“Dare Me”: The Pointer Sisters’ Electric Dance Challenge
By June 1985, The Pointer Sisters were in their prime, riding high on the success of Break Out. Then came Contact—and with it, “Dare Me”, a confident, high-energy track that hit just as hard on the dancefloor as it did on the charts. With June Pointer leading the charge, the single blends synth-pop, R&B, and flirtatious swagger into one irresistible musical dare.
Polished, pulsing ’80s pop
Written by Sam Lorber and Dave Innis, and produced by Richard Perry, the song delivers sleek electronic drums, a punchy synth bassline, and bright flourishes of keyboard energy. It’s a perfect slice of mid-’80s production: dancefloor-ready but still packed with soul.
June’s confident vocal drives the message, backed by the sisters’ trademark harmonies. The arrangement never lets up—it’s bold, slick, and designed to make you move.
Lyrics that throw down a challenge
“Dare Me” is playful, sexy, and full of attitude. With lines like “Step across the line / I dare you to move” the song becomes a stylish invitation to flirt—and a reminder that The Pointer Sisters knew exactly how to own the spotlight. It’s pop with power, offering confidence instead of coyness.
Club favorite and crossover smash
The song shot to #11 on the Billboard Hot 100, hit #6 on the R&B chart, and topped the Dance Club Songs chart—their only #1 there. It also landed in the UK Top 20, peaked at #7 in Ireland, and broke into the Top 10 in Australia. Contact, the parent album, went platinum in the U.S., and “Dare Me” helped keep the trio’s streak alive.
Boxing gloves and glam power
The music video, filmed at Main Street Gym in Los Angeles (a location used in Raging Bull), features the sisters dressed in male drag, scouting boxing talent and getting in on the action. Olympic boxer Mark Breland makes a cameo, and actor Steven Bauer appears in a sparring role. Directed by Michael Chapman, the video matched the song’s confidence with swagger and style.
Timeless groove and remix life
Though “Dare Me” marked their final Top 40 UK hit, it never disappeared. The track became a dancefloor staple, sampled and remixed over the years—including its transformation into “Dare Me (Stupidisco)” by Junior Jack, which gave it a thumping second life in clubs worldwide.
Now, four decades later, “Dare Me” still sounds fresh—an enduring anthem of self-assurance, movement, and pure pop charisma.