I Wanna Be Your Lover

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“I Wanna Be Your Lover”
“I Wanna Be Your Lover” cover
U.S. 7" single
Single by Prince
from the album Prince
B-side "My Love Is Forever"/Sexy Dancer (US)
"Just as Long as We're Together"/Sexy Dancer (UK)
"Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad?" (DEU)
Released 24 August 1979
Format 7" single
12" single
Recorded Alpha Studios, Burbank, California, April–June 1979
Genre Pop, funk,Disco
Length 7" edit: 2:57
12"/album: 5:57
Label Warner Bros. Records
Writer(s) Prince
Producer Prince
Certification platinum (18 March, 1980)
Prince singles chronology
"Just as Long as We're Together"
(1978)
"I Wanna Be Your Lover"
(1979)
"Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad?"
(1980)
Prince (UK) singles chronology
"I Wanna Be Your Lover"
(1979)
"Sexy Dancer"
(1980)

"I Wanna Be Your Lover" is a single by Prince from his second album Prince (1979). It was his first hit single, gaining radio airplay and chart success: the song spent two weeks at No. 1 on the R&B singles chart in December 1979, and peaked at No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The song explains that although he may not be as financially successful as other men, he will please her like no other.

The B-side of the track was from his previous album, For You, "My Love Is Forever," in the U.S. In the UK, the B-side was "Just as Long as We're Together," also from For You. This was Prince's debut single in the UK. It charted together with "Sexy Dancer" on the U.S. Hot Dance Club Play chart, where it reach No. 2.

[edit] In film and television

The song was used in the HBO television series The Sopranos, in the episode "The Second Coming," heard in the background at the Bada Bing club. The song was also used at the start of the film Are We There Yet? It was also used in the Diff'rent Strokes episode, "The Rivals" (original airdate- January 23, 1980). In some syndicated airings, it was replaced by a stock instrumental track. However, in recent airings on the BET network, “I Wanna Be Your Lover” was again used.

[edit] Music Video

There exists two music videos of the single.

The Main version has prince in a leapord shirt and jeans singing alone in a black background with only a mic. Various shots show Prince playing the instruments by himself.

The other version which is not featured on "The Hits Collection" compilation shows Prince and bandmembers at the time in a tan painted room. THis video was probably pulled because of the clothing. The video is widely sought after by collectors.

Preceded by
"Still" by The Commodores
Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs number one single
December 1 - December 8, 1979
Succeeded by
"Do You Love What You Feel" by Rufus and Chaka
Languages