I can't place it, it's driving me crazy. It was definitely reused for another song.

if u change it up some i can hear cant stop this feeling i got and for some reason sounds like something jesse johnson has done

Are you just thinking of "Bite The Beat" from the Vanity 6 album? It has the rapidly repeated synth chord thing on it too.

Is it me or does it sound a bit like the riff from Ronnie Talk To Russia?

Scooch87 said:

Is it me or does it sound a bit like the riff from Ronnie Talk To Russia?

It's you.

But in general, Vanity 6 had that new wave edge to their music, which is something Prince often delved into even more than his rockabilly leanings. I don't think it necessarily borrows from or lends to another song specifically. But it's a definite arena that Prince used for V6 songs.

Princevault notes it was almost considered for Ice Cream Castles, then for V6's second album and A6's album. It just never made the cut. They also note Prince re-recorded it with the aforementioned rockabilly flavor in 1985. It seems the one on PRD is the earlier original version from 1983, to my ears, as it doesn't lend much to rockabilly (compared to things like "Horny Toad", "Delirious", "Jack U Off").

novabrkr said:

Are you just thinking of "Bite The Beat" from the Vanity 6 album? It has the rapidly repeated synth chord thing on it too.

.

Yes that's what i heard and Bite The Beat is the song that leapt to mind.

The drum beat is very similar to I Could Never Take The Place of Your Man.

But yes overall you may be thinking of Bite The Beat.

[Edited 6/25/17 12:55pm]

Dupe post!

[Edited 6/25/17 12:54pm]

We can hear what inspired it: "My Sharona" and "Bite The Beat". But, yeah, like what's already been said, ICNTTPOYM. I'm sure there's more.

Haystack said:

For me, the riff is vaguely similar to 'Automatic'.

I hear this too

Scooch87 said:

Is it me or does it sound a bit like the riff from Ronnie Talk To Russia?

yep

Haystack said:

Kind of reminds me of Girl but with a faster tempo. Also reminds me of Elvis, his vocals that is.

scorp84 said:

We can hear what inspired it: "My Sharona" and "Bite The Beat". But, yeah, like what's already been said, ICNTTPOYM. I'm sure there's more.

Hmm, My Sharona, good catch they do sound similar.