Prince: Little Red Corvette Single Reissue (1983)

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A Funk-Rock Roadster Revival

Lady Cab Driver's Backseat Ride

Prince’s “Little Red Corvette” 7-inch vinyl single, was reissued in the UK on November 4, 1983, on Warner Bros. Records (catalogue: W 9688). Backed with “Lady Cab Driver,” this iconic funk-rock track, written and produced by Prince, was the second single from the album 1999. The A-side’s synth-driven groove, Prince’s falsetto, and car-as-metaphor lyrics entered the UK Singles Chart at No. 95 in April 1983 for 1 week, but the November reissue climbed to No. 54 remaining on the chart for 7 weeks, then it had a refuel and charted for three more weeks from November 13 - December 3, 1983. Issued in picture sleeve with EMI and Musitech pressings, it’s a cornerstone of Prince’s breakthrough era.

Single Overview

A-Side: “Little Red Corvette (Edit)” (3:06, Prince)

Written and produced by Prince. A sleek funk-rock anthem with LinnDrum beats, synth hooks, and lyrics equating a lover to a fast car. Recorded at Sunset Sound, Los Angeles, 1982.

B-Side: “Lady Cab Driver” (5:05, Prince)

Written and produced by Prince. A gritty, extended funk jam with explicit lyrics and taxi-themed fantasy. Recorded at Sunset Sound, 1982.

Release Details:

Label: Warner Bros. Records (UK pressing, 45 RPM).

Formats:

7-Inch Vinyl (EMI Pressing, Picture Sleeve) (W 9688): “Little Red Corvette (Edit)” / “Lady Cab Driver.” Paper labels, EMI pressing.

7-Inch Vinyl (Musitech Pressing, Picture Sleeve) (W 9688): Same tracklist. Paper labels, Musitech plating.

No cassette or CD formats in 1983.

Notes: ℗ 1982 WEA International Inc. © 1983 Warner Bros. Records. Published by Island Music Ltd. Distributed by WEA Records Ltd. Picture sleeve notes London dates (18th & 19th April – cancelled). Matrix/Runout variants (e.g., W9688-A-2-4 MT).

UK Variations

Single 7" Vinyl Commercial in Picture Sleeve (EMI)

Label: Warner Bros. Records – W9688, Warner Bros. Records – 929688-7, Warner Bros. Records – W 9688

Format: Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo, EMI Pressing

A Little Red Corvette (Edit) 3:06

B Lady Cab Driver 5:05

Phonographic Copyright ℗ – WEA International Inc.

Published By – Island Music Ltd.

Pressed By – EMI Records

Distributed By – WEA Records Ltd.

Record Company – Warner Communications

Producer – Prince

Picture sleeve:

W9688

Both tracks taken from the album '1999' W3809

London dates Prince will be appearing at the Dominion on 18th & 19th April [sic. the European tour dates have been cancelled]

Labels: W 9688

℗ 1982 WEA International Inc.

Island Musc Ltd.

Manufactured in the UK

Single 7" Vinyl Commercial in Picture Sleeve (Musitech)

Label: Warner Bros. Records – W9688, Warner Bros. Records – 929688-7, Warner Bros. Records – W 9688

Format: Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo

A Little Red Corvette (Edit)

B Lady Cab Driver

Phonographic Copyright ℗ – WEA International Inc.

Corporate Owner – Warner Communications

Distributed By – WEA Records Ltd.

Published By – Island Music Ltd.

Plated At – Musitech

Producer – Prince

Cover:

W9688

Both tracks taken from the album '1999' W3809

Labels: W 9688

℗ 1982 WEA International Inc.

Matrix / Runout (Side A label): W 9688 A

Matrix / Runout (Side B label): W 9688 B

Matrix / Runout (Side A runout, etched, variant 1): W9688-A-2-4 MT

Matrix / Runout (Side B runout, etched, variant 1): W9688-B-2-6 MT

Matrix / Runout (Side A runout, etched, variant 2): W9688-A-2-2 MT

Matrix / Runout (Side B runout, etched, variant 2): W9688-B-2-3 MT

Matrix / Runout (Side A runout, etched, variant 3): W9688-A-2-1 MT

Matrix / Runout (Side B runout, etched, variant 3): W9688-B-2-1 MT

Country Variations

The reissue was a UK-exclusive release, originally timed to coincide with the Dominion dates on April 18 and 19.

UK (Warner Bros. W 9688): Reissued November 4, 1983. EMI and Musitech pressings, picture sleeve.

No US or other market reissues for this specific edition (original US single: 9-29688, February 1983).

Production and Context

Recorded in 1982 at Sunset Sound, Los Angeles, during 1999 sessions. Written, arranged, composed, and performed by Prince. The lineup was Prince (vocals, multi-instruments). “Little Red Corvette” was a metaphor for fleeting love, while “Lady Cab Driver” pushed boundaries with explicit content. The November reissue followed 1999’s UK success (No. 30, 1983).

Singles Released and Chart Performance

“Little Red Corvette” was the second single from 1999:

Chart Performance (April 1983 Original):

UK: No. 95 (1 week).

Chart Performance (November 1983 Reissue):

UK: No. 54 (Official Singles Chart), 7 weeks.

UK: No. 66 (Official Singles Chart), 3 weeks.

Single Chart Performance

The November reissue peaked at No. 54 in the UK for 1 week, charting for 7 weeks, a modest revival after the original’s brief No. 95 entry.

Legacy and Collectibility