Prince himself was VERY proud of the song.
He was very upset that it didn't do that
well when it was released as a single, and
because of that he almost gave up on
promoting the album.

Personally, I think it was a mistake to
release as the 2nd single from the album.
Even though it IS a fantastic song, it's
not that immediate, and would have benefitted
from being the 4th or 5th single released.

This is one of my top 10 all time Prince songs. I was listening to this track on headphones a few nights ago and I was floored by the brilliance contained on the track. The altered lead vocal, the varying octaves of the background vocals, the slapp bass, linn drum computer, and synths are unbelievable. Whenever I hear people mention electronica as if it were created in the late '90s I cringe because Prince mastered electronica in the'80s and it's on full display on this track. The most interesting thing about the song is the complex lyrical content that questions whether his woman would be more open if he were her best girlfriend. Whats more astounding is the depths at which Prince discusses their relationship, from being open with one another, to crying together at a movie, making breakfast, and picking out her clothes, ideas that are rarely discussed to this depth by a man in music. Prince hit all the notes of a relationship on this one even allowing himself to cry a little for his lady and creating a soundscape that is androgynous in theory yet within the confines of a heterosexual relationship.

Another astounding feature of the track is the way it segues from the pop/rock of U Got The Look into the seductive funk of If I Was Your Girlfriend. This segue is one of the most creative in music with the use of the orchestra tuning up signifying the beginning of the relationship, to the chant of a salesman stating "Look At The Bargins Over Here Ladies", to the weeding processional and then like a flash these thoughts are gone, yet they have covered the full range of a relationship in a matter of seconds. The creativity of that segueway is worth the price of the album because it sets the tone for what Prince is discussing in the song. Whats more interesting is the fact that Prince lyrically covers the ground the segue hints at. Whenever I listen to this track I am reaffirmed of the brilliance of Prince, sonically and lyrically.

I thought the voice was saying: "Look at your Pa, you suffragette lady"...

Oh dear.

Prince himself was VERY proud of the song.
He was very upset that it didn't do that
well when it was released as a single, and
because of that he almost gave up on
promoting the album.

Personally, I think it was a mistake to
release as the 2nd single from the album.
Even though it IS a fantastic song, it's
not that immediate, and would have benefitted
from being the 4th or 5th single released.

BorisFishpaw said:

A video would have been a big plus -- it was hard to chart anything then without a video.

madartista said:

Very true,
that mish-mash compilation vid that WB threw together was a waste of time.