How Long (Betcha Got A Chick On The Side)

Album: Steppin' (1975)
Charted: 20
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This funky track was the Pointer Sisters' only #1 R&B hit. Co-written by Anita and Bonnie Pointer along with David Rubinson, the song introduced the catchphrase "Chick on the side" to a mass audience.
  • "How Long" was the last Top 40 pop hit for the Pointer Sisters during their "nostalgic" period. Three years later, they ditched the 1940s dresses and became a more successful mainstream pop act. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    John - Nashville, TN, for above 2

Comments: 1

  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn July 13th 1975, "How Long (Betcha' Got A Chick On The Side)" by the Pointer Sisters entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #90; and on September 28th, 1975 it peaked at #20 (for 1 week) and spent 15 weeks on the Top 100...
    And on August 31st, 1975 it reached #1 (for 2 weeks) on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart...
    Between 1973 and 1987 the 'Sisters' had twenty-seven Top 100 records, seven made the Top 10 with two reaching #2, "Fire" for 2 weeks in 1979 and "Slow Hand" for 3 weeks in 1981...
    R.I.P. June Pointer (1953 - 2006).
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Gavin Rossdale On Lyric Inspirations and Bush's Album The Kingdom

Gavin Rossdale On Lyric Inspirations and Bush's Album The KingdomSongwriter Interviews

The Bush frontman on where he finds inspiration for lyrics, if his "machine head" is a guitar tuner, and the stories behind songs from the album The Kingdom.

Phil Hurtt ("I'll Be Around")

Phil Hurtt ("I'll Be Around")Songwriter Interviews

Phil was a songwriter, producer and voice behind many Philadelphia soul classics. When disco hit, he got an interesting project: The Village People.

Brian Kehew: The Man Behind The Remasters

Brian Kehew: The Man Behind The RemastersSong Writing

Brian has unearthed outtakes by Fleetwood Mac, Aretha Franklin, Elvis Costello and hundreds of other artists for reissues. Here's how he does it.

Reverend Horton Heat

Reverend Horton HeatSongwriter Interviews

The Reverend rants on psychobilly and the egghead academics he bashes in one of his more popular songs.

British Invasion

British InvasionFact or Fiction

Go beyond The Beatles to see what you know about the British Invasion.

Chris Rea

Chris ReaSongwriter Interviews

It took him seven years to recover from his American hit "Fool (If You Think It's Over)," but Chris Rea became one of the top singer-songwriters in his native UK.