Let's Pretend We're Married
Encyclopedia
"Let's Pretend We're Married" is a song by Prince
from his 1982 album 1999
. It was also the final US single
from the album. The song consists mainly of keyboards
and drum machine
s, along with Prince's vocals. Two verses followed by chorus
es form the main basis of the song. The song breaks down to an instrumental section followed by Prince stating he wants to "fuck the taste out of your mouth." The final part of the song is an a cappella
with Prince stating his philosophy
on life - he loves God
for fear of the afterlife
but he's going to have fun while he can, a theme echoed in "1999
". The song was performed live on the Purple Rain Tour
.
The B-side
, "Irresistible Bitch", received equal airplay and so qualified to chart alongside the A-side
. The track was actually written and recorded in 1981, and segues from the song "Feel U Up", which was re-recorded in 1986 for the Camille project. The original version of "Irresistible Bitch" has a much rougher vocal, and is an organ
-driven song. The 1983 remake has more percussion
, both live drums and drum machines, along with bell-like keyboards and vocal backup from Wendy & Lisa
. The lyrics are the familiar Prince theme of a jilted lover who treats his woman well, but gets treated badly in return. The song was performed on the Purple Rain tour, and once again with The New Power Generation, for their 1992–1993 tours.
Tina Turner
has covered the song in live performances, and one of these is included on her The Collected Recordings - Sixties to Nineties
album. The latter track also appears as the B-side of her own "Show Some Respect
" single, released in 1984. In addition, the band School of Fish
covered the song on the B-side to the single "3 Strange Days".
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...
from his 1982 album 1999
1999 (album)
1999 is the fifth studio album by Prince, released on October 27, 1982. It was his first top ten album on the Billboard 200 chart in the United States and became the fifth best-selling album of 1983. 1999 was Prince's breakthrough album, but his next album Purple Rain would become his most...
. It was also the final US single
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 the album. The song consists mainly of keyboards
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...
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...
s, along with Prince's vocals. Two verses followed by chorus
Refrain
A refrain is the line or lines that are repeated in music or in verse; the "chorus" of a song...
es form the main basis of the song. The song breaks down to an instrumental section followed by Prince stating he wants to "fuck the taste out of your mouth." The final part of the song is an a cappella
A cappella
A cappella music is specifically solo or group singing without instrumental sound, or a piece intended to be performed in this way. It is the opposite of cantata, which is accompanied singing. A cappella was originally intended to differentiate between Renaissance polyphony and Baroque concertato...
with Prince stating his philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
on life - he loves God
God
God is the English name given to a singular being in theistic and deistic religions who is either the sole deity in monotheism, or a single deity in polytheism....
for fear of the afterlife
Afterlife
The afterlife is the belief that a part of, or essence of, or soul of an individual, which carries with it and confers personal identity, survives the death of the body of this world and this lifetime, by natural or supernatural means, in contrast to the belief in eternal...
but he's going to have fun while he can, a theme echoed in "1999
1999 (song)
"1999" is a song by Prince, the title track from his 1982 album of the same name. The song is one of Prince's best-known, and a defining moment in his rise to superstar status....
". The song was performed live on the Purple Rain Tour
Purple Rain Tour
The Purple Rain Tour was a concert tour by Prince following up on the success of his 1984 film Purple Rain. According to Spin the tour sold over 1.7 million tickets.-History:...
.
The B-side
A-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...
, "Irresistible Bitch", received equal airplay and so qualified to chart alongside the A-side
A-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...
. The track was actually written and recorded in 1981, and segues from the song "Feel U Up", which was re-recorded in 1986 for the Camille project. The original version of "Irresistible Bitch" has a much rougher vocal, and is an organ
Organ (music)
The organ , is a keyboard instrument of one or more divisions, each played with its own keyboard operated either with the hands or with the feet. The organ is a relatively old musical instrument in the Western musical tradition, dating from the time of Ctesibius of Alexandria who is credited with...
-driven song. The 1983 remake has more percussion
Percussion instrument
A percussion instrument is any object which produces a sound when hit with an implement or when it is shaken, rubbed, scraped, or otherwise acted upon in a way that sets the object into vibration...
, both live drums and drum machines, along with bell-like keyboards and vocal backup from Wendy & Lisa
Wendy & Lisa
Wendy & Lisa are a music duo consisting of Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman. They began working with Prince in the early 1980s and were part of his band The Revolution, before branching out on their own and releasing their debut album in 1987...
. The lyrics are the familiar Prince theme of a jilted lover who treats his woman well, but gets treated badly in return. The song was performed on the Purple Rain tour, and once again with The New Power Generation, for their 1992–1993 tours.
Tina Turner
Tina Turner
Tina Turner is an American singer and actress whose career has spanned more than 50 years. She has won numerous awards and her achievements in the rock music genre have led many to call her the "Queen of Rock 'n' Roll".Turner started out her music career with husband Ike Turner as a member of the...
has covered the song in live performances, and one of these is included on her The Collected Recordings - Sixties to Nineties
The Collected Recordings - Sixties to Nineties
The Collected Recordings – Sixties to Nineties is a 16 bit digitally remastered three disc compilation album by American rock singer Tina Turner...
album. The latter track also appears as the B-side of her own "Show Some Respect
Show Some Respect
"Show Some Respect", released in 1985, is the sixth single from pop/rock singer Tina Turner's Private Dancer album. The song was written by Terry Britten and Sue Shifrin. It was not released as a single in Europe. The song found moderate success in the US and minor success in Canada. The B-side to...
" single, released in 1984. In addition, the band School of Fish
School of Fish
School of Fish was an alternative rock band which formed in 1989 and disbanded in 1994. The core members were Josh Clayton-Felt and Michael Ward who would play club dates in Los Angeles, California as a duo accompanied by programmed drums and bass. The band signed with Capitol Records in 1990, and...
covered the song on the B-side to the single "3 Strange Days".