Released in March 1987, “Head to Toe” is one of the biggest hits by Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam, a group that helped define the sound of late 80s freestyle, R&B, and pop. With its infectious beat, playful lyrics, and Lisa Lisa’s confident, soulful vocals, the song topped charts and became a defining anthem of its era.
Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam was a New York-based group fronted by Lisa Velez (aka Lisa Lisa) and backed by Cult Jam, along with the powerhouse production duo Full Force, who wrote and produced many of their hits. “Head to Toe” was released as the lead single from their second album, Spanish Fly.
Coming off the success of previous hits like “I Wonder If I Take You Home” and “All Cried Out,” this song marked their transition from club favorites to full-blown mainstream pop stars. Written by Curt Bedeau, Gerry Charles, Hugh L Clarke, Brian George, Lucien George, and Paul George, the song blends freestyle (a Latin-influenced form of dance-pop), R&B grooves, and bright 80s synthpop. The song opens with a rhythmic keyboard hook and a bouncy beat that instantly pulls listeners in. The percussion has a crisp, dancefloor-friendly feel, and the production by Full Force gives it a tight, radio-polished sound. Lyrically, “Head to Toe” is a celebration of attraction and romantic excitement. Lisa Lisa sings about how completely smitten she is—from head to toe—by someone who makes her feel alive and energized. The theme is simple but effective, tapping into the universal thrill of chemistry and new love.
“Head to Toe” was a massive success, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, No. 1 on the R&B chart, and No. 1 on the Dance Club Songs chart in the United States. It was one of the rare tracks in the 80s that managed to dominate across multiple genres—pop, R&B, and dance—reflecting its broad appeal. The song’s success helped solidify Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam’s place as one of the most influential acts in the freestyle movement and paved the way for other Latin and R&B crossover artists in the pop landscape.