The Glamorous Life
Encyclopedia
"The Glamorous Life" is a song written by Prince
in 1984 and first recorded by singer/percussionist
Sheila E.
The dance song has lyrics which reflect a cynicism for the decadence and materialism of the song's protagonist, referred to in the third person, who "wants to lead a glamorous life", although she is aware that "without love, it ain't much".
, girl group
Apollonia 6
. Prince allegedly had several tracks lined up for the trio to record for their 1984 debut album (and by some accounts, their follow up album as well), but abandoned the idea when he learned that lead singer Apollonia Kotero
had no desire to stay in the group beyond her contractual obligations as designed for her movie role in Purple Rain
.
Prince decided to give the song to Sheila E. who was fresh off her duet on Prince's "Erotic City
". "The Glamorous Life" would be recorded by Sheila E. and go on to launch her solo career.
"The Glamorous Life" was the title track and closing song on Sheila E.'s debut solo album
, and reached number 7 on the U.S. pop
charts, as well as number 1 on the U.S. dance charts, and earned a Grammy Award
nomination.
Sheila E.'s live performances of the song became memorable events, most notably for her percussion solo towards the end of the song. Depending on the occasion, she would either spin around several times while drumming without missing a beat during the rigorous solo, place one highly elevated foot on a snare while standing on the other leg mid-solo, or perform with glow-in-the-dark drumsticks. While the solo featured in the song helped to bolster Sheila E.'s fame, all subsequent versions of this song have no drum solo.
Side two
Side two
in 2005. The single was seen as a comeback for Tkautz who had enjoyed considerable success in the early 1990's both as an actress and singer. Tkautz had previously scored an Australian number one hit in 1991 with the song "Read My Lips", which spent two weeks at the top spot and won her an ARIA Award for Highest Selling Single in 1992. After a twelve year hiatus from the music industry, Tkautz returned with her cover of Sheila E.
's 1984 hit "The Glamorous Life" and a new album Lost & Found. "The Glamorous Life" debuted and peaked at number thirty-one on the Australian Singles Chart in September 2005 and spent two weeks in the top fifty. Almost the same time that Melissa Tkautz released her cover version of the song, Australian dance music act T-Funk also released their version which also peaked at number thirty-one on the singles chart.
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...
in 1984 and first recorded by singer/percussionist
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...
Sheila E.
Sheila E.
Sheila Escovedo , known by her stage name Sheila E., is an American drummer and percussionist, perhaps best known for her work with Prince, George Duke and Ringo Starr.-Early life and Prince period:...
The dance song has lyrics which reflect a cynicism for the decadence and materialism of the song's protagonist, referred to in the third person, who "wants to lead a glamorous life", although she is aware that "without love, it ain't much".
Song history
"The Glamorous Life" was originally intended to be recorded by the short-lived replacement act for Vanity 6Vanity 6
Vanity 6 was a female vocal trio assembled by Prince in the early 1980s.They released one studio album, which blended the sounds of pop, New Wave, dance music, R&B, and funk.-Formation:...
, girl group
Girl group
A girl group is a popular music act featuring several young female singers who generally harmonise together.Girl groups emerged in the late 1950s as groups of young singers teamed up with behind-the-scenes songwriters and music producers to create hit singles, often featuring glossy production...
Apollonia 6
Apollonia 6
Apollonia 6 was a 1980s female singing trio created by Prince as a continuation/succession of a previous group, Vanity 6.-Formation and Purple Rain:...
. Prince allegedly had several tracks lined up for the trio to record for their 1984 debut album (and by some accounts, their follow up album as well), but abandoned the idea when he learned that lead singer Apollonia Kotero
Apollonia Kotero
Apollonia Kotero, born Patricia Kotero on August 2, 1959, is an actress, singer, former model and talent manager. Kotero, born in Santa Monica, California, is of Mexican descent...
had no desire to stay in the group beyond her contractual obligations as designed for her movie role in Purple Rain
Purple Rain (film)
Purple Rain is a 1984 film directed by Albert Magnoli and written by Magnoli and William Blinn. Prince makes his film debut in this movie, which was developed to showcase his particular talents, hence, the film contains several extended concert sequences. The film grossed more than US$80 million at...
.
Prince decided to give the song to Sheila E. who was fresh off her duet on Prince's "Erotic City
Erotic City
"Erotic City " is a song by the musician Prince. It was released as the B-side to the 1984 single "Let's Go Crazy" and the 12" version of the 1986 single "Girls & Boys". The dance mix of "Erotic City" was released as a 3" and 5" CD single in Germany in 1989 and 1990 respectively...
". "The Glamorous Life" would be recorded by Sheila E. and go on to launch her solo career.
"The Glamorous Life" was the title track and closing song on Sheila E.'s debut solo album
The Glamorous Life (album)
The Glamorous Life is the debut album from singer/drummer/percussionist Sheila E.. Written by Prince , the title track hit the U.S. Top Ten and her second single, "The Belle of St. Mark" charted in the U.S, UK, Irish, Dutch, and New Zealand Top 40.-Track listing:All tracks composed by Prince;...
, and reached number 7 on the U.S. pop
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
charts, as well as number 1 on the U.S. dance charts, and earned a Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
nomination.
Sheila E.'s live performances of the song became memorable events, most notably for her percussion solo towards the end of the song. Depending on the occasion, she would either spin around several times while drumming without missing a beat during the rigorous solo, place one highly elevated foot on a snare while standing on the other leg mid-solo, or perform with glow-in-the-dark drumsticks. While the solo featured in the song helped to bolster Sheila E.'s fame, all subsequent versions of this song have no drum solo.
