Although its sultry style recalls the Pointer Sisters' first American top-ten hit, the 1978 number two hit "Fire", "Slow Hand" was not written for the group; in fact John Bettis would state "the Pointer Sisters were the furthest from [the composers' minds." However producer Richard Perry (Richard Perry quote:)"knew 'Slow Hand' be an instant smash style="font-size:50%">...that...would recapitulate and expand on the intimacy [of 'Fire'." Like "Fire"—which also featured Anita Pointer on lead—"Slow Hand" peaked at number two on the "Billboard" Hot 100, for 3 weeks, behind "Endless Love" by Diana Ross and Lionel Richie. "Slow Hand" reached that position in August 1981 when it also reached number seven on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. In September 1981, the single was certified Gold by the RIAA. "Slow Hand" was ranked in the top 25 best singles of the year by "The Village Voice" Pazz & Jop poll.