Prince: I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man Single (1987)

Escape
Nov 3, 1987
9 min read

Updated: Nov 4

A Funk-Rock Heartbreaker

Prince’s “I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man” 7-inch, 12" vinyl and cassette single, was released in the US on November 3, 1987, on Paisley Park Records (catalogue: 7-28288). Backed with “Hot Thing,” this vibrant funk-rock track, written and produced by Prince, was the fourth single from the double album Sign O' The Times. The A-side’s storytelling lyrics, live-in-studio energy, and soaring guitar solo peaked at No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 . Issued in a Paisley Park picture sleeve, it’s a standout from Prince’s golden era.

The original 1979 version was recorded during the sessions that would be his self-titled album. When working on Sign o' the Times, Prince relistened to original version, deciding to overhaul it with a new drum pattern on a LinnDrum, and rerecording the bass, synthesizers, guitars, and vocal tracks.

The song features two guitar solos, one wild and energetic and one more bluesy and subdued in the full album cut. The song consists of two verses and two choruses, followed by a lengthy instrumental coda.

The lyrics paint the image of a woman seeking a man to replace the one who left, while Prince refuses, saying that she would not be satisfied with a one-night stand.

Cash Box called it an "exceptional tune [that] is skillfully produced and performed."

Music video

The music video was made using the song's section in the Sign “☮” the Times film, and is a live take of the song and included the horn section of Eric Leeds and Atlanta Bliss. This version includes a horn solo in the song's coda, lifting a part from the Camille and The Black Album track, "Rockhard in a Funky Place".

B-side

The single was backed with "Hot Thing", also from Sign “☮” the Times. The 12-inch single includes the full album version of "I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man", as well as several remixes of "Hot Thing". One of these was included on the Ultimate compilation album in 2006. "Hot Thing" received enough airplay by DJs to chart on its own, reaching No. 63.

US Releases

Single 7" Vinyl Test Pressing

Label: Warner Bros. Records – 728288

Format: Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing, Specialty Records Corporation

Released: Oct 16, 1987

A I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man

B Hot Thing

Pressed By – Specialty Records Corporation

Pressing Plant ID (Runout stamp): [SRC logo]

Matrix / Runout (Side A label): ASR '

Matrix / Runout (Side B label): BSR '

Matrix / Runout (Side A runout, etched): [SRC logo] 7-28288-A-SR1 1-1

Matrix / Runout (Side B runout, etched): [SRC logo] 7-28288-B-SR1 1-1

Single 7" Vinyl White Label

Label: Paisley Park – 7-28288

Format: Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, White Label

Released: Oct 16, 1987

A I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man (Fade)

B Hot Thing (Fade)

Pressed By – Allied Record Company – R-19088

Pressed By – Allied Record Company – R-19089

Plated At – Sheffield Lab Matrix – △ 18558

Runouts: all hand-etched except the Allied 'ɑ' logo.

Pressing Plant ID (Runouts): [Allied 'ɑ' logo]

Matrix / Runout (Side A runout): 7-28288-A SH 1 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] R-19088-SH1 △ 18558 1- 1

Matrix / Runout (Side B runout): [Allied 'ɑ' logo] R-19089-SH1 7-28288-B SH 1 △ 18558-X 1-1

Single 7" Vinyl Promo

Label: Paisley Park – 7-28288-A

Format: Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene, Allied Record Company Pressing

Released: Nov 3, 1987

A I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man (Fade) 3:39

B I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man (Fade) 3:39

Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Warner Bros. Records Inc.

Published By – Controversy Music

Mastered At – Sheffield Lab Matrix – △ 18558

Pressed By – Allied Record Company – R-19088

Producer, Arranged By, Composed By, Performer – Prince

Labels:

blank white rectangle box intended for the barcode

PROMOTION NOT FOR SALE

From the double album SIGN "☮" THE TIMES on Paisley Park Records (1-25577)

℗ 1987 Warner Bros. Records Inc. for the U.S.

[same track and label on both sides]

Single 7" Vinyl Commercial in Picture Sleeve Specialty Records

Label: Paisley Park – 9 28288-7, Paisley Park – 7-28288

Format: Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, Single, Specialty Records Corporation Pressing

Released: Nov 3, 1987

A I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man (Fade) 3:39

B Hot Thing (Edit) 3:40

Record Company – Warner Communications

Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Warner Bros. Records Inc.

Phonographic Copyright ℗ – WEA International Inc.

Published By – Controversy Music

Pressed By – Specialty Records Corporation

Manufactured By – Warner Bros. Records Inc.

Distributed By – Warner Bros. Records Inc.

Producer, Arranged By, Composed By, Performer – Prince

Picture sleeve:

9 28288-7

Labels:

7-28288

From the double album SIGN "☮" THE TIMES on Paisley Park Records (1-25577)

℗ 1987 Warner Bros. Records Inc. for the U.S.

