777-9311
Encyclopedia
"777-9311" is the second track and lead single off The Time
's second album, What Time Is It?, from the The Time album What Time Is It?. Recorded for the album at Prince
's home studio in May-June 1982, the song was produced, arranged, composed and performed by Prince with Morris Day
later adding his lead vocals.
The funky song opens with a drum machine
beat, adds guitar, live playing on the cymbals and finally the bass and keyboards. A similar extended version of this occurs after the main lyrics, but starts with the bass and also includes a lengthy rock
guitar solo. The bass is truly the "star" of this song, and Prince has remarked that this is one of his signature basslines, remarking no one can play the line like himself. He also said the same about the bassline of "Let's Work
". Despite the song being performed nearly entirely by Prince, Day calls out "Terry" before the bass solo.
The U.S. 7" single was backed with a non-album track, "Grace", which is a mock-interview between a cocky Day and an interviewer named Bridgette, who Day keeps referring to as "Grace". Bridgette is played by Vanity
. The 12" single was backed with "The Walk
", where Morris also banters with Vanity and calls her "Grace", though it's not known if it is meant to be the reporter once again.
"777-9311" became the band's biggest single to date, reaching number two on the R&B charts and number 88 on the pop charts. It is one of The Time's signature numbers and is played at nearly all of their concerts. A live version of the song recorded in concert, 1998 segues from "Get It Up
" and was included on Day's 2004 album, It's About Time
.
The song's title, "777-9311", was Dez Dickerson
's actual telephone number at the time the song was written, causing his phone to ring off the hook until he had his number changed.
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 second album, What Time Is It?, from the The Time album What Time Is It?. Recorded for the album at 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 May-June 1982, the song 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 funky song opens with a drum machine
Drum machine
A drum machine is an electronic musical instrument designed to imitate the sound of drums or other percussion instruments. They are used in a variety of musical genres, not just purely electronic music...
beat, adds guitar, live playing on the cymbals and finally the bass and keyboards. A similar extended version of this occurs after the main lyrics, but starts with the bass and also includes a lengthy rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
guitar solo. The bass is truly the "star" of this song, and Prince has remarked that this is one of his signature basslines, remarking no one can play the line like himself. He also said the same about the bassline of "Let's Work
Let's Work
"Let's Work" was the second single from the 1981 album, Controversy, by Prince. The song originates from a dance called "the Rock" that local kids were doing at the time in Minneapolis. Prince responded quickly with a track called "Let's Rock", and wished to quickly release it as a single. Warner...
". Despite the song being performed nearly entirely by Prince, Day calls out "Terry" before the bass solo.
The U.S. 7" single was backed with a non-album track, "Grace", which is a mock-interview between a cocky Day and an interviewer named Bridgette, who Day keeps referring to as "Grace". Bridgette is played by Vanity
Vanity (performer)
Denise Katrina Matthews , better known as Vanity, but sometimes credited as Denise Matthews-Smith or D.D. Winters, is a Canadian-born former singer, songwriter, dancer, actress, and model from the 1980s until the early mid-90s...
. The 12" single was backed with "The Walk
The Walk (The Time song)
"The Walk" opens side two of The Time's second album, What Time Is It?. Recorded for the album at Sunset Sound in January 1982, the song was produced, arranged, composed and performed by Prince with Morris Day later adding his lead vocals and Vanity 6 providing some backing vocals.The funk song...
", where Morris also banters with Vanity and calls her "Grace", though it's not known if it is meant to be the reporter once again.
"777-9311" became the band's biggest single to date, reaching number two on the R&B charts and number 88 on the pop charts. It is one of The Time's signature numbers and is played at nearly all of their concerts. A live version of the song recorded in concert, 1998 segues from "Get It Up
Get It Up
-TLC version:"Get It Up" was covered by girl group TLC for the Poetic Justice soundtrack becoming a minor hit for the group and was later included in TLC's greatest hits album, Now and Forever: The Hits. The video for TLC's "Get It Up" was shot in June 1993....
