I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man
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"I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man" is a song written and recorded by American musician
Prince A prince is a male ruler (ranked below a king, grand prince, and grand duke) or a male member of a monarch's or former monarch's family. ''Prince'' is also a title of nobility (often highest), often hereditary, in some European states. Th ...
. It was released as the final single from his ninth studio album ''
Sign o' the Times ''Sign o' the Times'' (often stylized as ''Sign "☮︎" the Times'') is the ninth studio album by American singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Prince. It was first released on March 30, 1987 as a double album by Paisley Park ...
'' (1987), becoming the third top-ten hit off the album. It has since been covered by numerous artists.


Content

The song is an upbeat pop number featuring a combination of live drumming with two drum machine patterns. Also featured are two
guitar The guitar is a fretted musical instrument that typically has six strings. It is usually held flat against the player's body and played by strumming or plucking the strings with the dominant hand, while simultaneously pressing selected stri ...
solos, one wild and energetic and one more
blues Blues is a music genre and musical form which originated in the Deep South of the United States around the 1860s. Blues incorporated spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts, chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads from the Afr ...
y and subdued in the full album cut. The song consists of two verses and two choruses, followed by a lengthy instrumental
coda Coda or CODA may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Films * Movie coda, a post-credits scene * ''Coda'' (1987 film), an Australian horror film about a serial killer, made for television *''Coda'', a 2017 American experimental film from Na ...
. The lyrics paint the image of a woman seeking a man to replace the one who left, while Prince refuses, saying that she would not be satisfied with a one-night stand. The music and accompanying
music video A music video is a video of variable duration, that integrates a music song or a music album with imagery that is produced for promotion (marketing), promotional or musical artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a m ...
pushed this song to the top 10 in the US. The video was taken from the '' Sign “☮” the Times'' film, and is a live take of the song and included the
horn section A horn section is a group of musicians playing horns. In an orchestra or concert band, it refers to the musicians who play the "French" horn, and in a British-style brass band it is the tenor horn players. In many popular music genres, the te ...
of
Eric Leeds Eric Leeds is an American saxophone player, mostly known for his work with Prince. He has recorded mostly music in the pop and funk genres, but is a studied jazz musician.Cole, George.Eric Leeds: Interviews: The Last Miles: The Music of Miles D ...
and
Atlanta Bliss Matthew "Atlanta Bliss" Blistan (born c. 1952) is an American jazz trumpeter. He is best known for his work with Prince from 1985–1991. He won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals for the 1986 single "Kiss" by P ...
. ''
Cash Box ''Cashbox'', also known as ''Cash Box'', was an American music industry trade magazine, originally published weekly from July 1942 to November 1996. Ten years after its dissolution, it was revived and continues as ''Cashbox Magazine'', an online ...
'' called it an "exceptional tune
hat A hat is a head covering which is worn for various reasons, including protection against weather conditions, ceremonial reasons such as university graduation, religious reasons, safety, or as a fashion accessory. Hats which incorporate mecha ...
is skillfully produced and performed." The live version of "I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man" from the video and the ''Sign “☮” the Times'' film includes a horn solo in the song's coda. The solo lifts a part of the "Camille" and '' Black Album'' track, "Rock Hard in a Funky Place".


B-side

The single was backed with "Hot Thing", also from ''Sign “☮” the Times''. The
12-inch single The twelve-inch single (often written as 12-inch or 12″) is a type of vinyl ( polyvinyl chloride or PVC) gramophone record that has wider groove spacing and shorter playing time with a 'single' or a few related sound tracks on each surfac ...
includes the full album version of "I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man", as well as several
remix A remix (or reorchestration) is a piece of media which has been altered or contorted from its original state by adding, removing, or changing pieces of the item. A song, piece of artwork, book, video, poem, or photograph can all be remixes. The o ...
es of "Hot Thing". One of these was included on the ''
Ultimate Ultimate or Ultimates may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Music Albums * ''Ultimate'' (Jolin Tsai album) * ''Ultimate'' (Pet Shop Boys album) *''Ultimate!'', an album by The Yardbirds *''The Ultimate (Bryan Adams Album)'', a compilatio ...
''
compilation album A compilation album comprises Album#Tracks, tracks, which may be previously released or unreleased, usually from several separate recordings by either one or several Performing arts#Performers, performers. If by one artist, then generally the tr ...
in 2006. "Hot Thing" received enough airplay by DJs to chart on its own, reaching No. 63.


