Prince (November 16, 1983) Let’s Pretend We’re Married - Single US
- Escape
- Nov 16, 1983
- 3 min read
Updated: May 23
Prince’s Funk Proposal — a sleek, seductive synth‑funk plea backed with the sultry snarl of Irresistible Bitch
RELEASE DETAILS Date: November 16, 1983 Catalogue: 9 20170-0 A / 0-20170 (12") Format: 7" Single, 12" Maxi-Single, Promo Country: United States (worldwide variants)
A-Side: “Let’s Pretend We’re Married” – 7:20 B-Side: “Irresistible Bitch” – 4:11 (feat. Wendy & Lisa on backing vocals)
THE STORY Released on November 16, 1983 as a 12" maxi-single (with 7" editions also issued), “Let’s Pretend We’re Married” was the fourth single from the 1999 album. A bold, synth-funk seduction with playful lyrics, the track was paired with the raw, snarling B-side “Irresistible Bitch.” Both sides were written, produced, arranged, and performed by Prince. The single peaked at No. 52 on the Billboard Hot 100 and spent 10 weeks on the chart.
CONTEXT & NOTES This release captured Prince at the height of his early-1980s creative explosion, blending explicit sensuality with infectious grooves. Multiple pressings exist, including SRC and ARC variants in the US, along with international editions. The 12" maxi format allowed for extended versions, making it a favourite among DJs and collectors.
TRACK LIST
12" Maxi-Single (US) (9 20170-0 A / 0-20170) A. Let’s Pretend We’re Married – 7:20 B. Irresistible Bitch – 4:11
7" Single (US) A. Let’s Pretend We’re Married (Edit) B. Irresistible Bitch
CHART PERFORMANCE US Billboard Hot 100: Peak No. 52 (10 weeks)
PERSONNEL
Prince – vocals, all instruments, production
Wendy & Lisa – backing vocals (“Irresistible Bitch”)
PACKAGING HIGHLIGHTS
Standard Warner Bros. 12" sleeve
SRC and ARC US pressings
Various international editions
WHAT THE LABEL / SLEEVE SHOWS Typical Warner Bros. packaging with 1999 era imagery; some copies feature promotional stamps.
RELATED MATERIAL
Little Red Corvette (1983)
Delirious (1983)
1999 (1982 album)
For other relevant posts, see the tags at the foot of the page.
SOURCES Prince Vault • Discogs • Billboard charts
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. No ownership of the original material is claimed or implied.
ARTIST — Prince
ARTIST CATEGORY — Prince Singles ARTIST ITEM — Let’s Pretend We’re Married (Single)
ARTIST ATTACHMENT — Warner Bros. Records
ARTIST YEAR — 1983
INTERNATIONAL VARIANTS
ARC Pressing (US) Warner Bros. Records – 9 20170-0 A Pressed By – Allied Record Company – B-18747 / B-18748 Catalog number 9 20170-0 A on picture sleeve. Catalog number 0-20170 on labels.
SRC Pressing (US) Warner Bros. Records – 9 20170-0 A / 0-20170 Pressed By – Specialty Records Corporation Some copies may have a (promo) gold stamp.
Vinyl 12" Acetate (US) Warner Bros. Records – none Printed paper labels, housed in a white handwritten sleeve, dated Oct 19, 1983, 12" 45 RPM.
Warner Bros. Records – 92 01700 Vinyl, 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Reissue
A. Let’s Pretend We're Married – 7:20 B. Irresistible Bitch – 4:11
Reissue with 7 WB logos on labels (one color, six grey).
France 1983 Warner Bros. Records – 92-0170-0 A. Let’s Pretend We're Married – 7:20 B. Irresistible Bitch – 4:11
New Zealand 1983 Warner Bros. Records – 201700 A. Let’s Pretend We're Married – 7:20 B. Irresistible Bitch – 4:11
2016 Reissue (US) Warner Bros. Records – 0-556668 Vinyl, 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Reissue A. Let’s Pretend We're Married – 7:20 B. Irresistible Bitch – 4:11
Canada 1983 (Initial Edition) Warner Bros. Records – 92 01700 Vinyl, 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single A. Let’s Pretend We're Married – 7:20 B. Irresistible Bitch – 4:11 Initial edition with stripe labels.
Canada 1983 Reissue
2016 Reissue (Europe) Warner Bros. Records – 5439-19622-9 / 0-556668 Vinyl, 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Reissue A. Let’s Pretend We're Married – 7:20 B. Irresistible Bitch – 4:11
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.
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