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“If I Was Your Girlfriend” was the second single off Prince’s widely-acclaimed 1987 double album Sign o’ the Times. While it is today considered one of his most notable songs, at the time of its release, the song did not chart well in the U.S., perhaps due to the record’s androgynous vocal and gender-bending lyrics. The track was originally from the “Camille” project of 1986, which was to be released under the guise of an alter ego boy named Camille (see Prince’s poem in the Lovesexy tour program), rather than by Prince. Regardless, the song is actually sung from a male perspective to a woman, wherein Prince explores the possibilities of a more intimate relationship if he were his lover’s (platonic) girlfriend. Trouser Press names the song as one of the album’s highlights, noting that it “redefines a relationship in a surprisingly mature way”.[1] Musically, the song is based on a bass and drum machine pattern, punctuated by a keyboard line that evokes sadness. Prince’s sped-up vocals are intensely emotional and heartfelt.
According to engineer Susan Rogers, a rare technical error on her part led to distortion— albeit only on certain words. As recounted in Alex Hahn’s book “Possessed: The Rise and Fall of Prince,” Rogers thought Prince “was going to rip my head off” for the mistake. Yet, after hearing the playback, Prince loved the effect, which is featured on the released version.
According to engineer Susan Rogers, a rare technical error on her part led to distortion— albeit only on certain words. As recounted in Alex Hahn’s book “Possessed: The Rise and Fall of Prince,” Rogers thought Prince “was going to rip my head off” for the mistake. Yet, after hearing the playback, Prince loved the effect, which is featured on the released version.
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Albums featuring this track
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The Hits/The B-Sides
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Sign O' The Times
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The Hits 2
PrinceBuy- Download Album
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Sign "O" the Times (disc 2)
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Shouts
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avonandmore wrote:
Click here--->http://www.last.fm/group/Networking+for+the+Nu-Soul (we'd love to have you:)
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Stephenite wrote:
You can be my gf, if u like. But, hey, join the queue. Seriously, Prince is the dude of dudes. Sensual, sexy, strong, meaningfull, fragile - all it is to be human.
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poor-de-chirico wrote:
So beautiful, sad, sexy, and true to life. At least my life.
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gabethevegan wrote:
Just starting to Read Alex Hahn's Tome re Prince Get the Feeling despite his pedigree this is a destruction Job on Prince, cant find any evidence of him review or revising his assessment of Prince's fall in the light of recent events,no later editions or website updates..Sad
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gabethevegan wrote:
is not his in last shout
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gabethevegan wrote:
One of my Faves,what a fuckin genius he is,when they write the history of Pop music,this guy will be seen for the awesome towering Artist he his and the meretritious Pretenders to his crown will be seen for what they are:Liquid Shite to be avoided..Gabe
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Balloons wrote:
This makes me wish Prince was my girlfriend. Make me breakfast! Help me pick out clothes! Go see movies with me!
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doxster wrote:
when he passes on to the other side, he'll probably come back as a rainbow
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FordPony90 wrote:
Possibly his greatest song EVER. Such a genius. LOVE Camille!
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HerrHerr wrote:
This will always be my favourite song.
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WALRUS1234 wrote:
AWESOME!
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pogopatterson wrote:
As I said somewhere else on this site, totally underrated Artist.
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Soulful_One wrote:
Brown shugah song.
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womanonfire wrote:
triple love+++
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ninokk3 wrote:
One of the best Prince's songs for me... I think the best
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mocow wrote:
Great.
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Olie25 wrote:
brilliant!!!
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grode wrote:
Genius
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LouLLAMA wrote:
Love it.
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2ndLifeEnt wrote:
This song changed my life. It's fantastic. One of his purpleness's best!
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Recent Activity
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lifeonsnooze, samw68, eddypoo and 13 other people loved Prince – If I Was Your Girlfriend. 11 hours ago
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