7" vinyl
Side one- "The Glamorous Life" – 3:41
Side two
- "The Glamorous Life Part II" – 3:12
12" vinyl
Side one- "The Glamorous Life" (Club Edit) – 6:33
Side two
- "The Glamorous Life Part II" – 3:12
Chart performance
| Chart (1984) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Dutch Top 40 Dutch Top 40 The Dutch Top 40 is a weekly music chart, which started as the "Veronica Top 40", because the offshore radio station Radio Veronica was the first to introduce it. It remained "The Veronica Top 40" until 1974, when the station was forced to stop broadcasting... |
2 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
7 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play Hot Dance Club Play The Hot Dance Club Songs chart is a weekly national survey of the songs that are most popular in U.S. dance clubs... |
1 |
| U.S. Billboard Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,... |
9 |
| UK Singles Chart | 76 |
Cover versions
- The song was covered by R&B singer RihannaRihannaRobyn Rihanna Fenty , better known as simply Rihanna, is a Barbadian recording artist. Born in Saint Michael, Barbados, Rihanna moved to the United States at the age of 16 to pursue a recording career under the guidance of record producer Evan Rogers...
during both her Last Girl on Earth TourLast Girl on Earth TourThe Last Girl on Earth Tour was the third concert tour by Barbadian recording artist Rihanna. Visiting Europe, Asia, North America and Australia, the tour supported her fourth studio album, Rated R . The tour was announced through MTV News in December 2009...
(2010-2011) and her Loud TourLoud TourThe Loud Tour is the fourth concert tour by Barbadian recording artist Rihanna. Performing in over twenty countries in the Americas and Europe, the tour supports Rihanna’s fifth studio album, Loud...
(2011). - The song was coveredCover versionIn 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...
by Corin TuckerCorin TuckerCorin Lisa Tucker is a singer and guitarist, best known for her work with rock band Sleater-Kinney.- Early life :In the early 1990s, Tucker attended Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington, where she studied film, political economy, and social change...
on her 2010 tour. - The song was coveredCover versionIn 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...
by Eden's CrushEden's CrushEden's Crush is a former girl group based in Los Angeles created on the American television series Popstars which aired on AOL Time Warner's WB television network in early 2001, and promoted on the AOL on-line service...
in their 2001 debut album Popstars. - New York indie-rock band The FeverThe Fever (band)The Fever was an American indie rock band from New York City.-History:The Fever formed in 2001 around songwriting partners Geremy Jasper and Chris Sanchez. After expanding to a five-piece, the group signed with Kemado Records, releasing their debut EP, Pink on Pink, in 2002...
recorded a cover (and two remixes of the cover) as the B-side to their 2003 single "Ladyfingers". - The song was covered by Australian band T-Funk (featuring vocals by Inaya DayInaya DayInaya Day is an American singer, best known for her vocal work on house music tracks such as "Horny" by Mousse T, and her cover version of "Nasty Girl" by Prince protege Vanity 6.-Early career:...
, who had previously covered another Prince-written song "Nasty GirlNasty Girl (Vanity 6 song)"Nasty Girl" is a song written by Prince for his protégé girl group Vanity 6. Prince gave the songwriting credit to lead singer Vanity, although he was the writer and composer. It was the second single taken from their self-titled debut album Vanity 6 and was released in 1982.The backing music was...
") in 2005. - In 2007 a cover version was recorded by Icelandic band Al'Margir.
Melissa Tkautz version
"The Glamorous Life" was covered by Australian actress/singer Melissa TkautzMelissa Tkautz
Melissa Natalie Tkautz is an Australian-Maltese actress, singer, songwriter and model of Austrian and Maltese heritage. Tkautz was married on Friday 6 February 2009 to her partner of 5 years, Kwesi Nicholas.- Early career :...
in 2005. The single was seen as a comeback for Tkautz who had enjoyed considerable success in the early 1990's both as an actress and singer. Tkautz had previously scored an Australian number one hit in 1991 with the song "Read My Lips", which spent two weeks at the top spot and won her an ARIA Award for Highest Selling Single in 1992. After a twelve year hiatus from the music industry, Tkautz returned with her cover of Sheila E.
Sheila E.
Sheila Escovedo , known by her stage name Sheila E., is an American drummer and percussionist, perhaps best known for her work with Prince, George Duke and Ringo Starr.-Early life and Prince period:...
's 1984 hit "The Glamorous Life" and a new album Lost & Found. "The Glamorous Life" debuted and peaked at number thirty-one on the Australian Singles Chart in September 2005 and spent two weeks in the top fifty. Almost the same time that Melissa Tkautz released her cover version of the song, Australian dance music act T-Funk also released their version which also peaked at number thirty-one on the singles chart.
Track listing
CD Single- "The Glamorous Life" (Radio Edit) 3:21
- "The Glamorous Life" (AC Radio Edit) 3:34
- "The Glamorous Life" (Hotfuss Radio Edit) 3:20
- "The Glamorous Life" (Luke Leal vs. Peachy Club Mix) 8:23
- "The Glamorous Life" (JimmyZ vs. Bootyscratcherz 4Play Club Mix) 6:27
- "The Glamorous Life" (Hotfuss Club Mix) 6:21
Charts
| Chart (2005) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian ARIA Singles Chart ARIA Charts The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June... |
31 |