Private Joy
Encyclopedia
"Private Joy" is a song by American musician Prince
from his 1981 album Controversy, released as the B-side of the single "Do Me, Baby
". The song describes how Prince will never reveal the identity of his secret lover.
In this bouncy disco-pop number, Prince explains that his lover is no one's but his. He sings about what they do together, and the times they share. He claims that he "strangled Valentino", and that she was "his ever since" and that she "belongs to Prince".
The song ends with guitar riffs and feedback
from Prince, and segues into "Ronnie Talk To Russia!", the next track on Controversy. These guitar sounds were sampled and used in "Orgasm", a song on Prince's 1994 album Come
.
covered this song for her 1984 album Heart Don't Lie
. Her single had limited release in Japan as a 7" single. Her U.S. hit single "Heart Don't Lie
" can be found on the B-side.
According to Jackson, Prince's publishing company, Controversy Music, "approached me about recording songs of his that hadn't gone over too big the first time around. They submitted several songs and I picked 'Private Joy' because it sounded so up-to-date." Though "Private Joy" was Jackson's favorite song from Heart Don't Lie, it was never released as a single outside Japan. Said Jackson at the time, "I loved the song and my record company loved it, but my father manages me and it was his decision to not release that cut."
The Los Angeles Times
stated that "note for note, she matches Prince's intensity with her own hard-edged snap, crackle and pop."
.
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 1981 album Controversy, released as the B-side of the single "Do Me, Baby
Do Me, Baby
"Do Me, Baby" is a Prince ballad, the third and final U.S. single from his 1981 album, Controversy. With a running time of almost eight minutes, it is the longest track on the album. The song was written by André Cymone, but credited to Prince....
". The song describes how Prince will never reveal the identity of his secret lover.
In this bouncy disco-pop number, Prince explains that his lover is no one's but his. He sings about what they do together, and the times they share. He claims that he "strangled Valentino", and that she was "his ever since" and that she "belongs to Prince".
The song ends with guitar riffs and feedback
Audio feedback
Audio feedback is a special kind of positive feedback which occurs when a sound loop exists between an audio input and an audio output...
from Prince, and segues into "Ronnie Talk To Russia!", the next track on Controversy. These guitar sounds were sampled and used in "Orgasm", a song on Prince's 1994 album Come
Come (album)
Come is the fifteenth studio album by Prince, released during his public dispute with his then-record company, Warner Bros.-Evolution of the album:...
.
La Toya Jackson version
American singer La Toya JacksonLa Toya Jackson
La Toya Yvonne Jackson is an American singer-songwriter, musician, author, television personality, actress, businesswoman, philanthropist, activist and former model. She is the fifth child of the Jackson family...
covered this song for her 1984 album Heart Don't Lie
Heart Don't Lie
Heart Don't Lie is the third album released by singer La Toya Jackson. It is her most critically acclaimed and commercially successful album to date, peaking at #149 on the Billboard 200.- Album information :...
. Her single had limited release in Japan as a 7" single. Her U.S. hit single "Heart Don't Lie
Heart Don't Lie (song)
"Heart Don't Lie" is a single by American singer La Toya Jackson. Her biggest hit ever, this was her second single from the successful album Heart Don't Lie. It is a duet with Howard Hewett, although he receives no credit for his vocals in the liner notes and does not appear in the music video...
" can be found on the B-side.
According to Jackson, Prince's publishing company, Controversy Music, "approached me about recording songs of his that hadn't gone over too big the first time around. They submitted several songs and I picked 'Private Joy' because it sounded so up-to-date." Though "Private Joy" was Jackson's favorite song from Heart Don't Lie, it was never released as a single outside Japan. Said Jackson at the time, "I loved the song and my record company loved it, but my father manages me and it was his decision to not release that cut."
The Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
The Los Angeles Times is a daily newspaper published in Los Angeles, California, since 1881. It was the second-largest metropolitan newspaper in circulation in the United States in 2008 and the fourth most widely distributed newspaper in the country....
stated that "note for note, she matches Prince's intensity with her own hard-edged snap, crackle and pop."
Track listings
Japan 7" (#07 SP 815)- "Private Joy" – 4:51
- "Heart Don't Lie" (7") – 3:29
Cheyne version
Artist Cheyne recorded a version for the soundtrack of the 1985 film Weird ScienceWeird Science (film)
Weird Science is a 1985 American teen comedy film written and directed by John Hughes and starring Anthony Michael Hall, Ilan Mitchell-Smith, and Kelly LeBrock...
.
Track listings
U.S. 12" vinyl (#MCA-23583)- "Private Joy" (extended version) – 5:30
- "Private Joy" (instrumental) – 5:44
- "Private Joy" (bonus beats plus bass) – 4:28