Single 7" Vinyl Commercial in Picture Sleeve Allied Record Company

Label: Paisley Park – 9 28288-7, Paisley Park – 7-28288

Format: Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, Single, Allied Record Company Pressing

Released: Nov 3, 1987

A I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man (Fade) 3:39

B Hot Thing (Edit) 3:40

Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Warner Bros. Records Inc.

Phonographic Copyright ℗ – WEA International Inc.

Record Company – Warner Communications

Published By – Controversy Music

Mastered At – Sheffield Lab Matrix – △18558

Pressed By – Allied Record Company – R-19088

Pressed By – Allied Record Company – R-19089

Manufactured By – Warner Bros. Records Inc.

Distributed By – Warner Bros. Records Inc.

Producer, Arranged By, Composed By, Performer – Prince

Cover:

9 28288-7

From the double album SIGN "☮" THE TIMES

Labels:

7-28288

From the double album SIGN "☮" THE TIMES on Paisley Park Records (1-25577)

Controversy Music ASCAP

℗ 1987 Warner Bros. Records Inc. for the U.S.

Similar editions:

I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man (Allied Record Company pressing) [this release]

I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man (Specialty Records Corporation pressing)

Single Cassette

Label: Paisley Park – 9 28288-4, Paisley Park – 4-28288

Format: Cassette, Single, SR, Dolby HX Pro, B NR

A I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man (Fade) 3:39

B Hot Thing (Edit) 3:40

Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Warner Bros. Records Inc.

Record Company – Warner Bros. Records Inc.

Record Company – Warner Communications

Duplicated By – Specialty Records Corporation

Producer, Arranged By, Composed By, Performer – Prince

From the Paisley Park double album SIGN "☮" THE TIMES.

Barcode (Text): 0 7599-28288-4 0

Maxi- Single Cassette

Label: Paisley Park – 9 20728-4, Paisley Park – 20728-4

Format: Cassette, Maxi-Single

A1 I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man (LP Version) 6:31

A2 Hot Thing (Edit) 3:40

B1 Hot Thing (Extended Remix) 8:32

B2 Hot Thing (Dub Version) 6:55

Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Warner Bros. Records Inc.

Phonographic Copyright ℗ – WEA International Inc.

Producer, Arranged By, Composed By, Performer – Prince

Barcode (Text): 0 7599-20728-4 7

Housed in Long Box

Single 12" Vinyl Promo

Label: Paisley Park – PRO-A-2770

Format: Vinyl, 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo

Country: US

A I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man (Fade) 3:39

B I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man (LP Version) 6:31

Plated At – Sheffield Lab Matrix – △18669

Pressed By – Allied Record Company – B-29507

Pressed By – Allied Record Company – B-29508

Producer, Arranged By, Composed By, Performer – Prince

From the double album SIGN "☮" THE TIMES on Paisley Park Records (1-25577)

Promotional Copy. Not For Sale.

℗ 1987 Warner Bros. Records Inc. for the U.S.

Matrix / Runout (Side A Runout): PRO-A1-2770-SH1 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-29507-SH1 △18669 1-1

Matrix / Runout (Side B Runout): PRO-A2-2770-SH1 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-29508 - SH1 △18669-X 1-1

Single 12" Vinyl Commercial SRC Pressing

Label: Paisley Park – 9 20728-0, Paisley Park – 0-20728

Format: Vinyl, 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, SRC Pressing

A1 I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man (LP Version) 6:31

A2 Hot Thing (Edit) 3:40

B1 Hot Thing (Extended Remix) 8:32

B2 Hot Thing (Dub Version) 6:53

Published By – Controversy Music

Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Warner Bros. Records Inc.

Manufactured By – Warner Bros. Records Inc.

Distributed By – Warner Bros. Records Inc.

Plated At – Sheffield Lab Matrix – △18618

Plated At – Allied Record Company – B-29464

Pressed By – Specialty Records Corporation

Edited By – Junior Vasquez (tracks: A2 to B2), Shep Pettibone (tracks: A2 to B2)

Engineer [Remix] – Michael Hutchinson (tracks: A2 to B2)

Producer [Additional Production], Remix – Shep Pettibone (tracks: A2 to B2)

Producer, Arranged By, Composed By, Performer – Prince

"I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man" and the original version of "Hot Thing" from the double album Sign "O" The Times on Paisley Park Records. Available on LP, Cassette and Compact Disc (1/4/2-25577).

Additional Production and Remix for Mastermix Productions.

Paisley Park Records, manufactured and distributed by Warner Bros. Records Inc., A Warner Communications Company. © 1987 Warner Bros. Records Inc. ℗ 1987 Warner Bros. Records Inc. for the U.S. & WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the U.S. Made in U.S.A.

