1999

"1999" is one of Prince's best-known songs, and a defining moment in his rise to superstar status. The apocalyptic yet upbeat party anthem saw chart success in 1983, peaking at #12 in the US and #25 in the UK (reaching #2 in the UK when re-released in 1985). The album version of the song starts with a slowed-down voice, reassuring the listener "Don't worry, I won't hurt you. I only want you to have some fun." Prince shares lead vocals on the track with members of his band The Revolution, namely Dez Dickerson, Lisa Coleman and Jill Jones. Originally conceived to be a three-part harmony, it was later decided to separate out the voices that started each verse. The verse melody was reused by Prince (writing under the name "Christopher") in the song "Manic Monday," originally written for Apollonia 6's eponymous 1984 album, but withdrawn at the last minute and eventually given to The Bangles. The synth chords inspired Phil Collins' song "Sussudio" as well as Marillion's "Incommunicado". The B-side, the piano ballad "How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore?", became a fan favorite. It was covered first by Stephanie Mills, then by Alicia Keys and performed by Canadian Idol winner Eva Avila. In 1985, "1999" was released as a 12" single in the U.S. with "Little Red Corvette" as the B-side, and "How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore?"/"D.M.S.R." in the UK. The song was re-recorded at the end of 1998 with the New Power Generation, reusing portions of the original recording, and was released the following year as 1999: The New Master. This new version was generally panned by critics; however, it did re-chart at #40 on the US chart, becoming Prince's last top forty hit to date. It was again re-released in December, 1999, and re-charted at #56. On New Year's Eve 1999, Prince (his stage name at that time still being an unpronounceable symbol) held a concert entitled Rave Un2 the Year 2000 at his Paisley Park Studios Soundstage, and he later vowed never to play it again. However, in August 2007, as part of his Earth Tour, he reintroduced the song to his set after an absence of eight years. Rolling Stone ranked the song #212 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

[Intro: Prince] Don't worry, I won't hurt you I only want you to have some fun [Verse 1: Prince, Lisa, Dez, All] I was dreamin' when I wrote this Forgive me if it goes astray But when I woke up this morning Could have sworn it was judgement day The sky was all purple There were people runnin' everywhere Tryin' to run from the destruction You know I didn't even care [Chorus: Prince and All] 'Cause they say 2000, zero-zero, party over, oops, out of time So tonight, I'm gonna party like it's 1999 [Verse 2: Prince, Lisa, Dez, All] I was dreamin' when I wrote this So sue me if I go too fast But life is just a party And parties weren't meant to last War is all around us My mind says, "Prepare to fight" So if I gotta die I'm gonna listen to my body tonight Yeah [Chorus: Prince and All] They say 2000, zero-zero, party over, oops, out of time So tonight, I'm gonna party like it's 1999 Yeah, yeah, shh [Verse 3: Prince, Lisa, Dez, All] Lemme tell ya somethin' If you didn't come to party Don't bother knockin' on my door, oh, uh, ah I got a lion in my pocket And, baby, he's ready to roar, yeah, yeah Everybody's got a bomb We could all die any day, oh But before I'll let that happen I'll dance my life away Oh [Chorus: Prince and All] They say 2000, zero-zero, party over, oops, out of time (We're runnin' outta time) So tonight, I'm gonna party like it's 1999 So tonight, we gonna, we gonna, oh Say it one more time 2000, zero-zero, party over, oops, out of time No, no Tonight, I'm gonna party like it's 1999 So tonight, we gonna, we gonna, woo [Bridge: Prince and All] All right, 1999 You say it, 1999 Ooh, 1999, oh, 1999 Don't stop, don't stop, say it one more time 2000, zero-zero, party over, oops, out of time Yeah, yeah Tonight, I'm gonna party like it's 1999 So tonight, we're gonna, we're gonna, woo [Outro: Prince, Lisa, Prince and Lisa, All] Yeah, 1999 Don'tcha wanna go? (1999) Don'tcha wanna go? (1999) We could all die any day (1999) I don't wanna die I'd rather dance my life away (1999) Listen to what I'm tryin' to say Everybody, everybody say, "Party" C'mon now, you say, "Party" That's right, everybody say, "Party" Can't run from revelation, no (Party) Sing it for your nation, y'all (Party), wow! Drum it with your fingers, baby (Party) Telephone's a-ringin', mama (Party) C'mon, c'mon, you say, "Party" Everybody, two times, "Party" Woo, work it down to the ground, say, "Party" Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh (Party) Come on, oh, take my body, baby (Party) That's right, c'mon, sing the song, ”Party” (Oh) (Party) That's right (Party) Got a lion in my pocket, mama, say, "Party" Oh, and he's ready to roar (Party) Ah [Spoken Outro: Lisa] Mommy, why does everybody have a bomb? Mommy, why does everybody have a bomb?