Prince ( July 14, 1987) – 7" Single: "U Got The Look" b/w "Housequake" US

Released on 14 July 1987, this high‑energy 7" single captures Prince at the peak of his Sign ☮ The Times era. Mixing rock, funk, and pop, the single showcases Prince’s Camille‑style vocals, Sheena Easton’s guest performance, and Sheila E.’s percussion, forming one of the most iconic sonic pairings of his late‑1980s catalogue.

BACKGROUND

Issued as the third single from Sign ☮ The Times, arriving three and a half months after the album’s release.

Both U Got The Look and Housequake originated from the same sessions, with the B‑side presented here in its Edit form.

The 12" edition expanded the release with an extended version of the title track and a remix of Housequake.

RECORDING

Recorded at Paisley Park Studios, Minnesota, 1986–87. Prince credited his vocals under the pseudonym Camille, continuing the vocal experimentation heard across the album. Contributions include Sheena Easton (vocals) and Sheila E. (percussion), with Prince handling Fairlight CMI, Prophet VS, guitar, and Publison IM90 Infernal Machine processing.

STYLE & THEMES

A vibrant fusion of rock, funk, and pop, driven by Fairlight and Prophet VS textures, sharp guitar lines, and layered percussion.

The playful lyrical tone and dueling vocals reflect Prince’s late‑1980s swagger, romantic bravado, and competitive flirtation.

TRACK‑BY‑TRACK NOTES

• U Got The Look — High‑energy duet with Sheena Easton; Camille‑style vocals; Fairlight‑driven arrangement.

• Housequake (Edit) — Funk workout with Sheila E. percussion; tight, rhythmic production; album‑derived B‑side.

RELEASE HISTORY

Released 14 July 1987 in the USA on Paisley Park / Warner Bros. Records. Catalogue: 7‑28289  

Barcode: 0 7599‑28289‑7 0  

Promo 7" featured

U Got The Look on both sides (3:46).

Associated releases include the 12" Extended Version, Housequake (Remix), and the Sign ☮ The Times Singles Collection (2020).

CRITICAL RECEPTION

Widely praised for its production, energy, and Sheena Easton’s guest vocals. Frequently cited as one of Prince’s most commercially successful singles of the 1980s.

PERSONNEL

Prince — vocals (Camille), Fairlight CMI, Prophet VS, electric guitar, Publison IM90 Infernal Machine

Sheila E. — Linn LM‑1, cymbals, hi‑hat, cowbells, timbales

Sheena Easton — vocals

CHARTS & CERTIFICATIONS

USA Billboard Hot 100 — No. 2

(25 weeks) USA Billboard Black Singles — No. 11

(14 weeks)

(USA 7" SINGLE)

Artist: Prince

Title: U Got The Look

Label: Paisley Park Records / Warner Bros. Records Inc.

Country: USA

Catalogue: 7‑28289

Date: 14 Jul 1987

Format: 7" Single

Tracklist:  

A — U Got The Look (3:46)

B — Housequake (Edit) (3:24)

Notes:  

Promo variant features U Got The Look on both sides.

Manufactured and distributed by Warner Bros. Records Inc. ℗ 1987 Warner Bros. Records Inc. for the US.

USA Variants:  

Standard retail 7" Promo 7" (same track both sides) Paisley Park purple‑and‑gold label pattern

MUSIC VIDEO

Filmed in Paris, directed by David Hogan, choreographed by Cat Glover. Features Sheena Easton and incorporates the extended intro. Styled as a dream sequence with Prince dozing in his dressing room. Included in the Sign ☮ The Times concert film.

COMPOSITION & RECORDING NOTES

Driven by Fairlight CMI and Prophet VS synths, with Prince’s signature guitar and Sheila E.’s percussion. The playful lyrical tone and vocal interplay define the track’s character.

CULTURAL REFERENCES

The phrase “U Got The Look” became a pop‑culture catchphrase and a defining moment of Prince’s 1987 aesthetic. The fur‑coat imagery and bold typography reflect the Sign ☮ The Times campaign’s visual identity.

COLLECTOR NOTES

Original US pressings are prized for their distinctive Paisley Park label design. Reissued in 2020 within the Sign ☮ The Times Singles Collection. Artwork and label pattern remain key collector draws.

SINGLE CHRONOLOGY

Preceded by:

If I Was Your Girlfriend (1987)

Followed by:

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

TRACK TIMINGS

A — U Got The Look — 3:46

B — Housequake (Edit) — 3:24

SOURCES Discogs • Billboard Archives • Duane Tudahl • Benoît Clerc • Guitarcloud • Sleevegraphia2, Paisley Park Records documentation All magazine scans, photographs 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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