Funny How Time Flies (When You're Having Fun)
Encyclopedia
"Funny How Time Flies" is the seventh and final single
from American R&B
singer Janet Jackson
's third studio album, Control
(1986). While "Funny How Time Flies (When You're Having Fun)" was officially released in the United Kingdom and Australia, it went for airplay
single in the United States in 1987. The song was written by Jackson and collaborators/producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis
. It performed poorly on the UK Singles Chart
, only reaching number fifty-nine. In the U.S., though it never charted, it became a famed quiet storm
staple on adult R&B radio stations. No music video
was filmed for the single. Jazz
musician Stanley Clarke
covered
the song for his 1988 album If This Bass Could Only Talk
. The song was also sampled
on The Lost Boyz
's "Renee
" and Camp Lo
's "Coolie High", both from 1996.
For the first time, Jackson included the song on her 2008 Rock Witchu Tour
.
UK 12" single
covered the song from his album "If This Bass Could Only Talk
."
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
from American R&B
Contemporary R&B
Contemporary R&B is a music genre that combines elements of hip hop, soul, R&B and funk.Although the abbreviation “R&B” originates from traditional rhythm and blues music, today the term R&B is most often used to describe a style of African American music originating after the demise of disco in...
singer Janet Jackson
Janet Jackson
Janet Damita Jo Jackson is an American recording artist and actress. Known for a series of sonically innovative, socially conscious and sexually provocative records, as well as elaborate stage shows, television and film roles, she has been a prominent figure in popular culture for over 25 years...
's third studio album, Control
Control (Janet Jackson album)
Control is the third studio album by American recording artist Janet Jackson, released on February 6, 1986 by A&M Records. Her collaborations with songwriters and record producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis resulted in an unconventional sound: a fusion of rhythm and blues, funk, disco, rap vocals,...
(1986). While "Funny How Time Flies (When You're Having Fun)" was officially released in the United Kingdom and Australia, it went for airplay
Airplay
* Airplay is the amount of time a song is played on the radio.It may also refer to:* AirPlay, an audio & video streaming technology from Apple Inc.* Airplay , Foster & Graydon music project from 1980* Citroën C1, Citroën C1 Airplay...
single in the United States in 1987. The song was written by Jackson and collaborators/producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis
Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis
James Samuel "Jimmy Jam" Harris III and Terry Steven Lewis are an American R&B and pop-music songwriting and record production team...
. It performed poorly on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
, only reaching number fifty-nine. In the U.S., though it never charted, it became a famed quiet storm
Quiet storm
Quiet storm is a late-night radio format, featuring soulful slow jams, pioneered in the mid-1970s by then-station-intern Melvin Lindsey at WHUR-FM, in Washington, D.C. Smokey Robinson's like-titled hit single, released in 1975 as the title track to his third solo album, lent its name to the format...
staple on adult R&B radio stations. No music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
was filmed for the single. Jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
musician Stanley Clarke
Stanley Clarke
Stanley Clarke is an American jazz musician and composer known for his innovative and influential work on double bass and electric bass guitar as well as for his numerous film and television scores...
covered
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
the song for his 1988 album If This Bass Could Only Talk
If This Bass Could Only Talk
If This Bass Could Only Talk is a 1988 album by the American bassplayer Stanley Clarke.-Track listing:#"If This Bass Could Only Talk" – 2:30#"Goodbye Pork Pie Hat" – 6:24#"I Want to Play for Ya" – 3:22#"Stories to Tell" – 3:46...
. The song was also sampled
Sampling (music)
In music, sampling is the act of taking a portion, or sample, of one sound recording and reusing it as an instrument or a different sound recording of a song or piece. Sampling was originally developed by experimental musicians working with musique concrète and electroacoustic music, who physically...
on The Lost Boyz
The Lost Boyz
The Lost Boyz is a hip hop group from South Jamaica, Queens, New York. The original group members were lead MC Mr. Cheeks, backup MC and promoter Freaky Tah , DJ Spigg Nice and Pretty Lou.-Recording career:...
's "Renee
Renee (song)
"Renee" is a song by rap group Lost Boyz from their second studio album Legal Drug Money and the Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood soundtrack. It samples the Janet Jackson song "Funny How Time Flies "...
" and Camp Lo
Camp Lo
Camp Lo is an American hip hop duo, formed in 1995, which hails from The Bronx, New York. The duo consists of rappers Sonny Cheeba and Geechi Suede , both of Muslim upbringing.-Career:...
's "Coolie High", both from 1996.
For the first time, Jackson included the song on her 2008 Rock Witchu Tour
Rock Witchu Tour
The Rock Witchu Tour was the fifth concert tour by American singer-songwriter, Janet Jackson, in support of her tenth studio album Discipline. This was Jackson's first tour in nearly seven years. The tour visited North America...
.
Track listings
UK and Australian 7" single- A. "Funny How Time Flies (When You're Having Fun)" – 4:29
- B. "When I Think of YouWhen I Think of You"When I Think of You" is the third single from Janet Jackson's third studio album, Control . Written by Jackson and Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, and produced by Jam and Lewis, the song is about a person who finds relief and fun in a lover...
" – 3:57
UK 12" single
- A1. "Funny How Time Flies (When You're Having Fun)" – 4:29
- A2. "NastyNasty (song)"Nasty" is the second single from Janet Jackson's third studio album, Control . Released in 1986, the single peaked at number three on Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, and remains one of Jackson's signature songs. Paula Abdul choreographed the music video and appeared...
" (Cool Summer Mix - Part One) – 7:57 - B1. "When I Think of You" (Dance Remix) – 6:25
Charts
| Chart (1987) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Irish Singles Chart Irish Singles Chart The Irish Singles Chart is Ireland's music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association and compiled on behalf of the IRMA by Chart-Track. Chart rankings are based on sales, which are compiled through over-the-counter retail data captured... |
24 |
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
59 |
Renditions
In 1988, bassist Stanley ClarkeStanley Clarke
Stanley Clarke is an American jazz musician and composer known for his innovative and influential work on double bass and electric bass guitar as well as for his numerous film and television scores...
covered the song from his album "If This Bass Could Only Talk
If This Bass Could Only Talk
If This Bass Could Only Talk is a 1988 album by the American bassplayer Stanley Clarke.-Track listing:#"If This Bass Could Only Talk" – 2:30#"Goodbye Pork Pie Hat" – 6:24#"I Want to Play for Ya" – 3:22#"Stories to Tell" – 3:46...
."