I was just reading the interview with Dez, and he sort of quoted 1999 saying "Life is more than just a party"

I heard that line from the song in my head and it reminded me of (sorry!) Larry Graham's singing in Sly & the Family Stone. Obviously Prince loves Sly (& Larry), but I never noticed this example as a possible influence.

I always thought it was funny that Prince was the third or fourth person to sing on 1999. But it's sort of like songs such as "I Want to Take You Higher" or "Everybody is a Star." I wonder if this was conscious.

It was, originally the song played out with all 3 voices going at the same time. Later, they edited it so they each took a verse -Prince came in for the 3rd verse and altogether the chorus was sung.

Hmmmmm...
Good observation.....

funkpill said:

I think in one Prince bio or another they talk about that's how it went down. It originally wasn't gonna be sung one verse for Dez, one for Prince etc.