Sexy MF
| "Sexy M.F." | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 UK 7" single | ||||||||||
| Single by Prince | ||||||||||
| from the album Love Symbol | ||||||||||
| B-side |
"Strollin'" "Daddy Pop" (UK) | |||||||||
| Released | June 30, 1992 | |||||||||
| Format | 7" single, 12" single, picture disc, cassette single, CD single | |||||||||
| Recorded | Paisley Park Studios, September 1991–March 1992 | |||||||||
| Genre | Funk | |||||||||
| Length | 5:25 | |||||||||
| Label | Paisley Park/Warner Bros. | |||||||||
| Writer(s) | Prince, Levi Seacer, Jr., Tony M. | |||||||||
| Producer(s) | Prince | |||||||||
| Certification | Gold (RIAA) | |||||||||
| Prince singles chronology | ||||||||||
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"Sexy M.F." is a single released on June 30, 1992, by Prince and The New Power Generation, from the Love Symbol album.[1] The B-side was "Strollin'", from the previous year's Diamonds and Pearls. The UK CD single had a third track, "Daddy Pop", also from Diamonds and Pearls. The song (named after the chorus line "You sexy motherfucker") caused some controversy,[2] and an edited version, "Sexy Mutha," was created for radio and the music video, as well as the "clean version" of the U.S. album.
"Sexy M.F." is a merger of "old school" funk with modern R&B music. The song is built around the drums and bass, though the bass-line is somewhat subdued. Added to this is a consistent electric rhythm guitar undertone and horn stabs from the NPG Hornz. Throughout the song, the horns are given the chance to shine, along with a sax solo from Brian Gallagher. Musical solos are also provided by Levi Seacer, Jr. (guitar) and Tommy Barbarella (organ). The music and most of the lyrics were composed by Prince, while Seacer came up with the chorus and the song's title. Tony M. delivers a rap which he wrote. Recently, it has been covered by the Dave Matthews Band as a segue into their hit "Jimi Thing."
The song was recorded in Paisley Park Studios' Studio A. The title line was recited into a Shure SM57 by Levi Seacer, Jr.
Chart performance
The song was released in an edited version in the U.S., where it peaked at #66 on the Hot 100 chart and #76 on the R&B/Hip-Hop chart. In the UK, the song sold extremely well, peaking at #4 there.
Charts
| Chart (1992) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 66 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs | 76 |
| UK Singles Chart | 4 |
| Australian Singles Chart | 5 |
Single formats
The single was available in multiple formats, including a Love Symbol-shaped vinyl disc. It was also included on The Hits 2, which was also a part of The Hits/The B-Sides. In addition, the "My Name Is Prince" maxi single included a club mix of "Sexy M.F.".
Cover
Dave Matthews Band have been known to play a rendition of Sexy M.F ("sexy motherfucker shakin that ass" line) during live versions of their song "Jimi Thing".
Bruno Mars covered the song for his Moonshine Jungle Tour.
References
- ↑ http://www.discogs.com/Prince-The-New-Power-Generation-Sexy-MF/release/463407
- ↑ Sexy M.F. Video Review, Entertainment Weekly, July 24, 1992