Prince (September 10 1980) Uptown / Crazy You – Single 7" US
Updated: Sep 8
“Uptown” was the lead single from Prince’s groundbreaking third album Dirty Mind. It was his first single of the 1980s and marked a bold new direction in his music.
Artist: Prince
Label: Warner Bros. Records
Format: 7" Vinyl Single
Country: USA (also international releases)
Released: September - 10 - 1980 Genre: Funk, Rock, New Wave
A-Side: “Uptown”
B-Side: “Crazy You”
Written by: Prince
Produced by: Prince
Arranged by: Prince
TRACK LIST
US 7" Commercial Single (WBS 49559)
A. Uptown (Edit) – 4:09
B. Crazy You – 2:15
US 7" Promo Single (WBS 49559)
A. Uptown (Short Version) (Stereo) – 4:09
B. Uptown (Short Version) (Mono) – 4:09
CHART PERFORMANCE
INTERNATIONAL VARIANTS
Netherlands 7" Single (WB 17700)
A. Uptown (Edit) – 4:09
B. Crazy You – 2:15
Netherlands 12" Single (WB 26155)
A. Uptown (Long Version) – 5:30
B. Crazy You – 2:17
France 12" Promo (PRO 524)
A1. Uptown (Long Version) – 5:30
A2. Head – 4:40
B1. Uptown (Long Version) – 5:30
B2. Dirty Mind – 4:11
A. Uptown (Edit) – 4:09
B. Crazy You – 2:15
Also released in
Brazil
Ecuador
Japan (opposite)
Kenya,
New Zealand
Panama
South Africa
PERSONNEL
Prince – lead and backing vocals, all instruments
Production
Prince – producer, arranger, composer, performer
THE STORY
“Uptown” was released on September - 10 - 1980 as the first single from Prince’s third album Dirty Mind. Beginning with a lone drum intro, the track explodes into keyboards on the chorus, with verses driven by prominent funk guitar. It breaks down into a more instrumental section toward the end, highlighting guitar, bass, and drums — a minimalist style representative of the entire Dirty Mind album
CONTEXT & NOTES
The song uses the Uptown neighborhood of Minneapolis — a real artistic hang-out spot — as a metaphor for a place free from prejudice and racism. In the lyrics, Prince responds to a woman who offensively asks if he is gay, then rails against narrow-minded attitudes.
It stands as one of his earliest efforts to blend political and social statements into his music. Prince was very fond of the “Uptown” concept of freedom of expression. The B-side is “Crazy You” from his debut album For You. The track opened the Controversy Tour and appeared in later performances, including the 2001 Hit + Run Tour.
SOURCES Discogs, 45 World, Wikipedia. BBC Official Charts Prince Vault, Sleeveographia2
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