I Wanna Be Your Lover

Infobox Single
Name = I Wanna Be Your Lover


Caption = U.S. 7" single
Artist = Prince
from Album = Prince
B-side = "My Love Is Forever"/Sexy Dancer (US)
"Just as Long as We're Together"/Sexy Dancer (UK)
"Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad?" (DEU)
Released = 24 August, 1979
Format = 7" single
12" single
Recorded = Alpha Studios, Burbank, California, April–June 1979
Genre = Pop, funk,Disco
Length = 7" edit: 2:57
12"/album: 5:57
Label = Warner Bros. Records
Writer = Prince
Producer = Prince
Certification = platinum (18 March, 1980)
Chart position = * #11 (US Billboard Hot 100)
** #2 (US Hot Dance Club Play)
** #1 (US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)
* #41 (UK Singles Chart)
Last single = "Just as Long as We're Together"
(1978)
This single = "I Wanna Be Your Lover"
(1979)
Next single = "Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad?"
(1980)
Misc = Extra chronology
Artist = Prince (UK)
Type = singles
[ Background = #ffff00 ]
Last single = —
This single = "I Wanna Be Your Lover"
(1979)
Next single = "Sexy Dancer"
(1980)"I Wanna Be Your Lover" is a single by Prince from his second album "Prince" (1979). It was his first hit single, gaining radio airplay and chart success: the song spent two weeks at No. 1 on the R&B singles chart in December 1979, and peaked at No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The song explains that although he may not be as financially successful as other men, he will please her like no other.

The B-side of the track was from his previous album, "For You", "My Love Is Forever," in the U.S. In the UK, the B-side was "Just as Long as We're Together," also from "For You". This was Prince's debut single in the UK. It charted together with "Sexy Dancer" on the U.S. Hot Dance Club Play chart, where it reach No. 2.

In film and television

The song was used in the HBO television series "The Sopranos", in the episode "The Second Coming," heard in the background at the Bada Bing club. The song was also used at the start of the film "Are We There Yet?"It was also used in the "Diff'rent Strokes" episode, "The Rivals" (original airdate- January 23, 1980). In some syndicated airings, it was replaced by a stock instrumental track. However, in recent airings on the BET network, “I Wanna Be Your Lover” was again used.

Music Video

There exists two music videos of the single.

The Main version has prince in a leopard shirt and jeans singing alone in a black background with only a mic. Various shots show Prince playing the instruments by himself.

The other version which is not featured on "The Hits Collection" compilation shows Prince and bandmembers at the time in a tan painted room. THis video was probably pulled because of the clothing. The video is widely sought after by collectors.