✦ The Walk – US Single: 1983

A strutting Minneapolis funk parade — The Time on the label, Prince in the studio, delivering one of the sharpest cuts from What Time Is It?

✦ — SUMMARY

Released in the US on January 14, 1983 by Warner Bros. Records (catalogue 7‑29856), “The Walk” was the second single from The Time’s sophomore album What Time Is It? Although credited to the band, both “The Walk” and its B‑side “Onedayi’mgonnabesomebody” were largely written, performed, and produced by Prince (uncredited), with Morris Day providing vocals and comedic flair.

The single reached No. 104 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 24 on the Billboard R&B Chart. Issued in multiple formats — US 7", US promo, Japanese 7", and 12" variants — the release captures the tight, humorous, and musically intricate style that defined The Time’s early catalogue.

✦ — HIGHLIGHTS

• Released January 14, 1983 (US)

• Second single from What Time Is It?

• Written and performed largely by Prince (uncredited)

• B‑side: “Onedayi’mgonnabesomebody”

• Formats: 7", 12", promo, Japan editions

• Billboard R&B peak: #24

• Billboard Hot 100 peak: #104

• A signature early‑Time blend of funk, humour, and Minneapolis attitude

✦ — TRACK DETAILS

7" Single — Warner Bros. 7‑29856 (US)

Side A

• The Walk (Edit) — 3:24

Side B

• Onedayi’mgonnabesomebody — 2:27

Both tracks:

• Written, performed, and produced by Prince (uncredited)

• Vocals credited to The Time

✦ — GLOBAL VARIANTS

12" Promo — US (PRO‑A‑1080)

• Extended promotional issue for radio and DJs

12" — Benelux (92.9826‑0)

• European 45 RPM edition

7" — US (7‑29856)

• Commercial styrene pressing

7" Promo — US (7‑29856)

• Mono/Stereo promotional pairing

7" — Japan (P‑1730)

• Stereo commercial edition

• Promo variant also issued

7" — US ARC Pressing

• Alternate US manufacturing variant

✦ — REISSUES & GLOBAL NOTES

• Multiple 7" and 12" pressings across US, Europe, and Japan

• No standalone CD single

• Later included in What Time Is It? reissues and compilations

• Promo 12" remains a collector favourite due to scarcity

✦ — PRODUCTION AND CONTEXT

• Prince wrote, arranged, produced, and performed the majority of instrumentation

• Morris Day contributed vocals and comedic ad‑libs

• Recorded during the What Time Is It? sessions (1982)

• Reflects Prince’s dual‑project creativity — shaping The Time’s sound while building his own catalogue

• “The Walk” is notable for its extended spoken‑word breakdown in the album version, showcasing the band’s humour and chemistry

✦ — CHART PERFORMANCE

United States

• Billboard Black Singles (R&B) — #24 (11 weeks)

Entry: November 20, 1982

• Billboard Dance/Disco Top 80 — #42 (7 weeks)

Entry: October 9, 1982

(Listed with “777‑9311” and “I Don’t Wanna Leave You”)

• Billboard Hot 100 — #104 (1 week)

Entry: December 18, 1982

(No major international chart entries)

✦ — DISCOGRAPHY SIDEBAR

777‑9311 — 1982

The Walk — 1983

Gigolos Get Lonely Too — 1983

✦ — PRINCE ERA MINI‑TIMELINE

1982 — What Time Is It? released

Late 1982 — “The Walk” enters R&B and Dance charts

Jan 1983 — US single release

1983 — The Time continue touring with Prince

✦ — GLAM FLASHBACK

A swaggering Minneapolis strut, “The Walk” is The Time at their funniest and funkiest — with Prince pulling the musical strings behind the scenes. A cult favourite that captures the chemistry of the early‑80s Minneapolis explosion.

✦ — COPYRIGHT NOTICE

All images, artwork, logos, and related materials referenced or displayed in this entry remain the property of their respective copyright holders. They are included strictly for historical, educational, and archival purposes under fair‑use principles.

✦ — SOURCES

Prince Vault

Warner Bros. Records catalogue

Billboard chart archives

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