Prince: Let's Pretend We're Married Maxi-Single US (1983)

Escape
Nov 16, 1983
6 min read

Prince’s Funk Proposal

Prince’s “Let’s Pretend We’re Married” was released as a 12-inch maxi-single in the US on November 16, 1983, on Warner Bros. (catalogue: (9 20170-0 A / 0-20170)). Backed with “Irresistible Bitch” (featuring Wendy & Lisa), this synth-funk plea and sultry B-side (written, produced, performed by Prince), were issued with and without picture sleeve, peaking at No. 52 on the Billboard Hot 100 for 10 weeks.

Single Overview

12" Maxi Tracklist (9 20170-0 A / 0-20170)

A Let’s Pretend We’re Married – 7:20

B Irresistible Bitch – Backing Vocals: Lisa, Wendy – 4:11

Label: Warner Bros. Records (US pressing).

Published By – Controversy Music, ASCAP.

Producer, Arranged By, Composed By, Performer – Prince

From the double LP *1999* (1-23720).

℗ 1982 (A), ℗ 1983 (B) Warner Bros. for the U.S.

US Variants:

US Vinyl, 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single

Commercial

SRC Pressing

Warner Bros. Records – 9 20170-0 A,

A Let's Pretend We're Married 7:20

B Irresistible Bitch

Backing Vocals [Background Vocals] – Lisa, Wendy 4:11

Published By – Controversy Music

Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Warner Bros. Records Inc.

Phonographic Copyright ℗ – WEA International Inc.

Record Company – Warner Communications

Pressed By – Specialty Records Corporation

Producer, Arranged By, Composed By, Performer – Prince

From the Warner Bros. two-record set 1999 (1-23720)

Side A: ℗ 1982 Warner Bros. Records Inc. for the U.S.

Side B: ℗ 1983 Warner Bros. Records Inc. for the U.S.

ARC Pressing

Warner Bros. Records – 9 20170-0 A

Pressed By – Allied Record Company – B-18747

Pressed By – Allied Record Company – B-18748

Catalog number 9 20170-0 A on picture sleeve.

Catalog number 0-20170 on labels.

SRC Pressing

Warner Bros. Records – 9 20170-0 A, Warner Bros. Records – 0-20170

Pressed By – Specialty Records Corporation

Some copies may have a (promo) gold stamp.

Vinyl 12" Acetate

Warner Bros. Records – none

Printed paper labels, housed in a white handwritten sleeve, dated Oct 19, 1983, 12" 45 RPM.

US (Warner Bros. 9 29548-7 / 9 20170-0 A)

Released November 16, 1983. 7" (Jacksonville) & 12" maxi (SRC).

Country Variations: 1983

Canada 1983:

Warner Bros. Records – 92 01700

Vinyl, 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single

A Let's Pretend We're Married 7:20

B Irresistible Bitch

Backing Vocals [Background Vocals] – Lisa, Wendy 4:11

Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Warner Bros. Records Inc.

Phonographic Copyright ℗ – WEA International Inc.

Published By – Controversy Music

Record Company – Warner Communications

Manufactured By – WEA Music Of Canada, Ltd.

Distributed By – WEA Music Of Canada, Ltd.

Pressed By – Capitol Records-EMI Of Canada Limited

Producer, Arranged By, Composed By, Performer – Prince

Initial edition with stripe labels

Side A, label: (P) 1982 Warner Bros. Records Inc. for the U.S.

Side B, label: (P) 1983 Warner Bros. Records Inc. for the U.S.

Canada 1983 Reissue:

Warner Bros. Records – 92 01700

Vinyl, 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Reissue

A Let's Pretend We're Married 7:20

B Irresistible Bitch

Backing Vocals [Background Vocals] – Lisa*, Wendy*

4:11

Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Warner Bros. Records Inc.

Phonographic Copyright ℗ – WEA International Inc.

Published By – Controversy Music

Record Company – Warner Communications

Printed By – Ever Reddy

Pressed By – Cinram

Manufactured By – WEA Music Of Canada, Ltd.

Distributed By – WEA Music Of Canada, Ltd.

Lacquer Cut By – J.W.*

Producer, Arranged By, Composed By, Performer – Prince

Reissue with 7 WB logos on labels: one color, six grey

Not to be confused with the initial release:

Let's Pretend We're Married (stripe labels)

Side A, label: ℗ 1982 Warner Bros. Records Inc. for the U.S.

Side B, label: ℗ 1983 Warner Bros. Records Inc. for the U.S.

The spine has: ER [encircled Ever Reddy logo] Printed In Canada.

