Did Prince write this tune or what? For some reason, "The Vault" doesn't seem to address this. Thanks in advance for any helpful feedback you can throw my way

According to the US Copyright database, Sheila, Stef, Benny and Mico (although I don't understand the difference between the "music and words" vs. just the "music" names).

http://www.loc.gov/cgi-bi...t/locis.pl

1. Registration Number: PA-233-118

Title: Too sexy / Sheila E., Michael Weaver, Benjamin Rietveld, Stephen Birnbaum.

Imprint: W B Records 7-29180, c1984.

Description: on 1 side of 1 sound disc : 45 rpm ; 7 in.

Note: (With The Belle of Saint Mark). Performed by Sheila E.

Claimant: Chocheat Music & Miss Tight Butt Music

Created:1984

Published: 10Oct84

Registered: 13Dec84

Author on © Application: words & music: Sheila Escovedo p.k.a. Sheila E.; music: Stephen Birnbaum, Benjamin Rietveld & Michael Weaver.
[Edited 3/28/05 20:09pm]

Averett said:

It's always been a mystery 2 me: how can a song sound so much like Prince without him being involved? But i trust Per Nielsen's inquiries: if he saiys P wasn't involved that's that he wasn't.

Wonderful track, though, funky as hell !!

shaomi said:

Uhhh, did you read my reply above? The copyright database is pretty clear on who wrote it.

GaryMF said:

I don't think that the information you have located for us regarding the matter is in question (btw, thanks!) but the song sounds like it has his influence all over it. It's an awesome track and Shiela rocks for having written something so damn funky

Ain't no way Prince didn't write, and play on that. I don't care what that info says. That's definately Prince on guitar and keys.

You need to stop smokin'...Prince isn't the only killer guitarist in the world (get the f*ck over it) There are other musicians who can kill it also. As a matter of fact if you ever saw Steph Birnbaum play live you would know that he is capable. Prince isn't the know all-be all...I wish you people would get over that BS belief...

Serveitupfrankie*

serveitupfrankie said:

-----
I don't think anyone on this board every said P was the be-all anything but, if you have other so-called great musicians ripping his style that speaks volumes about his influence. You can be the greatest musician in the world but, everybody not going to have the influence that P has had.

fuck the "whodunnit" shit, the song is hawt.

Averett said:

Hey I agree. I would've thought it was all Prince, but I think the Copyright database is pretty accurate (as opposed to the ASCAP one which I think says whatever prince wants).

But as Frank says, Steph can play that stuff pretty well himself so I think it probably is Sheila and the guys who wrote it.

serveitupfrankie said:

oh for fuck's sake. i ain't no fuckin "fam" or whatever. Never heard of Birnbaum but that's really not the point now is it? I also didn't ... oh forget it, let's just end this with a Fuck You and Have a Nice Day.

GaryMF said:

I don't doubt ur saying, since it's confirmed by Per Nielsen's research.
The copyright database, as long as it's about Prince, is not an ABSOLUTE reference. It says that Sheila wrote all "Romance 1600" but "A Love Bizarre", when Per Nielsen's research tend 2 prove that Prince wrote the whole record but "Merci For The Madspeed Of A Clown In Summer", & decided 2 give not only the credits but the royalties also 2 Sheila. It seems that MANY people from P's entourage at the time confirmed this 2 Nielsen.
I'm not sure but i think the same happened with Carmen Electra : it is clear that 1- Prince wrote at least "Good Judy Girlfriend" which was a known outtake long b4 Carmen's album. 2- Carmen never wrote a line of lyrics or a note of music in her whole life. Though, except if Carmenese Music's royalties actually went 2 Prince, it seems he also gave her not only the credits, but the royalties 2 several songs.
[Edited 4/4/05 5:09am]

serveitupfrankie said:

I actually think that guitar is the only instrument of this track which could not b credited 2 Prince : Prince has a recognizable guitar playing & it's DEFINITLY not him on "Too Sexy". On the opposite, the keyboards, bass, & Linn programming sound a lot like him, but i definitly trust Per Nielsen's researches (i know, the guy ain't God, but his researches have such a scientifical rigor & are based on so many testimonies by Prince's past associates that i really tend 2 think he can b trusted: this guy has an OBSESSIONAL need 2 know & verify EVERY fact, & i thank him 4 this!)
[Edited 4/4/05 5:08am]

Yall are probably right, but to be told my opinion is bullshit and assume I'm on Prince's dick is really fucking rude.

smokeverbs said:

serveitupfrankie said:

It's a Prince production. But, no it's not P on lead, it's Steph Birnbaum. This cat could capture P's lead guitar style pretty well at that time. And could do a pretty good job with P's vocals as well. Check out Sheila on SNL doing "A Love Bizzare" and "Holy Rock". Steph is killing on P's vocal parts on "Love Bizzare". Steph was actually considered to front The Family after Paul Peterson quit. I would have loved to had seen that. It would have taken The Family in a more rock direction.

blackguitaristz said:

Sorry, that's "Holly" not "Holy". Wow.

blackguitaristz said:

Really??? Wow. That is interesting. I never heard that and I LOOOOVEEE the Family. And I always liked Steph too. Your'e totally right about him doing P's part on Love Bizarre on SNL (although why oh why didn't they do LB with all the new parts like they did on R1600 live and how Sheila does it now???)


How did you learn about Steph's almost fronting the Family? I like to find out all I can about that band. I was so looking forward to the announced Paisley tour in '87 or so when they said Family & Mazerati were goint to open for Sheila. AT least I saw them at the Family Jamm and they ROCKED!