" and was included on 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...
.
The song's title, "777-9311", was Dez Dickerson
Dez Dickerson
Dez Dickerson is an American guitarist and singer who was a member of Prince's former band, The Revolution.-Biography:...
's actual telephone number at the time the song was written, causing his phone to ring off the hook until he had his number changed.
Appearances in other media
- Rapper 2Pac sampled "777-9311" in his song "Whatz Ya Phone #?" from the album All Eyez On MeAll Eyez on MeAll Eyez on Me is the fourth studio album by American rapper 2Pac, released February 13, 1996 on Death Row Records and Interscope Records....
. - Rapper Sir Mix-A-LotSir Mix-a-LotAnthony Ray , better known by his stage name Sir Mix-a-Lot, is an emcee and producer based in Seattle, Washington. The founder of the Nastymix record label, he debuted in 1988 with Swass...
's 1989 single "Beepers", from his album SeminarSeminar (album)-Track listing:#"Seminar" - 3:47#"Beepers" - 4:17#"National Anthem" - 4:28#"My Hooptie" - 4:46#"Gortex" - 3:46#"The Game" - 4:43#"I Got Game" - 4:56#"I'll Roll You Up" - 4:29#"Something About My Benzo" - 4:29#"My Bad Side" - 4:46...
, refers to this track; during a breakdown, a simulated SkyPager operator says "you wish to send message, 777-9311, enter numeric message or press the pound key now." - Rapper Kutt CalhounKutt CalhounMelvin Calhoun Jr., better known by his stage name Kutt Calhoun, is an American rapper from Kansas City, Missouri. His second album, Feature Presentation, debuted at #60 on the Billboard "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums" chart in its first week of release...
referenced this song on "School Daze" from the album Feature PresentationFeature PresentationFeature Presentation is the second studio album by Kansas City rapper Kutt Calhoun. It was released on October 7, 2008 and was able to chart #60 on Billboards "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums" chart in its first week of release....
. - MC Common referenced the number "777-9311" in his song "Puppy Chow" from the album Can I Borrow a Dollar?Can I Borrow a Dollar?Can I Borrow a Dollar? is the 1992 debut album by Chicago rapper Common, . released in the U.S on October 6, 1992. The album was entirely produced by No I.D , The Beatnuts and Twilite Tone. It contains guest vocals from Immenslope, Miss Jones and Common's then-girlfriend Rayshel...
. - Gospel artist J MossJ MossJ. Moss , Detroit, Michigan is an American singer-songwriter, composer, arranger, and producer.-Early years:...
samples this song as the backing track for his single "Dance" featuring Kirk FranklinKirk FranklinKirk Dwayne Franklin is an American Gospel music musician, choir director, and author, and is most notably known for leading urban contemporary gospel choirs such as The Family, God's Property and One Nation Crew .- Early years :...
. - Rapper Andre NickatinaAndre NickatinaAndre L. Adams , better known by his stage name Andre Nickatina, is an American rapper from San Francisco, California. He previously performed under the stage name Dre Dog.-Musical career:...
referenced this number on "Upgrade Call" from the album Horns and HalosHorns and Halos (album)Horns and Halos is the fourteenth album released by rapper, Andre Nickatina and his second with rapper Equipto. It was released on May 17, 2005 for Million Dollar Dream and featured production from Andre Nickatina, Nick Peace, Little J, Sweet Geez, Tone Capone and DJ Pause. Two sequels were...
. - Rapper ShortyoShortyoRichard Hentosh , better known by his stage name, Shortyo, is an American hip hop artist and businessman. He is the CEO of Affiliated Records. He co-owns Cornerboy Clothing with fellow Philly MC Cyssero...
referenced this number in his song "Call Me" on the album King Of The KountyKing of the KountyKing of the Kounty is an album by rap artist Shortyo released on October 13, 2009, on Affiliated Entertainment Group / Koch Entertainment.-Recording:Most of the album's recording took place in Shortyos recording studio located in Lehighton Pennsylvania...
.