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;12" single
;12" single
*A. "If I Was Your Girlfriend" – 4:54
*A. "If I Was Your Girlfriend" – 4:54
*B. "Shockadelica" (extended version) –6:12
*B. "Shockadelica" (extended version) – 6:12


==Cover versions==
==Cover versions==

Revision as of 16:18, 8 April 2014

"If I Was Your Girlfriend"
Song
B-side"Shockadelica"
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"If I Was Your Girlfriend" was the second single from Prince's widely acclaimed 1987 double album Sign “☮” 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.. The track was originally from the Camille project of 1986, which was to be released under the guise of an alter ego 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] It is believed that "If I Was Your Girlfriend" deals with the jealousy Prince felt at the close bond shared between then girlfriend Susannah Melvoin with Wendy Melvoin.[2]

Musically, the song is based on a sparse bass and drum machine pattern, punctuated by a keyboard line that evokes sadness. The opening seconds include a sound collage that includes an orchestra tuning up, a salesman and a sample of Felix Mendelssohn's "Wedding March". Prince's sped-up vocals are intensely emotional and heartfelt throughout. 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.

"Shockadelica"

The B-side to the track was another "Camille" track, "Shockadelica". The track was actually written in response to an album of the same name by former Time member, Jesse Johnson. Prince heard Johnson's album before its release, and commented that a great album should have a great title track. Johnson disagreed, so Prince recorded the track and had it played on a Minneapolis radio station before the release of Johnson's album. The public perception would be that Johnson was copying Prince's idea, and this caused tension between Johnson and Prince.

When the "Camille" project was scrapped in favor of Crystal Ball, "Shockadelica" again made the cut, but was deleted from the tracklist when the set was trimmed to Sign “☮” the Times. The track was released as a B-side, and later on The Hits/The B-Sides.

Track listings

7" single
  • A. "If I Was Your Girlfriend" (edit) – 3:46
  • B. "Shockadelica" – 3:30
12" single
  • A. "If I Was Your Girlfriend" – 4:54
  • B. "Shockadelica" (extended version) – 6:12

Cover versions

Sampling

Appearances in other media

  • "If I Was Your Girlfriend" and the B-side "Shockadelica" both appear in Demi Moore's 1996 film, Striptease.

References

  1. ^ Green, Jim. "Prince". Trouser Press. Trouser Press LLC. Retrieved 2007-10-10. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ Jason Draper (2008). "Prince: Life & Times". Jawbone Press.
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