No longer on Alphabet St in Erotic City...

Warner Bro 1991

Peter Michael Escovedo

David Gusman

J P Charles

808 KATE

SEX CYMBOL
FUNKY ATTITUDE
CRY BABY
LADY MARMALADE
808 KATE
LOVERBOY
MOTHER MARY
DROPPIN LIKE FLIES
WATCH'YOU GONNA DO
PRIVATE PARTY [TU PARA MI]

FAMILY AFFAIR

PROMISE ME LOVE
HEAVEN

there was smooth remix of Sex Cymbol that I prefered to the album cut

I think that was one thing I hated about hearing an initial release single

and then when the album comes out, to find that it was a remix

OldFriends4Sale said:

^^that intro is hilarious

"Cry Baby"

Psych!

(Sex cymbal)
(Sex cymbal)

[Verse 1:]
There's a rumor 'bout "The Glamorous Life"
I think I told you once
I don't mind telling you twice
I'd like to be the one who's in your dreams
But not because I make lots of money
And headed for the big screen
Heaven forbid I don't end up like James Dean

You say your love will never stop
And I hope it's the truth
Not just 'cause I'm on top
No

[Chorus:]
They call me a sex cymbal
(Call me sex cymbal)
Say I'm a star
(It's up to them just what you are)
(Sex cymbal)
With pumps and Versace in my Jaguar
(Pumps in my Jaguar)

[Verse 2:]
If I was living 9:00 to 5:00
And hanging with the girls at the same old dive
Would everybody beg me to sign their jeans?
Or is it 'cause I'm what you call famous?

I'm blessed with all the fortune and fame
If I didn't have a dime
Would you treat me the same?
Tell the truth now

[Chorus]

[Bridge:]
Realize it's an image before it goes too far
Show me, tell me
Make me believe you love me just for me
I think you've known me long enough
I'm Sheila, not Miss E
Come make me happy
I don't mean just the boys
Everybody in my house
Come on, we gotta make some noise

Heaven forbid
(Sex cymbal)
Just realize it's an image 'fore it goes too far

[Chorus]

Just realize it's an image 'fore it goes too far

Call me a sex cymbal
Call me a star
(It's up to them just what you are)
(Sex cymbal)
With pumps and Versace in my Jaguar
Just realize it's an image 'fore it goes too far

I know you like 'em cute and simple
With no frame of mind
But I'm-a talk and body-shock
And mesmerize you every time

(Pumps in my Jaguar)
(It's up to them just what you are)
(Goes too far)

They call me a sex cymbal
Say I'm a star
(It's up to them just what you are)
(Sex Cymbal)

[Rap:]
Listen to the rhythm while I'm hypin' up the tempo
I can get rather funky when I'm playin' the sex cymbal
My man's name is Tim Bale
I know you've seen him
Chillin' behind the drummer's throne
That you can call my "queendom"

Glamorous ain't it
How the picture is painted
Like my overweight roommate, 808 Kate?

My brother's name is Mister Tom-Tom
Droppin' on the rhythm like a bomb, boy!
S-H-E-I-L-A dash E

Sheila-eila-eila E. is my title
Flyest females
I'm your idol
Supercalivocalistic sister

Rhymes tear you apart just like a twister
If you wanna dance
Well then, do so
'Cause the time remaining is crucial

It's really not that
You better believe that the only sex cymbal I got is my hi-hat!
Crash with a drum roll
Working my body
Shooby doo-wop doo-doo bop

This is a hip-hop party
Not the make, the model or vintage
I don't really care about the glamorous image

The Little Drummer Boy keeps a place in my heart
'Cause you love me for me and that sets off sparks
Now I know life is just one big crescendo

Playin' on the funky
Funky sex cymbal

Wsh, chh-wsh, chh
Wsh, chh-wsh, chh!

Sheila-eila-eila-eila-eila E

Wsh, chh-wsh, chh
Wsh, chh-wsh, chh!

Sheila-eila-eila-eila-eila E

Call me a sex cymbal
(Call me sex cymbal)
Say I'm a star
(It's up to them just what you are)

(Sex cymbal)
With pumps and Versace in my Jaguar
(Pumps in my Jaguar)

Call me a sex cymbal
(Call me sex cymbal)
Say I'm a star
(It's up to them just what you are)
(Sex cymbal)

"Sex Cymbal" is the lead single released from Sheila E.'s 1st album outside of Prince, Sex Cymbal. The song is a mid-tempo hip-hop/house number and features a rap verse from Sheila E. herself.

"Sex Cymbal" peaked at No. 32 on the U.S. R&B singles chart. It was the highest charting single from the album. The B-side is the instrumental "Bass Base".

U.S. promo maxi CD single

1. "Sex Cymbal" (radio remix) – 3:40
2. "Sex Cymbal" (12" extended remix) – 6:35
3. "Sex Cymbal" (radio edit) – 3:27
4. "Sex Cymbal" (album version) – 4:28

1. "Sex Cymbal" (12" mix) – 5:12
2. "Sex Cymbal" (Jungle Groove Mix) – 2:40
3. "Sex Cymbal" (4 on the Floor Mix) – 5:19
4. "Bass Base" – 4:37

Sheila E. "Droppin' Like Flies" on Arsenio Hall Show

[Edited 8/25/17 22:28pm]

Sheila E "Lady Marmalade"

Sheila E Interview on Arsenio Hall

Wow I have never seen this before the lost promo clip for the song from the film The Adventures of Ford Fairlane (1990).......Sheila E. - Funky Attitude

[Edited 8/25/17 22:33pm]

Goddess4Real said:

"Sex Cymbal" music video

Goddess4Real said:

Wow I have never seen this before the lost promo clip for the song from the film The Adventures of Ford Fairlane (1990).......Sheila E. - Funky Attitude

[Edited 8/25/17 22:33pm]

Is that her sister playing guitar? Damn her and Sheila hot in this video.

