If I Was Your Girlfriend
Encyclopedia
"If I Was Your Girlfriend" was the second single off 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". 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.
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.
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
.
12" single
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 widely-acclaimed 1987 double album
Double album
A double album is an audio album which spans two units of the primary medium in which it is sold, typically records and compact discs....
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.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. 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
Lovesexy
Lovesexy is the tenth studio album by Prince, released on May 10, 1988. Lovesexy was issued as a substitute record after the release of the infamous The Black Album had been suddenly cancelled. The Black Album and Lovesexy almost act as companion pieces, sharing the song "When 2 R in Love", but...
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
Trouser Press
Trouser Press was a rock and roll magazine started in New York in 1974 as a mimeographed fanzine by editor/publisher Ira Robbins, fellow Who fan Dave Schulps and Karen Rose under the name "Trans-Oceanic Trouser Press" ...
names the song as one of the album's highlights, noting that it "redefines a relationship in a surprisingly mature way". It is believed that "If I Was Your Girlfriend" deals with the jealousy 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...
felt at the close bond shared between then girlfriend Susannah Melvoin with Wendy Melvoin.
Musically, the song is based on a sparse bass
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
and 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...
pattern, punctuated by a keyboard
Keyboard instrument
A keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
line that evokes sadness. The opening seconds include a sound collage that includes an orchestra
Orchestra
An orchestra is a sizable instrumental ensemble that contains sections of string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. The term orchestra derives from the Greek ορχήστρα, the name for the area in front of an ancient Greek stage reserved for the Greek chorus...
tuning up, a salesman and a sample of Felix Mendelssohn
Felix Mendelssohn
Jakob Ludwig Felix Mendelssohn Barthóldy , use the form 'Mendelssohn' and not 'Mendelssohn Bartholdy'. The Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians gives ' Felix Mendelssohn' as the entry, with 'Mendelssohn' used in the body text...
'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-sideA-side and B-side
A-side and B-side originally referred to the two sides of gramophone records on which singles were released beginning in the 1950s. The terms have come to refer to the types of song conventionally placed on each side of the record, with the A-side being the featured song , while the B-side, or...
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
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:...
member, Jesse Johnson
Jesse Johnson (musician)
Jesse Woods Johnson is a musician best known as the guitarist in the original lineup of The Time....
. 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
Crystal Ball (unreleased album)
Crystal Ball is an unreleased studio album by Prince recorded throughout 1986. The album was planned to consist of 3 LPs and cover a broad range of musical styles.-Evolution of the album:...
, "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
The Hits/The B-Sides
-Disc 2 :-Disc 3 :...
.
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
- "If I Was Your Girlfriend" was covered on the TLCTLC (band)TLC is an American musical trio whose repertoire spanned R&B, hip-hop, soul, funk, and new jack swing. Originally consisting of singer Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins, rapper-singer Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes and singer Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas it found success in the 1990s while also enduring a series of spats...
album, CrazySexyCoolCrazySexyCoolCrazySexyCool is the second studio album by American R&B group TLC, released by LaFace Records on November 15, 1994 in North America...
, released in 1994, and on their FanMail TourFanMail TourThe FanMail Tour was the first concert tour performed by the American pop/R&B group TLC. In support of their album FanMail, the arena tour ran from late 1999 into early 2000. It covered the United States and Canada. There were six dates scheduled for Japan, but all dates were canceled.The Tour...
. - The song was covered by EelsEels (band)Eels is an American indie rock band formed by singer/songwriter Mark Oliver Everett, better known as E...
during their tours of 1997 and 1998. Their version was made commercially available on their 2008 rarities compilation Useless Trinkets: B-Sides, Soundtracks, Rarities and Unreleased 1996–2006.
Sampling
- Mobb DeepMobb DeepMobb Deep is an American hip hop duo from Queensbridge, Queens, New York, U.S., that consists of Havoc and Prodigy. The duo is "one of the most critically acclaimed hardcore East Coast hip-hop groups." The group is best known for its dark, hardcore delivery, as exemplified by the single "Shook Ones...
sampled the song on their 1996 pre-Hell on Earth song "Young Luv". - Chicano rapper Lil RobLil RobRoberto Flores , best known by his stage name Lil Rob, is a Mexican American rapper, producer, and actor-Biography:...
samples "If I Was Your Girlfriend" on his 1997 Crazy LifeCrazy Life- Track listing :* 1. Do My Thing* 2. Jump Into The Ride* 3. If You Should Lose Me* 4. Stop Look & Listen* 5. The Payback* 6. Shells Stackin' Up* 7. Brown Crowd* 8. Mexican Gangster* 9. Pachuco's Night* 10. Somethin' 2 Relate 2* 11. Soy Chingon...
album. - In 2003, the Jay-ZJay-ZShawn Corey Carter , better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America, having a net worth of over $450 million as of 2010...
/Beyoncé KnowlesBeyoncé KnowlesBeyoncé Giselle Knowles , often known simply as Beyoncé, is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress. Born and raised in Houston, Texas, she enrolled in various performing arts schools and was first exposed to singing and dancing competitions as a child...
single, "'03 Bonnie & Clyde'03 Bonnie & Clyde"03 Bonnie & Clyde" is a song by American rapper Jay-Z featuring R&B singer Beyoncé Knowles. It incorporates elements from the songs "Me and My Girlfriend" by Tupac Shakur, and "If I Was Your Girlfriend" by Prince and uses the theme from "Pasttime Paradise" by Stevie Wonder for the refrain...
" (from The Blueprint²: The Gift & the Curse) used several lines of "If I Was Your Girlfriend", and Prince was credited as one of the writers. - 2PacTupac ShakurTupac Amaru Shakur , known by his stage names 2Pac and Makaveli, was an American rapper and actor. Shakur has sold over 75 million albums worldwide as of 2007, making him one of the best-selling music artists in the world...
sampled a live performance of "If I Was Your Girlfriend" for his song "Thugs Get Lonely TooThugs Get Lonely Too"Thugs Get Lonely Too" was 2Pac's first single from his posthumous album Loyal to the Game. It featured the late Nate Dogg singing on the chorus and was produced by Eminem. It only charted at #55 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and at #98 on the Billboard Hot 100. No official music video for the...
"; the title is also a nod to another Prince composition called "Gigolos Get Lonely Too," performed by The Time. The song was recorded in 1993 but did not see official release until 2004, when the Prince samples were removed. - George ClintonGeorge Clinton (musician)George Clinton is an American singer, songwriter, bandleader, and music producer and the principal architect of P-Funk. He was the mastermind of the bands Parliament and Funkadelic during the 1970s and early 1980s, and launched a solo career in 1981. He has been cited as one of the foremost...
sampled "If I Was Your Girlfriend" for his song, "Heaven", off of his 2008 album George Clinton and His Gangsters of Love.
Appearances in other media
- "If I Was Your Girlfriend" and the B-side "Shockadelica" both appear in Demi MooreDemi MooreDemi Guynes Kutcher , known professionally as Demi Moore, is an American actress. After minor roles in film and a role in the soap opera General Hospital, Moore established her career in films such as St...
's 1996 film, StripteaseStriptease (film)-Release:Striptease was distributed by Sony and was finally released in the United States on June 28, 1996, after a June 23 premiere in New York City. It opened in Australia, France and Germany in August, and Argentina, Italy, Bolivia, South Africa, the United Kingdom, Brazil and Japan in...
.