America (Prince song)

Infobox Single
Name = America


Caption = U.S. 7" single
Artist = Prince
from Album = Around the World in a Day
B-side = "Girl"
Released = 2 October, 1985
Format = 7" single
12" single
Recorded = The Warehouse, St. Louis Park; 1984
Genre = Pop, Rock
Length = 7"/album: 3:40
12" single: 21:46
Label = Paisley Park Records
Writer = Prince and the Revolution
Producer = Prince and the Revolution
Last single = "Pop Life"
(1985)
This single = "America"
(1985)
Next single = "Kiss"
(1986)
Misc = Extra chronology
Artist = Prince (UK)
Type = singles
[Background = #ffff00]
Last single = "Pop Life"
(1985)
This single = …
Next single = "Kiss"
(1986)

"America" was the final U.S. single off Prince and The Revolution's 1985 album, "Around the World in a Day". The song is appreciative of the mid-1980s United States, condemning Communism, and worrying about nuclear war. The song begins as if it is a record being spun by a DJ. This leads into a guitar solo and a rising flute line. The main tune is standard rock and roll and fades out at 3:40. The 12-inch single extended version is notable for being over 20 minutes and including various instrumental solos. The song even fades in this version; in the original extended version the listener can actually hear the audio tape run out, being that Prince and the Revolution had jammed the song out until there was no more room on the tape. The video for this song was shown on MTV during an entire segment dedicated to the single. Prince refused to speak during the interview, and, thus, bandmates spoke for him. He did appear playful, and introduced his use of the phrase "Good God!" (inherited from The Godfather of Soul James Brown), a phrase which would soon be adopted by his entire band and all of his protege's during this prolific era in his career.

The B-Side of the track was "Girl," a light pop number which speaks of Prince's lust for a woman. Featuring a minimal drum loop and sparse synthesizer lines, Prince's lust is in such force that he declares that "all I have to do is think about you and i can have an orgasm" as he invites her to feel how sweaty his hands have gotten from their meeting. The full length version from the 12" features backmasking of Wendy Melvoin reciting the lyrics with the word "boy" replacing "girl."

External links

* "America" [http://www.dtt-lyrics.com/albums/atwiad.html#america lyrics]