Prince (June 26, 1981) Gotta Stop (Messin' About) / Uptown – Single 7" / 12" UK
- GlamSlamEscape
- Jun 26, 1981
- 2 min read
Prince released the non-album track “Gotta Stop (Messin' About)” as a UK single on June 12, 1981, backed with “Uptown”. It was issued in multiple configurations but failed to chart despite heavy promotion.
RELEASE DETAILS
Artist: Prince
Label: Warner Bros. Records
Format: 7" / 12" Vinyl Single Country: United Kingdom Released: June 26, 1981
Genre: Funk, Rock, New Wave
A-Side: “Gotta Stop (Messin' About)” Written by: Prince Produced by: Prince
B-Side: “Uptown”
Written by: Prince Produced by: Prince
TRACK LIST
UK 7" Single (K 17819)
A. Gotta Stop (Messin' About)
B. Uptown
UK 12" Single (K 17819 / FWB 0484)
A. Gotta Stop (Messin’ About) – 2:54
B1. Uptown – 5:30
B2. Head – 4:38
CHART PERFORMANCE
United Kingdom: Did not chart (reached #130 on Record Business chart)
This release marked one of the earliest examples of Prince issuing non-album tracks as singles/B-sides. Despite heavy promotion coinciding with his first UK gigs, it did not chart. The song later appeared on The Hits/The B-Sides and Prince 4Ever. A warning sticker was added to some copies due to the suggestive content.
LINKED RELEASES
UK 7" Single – Warner Bros. – K 17819 (with Uptown)
UK 7" Single – Warner Bros. – LV 47 / K 26180 (with I Wanna Be Your Lover)
INTERNATIONAL VARIANTS
UK 12" Single with “Head” as additional track
Later US release as B-side to “Let’s Work” 12" Single
PERSONNEL
Prince – lead and backing vocals, electric guitars, Oberheim OB-X, bass guitar, drums, handclaps
Production Produced by Prince
THE STORY
“Gotta Stop (Messin' About)” is a keyboard-driven non-album track recorded around the Dirty Mind era. It was released in the UK as a follow-up single, with two different 7" versions and a 12" edition featuring the Dirty Mind track “Head”.CONTEXT & NOTES This was one of the first times Prince released non-album material as a single/B-side — a practice that would become signature in his career. Despite promotion tied to his first UK performances, the single was not a commercial success. It later appeared on The Hits/The B-Sides and Prince 4Ever.
RELATED MATERIAL
Album: Dirty Mind (1980)
Prince (November - 26 - 1980) Dirty Mind / When We’re Dancing Close And Slow – Single 7" US
Prince (October 1980) Head / Uptown – Single 7" PH / 12" US
Prince (November 1980) Uptown / Crazy You – Single 7" JP
Prince (September 10 1980) Uptown / Crazy You – Single 7" US
SOURCES
Prince Vault
Discogs
45cat
Wikipedia.
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
All single artwork, photographs, logos, 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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