Track listing


7": Paisley Park / 7-28288 (US)

# "I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man" (fade) – 3:39 # "Hot Thing" (edit) – 3:40


12": Paisley Park / 0-20728 (UK)

# "I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man" – 6:31 # "Hot Thing" (edit) – 3:40 # "Hot Thing" (Extended Remix) – 8:32 # "Hot Thing" (Dub Version) – 6:53


12": Warner Bros / W8288T (UK)

# "I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man" – 6:31 # "Hot Thing" (edit) – 3:40 # "Hot Thing" (Extended Remix) – 8:32 *also released as a picture disc (W8288TP)


Personnel

*
Prince A prince is a male ruler (ranked below a king, grand prince, and grand duke) or a male member of a monarch's or former monarch's family. ''Prince'' is also a title of nobility (often highest), often hereditary, in some European states. Th ...
– lead vocals and various instruments


Charts


Jordan Knight version

Jordan Knight Jordan Nathaniel Marcel Knight (born May 17, 1970) is an American singer-songwriter and actor. He is a singer in the boy band New Kids on the Block (NKOTB), who rose to fame in the 1980s and 1990s, using a falsetto style of singing influenced by ...
, of
New Kids on the Block New Kids on the Block (also initialized as NKOTB) is an American boy band from Dorchester, Massachusetts. The band consists of brothers Jonathan and Jordan Knight, Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg, and Danny Wood. New Kids on the Block enjoy ...
, recorded a cover of the song as a
ballad A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music. Ballads derive from the medieval French ''chanson balladée'' or ''ballade'', which were originally "dance songs". Ballads were particularly characteristic of the popular poetry and ...
for his 1999
self-titled An eponym is a person, a place, or a thing after whom or which someone or something is, or is believed to be, named. The adjectives which are derived from the word eponym include ''eponymous'' and ''eponymic''. Usage of the word The term ''epon ...
solo debut. The video debuted on ''
TRL TRL or trl may refer to: Arts * Temporary Residence Limited, a record label * ''Total Request Live'', a former MTV show * TRL Awards (''Total Request Live''), an Italian music award Libraries * Tampines Regional Library, a regional library in Ta ...
'' on July 27, 1999 at number 10. It features background vocals by Knight &
Robin Thicke Robin Alan Thicke (born March 10, 1977) is an American singer, songwriter and record producer. He is best known for his 2013 hit single " Blurred Lines", which is one of the best-selling singles of all time. At the 56th Annual Grammy Awards, h ...
.


Track listing

US single # "I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man" (Soul Solution Radio Edit) – 4:03 # "I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man" (LP version) – 4:04 US 12" vinyl :A1 "I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man" (Soul Solution Ext. Vox) – 10:31 :A2 "I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man" (Soul Solution Radio Edit) – 4:03 :B1 "I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man" (CZR's Funk Parlor Remix) – 8:13 :B2 "I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man" (Soul Solution Dub) – 7:48 UK Maxi-CD # "I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man" (LP version) – 4:06 # "I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man" (Uptempo Remix Radio Edit) – 3:54 # "I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man" (Soul Solution Radio Mix) – 4:09 # "Give It to You" (Club Remix) – 5:32 # "I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man" (CD-ROM video) – 4:09


