Prince (September 24, 1982) 1999 / How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore? – Single 7" US

Prince released “1999” as the lead single from his double album of the same name on September 24, 1982 in the USA. The song became one of his signature anthems and a major hit upon re-release.

RELEASE DETAILS

Artist: Prince

Label: Warner Bros. Records

Format: 7" / 12" Vinyl Single Country: United States Released: September 24, 1982 Genre: Funk, Rock, Minneapolis Sound

A-Side: “1999”

Written by: Prince Produced by: Prince

B-Side: “How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore?”

Written by: Prince Produced by: Prince

US 7" commercial single (back) (7-29896) featuring A-side: "1999" (Edit) – 3:35 and B-side: "How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore?" – 3:54. Second pressing. Released in cream and brown labels, Specialty, Winchester, Jacksonville pressings.

US VARIANTS

US 7" commercial single (7-29896) featuring A-side: "1999" (Edit) – 3:35 and B-side: "How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore?" – 3:54. First edition, released in a purple sleeve.

US 7" Promo Single (7-29896)  A. 1999 (Edit) (Stereo) – 3:35 B. 1999 (Edit) (Mono) – 3:35 (purple and company sleeve)

US 12" Promo Single (PRO-A-1070)  A. 1999 (Album Version) – 6:22 B. 1999 (Single Version) – 3:36

US 12" Promo Single (PRO-A-2042)  A. 1999 (Single Version) – 3:36 B1. Free (Edit) – 4:35 B2. Automatic – 9:24

CHART PERFORMANCE

United States Billboard Hot 100: Peak #44 (1982), re-peaked #12 (1983)

United States Billboard Black Singles: Peak #4

INTERNATIONAL RELEASES

(selective)

• Australia – Warner Bros. – 1982

• Canada – Warner Bros. – 1982

Label: Warner Bros. Country: Germany Catalogue: 92.9896-7 Date: Dec 30 1982

Label: Warner Bros. Country: Japan Catalogue: P-1723 Date: 4 Dec 1982

• Netherlands – Warner Bros. – 1982

• USA – Warner Bros. – 1982

• Bolivia – WEA – 1983

• Ireland – Warner Bros. – 1983

• Italy – Warner Bros. – 1983

• New Zealand – Warner Bros. – 1983

• Philippines – Warner Bros. – 1983

• Sweden – Warner Bros. – 1983

Label: Warner Bros. Country: UK Catalogue: W 9896 / 929896-7 Date: January 7 1983

PERSONNEL

Prince – lead and backing vocals, all instruments

Dez Dickerson, Lisa Coleman, Jill Jones – co-lead vocals on “1999”

Production Produced by Prince

THE STORY

“1999” was inspired by a TV special about the year 1999 and fears of the apocalypse. Prince turned the anxiety into a celebratory party anthem. The song features co-lead vocals from members of The Revolution and became one of his most iconic tracks, especially after re-releases and its inclusion in The Hits/The B-Sides.

CONTEXT & NOTES

Early US copies came in a generic purple die-cut sleeve. The song gained massive popularity upon re-release in 1983 and again when paired with “Little Red Corvette”. It remains a cultural touchstone and one of Prince’s most enduring hits.

SOURCES Prince Vault, Discogs, 45cat, Sleevographia2, Wikipedia.

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