Runouts are etched.

Barcode: none

Rights Society: ASCAP

Matrix / Runout (Side A, label): ACA 1899S

Matrix / Runout (Side B, label): BCA 2731S

Pressing Plant ID (Labels): CR

Matrix / Runout (Side A, runout): 92-01700-A (LISTEN TO THE LYRICS !!) J.W.

Matrix / Runout (Side B, runout): 92-01700-B J˙W·

Pressing Plant ID (Runout, circled): CR

France 1983

Warner Bros. Records – 92-0170-0

A Let's Pretend We're Married 7:20

B Irresistible Bitch 4:11

Producer, Arranged By, Composed By – Prince

New Zealand 1983

Warner Bros. Records – 201700

A Let's Pretend We're Married 7:20

B Irresistible Bitch 4:11

Published By – Jonathan

Phonographic Copyright ℗ – WEA International Inc.

Record Company – Warner Communications

Manufactured By – WEA Records Limited

Distributed By – WEA Records Limited

Producer, Arranged By, Composed By, Performer – Prince

Manufactured and Distributed by WEA Records Limited a Warner Communications Company Side A, label:

From the Album "1999" 238091

(P) 1982 WEA International Inc.

Side B, label:

(P) 1983 WEA International Inc.

Matrix / Runout (Side A, label): 201700A

Matrix / Runout (Side B, label): 201700B

Reissues: 2016

Warner Bros. Records – 0-556668

Vinyl, 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Reissue

Country: US

Released:

November 25, 2016

A Let's Pretend We're Married 7:20

B Irresistible Bitch

Backing Vocals [Background Vocals] – Lisa*, Wendy*

4:11

Phonographic Copyright ℗ – NPG Records, Inc.

Published By – Controversy Music

Licensed To – Warner Bros. Records Inc.

Producer, Arranged By, Composed By, Performer – Prince

Side A, label: ℗ 1982 NPG Records Inc. under exclusive license to Warner Bros. Records Inc. Made in E.U.

Side B, label: ℗ 1983 NPG Records Inc. under exclusive license to Warner Bros. Records Inc. Made in E.U.

Barcode (Sticker, text): 0 54391 96229 4

Warner Bros. Records – 5439-19622-9, Warner Bros. Records – 0-556668

Vinyl, 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Reissue

Country: Europe

Released: 2016

A Let's Pretend We're Married 7:20

B Irresistible Bitch

Backing Vocals [Background Vocals] – Lisa , Wendy 4:11

Published By – Controversy Music

Phonographic Copyright ℗ – NPG Records, Inc.

Licensed To – Warner Bros. Records Inc.

Producer, Arranged By, Composed By, Performer – Prince

Side A, label: ℗ 1982 NPG Records Inc. under exclusive license to Warner Bros. Records Inc. Made in E.U.

Side B, label: ℗ 1983 NPG Records Inc. under exclusive license to Warner Bros. Records Inc. Made in E.U.

Barcode (Sticker on shrink, text): 0 54391 96229 4

Label Code: LC00392

Matrix / Runout (Side 1): 3G47845-01 A1 T1 0-556668-A2 (45) KILCCA

Matrix / Runout (Side 2): 3G47845-01 B1 0-556668-B2 (45) KILCCA

Production and Context

Written, arranged, composed, performed by Prince. A-side from *1999* (1982), B-side non-album. Funk-synth seduction with Minneapolis sound. Wendy & Lisa on backing vocals. Promoted via MTV and radio.

Chart Performance

US Billboard Hot 100: No. 52

Debut: December 17, 1983

Peak: No. 52 (January 28, 1984)

Weeks on Chart: 10

Legacy and Collectibility

“Let’s Pretend” is synth-funk foreplay, “Irresistible Bitch” a snarling B-side classic. Original US 7" picture sleeve vinyls fetch $8–$15 on eBay/Discogs, 12" maxi ($15–$30), SRC variants ($20–$40). Verify Jacksonville or SRC stamp, runouts

Streams on Spotify via *1999* deluxe. This *1999*-era heat is a must-have for Prince funk collectors and ‘83 synth fans.

Have you pretended with Prince on vinyl? Does “Irresistible Bitch” still bite? Share in the comments!

Sources

Information is drawn from my personal knowledge and supplemented by web sources, including Discogs, 45cat, AllMusic, Rate Your Music, Wikipedia, BBC Official Charts Company, Billboard Chart History and YouTube.

---

Prince: Let's Pretend We're Married Maxi-Single US (1983)

Recent Posts

Comments

Glam Slam