I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man

Infobox Single
Name = I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man


Caption = U.S. 7" single
Artist = Prince
from Album = Sign o' the Times
B-side = "Hot Thing"
Released = 3 November, 1987
Format = 7" single
12" single
Recorded = Home studio, Minneapolis and Sunset Sound; 1982–1986
Genre = Pop, funk-metal
Length = 7" edit: 3:39
Album/12": 6:31
Label = Paisley Park Records
Writer = Prince
Producer = Prince
Certification =
Chart position = * #14 R&B
* #10 U.S.
* #29 UK
Last single = "U Got the Look"
(1987)
This single = "I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man"
(1987)
Next single = "Alphabet St."
(1988)Extra tracklisting
Album = Sign “☮” the Times
Type = studio
prev_track = "Strange Relationship"
prev_no = 12
this_track = "I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man"
track_no = 13
next_track = "The Cross"
next_no = 14

"I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man" was the fourth and final single from Prince's 1987 double album, "Sign “☮” the Times". The track was originally cut in Prince's home studio in 1982. It was brought out of the vault and updated for the unreleased, final album with The Revolution, "Dream Factory." At this time, the song had a few seconds of the bluesy coda just before the main guitar solo. It was edited out before "Sign “☮” the Times".

The song is an upbeat pop number featuring a combination of live drumming with two drum machine patterns. Also featured are two guitar solos, one wild and energetic and one more bluesy and subdued in the full album cut. The song consists of two verses and two choruses, followed by a lengthy instrumental coda. Although the lyrics are somewhat sad, painting the image of a woman desperately seeking a man to replace the one who left, while Prince refuses, saying that she wouldn't be satisfied with a one-night stand. Despite the tone, the infectious music and accompanying music video pushed this song to the top 10 in the U.S. The video was pulled from the "Sign “☮” the Times" film, and is a live take of the song, and included the horn section of Eric Leeds and Atlanta Bliss.

The live version of "I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man" from the video and "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 by the funky "Hot Thing," also from "Sign “☮” the Times". The 12-inch single includes the full album version of "I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man," as well as several remixes of "Hot Thing." One of these was included on the "Ultimate" compilation album in 2006. Interestingly, "Hot Thing" received enough airplay by DJs to chart on its own, reaching #63.

Cover versions

* Flesh For Lulu, did a live cover of "I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man" on their 1990 promotional album Final Vinyl (and Live Flesh).
* Jordan Knight, (formerly of New Kids on the Block) did a cover of "I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man" on his 1999 self-titled solo debut. His version of the song is a ballad.
* The Goo Goo Dolls also did 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". The vocals for this version are sung by Lance Diamond who performs in their hometown of Buffalo, New York.
* Eels covered the song on their 2005 tour. Their version was made commercially available on their 2008 Useless Trinkets compilation.
* My Morning Jacket, did a live cover of "I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man" at the 2005 Bonnaroo Music Festival

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)

External links

* "I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man" [http://www.dtt-lyrics.com/albums/sign2.html#never lyrics]