Music Friday: The Pointer Sisters Pursue a Pot of Gold in 1983's 'Neutron Dance'

Welcome to Music Friday when we bring you fun, throwback songs with jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the lyrics or title. Today, The Pointer Sisters pursue a pot of gold in the sensational 1983 tune "Neutron Dance," which famously plays behind the opening car chase sequence in Beverly Hills Cop.

A song that drives home the point that the best time to make positive changes in your life is right now, "Neutron Dance" features this singalong phrase: "I know there's a pot of gold for me / All I got to do is just believe / Oh, I'm so happy doin' the neutron dance / I'm just burnin' doin' the neutron dance."

The gospel-inspired hit starts off with lead singer Ruth Pointer listing all the things that are going wrong in her life. She's lost her boyfriend, her apartment and her brand new Chevrolet. But, despite her challenges, she's still happily doing the Neutron Dance, knowing that something precious is just around the corner.

Interestingly, co-writer Allee Willis explained in an interview with songfacts.com that "Neutron Dance" is actually a political commentary. In 1983, the US and Soviet Union were still embroiled in the Cold War and the threat of a nuclear strike loomed large in the minds of the citizens of both countries.

She explained that "I'm just burning, doing the Neutron Dance" meant that someone could push the nuclear button tomorrow and "we could all go up in smoke, so make your change now." She added, "If your life isn't working… change it. Because it's really up to you."

"Neutron Dance" was released as the fourth single from The Pointer Sisters' album Break Out. Supported by the popularity of Eddie Murphy's breakout performance in Beverly Hills Cop and consistent airplay on MTV, "Neutron Dance" charted in 10 countries, including a #6 placement on the US Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on the Canadian Singles Chart.

Hailing from Oakland, CA, The Pointer Sisters became household names during the 1970s and 1980s as they scored 13 Top 20 hits, including "Slow Hand," "He's So Shy," "I'm So Excited" and "Jump (For My Love)". The sisters earned three Grammy Awards and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1994.

Please check out the video of The Pointer Sisters performing "Neutron Dance" during Disneyland's 30th anniversary TV special in February of 1985. The lyrics are below if you'd like to sing along…

"Neutron Dance"
Written by Allee Willis and Danny Sembello. Performed by The Pointer Sisters.

I don't wanna take it anymore
I'll just stay here locked behind the door
Just no time to stop and get away,
'Cause I work so hard to make it everyday.

Woo-hoo
Woo-hoo

There's no money fallin' from the sky,
'Cause a man took my heart and robbed me blind.
Someone stole my brand new Chevrolet,
And the rent is due, I got no place to stay.

Woo-hoo Ooo-oo-oo
Woo-hoo Ooo-oo-oo

And it's hard to say,
Just how some things never change.
And it's hard to find,
Any strength to draw the line.
Oh, I'm just burnin' doin' the neutron dance
I'm just burnin' doin' the neutron dance.

Woo-hoo

Industry don't pay a price that's fair
All the common people breathin' filthy air
(Lord have mercy)
Roof caved in on all the simple dreams
And to get ahead your heart starts pumpin' schemes

And it's hard to say,
Just how some things never change
And it's hard to find,
Any strength to draw the line
Well, well, well
I'm just burnin' doin' the neutron dance
I-I-I'm just burnin' doin' the neutron dance.

Woo-hoo
Woo-hoo

I'm on fire, yeah
Said, I'm on fire, yeah-eh

And it's hard to say,
Just how some things never change
And it's hard to find,
Any strength to draw the line
Well, well, well, I'm just burnin' doin' the neutron dance
I-I-I'm just burnin' doin' the neutron dance.

I know there's a pot of gold for me
All I got to do is just believe
Oh, I'm so happy doin' the neutron dance
I'm just burnin' doin' the neutron dance
I'm so happy (it's in my hands),
Doin' the neutron dance, (well).
I'm just burnin' (it's in my feet),
Doin' the neutron dance.

Well, well, well, well
Woo-hoo
Woo-hoo
Woo-hoo

I'm so happy,
Doin' the neutron dance, (yeah).
I'm just burnin',
Doin' the neutron dance.

Credit: Image by Manfred Werner - Tsui, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Aucklander Enlists Help of Airport Officials to Pull Off Nifty Marriage Proposal

Imagine this scene. You've just arrived at the airport after an international flight, and as you enter the terminal you hear your boyfriend's voice on the PA system. He calls your name, professes his love and tops it all off with a marriage proposal.

