Prince (May 29, 1981) Gotta Stop (Messin' About) / I Wanna Be Your Lover – Single 7" / 12" UK
- GlamSlamEscape
- May 29, 1981
- 2 min read
Prince released the non-album track “Gotta Stop (Messin' About)” as a UK single on May 29, 1981, backed with “I Wanna Be Your Lover”. The striking zebra-print sleeve and multiple formats made it a notable release despite it failing to chart.
RELEASE DETAILS
Artist: Prince
Label: Warner Bros. Records
Format: 7" / 12" Vinyl Single Country: United Kingdom
Released: May 29, 1981
Genre: Funk, Rock, Minneapolis Sound
A-Side: “Gotta Stop (Messin' About)” Written by: Prince Produced by: Prince
B-Side: “I Wanna Be Your Lover”
Written by: Prince Produced by: Prince
TRACK LIST UK 7" Single (K 17819)
A. Gotta Stop (Messin' About)
B. I Wanna Be Your Lover (Edit)
UK 12" Single (LV 47)
A. Gotta Stop (Messin’ About) – 2:56 B1. I Wanna Be Your Lover – 5:47
B2. Head – 4:40
CHART PERFORMANCE
United Kingdom: Did not chart (reached #130 on Record Business chart)
INTERNATIONAL VARIANTS
Later released in the US as B-side to the “Let’s Work” 12" single.
PERSONNEL
Prince – lead and backing vocals, electric guitars, Oberheim OB-X, bass guitar, drums, handclaps
Production Produced by Prince
THE STORY
“Gotta Stop (Messin' About)” is a keyboard-driven non-album track recorded during the Dirty Mind period. It was issued in the UK with two different 7" pairings and matching 12" versions featuring “Head”. The single is famous for its bold red-and-black zebra-print sleeve.
CONTEXT & NOTES
This release marked one of the earliest examples of Prince issuing non-album tracks as singles/B-sides. Despite heavy promotion coinciding with his first UK gigs, it did not chart. The song later appeared on The Hits/The B-Sides and Prince 4Ever. A warning sticker was added to some copies due to the suggestive content.
RELATED MATERIAL
Album: Dirty Mind (1980)
Prince (November - 26 - 1980) Dirty Mind / When We’re Dancing Close And Slow – Single 7" US
Prince (October 1980) Head / Uptown – Single 7" PH / 12" US
Prince (November 1980) Uptown / Crazy You – Single 7" JP
Prince (September 10 1980) Uptown / Crazy You – Single 7" US
SOURCES
Prince Vault
Discogs
45cat
Wikipedia.
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
All single artwork, photographs, logos, and original text excerpts remain the property of their respective copyright holders. This entry is a transformative, non-commercial archival summary created for historical documentation and educational reference.
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