"U Got the Look" by Prince

Top 10 Alert!

Song#:  3215

Date:  08/01/1987
Debut:  67
Peak:  2
Weeks:  25
Genre:  R&B, Funk, Rock



Pop Bits:  The title track to Prince's album Sign 'O' the Times was a solid first single reaching #1 R&B/#3 Pop. Unfortunately, its follow-up, "If I Was Your Girlfriend," was a big momentum killer that only got to #67 Pop. It also missed out on the R&B Top 10 (#12). That result could have easily stopped the double album in its tracks, but luckily Prince got back in the game with this third single. The more commercial friendly tune caught on and nearly topped the Pop chart. Surprisingly, it missed the R&B Top 10 at #11. While the song's climb up the chart wasn't much different from other hit singles reaching its peak in week 12, its decent was quite slow. The song had long legs and would spend another 13 weeks on the Pop chart.

ReduxReview:  I've never been sure why "If I Was Your Girlfriend" was released as the second single. I'm assuming it was Prince's decision for some weird reason. This track should have been the second single. It was just a slam dunk hit that could have advanced the album further. As a third single following a flop, it probably helped sell some albums, but my guess is more people bought the single after being turned off by "If I Was Your Girlfriend." Regardless, the tune finally got released and it was a jammin' success. The addition of Easton (see below) was a good choice that not only helped the song, but the video as well. While I pretty much like all facets of Prince's music, there was nothing like it when he threw down a hot, radio-ready crowd pleaser such as this one.

ReduxRating:  8/10

Trivia:  At the time Prince was recording this song, he invited singer Sheena Easton to the studio to see if she could add some backing vocals. Prince had previously worked with Easton on a couple of tracks for her albums including the hit "Sugar Walls" (#9 Pop). When Easton arrived at the studio, Prince had basically completed the track as a solo effort. After she began to sing on certain sections, Prince liked what was happening and decided that the song should become a duet. While Easton was credited on the album for her vocals, only Prince's name shows up on the single version. Sheila E performed percussion on the track. Also to note, Prince sang this song in his altered "Camille" voice even though this track was written long after his Camille project was shelved. Still, in addition to Easton, the other vocal credit for the track on the album was for "Camille." The video for the song featured both Prince and Easton along with Sheila E and was a hit on MTV. It would be nominated for four MTV Music Video awards winning two. One for Best Male Video and the other for Best Stage Performance in a Video.

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