https://books.google.com/books?id=DiQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PP1&dq=billboard+dec+8,+1979&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjf47fCk6HJAhXEOD4KHeOVBbYQ6AEIHTAA#v=onepage&q=billboard%20dec%208%2C%201979&f=false

It's easy to forget how long Prince has been in the music industry and looking at December 8, 1979 when Prince earned his first number 1 hit on any chart, in this case, what was called Billboard Hot Soul Singles Chart, the song was a big on Black radio. However, reading trade articles about the backlash disco music and culture was having on Black artists because of radio djs phasing out dance records on their playlists, this really crystalizes why Prince felt the need to re-invent his music, songwriting, sound and visual aesthetic to start the eighties decade so quickly. Also, found interesting that even in 1979, cassettes were already being issued as a format to overtake vinyl records because they were cheaper to produce. Lastly, this speaks to Prince's longevity because in 1979, Prince was number 1 with Michael Jackson, Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder and Bar Kays in thee top 20. NOW THAT'S OLD SCHOOL!

Billboard Hot Soul Singles Chart-week of December 8, 1979

1. Prince-I Wanna Be Your Lover

2. Rufus-Do You Love What You Feel

3. Bar Kays-Move Your Boogie Body

4. Sugar Hill Gang-Rapper's Delight

5. Michael Jackson-Rock With You

6. Kool & The Gang-Ladie's Night

7. The Commodores-Still

8. Smokey Robinson-Crusin'

9. Nature's Divine-I Just Can't Control It

10. Stevie Wonder-Send One Your Love

8 out of 10 of these songs are classics. Part of me wishes Prince wrote another song that captured the public's attention again.

Prince's first hit single.. an amazing song..

And, an amazing album......


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[Edited 11/21/15 2:16am]

No one saying he stole a melody or contribution yet, good thread.

jdcxc said:

MotownSubdivision said:

jdcxc said:

I still can't believe how young he was when he released this song...20! Does anyone know if he is still the youngest Major Label artist to produce, compose, play all instruments on his debut album?

I'm pretty sure he is.

Especially because Prince recorded his debut album in a day where you had to know analogue studio technology to manipulate recording techniques that even students who went to school for it, didn't fully comprehend. Plus, Prince released his record in a market where many of soul music's best pracitioners were still on the charts: Earth Wind And Fire, Funkadelic, Curtis Mayfield, Rick James, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye etc. It's amazing to me that Prince at 19 years old, one year removed from high school was in that midst. "Move Your Boogie Body" never heard of but that was some great music.

bashraka said:

This is why I like Prince!! He's one of if not the greatest musician. Even at a young age, he was doing stuff people who were in the industry for years could not do.

bashraka said:

It really is evidence of Michael Jackson on Prince singe IWBYL wouldn't be out of place on Off The Wall

bashraka said:

Billboard Hot Soul Singles Chart-week of December 8, 1979

1. Prince-I Wanna Be Your Lover

2. Rufus-Do You Love What You Feel

3. Bar Kays-Move Your Boogie Body

4. Sugar Hill Gang-Rapper's Delight

5. Michael Jackson-Rock With You

6. Kool & The Gang-Ladie's Night

7. The Commodores-Still

8. Smokey Robinson-Crusin'

9. Nature's Divine-I Just Can't Control It

10. Stevie Wonder-Send One Your Love

8 out of 10 of these songs are classics. Part of me wishes Prince wrote another song that captured the public's attention again.

This makes me mourn for mainstream music. Compare this list to any random Billboad Top 10 list of the past 15 or 20 years and it's just sad.

xpertluva said:

bashraka said:

Billboard Hot Soul Singles Chart-week of December 8, 1979

1. Prince-I Wanna Be Your Lover

2. Rufus-Do You Love What You Feel

3. Bar Kays-Move Your Boogie Body

4. Sugar Hill Gang-Rapper's Delight

5. Michael Jackson-Rock With You

6. Kool & The Gang-Ladie's Night

7. The Commodores-Still

8. Smokey Robinson-Crusin'

9. Nature's Divine-I Just Can't Control It

10. Stevie Wonder-Send One Your Love

8 out of 10 of these songs are classics. Part of me wishes Prince wrote another song that captured the public's attention again.

This makes me mourn for mainstream music. Compare this list to any random Billboad Top 10 list of the past 15 or 20 years and it's just sad.

The number of classics in that top ten when "I Wanna Be Your Lover" was number 1 is amazing to me. These aree SONGS that have stood the test of time. I haven't even looked at the charts of music in 2015 but I know those songs are absolute trash.

bashraka said:

Billboard Hot Soul Singles Chart-week of December 8, 1979

1. Prince-I Wanna Be Your Lover

2. Rufus-Do You Love What You Feel

3. Bar Kays-Move Your Boogie Body

4. Sugar Hill Gang-Rapper's Delight

5. Michael Jackson-Rock With You

6. Kool & The Gang-Ladie's Night

7. The Commodores-Still

8. Smokey Robinson-Crusin'

9. Nature's Divine-I Just Can't Control It

10. Stevie Wonder-Send One Your Love

8 out of 10 of these songs are classics. Part of me wishes Prince wrote another song that captured the public's attention again.

The fucking talent in that top 10 is mind blowing

compare too today's 10 top

[Edited 11/24/15 14:49pm]

LeonardZelig said:

killer thread BASHRAKA, the production alone on this number made it an immediate game changer. MJJ could never fak with Prince on production. Might as well add lyrics too.

Also, Michael Jackson had Quincy Jones as a producer pull in all of those great Los Angeles studio musicians for "Rock With You" and "Don't Stop Til You Get Enough". "Off The Wall" had a big budget. Prince, played every instrument and made "I Wanna Be Your Lover" and "Prince" with a small budget and needed a hit to prove he could make a hit to WB. Prince proved his mettle as a hitmaker in a market with all of that killer competition.

xpertluva said:

bashraka said:

Billboard Hot Soul Singles Chart-week of December 8, 1979

1. Prince-I Wanna Be Your Lover

2. Rufus-Do You Love What You Feel

3. Bar Kays-Move Your Boogie Body

4. Sugar Hill Gang-Rapper's Delight

5. Michael Jackson-Rock With You

6. Kool & The Gang-Ladie's Night

7. The Commodores-Still

8. Smokey Robinson-Crusin'

9. Nature's Divine-I Just Can't Control It

10. Stevie Wonder-Send One Your Love

8 out of 10 of these songs are classics. Part of me wishes Prince wrote another song that captured the public's attention again.

This makes me mourn for mainstream music. Compare this list to any random Billboad Top 10 list of the past 15 or 20 years and it's just sad.

I know,right? It's a shame how today's music isn't nearly as good as the songs on this chart.