"Pop Life" is a song by Prince and the Revolution. It was the second US (and final UK) single from their 1985 album, Around the World in a Day, reaching number 7 in the US charts, becoming Prince's eighth top-ten hit in a two-year span.
The song starts with a faded-in synth line and quickly starts the main tune. The easy groove is achieved with a smooth bass guitar and piano embellishments. A drum machine provides handclaps to make the song danceable.
"Pop Life" was recorded before Purple Rain was completed, indicating the new direction Prince wanted to take after the success of that album and film. Lyrically, the song describes the tiresome and stressful side of the celebrity life, including the pressure that can lead to drug use ("What you putting in your nose?/Is that where all your money goes?").
1. Pop Life (3:42)
Producer, Arranged By, Composed By, Performer – Prince & The Revolution
Companies, etc.
- Phonographic Copyright ℗ – WEA International Inc.
- Copyright © – WEA International Inc.
- Distributed By – WEA Records Ltd.
- Pressed By – PRS Ltd.
- Lacquer Cut At – Trident Studios
- Published By – Island Music Ltd.
- Record Company – Warner Communications
Credits
- Producer, Arranged By, Composed By, Performer – Prince & The Revolution
- Prince – lead vocals, piano, Oberheim OB-8, bass guitar
- Sheila E. – drums, Linn LM-1 (and uncredited additional vocals on the Fresh Dance Mix)
- Lisa Coleman – background vocals
- Wendy Melvoin – background vocals
Orchestral players (Segue to The Ladder)
- Violins – Sid Page and Marcy Dicterow-Vaj
- Violas – Denyse Buffum and Laury Woods
- Stand-up bass – Tim Barr and Annette Atkinson
"Pop Life" From the album 'Around The World In A Day'
LP 925 286-1 MC 925 286-4 CD: 925 286-2
LP 925 286-1 MC 925 286-4 CD: 925 286-2
Notes
Label: | Paisley Park – W8858, Paisley Park – 928 858-7 |
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Format: | Vinyl , 7", 45 RPM, Single , PRS pressing |
Country: | UK |
Released: | 1985 |
Genre: | Funk / Soul, Pop |
Style: | Funk, Minneapolis Sound |