STEP TO THE BEAT

Prince – Erotic City (German CD Maxi-Single)

“Erotic City” was released as the B-side to the 1984 single “Let’s Go Crazy” and to the 12″ version of the 1986 single “Girls & Boys“. It was produced, arranged and composed by Prince & The Revolution.  The track introduced Sheila E. to the public and is regarded as a funk classic. It is one of many Prince tracks that is generally recognised by the first note (a guitar string plucked and whammied) before dropping into the drum track.

The experimental number relies on a strong bass line and a simple but enticing keyboard riff. The song features Prince’s voice both sped up and slowed down at various times to sound like different singers. Also featured is Sheila E., who would become a close associate with Prince and work with him extensively over the years. Even though the song was a B-side to a #1 hit, it received significant radio play itself and is almost as well-known as the songs on Purple Rain. The song was quite notable for its extreme sexual references and the use of the word “fuck“, although people have claimed the word was actually “funk“, allowing it to be played on the radio. It has been heard in the films Girl 6 and PCU (covered by George Clinton). The track was re-released on CD on The Hits/The B-Sides in 1993 and later on the Girl 6 soundtrack.

Although “Erotic City” was released in 1984 as a B-side, it is still one of several Prince tracks from his Warner Bros. period that enjoys longevity. DJ’s around the world play the song to this day.

The other track on this single is the extended version of “I Would Die 4 U”, the fourth cut in the U.S. from Prince and The Revolution‘s 1984 album, Purple Rain. The up-tempo dance song is thought by some Prince fans to be sung from the viewpoint of Jesus. Regardless, it was a popular dance song of late 1984 and a top 10 hit (the last from the album) in the U.S.

The extended version of the song is actually a studio jam on the song with The Revolution and musicians from Sheila E.‘s band, Eddie M (on sax) and Miko Weaver (guitar), along with Sheila E. herself; most of this version was often performed live, preceding “Baby I’m a Star”. The jam features some overdubbing and fades at the end; a longer version, nearly 31 minutes long, was never released officially, but has been bootlegged.

On the 12″, and in Purple Rain Tour concerts, Prince changes the lyrics from “I’m your messiah” to “He’s your messiah”, pointing to the sky as he sings the line.

This CD single was a Germany only release. It was originally issued in 1989 as a 3″ CD with catalog number 921 185-2. This 5″ reissue was released in 1990, adding a 759 prefix as with all post-1989 Warner Europe releases.

Label:

Paisley Park/Warner Bros.

Catalog Number:

7599-21185-2

Track List and Details:

1. Erotic City (Dance Mix) (7:24)

2. I Would Die 4U (Extended Version) (10:15)

3. STEP TO THE BEAT BONUS TRACK: Erotic City (Original Version) (3:56)

Prince – Erotic City (German CD Maxi-Single)

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