Partyman

Infobox Single
Name = Partyman


Caption = U.S. 7" single
Artist = Prince
from Album = Batman
B-side = "Feel U Up"
Released = 15 September, 1989
Format = 7" single
12" single
CD single
Recorded = Paisley Park Studios, 1989
Genre = Pop, funk
Length = Album/7": 3:11
12" Video Mix: 6:02
Label = Warner Bros. Records
Writer = Prince
Producer = Prince
Certification = Gold - (8 November, 1989)
Last single = "Batdance"
(1989)
This single = "Partyman"
(1989)
Next single = "The Arms of Orion"
(1989)
Misc =

"Partyman", which features the vocal performance of "Anna Fantastic," was Prince's follow up to the No. 1 hit "Batdance." The song's accompanying music video is often regarded by fans as one of his finest, again presenting Prince's "Gemini" persona (half-Joker, half-Batman). The song is one of the few on the album that is prominently featured in the movie, accompanying the scene where the Joker and his minions gleefully desecrate the Gotham City Art Museum before meeting Vicki Vale.

The song became the only "Batman" single to perform better in the UK charts, where it peaked at number 14, as opposed to the U.S. (where it peaked at #18). The upbeat and humorous number features horn samples and his sped-up "Camille" vocals. The 12" single extends the song to about 6 minutes in length (labeled as the "video mix"), and features the B-side "Feel U Up," a previously unreleased "Camille" track which would later be available on "The Hits/The B-Sides" compilation.

"Feel U Up" was originally cut in 1981, but re-recorded in 1986 for the "Camille" album. Despite being intended for a totally different project, the horn arrangement and vocal style compliment "Partyman" perfectly. The 12" single also included a "Purple Party Mix," which starts with a string of samples from Prince's earlier hits and contains different lyrics. A track identified as a "music mix" is an instrumental of the "Purple Party Mix."

Owing to licensing problems, "Partyman," like all of the "Batman"-era hits, has failed to appear on any Prince compilation album, barring the UK singles promoting "The Hits/The B-Sides".

Track listing

7": Warner Bros. / 7-22814 (US)

# "Partyman" - 3:11
# "Feel U Up" (Short Stroke) - 3:44

12": Warner Bros. / 0-21370 (US)

# "Partyman" (The Purple Party Mix) - 6:02
# "Partyman" (Partyman Music Mix) - 4:31
# "Partyman" (The Video Mix) - 6:20
# "Feel U Up" (Short Stroke) - 3:44

12": Warner Bros. / W2814T (UK)

# "Partyman" (Video Mix) - 6:20
# "Feel U Up" (Long Stroke) - 6:28

* also available as picture disc (W2814TP)
* also available on CD (W2814CD)

12": Warner Bros. / W2814TX (UK)

# "Partyman" (The Purple Party Mix) - 6:02
# "Partyman" (Partyman Music Mix) - 4:31
# "Partyman" (The Video Mix Edit) - 5:40
# "Feel U Up" (Short Stroke) - 3:44

* also available on CD (W2924CDT)

External links

* "Partyman" [http://www.dtt-lyrics.com/albums/batman.html#party lyrics]