Prince (January 23, 1980) Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad? / Baby – Single US
- Escape
- Jan 23, 1980
- 2 min read
Updated: May 27
"Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad?" is the second single from Prince’s self-titled second album Prince. A raw, emotional funk-rock track that showcased his growing range as an artist.
RELEASE DETAILS
Artist: Prince
Label: Warner Bros. Records
Format: 7" Vinyl Single
Country: USA
Released: 23 January 1980
Genre: Funk, Rock, R&B
A-Side: Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad? (3:49)
B-Side: Baby (3:09)
Catalogue #: US: WBS 49178
US Variants
(Full Track Listings)
7" Commercial Single (WBS 49178)
A. Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad? (3:49)
B. Baby (3:09)
7" Promo Single (WBS 49178)
A. Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad? (Mono) (3:49)
B. Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad? (Stereo) (3:49)
International Variants (1980)
– Baby B-Side
Barbados – Warner Bros. – 1980 (WBS 49178)
A. Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad? (3:49)
B. Baby (3:09)
Zambia – Warner Bros. – 1980 (WBS 49178)
A. Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad? (3:49)
B. Baby (3:09)
Ecuador – Warner Bros. – 1980 (45-80026)
A. Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad? (Por Qué Quieres Tratarme Mal) (3:49)
B. Baby (Niño) (3:09)
CONTEXT & NOTES
The lyrics explore a relationship with a cruel lover. The song prominently features guitar and bass, with keyboards in a less prominent role. A highlight is Prince’s soaring guitar solo at the end. It was played live on Prince’s first three tours (always as the second number). On the Dirty Mind tour, extended lyrics were replaced by screaming “bitch!” followed by a blazing guitar solo. The B-side was “Baby” in the US and “Bambi” in New Zealand. The song was later covered by Tuesday Knight on her 1987 debut album. In September 2009, Prince released a live recording of the song from Paisley Park Studios online.
PERSONNEL
Prince — lead and backing vocals, electric guitars, clavinet, Yamaha CP-70 electric grand piano, Oberheim Four Voice, ARP String Ensemble, bass guitar, drums
André Cymone — backing vocals
CHARTS (USA)
Billboard Hot Soul Singles — Peak: 13
SOURCES
Prince Vault, Warner Bros. US 7" labels (WBS 49178), 45cat, Billboard charts, Benoît Clerc & Guitarcloud.
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
All images, recordings, 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. No ownership of the original material is claimed or implied
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