Other cover versions

* The
Goo Goo Dolls The Goo Goo Dolls are an American rock band formed in 1986 in Buffalo, New York, by guitarist/vocalist John Rzeznik, bassist/vocalist Robby Takac, and drummer George Tutuska. After starting off as a cover band and then developing a punk sound, ...
included a cover of "I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man" (shortened to "Never Take the Place of Your Man") on their 1990 album ''
Hold Me Up ''Hold Me Up'' is the third studio album by American rock band Goo Goo Dolls, released on October 16, 1990, by Metal Blade Records. It marked the beginning of John Rzeznik's emergence as the band's principal lead vocalist. The album features th ...
''. The vocals for this version are sung by
Lance Diamond Lance Diamond (born William Shingles), (July 3, 19452015 in review: ...
who performed in their hometown of
Buffalo, New York Buffalo is the second-largest city in the U.S. state of New York (behind only New York City) and the seat of Erie County. It is at the eastern end of Lake Erie, at the head of the Niagara River, and is across the Canadian border from South ...
. *
Flesh for Lulu Flesh for Lulu were an English rock band formed in Brixton, London, England, active between 1982 and 1992. They reformed from 2013 to 2015 with a new lineup. Initially part of the post-punk scene, the band's sound shifted to reflect influence ...
released a live cover on their 1990 album ''Final Vinyl (and Live Flesh)''. * Dutch band The Essence released an uncharacteristic cover version as a B-side on their 1991 single "Out of Grace" from the album ''Nothing Lasts Forever''. * German singer/songwriter Michy Reincke released a German-language version of "I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man" on his second solo CD ''RinTinTin'' in late Summer 1992, translated and reworked as "Ich bin nicht Dein Mann". In 2010 he released an acoustic version of "Ich bin nicht Dein Mann" on his CD ''Palais Salam''. * Danish punk band Gob Squad produced a cover for the 2004 compilation ''Punk Chartbusters, Volume 5''. *
Sigue Sigue Sputnik Sigue Sigue Sputnik were a British new wave band formed in 1982 by former Generation X bassist Tony James. The band have had three UK top-40 hit singles, including "Love Missile F1-11" and " 21st Century Boy". The band's music, image and insp ...
covered it on their 2007 EP ''Ray of Light''. * After performing the song live on tour,
Eels Eels are ray-finned fish belonging to the order Anguilliformes (), which consists of eight suborders, 19 families, 111 genera, and about 800 species. Eels undergo considerable development from the early larval stage to the eventual adult stage ...
recorded a cover for their 2008 album '' Useless Trinkets''. The album also features a cover of "
If I Was Your Girlfriend "If I Was Your Girlfriend" is the second single from American musician Prince's 1987 double album ''Sign o' the Times''. The song was a hit in the United Kingdom but was only a minor hit in America. It was originally from the '' Camille'' project ...
", another song from Prince's ''Sign “☮” the Times'' album. The video for this version is on the DVD '' Eels with Strings: Live at Town Hall'', but without the audio. Authorization for use of the song was not received and the audio was replaced by an 'emergency commentary' explaining the situation in a veiled, but humorous manner by Eels leader E and guitarist The Chet. *
Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra The Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra is an ensemble of ukulele players based in Wellington, New Zealand. Apart from a double bass the band is composed entirely of ukuleles. Their repertoire consists mainly of covers of modern popul ...
included a cover on their 2009 EP ''The Dreaming''. * Seattle band
Fruit Bats In botany, a fruit is the seed-bearing structure in flowering plants that is formed from the ovary after flowering. Fruits are the means by which flowering plants (also known as angiosperms) disseminate their seeds. Edible fruits in particula ...
reference the track in their ballad "Singing Joy to the World" from the 2010 release '' The Ruminant Band''. *
My Morning Jacket My Morning Jacket is an American rock band formed in Louisville, Kentucky in 1998. The band consists of vocalist/guitarist Jim James, bassist Tom Blankenship, drummer Patrick Hallahan, guitarist Carl Broemel, and keyboardist Bo Koster. The ba ...
performed a cover of "I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man" during their set at the 2005
Bonnaroo Music Festival The Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival is an American annual four-day music festival developed and founded by Superfly Presents and AC Entertainment. Since its first year in 2002, it has been held at what is now Great Stage Park on a farm in ...
. They covered the song again in May 2016 at Iroquois Amphitheater in
Louisville Louisville ( , , ) is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the 28th most-populous city in the United States. Louisville is the historical seat and, since 2003, the nominal seat of Jefferson County, on the Indiana border. ...
as a tribute to Prince after his death a few weeks prior. * Paul Rocker produced and sang a cover for his 2014 album ''Identity Crisis'', guest-starring Alex Vincent from the Alex Vincent Band on guitar. * Aaron Freeman (aka
Gene Ween Aaron Freeman (born March 17, 1970), better known by his stage name Gene Ween, is an American singer, guitarist and a founding member of the experimental alternative rock group Ween. Freeman, along with childhood friend Dean Ween (Mickey Melch ...
) has performed this track live with
Freeman Freeman, free men, or variant, may refer to: * a member of the Third Estate in medieval society (commoners), see estates of the realm * Freeman, an apprentice who has been granted freedom of the company, was a rank within Livery companies * Free ...
in 2014. * Minneapolis rock band the Replacements covered the song as documented in an unauthorized compilation "Essential Mats: Obscurities, Live Tracks, & Album Cuts." * Country music singer
Christian Kane Christian Kane (born Christopher Michael Short) is an American actor and singer-songwriter. He is known for his roles in the television shows ''Angel'', ''Leverage'', '' The Librarians'', and '' Into the West'', and the movies ''Just Married'', ' ...
has also performed a cover of this song.


References

{{DEFAULTSORT:I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man 1979 songs Prince (musician) songs 1987 singles Songs written by Prince (musician) Music videos directed by Prince (musician) Eels (band) songs Song recordings produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis Paisley Park Records singles Warner Records singles Song recordings produced by Prince (musician) American new wave songs American power pop songs