Well, that's exactly what played out at Auckland Airport in New Zealand on August 18, as Aucklander Yashraj Chhabra enlisted the help of airport officials to pull off a spectacular surprise for his girlfriend of eight years, Riiya Shukla.

“She’s a hard woman to surprise and I really wanted to catch her off guard,” the 26-year-old banking specialist told the New Zealand Herald. Chhabra had a plan, but he didn't know if the Auckland Airport would be on board.

"I was delighted they said yes to making my dream proposal become a reality,” he said.

Chhabra precorded a 12-second proposal that would be triggered as soon as his girlfriend entered the Arrival Hall. This is where Chhabra would be waiting, along with a large contingent of family and friends.

"Attention Riiya Shukla, you are hearing my voice because I really need to talk to you," the suitor announced over the loud speaker. "Every minute that we have spent together has been the most amazing moments of my life. So I have something really important to ask you... 'Will you marry me?'"

At that point, Chhabra emerged from behind the crowd of supporters and approached his girlfriend with a ring box in hand. Then he went down on one knee and placed a diamond ring on Shukla's finger.

In the background, a bunch of younger family members held up signs that in combination spelled out the "Will You Marry Me?" message. Everybody else cheered and whistled.

Two members of the airport technical staff, who were responsible for triggering the pre-recorded message, watched the action via a close-circuit feed and high-fived as Shukla accepted Chhabra's proposal. Mission accomplished.

The Auckland Airport Facebook page noted that "love was in the air" at their facility.

The airport social media team posted a video of the exciting proposal and wrote, "We jumped at the chance to be ring-ins for this unforgettable moment. Grab the tissues and be ready to swoon. Congratulations Riiya and Yashraj! Thank you for making us a part of it." The team punctuated the post with an engagement ring emoji.

Shukla was ecstatic: "It's the best thing ever. And thank you, Yash, for making this memorable."

"Anything for you," he said.

Credits: Screen captures via Facebook / Auckland Airport.

'Woody and the Jets' Pendant Is Symbol of Solidarity Between Owner and Team

In a surprising expression of solidarity, New York Jets owner Woody Johnson purchased an over-the-top diamond necklace featuring 80 carats of emerald-cut and round gems. The diamonds spell out "Woody and the Jets," and the back is inscribed with the phrase “Think Big August ‘23.”

The 76-year-old Johnson made the big reveal during Tuesday's episode of Hard Knocks, an HBO documentary-style series that chronicles the trials and tribulations of NFL teams during the pre-season.

At the team meeting, Johnson took off his jacket to show off his new jewelry, crafted by the same New Jersey jeweler who designed star quarterback Aaron Rodgers' #8 pendant and Sauce Gardner's “Sauce” necklace.

The players in attendance were clearly delighted.

"I'm inspired by you, of course," Johnson told the players. "I've been doing this for a number of years. And when I see this, this August, and I see this team coming together, and the pieces we've added and the development that I've seen so far, it's absolutely incredible"

Johnson believes the time to soar is now for the hapless Jets — a team that hasn't participated in the playoffs for the past 12 years. But with the addition of four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers and promising young players, Johnson and Jets fans have high expectations for the upcoming season.

"We've got to take advantage," Johnson continued. "This doesn't happen every day. It's all up to you guys and all up to everybody in this room. You've got 15 million fans out there that are so excited that they can barely contain themselves."

Al The Jeweler (whose real name is Al Bekdas) posted photos and short videos of Johnson's "Woody and The Jets" jewelry and added the caption, "Truly An Honor To Work With @woodyjohnson4, Thank You For Trusting Me With This Project, Appreciate The Amazing Hospitality @nyjets." He punctuated the post with two emojis: praying hands and a red heart.

About a month ago, last season’s NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Gardner welcomed Rodgers to the Jets with a piece of jewelry that had the four-time Most Valuable Player grinning from ear to ear.

Emblazoned with Jets-green emeralds and white diamonds set in white gold, Rodgers' #8 pendant reflects the jersey number the former Packer and 18-year veteran will be wearing during his first season in the Big Apple.

Back in February, Al the Jeweler designed a diamond-encrusted “Sauce” necklace for the Jets’ first-round draft pick. That piece, in the shape of a hot sauce bottle, was reportedly made up of 20 carats of VS-quality diamonds.

Credits: Images via Instagram / al_jeweler.