Sheila E. (May 2, 1984) “The Glamorous Life” / “The Glamorous Life Part II” – Single 7" USA
- GlamSlamEscape
- May 2, 1984
- 2 min read
Sheila E. released “The Glamorous Life” as a single in the USA on May 2, 1984, backed with “The Glamorous Life Part II”. It was issued in multiple 7" and 12" variants, including commercial singles, extended club mixes, and various promotional copies.
RELEASE DETAILS
Artist: Sheila E.
Label: Warner Bros. Records
Format: 7" / 12" Vinyl Single + Promo Singles
Country: United States
Released: May 2, 1984 Genre: Pop • Funk • Dance
Style: Minneapolis Sound • Percussion-Driven Pop
A-Side: “The Glamorous Life”
Written by: Prince Produced by: Prince
B-Side: “The Glamorous Life Part II” Written by: Prince Produced by: Prince
TRACK LIST
US 7" Commercial Single (9-29285-7)
A. The Glamorous Life (Edit) – 3:41
B. The Glamorous Life Part II – 3:12
US 12" Single (0-20251 / 9-20251-0)
A. The Glamorous Life (Club Edit) – 6:33 B. The Glamorous Life Part II – 3:12
US Formats & Catalogue Numbers
7" Single — 9‑29285‑7 A. The Glamorous Life (Edit) — 3:41 B. The Glamorous Life Part II — 3:12
7" Promo — 7‑29285 A. The Glamorous Life — 3:41 B. The Glamorous Life — 3:41
12" Single — 0‑20251 / 9‑20251‑0 A A. The Glamorous Life (Club Edit) — 6:33 B. The Glamorous Life Part II — 3:12
12" Promo — 7PRO‑A‑2167 A. The Glamorous Life (Album Version Edit) — 6:33 B. The Glamorous Life (Single Edit) — 3:41
12" Promo — PRO‑A‑2145 A. The Glamorous Life (Edit) — 3:41 B. The Glamorous Life (Album Version) — 8:58
Significance
The single’s success across pop, R&B, and dance markets established Sheila E. as one of the most important artists to emerge from the Minneapolis sound. Its multi‑format US rollout ensured saturation across radio, retail, and club distribution, helping cement the track as one of the defining singles of 1984.
THE STORY
“The Glamorous Life” was the first release ever credited to Sheila E. as a solo artist. Although Prince wrote, produced, and played most instruments, he allowed Sheila E. to take center stage as vocalist and percussionist. The song blended sharp percussion, narrative lyricism, and the sleek Minneapolis sound. The B-side extended the groove into a percussion-driven instrumental continuation.
CONTEXT & NOTES
The single’s success across pop, R&B, and dance markets established Sheila E. as one of the most important artists to emerge from the Minneapolis sound. Its multi-format US rollout ensured saturation across radio, retail, and club distribution, helping cement the track as one of the defining singles of 1984.
It peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 (her highest-ever Pop chart position), No. 9 on the Black Singles chart, and No. 1 on the Dance/Disco Top 80 for two consecutive weeks. It became only the second Prince-associated single to reach No. 1 on the Dance chart.
RELATED MATERIAL
Sheila E. (1984) The Glamorous Life Sheila E. (1984)
Next Single – “The Belle of St. Mark”
SOURCES
Prince Vault,
Discogs.
All single artwork, photographs, labels, 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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