Turn the Beat Around

For the MTV television film, see Turn the Beat Around (film).

"Turn the Beat Around"
Single by Vicki Sue Robinson
from the album Never Gonna Let You Go
B-side	"Lack of Respect"
Released	1976
Recorded	1976
Genre	Disco
Length	3:23
Label	RCA Victor
Writer(s)	Gerald Jackson Peter Jackson
Certification	Gold (RIAA)
Vicki Sue Robinson singles chronology
"Baby Now That I Found You" (1975) "Turn the Beat Around" (1976) "Never Gonna Let You Go" (1976)

"Turn the Beat Around" is a disco song written by Gerald Jackson and Peter Jackson and popularized by Vicki Sue Robinson in 1976 (see 1976 in music), originally appearing on her debut album, Never Gonna Let You Go. Released as a single, the song went to #10 on the Billboard pop charts, and Robinson received a Grammy nomination for best female pop vocal. The track, considered a disco classic, is featured on many compilation albums.

Laura Branigan version

Laura Branigan covered the song in 1990 and was the first major artist to do so. She co-produced the song with Steve Lindsey and it appeared on her album Laura Branigan. It was never officially released as a single, however several remix versions were released to DJs and radio stations as promos and garnered significant play in Hi-NRG clubs.

Official versions

• Album version – 4:22
• Radio edit – 4:05
• Popcussion Mix – 7:42
• Don & Vic Mix – 6:25
• Club House Mix – 6:35
• The Branipella Mix – 3:53

Gloria Estefan version

"Turn the Beat Around"
Single by Gloria Estefan
from the album Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me
Released	September 23, 1994 (1994-09-23) (see Release history)
Format	CD, cassette, 7", 12"
Recorded	1993–1994
Genre	Dance-pop
Length	3:52
Label	Epic
Gloria Estefan singles chronology
"Mi Tierra De Tradición" (1994) "Turn the Beat Around" (1994) "Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me" (1994)

In 1994 (see 1994 in music), the song was recorded by Gloria Estefan for the soundtrack to the film The Specialist. Released as a single, it became a hit reaching #13 on the Billboard Hot 100 and is also featured on Estefan's fourth solo album Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me. She also sang the song as her opening performance in VH1's first ever Divas Live. She also took the song to the top spot on Billboard's Hot Dance Club Play chart, making it her first number-one song on that chart in English.

Certifications

Country	Certification	Sales
Australia	Gold	35,000
United States	Gold	500,000

Charts

Peak positions

Chart (1994)	Peak position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100	13
U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks	4
U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play	1
U.S. Billboard Mainstream Top 40	20
UK	21

End of year charts

End of year chart (1995)	Position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100	87

Preceded by "Movin'" by Brass Construction	Billboard Hot Dance Club Play number-one single (Vicki Sue Robinson version) March 20, 1976 - April 10, 1976	Succeeded by "Love Hangover" by Diana Ross
Preceded by "What I Need" by Crystal Waters	Billboard Hot Dance Club Play number-one single (Gloria Estefan version) November 12, 1994	Succeeded by "Dreamer" by Livin' Joy

Other versions

• Lil Suzy covered the song for her 1993 album Back to Dance. It was released as the lead single.
• The Chipettes covered the Gloria Estefan version for the 1996 album Club Chipmunk: The Dance Mixes.
• Michelle Branch has recorded the song for her fourth studio album Everything Comes and Goes, to be released in 2010.
• Cobra Starship covered the song for the MTV movie of the same name.
• A television advertisement for "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter" featuring Megan Mullally contains the parody "Turn the Tub Around"
• In the second Star Wars Family Guy parody the song is parodied as "Turn the Ship Around".
• The 2005 song "Perfection" by Dannii Minogue and the Soul Seekerz samples "Turn the Beat Around".