The catalog numbers appear as follows:

9 20728-0 (spine)

0-20728 (labels)

Barcode (Printed): 0 7599-20728-0 9

Barcode (String): 075992072809

Rights Society: ASCAP

Matrix / Runout (Side B, Embossed Around Spindle Hole): E A S T

Matrix / Runout (A side runout, variant 1): 0-20728-A-SH2 [ARC logo] B-29464-SH2 △18618

Matrix / Runout (B side runout, variant 1): [SRC logo] 0-20728-B S̶̷H̶̷I̶̷ SRI

Matrix / Runout (A side runout, variant 2): 0-20728-A-SH2 [ARC logo] B-29464-SH2 △18618 1̶-̶2̶ 0-1 AL-SP

Matrix / Runout (B side runout, variant 2): [SRC logo] 0-20728-B S̶̷H̶̷I̶̷ SRI 1-1

Single 12" Vinyl Commercial Allied Pressing

Label: Paisley Park – 9 20728-0, Paisley Park – 0-20728

Format: Vinyl, 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo, Allied Pressing

A1 I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man (LP Version) 6:31

A2 Hot Thing (Edit) 3:40

B1 Hot Thing (Extended Remix) 8:32

B2 Hot Thing (Dub Version) 6:53

Corporate Owner – Warner Communications

Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Warner Bros. Records Inc.

Phonographic Copyright ℗ – WEA International Inc.

Published By – Controversy Music

Manufactured By – Warner Bros. Records Inc.

Distributed By – Warner Bros. Records Inc.

Plated At – Sheffield Lab Matrix – △18618

Pressed By – Allied Record Company – B-29464

Pressed By – Allied Record Company – B-29465

Edited By – Junior Vasquez (tracks: A2 to B2), Shep Pettibone (tracks: A2 to B2)

Engineer [Remix Engineer] – Michael Hutchinson (tracks: A2 to B2)

Producer [Additional Production], Remix – Shep Pettibone (tracks: A2 to B2)

Producer, Arranged By, Composed By, Performer – Prince

Cover:

[some copies may have a (promo) gold stamp]

Spine:

9 20728-0

Labels:

0-20728

Additional production and remix [...] for Mastermix Productions

Controversy Music ASCAP

Similar editions:

I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man (Allied Record Company pressing) [this release]

I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man (Specialty Records Corporation pressing)

I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man (Record Store Day 2017 reissue / cover: printed in Canada)

I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man (Record Store Day 2017 reissue / cover: Manufactured in the EU)

Runouts are etched, except for [Allied 'a' logo] which is stamped.

Barcode (Text): 0 7599-20728-0 9

Barcode (Scanned): 075992072809

Rights Society: ASCAP

Pressing Plant ID: [Allied 'ɑ' logo]

Matrix / Runout (Side A runout): 0-20728-A-SH2 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-29464-SH2 △18618 1-1

Single 12" Vinyl Commercial Record Store Day Reissue

Label: Paisley Park – 0-20728

Format: Vinyl, 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Record Store Day, Reissue

Released: Apr 22, 2017

A1 I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man (LP Version) 6:31

A2 Hot Thing (Edit) 3:40

B1 Hot Thing (Extended Remix) 8:32

B2 Hot Thing (Dub Version) 6:53

Phonographic Copyright ℗ – NPG Records, Inc.

Edited By – Junior Vasquez (tracks: Tracks: A2 to B2), Shep Pettibone (tracks: Tracks: A2 to B2)

Engineer [Remix] – Michael Hutchinson (tracks: Tracks: A2 to B2)

Producer [Additional Production] – Shep Pettibone (tracks: Tracks: A2 to B2)

Producer, Arranged By, Composed By, Performer – Prince

Remix – Shep Pettibone (tracks: Tracks: A2 to B2)

Record Store Day 2017 'RSD First' Release

Singles Released and Chart Performance

“I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man” was the fourth single from Sign O' The Times:

Chart Performance:

US: No. 10 (Billboard Hot 100), charting for 14 weeks; No. 3 (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs).

UK: No. 29 (Official Singles Chart), charting for 5 weeks.

Australia: No. 23 (Kent Music Report, 6 weeks).

Germany: No. 36 (GfK, 5 weeks).

Netherlands: No. 30 (Single Top 100, 4 weeks).

Ireland: No. 25 (Irish Singles Chart, 3 weeks).

New Zealand: No. 9 (RMNZ, 7 weeks).

Canada: No. 14 (RPM, 8 weeks).

Belgium: No. 28 (Ultratop Flanders, 3 weeks).

France: No. 45 (SNEP, 2 weeks).

Sweden: No. 18 (Sverigetopplistan, 3 weeks).

Norway: No. 10 (VG-lista, 4 weeks).

Other Countries: No chart entries in Finland, Italy, Spain, Austria, Switzerland, Japan, or South Africa.

Have you snagged this Prince hit in your vinyl collection? Does “I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man” steal your heart? Share in the comments!

Sources

Prince Vault: I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man

Discogs: I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man (1987)

45cat: 7-28288 Single

YouTube: I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man Official Video (2008 upload, 10M+ views)

Wikipedia: I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man

Official Charts Company: Prince Singles

AllMusic: Prince Discography

Billboard Chart History: Prince

Prince: I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man Single (1987)

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