shorter radio mix reached #11 on the Hot 100. Fun Fact: It was a #1 hit in Mexico!
"Heaven Must Have Sent You:" originally a "Great Motown Song of 1966 by the Elgins... and definitely a "Great Song of 1979" by Bonnie Pointer!
Disco version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Ozg_WlWEgg Radio version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTqiKeyXQlM Elgins: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp9JcM4Gc2E
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