Prince (August 24, 1979) – "I Wanna Be Your Lover" b/w "My Love Is Forever" Single: USA
Updated: Aug 21
I Wanna Be Your Lover was released on 24 August 1979 as the lead single from Prince’s second album, Prince. Arriving two months before the album, it became his first major breakthrough in the United States. The single paired the newly recorded A‑side with My Love Is Forever, a track taken from Prince’s debut album For You.
In some territories, alternate B‑sides were used, including Just As Long As We’re Together, Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad?, or I Feel For You.
The single ultimately became Prince’s biggest hit to date, reaching number 1 on the US Billboard Hot Soul Singles Chart, number 3 on the Billboard Disco Top 100 (listed with Sexy Dancer), and number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was certified Gold by the RIAA on 18 March 1980, indicating one million copies shipped.
The song was written after Warner Bros. requested a stronger commercial follow‑up to Prince’s debut album For You, which had underperformed.
Prince responded by recording I Wanna Be Your Lover, a falsetto‑driven funk track expressing romantic frustration and a desire to be taken seriously by the woman he loves. The album version extends into a lengthy keyboard and synthesizer jam, featuring instruments such as the Polymoog and Oberheim Four Voice.
He promoted the single with performances on The Midnight Special and American Bandstand, where his famously awkward interview with Dick Clark became a memorable early moment in his career.
The song also marked Prince’s debut UK single, reaching number 41 on the UK Singles Chart, though promotional shows in London were cancelled due to low attendance.
Two music videos were produced: the primary version featured Prince performing alone against a black backdrop, while an alternate band‑performance video was withdrawn due to its sexually suggestive styling.
Prince included a sample of I Wanna Be Your Lover in the opening of his 1992 single My Name Is Prince, demonstrating the track’s lasting significance in his catalogue.
Prince later revealed that the song was inspired by a crush he had on Patrice Rushen.
RELEASE HISTORY
Released 24 August 1979 in the USA.
Lead single from Prince’s second album Prince.
B‑side taken from For You.
Alternate B‑sides used in some territories.
Reached #1 US Billboard Hot Soul Singles, #3 US Disco Top 100, #11 US Hot 100.
Certified Gold by RIAA on 18 March 1980.
Promoted on American Bandstand and The Midnight Special.
Two music videos produced; one withdrawn.
Track listing
7"
A. I Wanna Be Your Lover (Edit) (2:57)
B. My Love Is Forever (4:08)
Cat #:
US/CA/NZ/BB/PA: WBS 49050
JP: P-531W
AU: MX 191517-8
FR: 17537
ES: 45-1929
AR: 200101
BR: 16.148
EC: 45-80024
MX: G-2271
PE: WBR 0049050.4
Promotional Memo — “I Wanna Be Your Lover” (Warner Bros., 1979)
From the youngest person to ever produce a Warner Bros. album comes the first single, “I Wanna Be Your Lover,” from Prince’s forthcoming album titled Prince.
“I Wanna Be Your Lover” runs 5:47 minutes — a slick R&B/Pop groove laced with intricately synthesized work and clean, strong vocals. The lyric will grab you with its vocal message, then the sensual, hot dance rhythm. The message is as warm as the vocal, as pure as the lyric, both affectionate and sincere. The end result is an entertaining R&B/Pop dance record.
A. I Wanna Be Your Lover B. Just As Long As We’re Together
A. I Wanna Be Your Lover (Edit) (2:57) B. Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad? (3:49)
A. I Wanna Be Your Lover (Edit) (2:57) B. I Feel For You (Edit) (3:24)
PERSONNEL
Prince — lead and backing vocals, electric and acoustic guitars, clavinet, Yamaha CP‑70 electric grand piano, Oberheim Four Voice, Polymoog, Minimoog, ARP String Ensemble, bass guitar, drums
PRINCE SINGLES CHRONOLOGY
"Just as Long as We're Together" (1978)
"I Wanna Be Your Lover" (1979)
"Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad?" (1980)
Charts & Certifications Table
Region | Country / Chart | Entry Date | Peak Position | Weeks in Chart |
America | Billboard Hot 100 | 8 Dec. 1979 + | 11 | 16 |
Billboard Hot Soul Singles | 22 Sep. 1979 | 1 (2 weeks) | 23 | |
Billboard Disco Top 100 (listed with Sexy Dancer) | 10 Nov. 1979 + | 2 (1 week) | 23 | |
Europe | UK – BMRB Single Top 75 | 19 Jan. 1980 | 41 | 3 |
Tracklist Table — “I Wanna Be Your Lover” (Selective Formats)
Format | Tracks | Catalogue Numbers |
7" | A. I Wanna Be Your Lover (Edit) (2:57) B. My Love Is Forever (4:08) | US/CA/NZ/BB/PA: WBS 49050 JP: P‑531W AU: MX 191517‑8 FR: 17537 NL: WB 17537 ES: 45‑1929 AR: 200101 BR: 16.148 EC: 45‑80024 MX: G‑2271 PE: WBR 0049050.4 |
7" (Alt B‑Side) | A. I Wanna Be Your Lover (Edit) (2:57) B. Just As Long As We’re Together (Edit) (3:25) | UK: K 17537 IT: W 17537 |
7" (Alt B‑Side) | A. I Wanna Be Your Lover (Edit) (2:57) B. Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad? (3:49) | DE/SE: WB 17560 |
7" (Alt B‑Side) | A. I Wanna Be Your Lover (Edit) (2:57) B. I Feel For You (Edit) (3:24) | ZF/ZW: WBS 334 |
7" Promo | A. I Wanna Be Your Lover (Edit) (Stereo) (2:57) B. I Wanna Be Your Lover (Edit) (Mono) (2:57) | US: WBS 49050 |
7" — 1986 Back‑To‑Back Hits Reissue | A. I Wanna Be Your Lover (Edit) (2:57) AA. Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad? (3:49) | US: GWB 0392 |
12" | A. I Wanna Be Your Lover (5:47) B. Just As Long As We’re Together (6:24) | UK: K 17537T NL: WB 26.126 |
12" Promo | A. I Wanna Be Your Lover (5:47) B. I Wanna Be Your Lover (Edit) (2:57) | US: PRO‑A‑832 |
12" — 2007 Reissue | A. I Wanna Be Your Lover (5:47) B. Just As Long As We’re Together (6:24) | UK: K 17537 |
SOURCES Discogs, 45 World, Wikipedia. BBC Official Charts Prince Vault, Sleeveographia2
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