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La, La La, He, He, Heee
Released as the B-Side to Sign "O" The Times - Spring 1987.

One heck of a FUNKED out song! I think it's a forgotten overlooked kick ass jam! If you just listened to the single version which is on The Hits The B-Sides compilation you're missing on halph the Funk!

It think it was written really fast in the studio with Sheena Easton when they were doing sessions for U Got The Look. It's got that Camille feel to it, the Linn LM-1 pumping a straight beat, Fairlight Sampling Synth blasting at just the right time, that strange orchestra blast! Oh and the dog woof (also a Fairlight sample) on the 2 and 4! Just too creative and funny!

I wish that it was perfomed more at the time, in the Sign "O" The Times Tour mixed in with It's Gonna Be A Beautiful Night or something. Prince did use the horn section in the last part of When Doves Cry for that tour and the Lovesexy Tour in 1988 but that was it.

My favorite part of the song is the part where he's singing in a falcetto and then just starts to scream! Oh, that just makes my hair stand on end! "You've got nine lives, and I'VE GOT..." I can't make it out but it's an awsome moment!

I also really dig the bass solo and everybody just chanting "Play that thang!" Cool.

Also when Prince says "Slammin'!" Like he came up with a new slang term no one else was using or had used!

Just a really fun song that has that fast FUNK straight beat with everything all swirling around it! It's the creativity and daring approach to Funk and music that I craved during much of the 90's, especially the MID 90's.

It has a slight nursery rhyme quality to the main chorus, much like Starfish and Coffee.

With this thread I hope to start "Song Celebration: " threads. Threads where you share your memories (attached to the song), details, observations and appreciation for some of the best Prince songs.

"Oh how sexy it will be, when we get togetha'...in my treee!"

Oh and one instrument detail, I love that Madhouse hand clap used towards the end when it's picking up the jam. You can hear it in the breaks where the snare drop out. Love that sound!

"You've got nine lives, and I'VE ONLY GOT ONE!!! WOO!"

totally awesome song. my best friend and I blast it when we pick up hitchikers... they get so scared...

All the Camille era tunes are the SHIZNIT!

didn't this song form out of a dare for him to turn the phrase "la la la hee he he" into a song?

starboy126 said:

Right! Yeah, I think that's one of the stories behind the jam. It totally feels like the fun they were having. Happy moments, happy songs.

I'll never forget the day I brought home the SOTT 12".
I was 15 & really into Prince and totally excited about the new 12" from the new (not yet released) double album.
The picture of Cat on the cover "disgused" as Prince was just enough to make you wonder if it really was him
or not. The song SOTT of course blew me away, and then to flip it over, only to have the 10 minute
La La La He He Heee waiting for me!! Just under the title
La La La He He Heee on the back cover, it says
"highly explosive" & I agreed right away!
FlyingCloudPassenger, you are right on about all of the little details you pointed out. The BASS SOLO!! The horn solos. All of the subtle touches in the mix. I also always loved how the tamborine kicks in right near the end for the last chorus round. And if you turned up the record and listened real close after the song ends Prince says
(mixed real low): "Play that back!"
Good one to pick for your first Song Celebration!!
A good idea too!

chewymusic said:

There's a 10 minute version to La La La He He He?
Has anyone seen it on Kazaa or something? a wrecka stow even?

By the way, very cool thread to start FCP!!!

Yuck.

Not a favorite.

Thanks funky people!

Yeah! The design of the cover was too cool!

I used to tear up my 7" singles! The horrarr, I know! But I was 16 and just so into the design and visuals as well, I ended up cutting out Cat and pasting her on my folder. That was the fad at the time.

I also remember anticipating the album and seeing those bills posters with just the funky type Sign "O" The Times...peach and black, dramatic and you knew this was something great and fresh.

The peach cloud guitar, slightly hippie funk style Camille thang.

I wonder why Prince go into that color combination?

Anyway, glad ya'lls like, and to those that don't that's cool too.

Hope you start another Song Celebration thread soon! Just keep it tight!

I always loved this song too, a very nice surprise for a B-side. I never really got the Sheena Easton thing though. She has about as much soul and talent as Kim Basinger, Mayte and Carmen Electra... Oh wait, I think I just figured out why he let Sheena into the studio...

The 10 minute version is essential Prince. Too funky.

while the music is too funky and most of the singing is excellent i just don't dig the 'la la la hee he he' phrase. it's just plain stupid.

can you relate?

I've always thought that this was Prince's "answer" 2 George Clinton's "Atomic Dog".

As in...yeah, I can do that 2! It's always been one of my faves.

Anyone looking for the 10 minute mix, it's here, on the b-side:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/...=890976595

And as has been pointed out, the title arose from Sheena Easton telling Prince that a song must have deep 'n' meaningful lyrics--that a sing-songy "la, la, la, he, he, hee, I want you, you want me" isn't good enough.

So he went and recorded that song, and gave her co-writing credit for the lyrics on the sleeve!

get out my tree
grinnin' at me
lickin' yo tail
like it's creeeaaam



GREAT song! An essential cut & the barking hook is contagious!



SANG! oww oww oww owww!