Party All the Time

"Party All the Time"
Single by Eddie Murphy
from the album How Could It Be
Released	May 23, 1985
Recorded	1985
Genre	Funk, synthpop
Length	4:08
Label	Columbia
Writer(s)	Rick James, Eddie Murphy
Producer(s)	Rick James
Eddie Murphy singles chronology
"Boogie in Your Butt/No More Tears" (1982) "Party All the Time" (1985) "How Could It Be" (1985)
Music sample "Party All the Time"

"Party All the Time" is a single originally recorded by comedian and actor Eddie Murphy in 1985, written and produced by Rick James and Kevin Johnston at James' home studio in Buffalo, New York. The single reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100, kept off the top spot by Lionel Richie's "Say You, Say Me".^[1] Rick James also provided some vocals for the song.

Synopsis

The song tells a harrowing tale from the perspective of a heartbroken lover, portrayed in the first-person by Eddie Murphy. He begins by questioning, perhaps rhetorically, why the female with whom he is currently participating in a relationship would want to cause him emotional pain. The narrator goes on to list extravagant items he's purchased for her, including, but not limited to: champagne, roses, and diamond rings. Despite the items that the narrator has given, the female still insists on staying out all night (presumably in the company of other men). The narrator then poses perhaps another rhetorical question as to what he should do to remedy this depressing situation. The listener is then repeatedly informed that the narrator's "girl" wishes to attend nightclubs and house parties at all hours of the day and night. Later on, the narrator reveals that he's acted as a voyeur and observed said female whilst she was present at an unknown nightclub. She was seen providing her telephone number to virtually every male patron of the club with whom she came in verbal contact. We are then informed that the narrator's female companion never arrives at their place of residence in the evening. Her absence is believed to be caused by infidelity, presumably with one or many of the men with whom she became acquainted earlier that evening. The narrator then goes on to wish that his female companion would have sexual intercourse with him, instead of the many other men with whom he infers she has been copulating.

Reception

On September 11, 2010, Matthew Wilkening of AOL Radio ranked the song at #36 on the list of the 100 Worst Songs Ever, stating, "If only Eddie Murphy knew an amazingly sharp, funny, music-loving comedian to help rip this 'song' apart..."^[2]

Charts

Peak positions

Year-end charts

Covers and appearances

"Weird Al" Yankovic performed a polka version of the chorus in the 1986 track "Polka Party!" from the album of the same name.^[6]

In 2006, house DJ and producer Sharam Tayebi of Deep Dish released a remix of the song, known simply as "PATT" (an acronym for "Party All The Time"), that reached No. 8 on the UK Singles Chart.^[7]

In 2007, the song was featured on the hit TV series Scrubs in the Season 6 episode "My Words of Wisdom". The gospel at J.D.'s (fantasized) funeral sings it as one of his last requests.

In July 2009, Aubrey O'Day covered of the song along with ex-Danity Kane member D. Woods's sister Shanell Woodgette and Grammy Award-winning producer Maestro.^[8]

In 2011, the melodic death metal Children of Bodom covered the song as a bonus track on their seventh album, Relentless Reckless Forever.

In April 2012, Asher Roth released "Party Girl", the lead single from his second studio album RetroHash, which samples "Party All the Time".^[9]

In 2012, the song was used in season 4, episode 7 of Regular Show entitled "Guy's Night."

The song is featured in the video game Grand Theft Auto V, on the radio station Space 103.2.

In 2014, the song was performed in the 101st episode of Glee, "New Directions," by character Holly Holliday (Gwyneth Paltrow).^[10]

References

External links

• Full lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics