The song's lyrical content reflected Prince's own status in 1981; he'd made his first appearance on Saturday Night Live and released his fourth album, Controversy. The following year Prince dropped 1999, which was the record that elevated him to the first division.
Prince recorded the song with his band The Revolution during a live performance on August 3, 1983 at the First Avenue club in Minneapolis (the same concert where "I Would Die 4 U" was laid down). The show featured the first appearance of guitarist Wendy Melvoin in The Revolution. Prince later reworked the live recording in the studio, adding overdubs and other edits, and included it on his 1984 album Purple Rain. It wasn't released as a single but became a fan favorite and one of his concert staples.
In the Purple Rain movie, Prince's character, The Kid, plays "Baby I'm A Star" during the final concert blowout. The song coincides with the film's star-making narrative.
Session Novi Novag played electric viola on the track. She recalled to Uncut how Prince used her first take: "I was just learning the song. I said, 'Oh, let me do that part again.' He said, 'No, no, I like that feel.' He loved first takes."
Prince performed at the Grammy Awards just twice, but he played "Baby I'm A Star" both times. The first was in 1985, when he did a six-minute version of the song with Sheila E and his band The Revolution. Few artists could get six minutes of airtime at the ceremony to play an album cut, but Prince was a very big deal (he lost the major awards though; Purple Rain was bested for Album Of The Year by Lionel Richie's Can't Slow Down).
The second performance came in 2005 when he was joined by Beyoncé to open the show. This time it was tucked into a medley of hits.
Baby I'm a Star
Prince Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
One, two, three
Ah
Woo
Hey, look me over
Tell me do you like what you see?
But honey, I'm rich on personality
Hey, check it all out
Baby, I know what it's all about
Before the night is through
You will see my point of view
Even if I have to scream and shout
Baby, I'm a star
Might not know it now
Baby, but I are, I'm a star, yeah
I don't want to stop, till I reach the top
Sing it, we are a star
Hey, take a listen
Tell me do you like what you hear?
If it don't turn you on
Just say a word, I'm gone
Honey, I know ain't nothing wrong with your ears
Oh
Hey, check it all out
Better look now or it just might be too late
My luck's gonna change tonight
There's gotta be a better life
Take a picture sweetie, I ain't got time to waste
Oh, baby I'm a star
You might not know it now
Baby but I are, I'm a star
Oh, I don't want to stop, till I reach the top
Sing it, we are a star
Everybody say, nothing comes too easy
When you got it baby, nothing comes too hard
You'll see what I'm all about (see what I'm all about)
If I gotta scream and shout (gotta scream and shout)
Baby, baby, baby, baby
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Hoo, might not know it now
Baby but I are, I'm a star
Ooh, hoo
I don't want to stop, till I reach the top
Sing it, star, ooh, hoo
Baby, baby, baby
Oh, baby, I'm a star
Baby, baby, baby
Somebody
We all are a star, yeah
Aww
(Baby I'm a star, we are a star, yeah)
(Baby I'm a star)
We are a star, yeah, doctor
Baby, baby, baby, baby (ooh)
Baby, baby, baby, baby (ooh)
We are a star
The song "Baby I'm a Star" by Prince and The Revolution is a upbeat, self-confident and celebratory expression of Prince's unique creativity and musicianship. The track begins with a count-in and Prince's spoken invitation to "look him over" and to "tell him if he likes what you see." From these opening lines, the song moves into a statement of self-assurance that derives not from material wealth but from a "rich personality." The song expresses confidence in Prince's abilities as a performer, singer, musician, and songwriter. Prince invites his listeners to take a closer look, to listen more carefully, and to discover that they too are "a star." The song is full of repeated phrases, call-and-response vocal interplay, and numerous instrumental solos and fills, reflecting the wide-ranging influences of R&B, rock, funk, and pop.
Throughout the song, Prince engages with his audience in a playful and witty dialogue. He assures them that he knows what it's "all about" and that he will get his "point of view" across "even if he has to scream and shout." The repeated refrain that "Baby I'm a star" becomes a rallying cry for the song's exuberant chorus, which invites listeners to sing along and to take pride in their own creativity and individuality. The song's infectious beat, catchy melody, and high-energy performance make it an enduring classic of Prince's discography.
Overall, "Baby I'm a Star" is an uplifting and joyful song about self-confidence, creativity and the power of music. It celebrates Prince's unique charisma and artistry, while also encouraging others to discover and express their own talents. The song's exuberance, wit, and musicality make it a standout track on the "Purple Rain" album and a favorite among Prince fans and music lovers.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey, look me over
Tell me do you like what you see?
Hey, I ain't got no money
But honey, I'm rich on personality
I may not have money, but I have a lot of other qualities to offer. Do you like what you see?
Hey, check it all out
Baby, I know what it's all about
Before the night is through
You will see my point of view
Even if I have to scream and shout
I have a message to convey, and I'm determined to do it, even if I have to raise my voice.
Baby, I'm a star
Might not know it now
Baby, but I are, I'm a star, yeah
I don't want to stop, till I reach the top
Sing it, we are a star
I'm confident in myself and believe that someday, I'll reach the top. We're all stars in our own way.
Hey, take a listen
Tell me do you like what you hear?
If it don't turn you on
Just say a word, I'm gone
Honey, I know ain't nothing wrong with your ears
If my message isn't resonating with you, it's okay to say so. I won't stick around if it's not working.
Hey, check it all out
Better look now or it just might be too late
My luck's gonna change tonight
There's gotta be a better life
Take a picture sweetie, I ain't got time to waste
You better pay attention, or you might miss out on all the good things coming my way. I'm seizing the opportunities that come my way, and I don't have time to waste.
Everybody say, nothing comes too easy
When you got it baby, nothing comes too hard
You'll see what I'm all about (see what I'm all about)
If I gotta scream and shout (gotta scream and shout)
Baby, baby, baby, baby
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Success doesn't come easily, but if you have what it takes, nothing can stand in your way. You'll see the real me if I have to be loud and persistent.
Hoo, might not know it now
Baby but I are, I'm a star
Ooh, hoo
I don't want to stop, till I reach the top
Sing it, star, ooh, hoo
I may not be a star right now, but I know I have what it takes to get there. I won't stop until I reach my goals.
Baby, baby, baby
Oh, baby, I'm a star
Baby, baby, baby
Somebody
We all are a star, yeah
All of us are stars in our own way, and we should be proud of ourselves. I'm confident in myself and know that I'm destined for greatness.
(Baby I'm a star, we are a star, yeah)
(Baby I'm a star)
We are a star, yeah, doctor
Baby, baby, baby, baby (ooh)
Baby, baby, baby, baby (ooh)
We are a star
We are all capable of greatness, and we should remind ourselves of that fact. We all have something to offer and should take pride in our unique strengths and qualities.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Prince Rogers Nelson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind