✦ I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man – UK Single: Nov. 1987

A Sign O’ The Times rocker trimmed for radio and paired with a club‑ready B‑side

✦ Summary

I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man was released in the United Kingdom on November 23, 1987 as a 7-inch vinyl single on Paisley Park Records (W8288 / 928 288‑7). Issued as the fourth and final single from Sign O’ The Times, the track arrived in a radio‑friendly 3:39 fade (down from the 6:31 album version) and was backed with an edited 3:40 version of Hot Thing. Written, produced, arranged, and performed entirely by Prince, the single showcased his ability to fuse rock, pop, and Minneapolis funk into a sharp, emotionally charged narrative. It peaked at No. 29 on the Official UK Singles Chart and remained for six weeks. Multiple UK variants were issued, including paper labels, silver and metallic blue injection labels, Damont pressings, and a white‑label promo. A 12-inch maxi‑single, picture disc, and cassette followed shortly after.

✦ Highlights

• Released November 23, 1987 in the UK on Paisley Park Records

• Fourth and final single from Sign O’ The Times

• A‑side: 3:39 fade edit

• B‑side: Hot Thing (Edit) — 3:40

• Peaked at No. 29 on the UK Singles Chart (6 weeks)

• Multiple UK label variants and a promo white label

• 12-inch and picture disc editions followed 1–2 weeks later

✦ Track Details

7-inch Vinyl (W8288 / 928 288‑7) — All UK Pressings

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

B: Hot Thing (Edit) — 3:40

✦ UK Variants

• 7-inch — Paper Labels (W8288)

• 7-inch — Silver Injection Labels (W8288)

• 7-inch — Metallic Blue Injection Labels (W8288)

• 7-inch — Paper Labels, Damont Pressing (W8288)

• 7-inch — Promo White Label (W8288)

✦ Production and Context

Written, produced, arranged, and performed by Prince.

Recorded in 1986 at Sunset Sound and Paisley Park.

Fourth single from Sign O’ The Times (1987), following Sign O’ The Times, If I Was Your Girlfriend, and U Got The Look.

✦ Chart Performance

United Kingdom: No. 29 — UK Singles Chart

Chart run: 36 → 29 (peak) → 30 → 42 → 56 → 69

Weeks on chart: 6 (28 Nov 1987 – 2 Jan 1988)

✦ Discography Sidebar

Sign O’ The Times Era Singles:

Sign O’ The Times — Single: Feb. 1987

If I Was Your Girlfriend — Single: May 1987

U Got The Look — Single: July 1987

I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man — UK Single: Nov. 1987

Sign O’ The Times — Album: 1987

✦ Prince Era Mini‑Timeline

Mar. 1987 — Sign O’ The Times album released

Summer 1987 — U Got The Look becomes a major hit

Nov. 23, 1987 — I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man released in the UK

1988 — Lovesexy era begins

✦ Glam Flashback

I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man is one of Prince’s sharpest pop‑rock statements — a story‑driven track with a blistering guitar break and a hook that still hits decades later. The UK single’s tight 3:39 fade made it radio‑ready, while Hot Thing added a dancefloor punch. With multiple label variants and a strong chart run, it remains a favourite among collectors and a testament to the creative fire of the Sign O’ The Times era.

✦ Sources

Prince Vault, Discogs, 45cat, AllMusic, Rate Your Music, Wikipedia, Official Charts Company, Billboard Chart History, YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5Px4jY1TVc