I bought this album ie tape, when it came out.

It was always a curious affair viewing people I so intricately and intimately known previously in Uptown or Erotic City or Paisley Park

I don't recall any promotion in France whatsoever, zero video or radio airplay as far as I can tell. Did WB push it a bit in the US? It was a remarkable record, a pity it wasn't released on Paisley Park, and even more that it didn't allow Sheila to remain in the spotlight as a WB artist. Does Sheila address the album and its fate in her book?

"Promise Me Love" is a nice ballad

A Dream Defered

Proteges in the Shadows

Aborted Project

.

the UPTOWN DAMES -1989-90

.

Robin Powers (lead vocals)

Joanie on bass

Tracy on guitar,

Lisa B on keyboards

Liza on keyboards,

Dione the dancer

Alisa backup singer
Kimberly (dancer)

Kim (drummer)

http://prince.org/msg/5/143228

Before the movie was released, Robin and the Dames did a music video of "Number One." I bet you that video is in the vault. I never did get a copy of it, dargonnit. Prince asked us to act real wild in the video and told me to put my foot on my keyboard at some point. On one take, I fell on my butt - which made him chuckle in the edit suite.

He worked us to near death that day. We did so many takes, I thought I was going to collapse. Joanie had pneumonia (but would not miss this for the world) and had to sit down and put a coat on in between takes. One of the dancers had to throw up in the trash can. Krystal, you ask me what Prince was like? Well, that's one of the things about him. But we were willing to go the distance.

After that, we were flown back home, waiting for the call to return again after the movie was released.

Stay tuned for more stories...

-----

As far as Sheila E is concerned – no, I didn’t snub her. In fact, I’m sorry to say that she snubbed us Dames.

She and a friend came in un-announced to see one of our rehearsals and listened to us play for a while. They were kinda walking around amongst us checking out the band. Can you imagine playing and watching that out of the corner of your eye? (And yes, I knew who Sheila was ).

On the outside, we played it cool; although inside, we were star-struck-panting-drooling-fans-turned-Paisley-Park-newbie-protégé-subordinates.

When we finished a song, something happened but I didn’t see it cuz I was the musical director and probably was distracted by some technical concern. (I kinda wish I hadn’t been the director cuz I probably would have enjoyed myself more like some of the other Dames.)

Anyway, they walked around and stopped and leaned against the wall close to me. Sheila looked good and was dressed to the tee and she had these shades on. She and her friend seemed kinda distant (and I’m very sensitive to that) so I didn’t say anything. I vaguely remember one of the Dames saying, “It’s an honor to meet you,” or something like that, and she barely acknowledged that. She was really on the “I’m a such a star" vibe. So what else do you say? Nothing – ya just kinda stare. But not too long cuz you don’t want to look like too much of a geek. Soon they left.

Later on, I learned that our drummer Kim had tried to say something (probably while I was distracted) but apparently felt snubbed. Which is such a shame because Sheila was Kim’s idol – being a female drummer and all. Kim said she was so disappointed and lost respect for Sheila. I felt so sorry for Kim – imagine your idol becoming a reality and treating you like that. I still feel for her.

I guess while we admired Sheila, she probably saw us as competition. Too bad – we didn’t see it that way at the time. On the other hand, she could have just been uncomfortable with our hero worship – I’ve seen other celebs become quiet cuz of that when I was on tour with them.

OldFriends4Sale said:

I bought this album ie tape, when it came out.

It was always a curious affair viewing people I so intricately and intimately known previously in Uptown or Erotic City or Paisley Park

I had bought the tape bootleg. The truth is I never really listened to the tape much beyond

the first 3 songs. Also bootlegs weren't done very well on cassette tapes back then. Bootleg

cd's took off around 2001 and were made in much better quality.

Stevie Knicks & Sheila E circa 1989

"Whatcha Gonna Do" by Azteca (1973)

"What 'cha Gonna Do" by Sheila E. (1991)

There were videos for the first two singles (the title track and "Droppin' Like Flies") but the promotion wasn't very strong or aggressive.The album faded away very quickly.

databank said:

I don't recall any promotion in France whatsoever, zero video or radio airplay as far as I can tell. Did WB push it a bit in the US?

Funky Attitude

.

SoulAlive said:

There were videos for the first two singles (the title track and "Droppin' Like Flies") but the promotion wasn't very strong or aggressive.The album faded away very quickly.

databank said:

I don't recall any promotion in France whatsoever, zero video or radio airplay as far as I can tell. Did WB push it a bit in the US?

Sad

In 1991, I finally quit his band and the whole organization. I was totally exhausted… I had left Prince’s band because I really felt his direction was wrong, I was uncomfortable, you know? I was changing and I knew something was missing, but I didn’t know what. I knew that my life had to change and I didn’t want to live that way anymore or be in that environment, where it was always so negative. It was just wrong."