Girl (The Time song)
Encyclopedia
"Girl" was the final single released from The Time
's debut album. Like most of the album, the song was recorded in Prince
's home studio in April 1981, and was produced, arranged, composed and performed by Prince with Morris Day
later adding his lead vocals. The single reached number 49 on the U.S. R&B singles chart.
The tender ballad
is built around the piano and synthesizers and features live drumming and bass. The emotional lyrics delivered by Day tell of a difficult breakup and that he is still in love with the song's subject. Prince's backing vocals are unmistakable, especially in the chorus.
The U.S. 7" single was backed with an edit of album track, "The Stick", a funky number which was written by Revolution
member Lisa Coleman
(uncredited), who also provided background vocals. Another uncredited Revolution member was Doctor Fink
, who provided synthesizer solos for the track. A 12" single was not released.
Though not one of their biggest hits, "Girl" is often played in concert and a live version of the song recorded at the House of Blues in 1998 and was included on Morris Day's 2004 album, It's About Time
.
Prince wrote a completely different song entitled "Girl" in 1985, which became the B-side of the "America
" single in the U.S. and the B-side of "Pop Life
" in Europe (both released in 1985).
The Time (band)
The Time is a funk and dance-pop ensemble formed in 1981. They are close Prince associates and arguably the most successful artists who have worked with him.-Prince, Formation and Success:...
's debut album. Like most of the album, the song was recorded in Prince
Prince (musician)
Prince Rogers Nelson , often known simply as Prince, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Prince has produced ten platinum albums and thirty Top 40 singles during his career. Prince founded his own recording studio and label; writing, self-producing and playing most, or all, of...
's home studio in April 1981, and was produced, arranged, composed and performed by Prince with Morris Day
Morris Day
Morris E. Day is an American musician and composer. He is best known as the lead singer of The Time.-1970s and 1980s:...
later adding his lead vocals. The single reached number 49 on the U.S. R&B singles chart.
The tender ballad
Ballad
A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music. Ballads were particularly characteristic of British and Irish popular poetry and song from the later medieval period until the 19th century and used extensively across Europe and later the Americas, Australia and North Africa. Many...
is built around the piano and synthesizers and features live drumming and bass. The emotional lyrics delivered by Day tell of a difficult breakup and that he is still in love with the song's subject. Prince's backing vocals are unmistakable, especially in the chorus.
The U.S. 7" single was backed with an edit of album track, "The Stick", a funky number which was written by Revolution
The Revolution (band)
The Revolution was an American rock band formed in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1979 by Prince. Although widely associated with rock music, the band's sound incorporated heavy metal, pop, funk, R&B and hard rock elements. Before their official break-up, The Revolution had released one studio album,...
member Lisa Coleman
Lisa Coleman (musician)
Lisa Coleman is an American Emmy® Award winning musician and composer. Coleman plays piano and keyboards. She was a member of Prince's backing band The Revolution from 1980-1986. She is currently one half of the musical duo Wendy & Lisa, formed with Wendy Melvoin in 1986.-Early life:Coleman's...
(uncredited), who also provided background vocals. Another uncredited Revolution member was Doctor Fink
Doctor Fink
Matthew Robert "Matt" Fink, better known by the stage name Doctor Fink, is an American keyboardist, record producer, and songwriter. He is most known as a member of The Revolution, the backing band for pop musician Prince. Fink won a Grammy Award...
, who provided synthesizer solos for the track. A 12" single was not released.
Though not one of their biggest hits, "Girl" is often played in concert and a live version of the song recorded at the House of Blues in 1998 and was included on Morris Day's 2004 album, It's About Time
It's About Time (Morris Day album)
It's About Time, released in 2004, is the fourth and latest solo album to date by R&B singer Morris Day. Released 12 years after his previous album Guaranteed, It's About Time is somewhat a return to form for Day. With the exception of four new songs, the album consists of previous hits, recorded...
.
Prince wrote a completely different song entitled "Girl" in 1985, which became the B-side of the "America
America (Prince song)
"America" is a song by Prince and The Revolution. It was the final U.S. single from the group's 1985 album, Around the World in a Day and is a sardonic attack on the mid-1980s United States, referencing Communism, and worrying about nuclear war, a common theme in Prince's lyrics in the 1980s.The...
" single in the U.S. and the B-side of "Pop Life
Pop Life
"Pop Life" is a song by Prince and The Revolution. It was the second U.S. single from their 1985 album, Around the World in a Day, reaching #7 in the U.S. charts. The song starts with a faded-in synth line and quickly starts the main tune. The easy groove is achieved with a smooth bass guitar and...
" in Europe (both released in 1985).