"The Glamorous Life" | ||||
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![]() Vinyl variant of standard artwork | ||||
Single by Sheila E. | ||||
from the album The Glamorous Life | ||||
B-side | "The Glamorous Life" (Part II) | |||
Released | May 2, 1984 | |||
Recorded | December 27, 1983 (instrumentation), March 29-30, 1984 (Sheila E.'s overdubs)[1] | |||
Studio | Sunset Sound Recorders, Hollywood | |||
Genre | Funk-pop[2] | |||
Length |
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Label | Warner Bros. | |||
Songwriter(s) | Prince | |||
Producer(s) | Sheila E., Prince (as the Starr ★ Company) | |||
Sheila E. singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"The Glamorous Life" on YouTube |
"The Glamorous Life" is a song written by Prince, recorded by American percussionist Sheila E. and produced by both. The song has lyrics which reflect a cynicism for the decadence and materialism of the song's protagonist, referred to in the third person, who "wants to lead a glamorous life", although she is aware that "without love, it ain't much".
"The Glamorous Life" is the title track and closing song on Sheila E.'s debut solo album, and reached number seven on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart, as well as number one on the Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart. The track earned two Grammy Award nominations and three MTV Award nominations. In 2019, the original Prince demo of the song was released on his posthumous album Originals.
Prince and Sheila E. maintained a behind-the-scenes relationship for years...and it's not hard to hear on this irresistibly frisky funk-pop morality play...