I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man


"I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man" is a song written and recorded by American musician Prince. It was released as the final single from his ninth studio album Sign o' the Times, becoming the third top-ten hit off the album. It has since been covered by numerous artists.

Music

The original 1979 version was recorded during the sessions that would be his self-titled album. When working on Sign o' the Times, Prince relistened to the original version, deciding to overhaul it with a new drum pattern on a LinnDrum, and rerecording the bass, synthesizers, guitars, and vocal tracks.
The song features 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.
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.
Cash Box called it an "exceptional tune is skillfully produced and performed."

Music video

The music video was made using the song's section in the Sign “☮” the Times film, and is a live take of the song and included the horn section of Eric Leeds and Atlanta Bliss. This version includes a horn solo in the song's coda, lifting a part from the Camille and The Black Album track, "Rockhard in a Funky Place".

B-side

The single was backed with "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. "Hot Thing" received enough airplay by DJs to chart on its own, reaching No. 63.

Track listing

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

  1. "I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man" – 3:39
  2. "Hot Thing" – 3:40

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

  1. "I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man" – 6:31
  2. "Hot Thing" – 3:40
  3. "Hot Thing" – 8:32
  4. "Hot Thing" – 6:53

12": Warner Bros / W8288T (UK)

  1. "I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man" – 6:31
  2. "Hot Thing" – 3:40
  3. "Hot Thing" – 8:32
*also released as a picture disc

Personnel

Credits from Duane Tudahl, Benoît Clerc and Guitarcloud

Album version

Musicians

Technical

1979 version

Musicians

Technical

  • Prince – producer
  • Bob Muckler – recording engineer

Jordan Knight version

Jordan Knight, of New Kids on the Block, recorded a cover of the song as a ballad for his 1999 self-titled solo debut. The video debuted on TRL on July 27, 1999 at number 10. It features background vocals by Knight & Robin Thicke.

Track listing

US single
  1. "I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man" – 4:03
  2. "I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man" – 4:04
US 12" vinyl
UK Maxi-CD
  1. "I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man" – 4:06
  2. "I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man" – 3:54
  3. "I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man" – 4:09
  4. "Give It to You" – 5:32
  5. "I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man" – 4:09

Other cover versions