Let's Pretend We're Married Single US: 1983

Prince’s Funk Proposal

Prince’s “Let’s Pretend We’re Married” was released as a 7-inch single in the US on November 23, 1983, on Warner Bros. (catalogue: (9 29548-7 / 7-29548). 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

7" (9 29548-7 / 7-29548)

Warner Bros. Records – 9 29548-7, Warner Bros. Records – 7-29548

Vinyl, 7", Single, Jacksonville Pressing

A Let's Pretend We're Married 3:40

B Irresistible Bitch

Backing Vocals – Lisa, Wendy 4:11

Copyright © – Warner Bros. Records Inc.

Copyright © – WEA International Inc.

Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Warner Bros. Records Inc.

Phonographic Copyright ℗ – WEA International Inc.

Published By – Controversy Music

Pressed By – Capitol Records Pressing Plant, Jacksonville

Producer, Arranged By, Composed By, Performer – Prince

Picture sleeve:

9 29548-7

Labels:

7-29548

Controversy Music, ASCAP

Side A, label:

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

℗ 1982 Warner Bros. Records Inc. for the U.S.

Side B, label:

℗ 1983 Warner Bros. Records Inc. for the U.S.

US Variants:

Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, Single

Commercial

Jacksonville Pressing

Warner Bros. – 9 29548-7 / 7-29548

Paper labels, large centre, picture sleeve.

(as above)

SRC Pressing

Warner Bros. – 9 29548-7 / 7-29548

Vinyl, 7", Single, Specialty,

Factory variant SRC logo stamped in the run-outs

Issued with picture sleeve

Winchester Pressing

Warner Bros. – 9 29548-7 / 7-29548

Issued with no picture sleeve

Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, Single

Promotional

A Let's Pretend We're Married (Edit) 3:40

B Let's Pretend We're Married (Edit) 3:40

Allied Pressing

Warner Bros. Records – 7-29548

Styrene, Stereo, Mono

Pressed By – Allied Record Company

Side A: Mono / Side B: Stereo [to be compatible for both AM and FM]

PROMOTION NOT FOR SALE

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

℗ 1982 Warner Bros. Records Inc. for the U.S.,

some copies issued in picture sleeve

SRC Pressing

Warner Bros. Records – 7-29548

Promo, Stereo, Mono,

Pressed By – Specialty Records Corporation

Allied Pressing

Warner Bros. Records – 7-29548

Promo, Styrene, Stereo, Mono.

This version also has a slightly smaller WB Records logo than the other 2 versions.

Country Variations:

Canada

Warner Bros. Records – 92 95487

Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Paper Labels, Company Sleeve

A Let's Pretend We're Married 3:40

B Irresistible Bitch 4:11

Published By – Controversy Music

Manufactured By – WEA Music Of Canada, Ltd.

Distributed By – WEA Music Of Canada, Ltd.

Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Warner Bros. Records Inc.

Record Company – Warner Communications

Producer, Arranged By, Composed By, Performer – Prince

Controversy Music ASCAP

Manufactured and Distributed by WEA Music of Canada Ltd.

Side A: From the Warner Bros. two-record set 1999 92 37201

Matrix / Runout (Side A Etched): 92 95487 A

Matrix / Runout (Side B Etched): 92 - 95487 B

Rights Society: ASCAP

Canada

Warner Bros. Records – 92 95487

Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, Commercial, Paper Labels, Company Sleeve

A Let's Pretend We're Married 3:40

B Irresistible Bitch 4:11

Published By – Controversy Music

Manufactured By – WEA Music Of Canada, Ltd.

Distributed By – WEA Music Of Canada, Ltd.

Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Warner Bros. Records Inc.

Record Company – Warner Communications

Producer, Arranged By, Composed By, Performer – Prince

Controversy Music ASCAP

Manufactured and Distributed by WEA Music of Canada Ltd.

Side A: From the Warner Bros. two-record set 1999 92 37201

Rights Society: ASCAP

Matrix / Runout (Side A Etched): 92 95487 A

Matrix / Runout (Side B Etched): 92 - 95487 B

Ireland

Warner Bros. Records – W 9613, Warner Bros. Records – 929613-7

Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, Commercial, Paper Labels, Company Sleeve

A Let's Pretend We're Married (Edit)

B All The Critics Love U In New York

Record Company – Warner Communications

Phonographic Copyright ℗ – WEA International Inc.

Published By – Island Music Ltd.

Distributed By – WEA Records Ltd.

Pressed By – Carlton Productions

Producer – Prince

Written-By – Prince

Runouts are Stamped, except the 'CP' marks on both sides, and 'The Robot' on Side A

Matrix / Runout (Label side A): W 9613 A

Matrix / Runout (Label side B): W 9613 B

Matrix / Runout (Side A runout): XW 9613 AA-1U-1- The Robot CP

Matrix / Runout (Side B runout): XW 9613 B-1U-1- CP

Japan

Warner Bros. Records – P-1836

Series: Dance Contemporary

Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo, Commercial, Cream Paper Labels, Insert, Picture Sleeve

Released: February 22, 1984

A 夜のプリテンダー（夫婦のように） = Let's Pretend We're Married 3:40

B あきれた売女 = Irresistible Bitch 4:11

Licensed From – Warner Bros. Records Inc.

Phonographic Copyright ℗ – WEA International Inc.

Made By – Warner-Pioneer Corporation

Producer, Arranged By, Composed By, Performer, Written-By – Prince

Japanese issue with picture/lyric/liner-notes insert & generic Warner Pioneer company sleeve.

℗ 1983, 1982 WEA International Inc.

Matrix / Runout (A side label): P-1836-1

Matrix / Runout (B side label): P-1836-2

Matrix / Runout (Side A runout, stamped): 〄 P-1836-1 1-A-2 (3)

Matrix / Runout (Side B runout, stamped): 〄 P-1836-2 1-A-4

Rights Society: JASRAC

Other (Price): ¥700

Japan

Warner Bros. Records – P-1836

Series: Dance Contemporary

Format: Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo White Paper Labels, Insert, Picture Sleeve

February 22, 1984

A 夜のプリテンダー（夫婦のように） = Let's Pretend We're Married 3:40

B あきれた売女 = Irresistible Bitch 4:11

Phonographic Copyright ℗ – WEA International Inc.

Manufactured By – Warner-Pioneer Corporation

Record Company – Warner Communications

Producer, Arranged By, Composed By, Performer, Written-By – Prince

℗ 1983, 1982 WEA International Inc.

Matrix / Runout (A side label): P-1836-1

Matrix / Runout (B side label): P-1836-2

Matrix / Runout (A side runout, stamped): 〄 P-1836-1 1-A-1 (3)

Matrix / Runout (B side runout, stamped): 〄 P-1836-2 1-A-1

Rights Society: JASRAC

Other (Price): ¥700

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.