1999
Prince Lyrics

I was dreamin' when I wrote this
I had an idea in my head that seemed like a dream when I put it down on paper.

Forgive me if it goes astray
I apologize if my idea seems confusing or unclear.

But when I woke up this mornin'
When I came back to reality later, I saw a different side of things.

Could've sworn it was judgment day
It seemed like a day of reckoning or significant change was upon us.

The sky was all purple
The world seemed to be bathed in a deep shade of purple.

There were people runnin' everywhere
People were panicked and afraid, scrambling to escape from something.

Tryin' to run from the destruction
They were attempting to flee from something that was causing widespread damage and harm.

You know I didn't even care
I was indifferent to their plight and didn't feel worried myself.

'Cause they say two thousand zero zero
A reference to the Y2K bug and its projected effects.

Party over, oops out of time
The bug would cause widespread computer errors and system shutdowns, disrupting normal activity.

So tonight I'm gonna party like it's 1999
In response to this impending doom, I will live it up like I did in a former time period when things were simpler and more carefree.

But life is just a party
Life is fleeting and should be enjoyed to the fullest while we can.

And parties weren't meant to last
Just like life itself, parties come to an end eventually.

War is all around us
There are conflicts and battles happening all over the world.

My mind says prepare to fight
I feel that it's important to be ready to defend oneself and be prepared in case of armed conflict.

So if I gotta die
If I have to face death in the midst of these battles,

I'm gonna listen to my body tonight
I'm going to take care of myself and prioritize my own enjoyment and satisfaction for the moment.

Lemme tell ya somethin'
Listen up, I have something to say.

If you didn't come to party
If you're not here for a good time,

Don't bother knockin' on my door
There's no point in seeking me out or trying to join my activities.

I got a lion in my pocket
I am feeling confident and powerful, and this is reflected in my demeanor and outlook.

And baby he's ready to roar, yeah yeah
I am willing and eager to assert myself and take charge of situations as I see fit.

Everybody's got a bomb
There's uncertainty and danger lurking everywhere, and it feels like everyone is holding their breath waiting for something to happen.

We could all die here today, uhh
It seems like there's a real chance that death and destruction might rain down upon us at any moment.

But before I'll let that happen
I won't simply curl up and accept this fate.

I'll dance my life away, oh
I will embrace joy and revelry, and make the most out of each moment.

We're runnin' outta time
The clock is ticking and time seems to be moving inexorably towards some unknown fate.

So tonight we gonna, we gonna (tonight I'm gonna party like it's 1999)
Let's make the most of the time we have, and live for the moment.

1999 (1999)
A reminder that this is a special and unique year that won't come around again.

Don't ya want to go (1999)
A question meant to both evoke nostalgia for simpler times and tantalize the listener with the promise of unrestrained revelry and good times.

We could all die here today (1999)
A reminder that there is an element of danger and uncertainty in life that we should not forget.

I don't want to die
A simple but powerful statement of the desire to live and enjoy what little time we have.

I'd rather dance my life away
I choose to focus on the positive things in life and embrace joy and celebration, no matter what the future may hold.