Black Sweat
"Black Sweat" | ||
---|---|---|
File:Black sweat.jpg | ||
Single by Prince | ||
From the album 3121 | ||
Single Released | February 7,2006 (USA) February 20, 2006 (UK) | |
Single Format | 12" Single Digital single CD Single | |
Recorded | 2005 | |
Genre | Funk | |
Song Length | 3:12 | |
Record label | NPG Records/Universal Records/Unique Records - (UK release) | |
Writer | Prince | |
Producer | Prince | |
Lyrics | - | |
Chart Positions | #1 (USA) | |
Prince US and UK single chronology | ||
"Te Amo Corazón" 2005 |
"Black Sweat" 2006 |
N/A |
"Black Sweat" is a single by Prince, from his 2006 album 3121. The video to accompany the single was released on February 2, 2006.
The song showcases minimalist funk alongside hip hop elements. Similar to "When Doves Cry" and "Kiss", a bass line is absent from the mix, which is an unusual occurence in a pop song.
The Song
In the song lyrics Prince is apprehensive to dance in the presence of a beautiful woman, but doesn't have a choice because the music is so funky - "I don't want too dance too hard, baby, but this is a groove (yes it is! funky!)". He is also scared to take his clothes in front her although he wants to ("I don't want 2 take my clothes off, but I do"). He overcomes his inhibitions and just does what comes naturally because he knows he's hot ("I'm hot, and I don't care who knows it, I got a job to do").
The Video
The seemingly low budget video, presented in black and white, has just one scene of a blank background and a seventies-styled chair placed in the center. The video stars Prince alongside a woman who dances rather seductively to the music, occasionally leaning and lying over the chair as Prince sings.
Chart Information
For the week ending March 11 2006, "Black Sweat" debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at number sixty (Prince's highest debut in years), and at number eighty-three on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles and Tracks chart. It also debuted at number one on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles Sales chart, which tabulates both physical and digital sales.
The song's initial surge of 11,500 digital singles sales was prompted by a month-long promotion with iTunes, in which four consumers would win a private concert performance by Prince (source: Billboard magazine, issue date 11 March 2006). "Black Sweat" was bundled with a second track, "Beautiful, Loved and Blessed". The song's lofty Hot 100 debut was attributed to this promotional tactic.
The track failed to chart in the UK Top 40, mainly down to the fact the video wasn't heavily circulated on music TV or radio stations.