According to engineer Susan Rogers, a rare technical error on her part led to distortion-- albeit only on certain words. As recounted in Alex Hahn's book "Possessed: The Rise and Fall of Prince," Rogers thought Prince "was going to rip my head off" for the mistake. Yet, after hearing the playback, Prince loved the effect, which is featured on the released version.
The B-side to the track was another "Camille" track, "Shockadelica." The track was actually written in response to an album of the same name by former Time member, Jesse Johnson. Prince heard Johnson's album before its release, and commented that a great album should have a great title track. Johnson disagreed, so Prince recorded the track and had it played on a Minneapolis radio station before the release of Johnson's album. The public perception would be that Johnson was copying Prince's idea, and this caused tension between Johnson and Prince.
When the "Camille" project was scrapped in favor of Crystal Ball, "Shockadelica" again made the cut, but was deleted from the tracklist when the set was trimmed to Sign “☮” the Times. The track was released as a B-side, and later on The Hits/The B-Sides.
"Shockadelica" is a pop-funk number using a drum machine pattern similar to "Housequake." A funky guitar riff is present throughout the song, as well as a few rock guitar solos. The song is much more upbeat than "If I Was Your Girlfriend," and Prince's sped-up vocal even sounds humorous at times. The theme of the song is a woman with a hypnotic attraction. The 12" single is the full version of the song, while the version on The Hits/The B-Sides is an edit.
If I Was Your Girlfriend
Prince Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ooh, oh
Ooh, hoo, oh yeah
Ooh, hoo
If I was your girlfriend, would you remember
To tell me all the things you forgot when I was your man?
Hey hey, when I was your man
If I was your best friend, would you let me
Take care of you and do all the things that only a best friend can?
Oh, only best friends can
If I was your girlfriend
Ooh, hoo, ho ooh
If I was your girlfriend
If I was your girlfriend, would you let me dress you
I mean, help you pick out your clothes before we go out?
Not that you're helpless
But sometime, sometime those are the things that bein' in love's about
If I was your one and only friend
Would you run to me if somebody hurt you even if that somebody was me, yeah
Sometimes I trip on how happy we could be, please
If I was your girlfriend
Ooh, hoo, hoo
If I was your girlfriend
Would you let me wash your hair?
Could I make you breakfast sometime?
Well then, could we just hang out
I mean, could we go to a movie and cry together?
'Cause to me baby, that would be so fine (that would be so fine), ooh
(If I was your girlfriend)
Baby, can I dress you
I mean, help you pick out your clothes before we go out? (if I was your girlfriend)
Listen girl, I ain't sayin you're helpless
But sometime, sometime those are the things that bein' in love's about
Sugar
Sugar, do you know what I'm saying to you this evening? (If I was your girlfriend)
Maybe you think I'm being a little self-centered
But I, I said I want to be all of the things you are to me (if I was your girlfriend)
Surely, surely you can see
Is it really necessary for me to go out of the room
Just because you want to undress?
We don't have to make children to make love
And we don't have to make love to have an orgasm
Your body's what I'm all about
Can I see it?
I'll show you
Why not?
You can do it because I'm your friend
I'd do it for you
Of course I'd undress in front of you
And when I'm naked, what shall I do?
How can I make you see that it's cool?
Can't you just trust me?
If I was your girlfriend, you could
Oh yeah, I think so
Listen, for you naked I would dance a ballet
Would that get you off?
Tell me what will
If I was your girlfriend, would you tell me?
Would you let me see you naked then?
Would you let me give you a bath?
Would you let me tickle you so hard you'd laugh and laugh
And would you, would you let me kiss you there
You know, down there where it counts
I'll do it so good, I swear I'll drink every ounce
And then I'll hold you tight and hold you long
And together we'll stare into silence
And we'll try to imagine what it looks like
Yeah, we'll try to imagine what, what silence looks like
Yeah, we'll, we'll try to imagine what silence looks like
Yeah, we'll try
The lyrics to Prince's song If I Was Your Girlfriend explore the idea of what it would be like if the singer was in a more intimate relationship with his partner. He suggests that if he were his girlfriend, he would pay close attention to all the little details in her life that he may have overlooked before. He asks if she would let him dress her, help her pick out her clothes, and take care of her like a best friend would. The song also touches on the idea of trust and openness in a relationship as he asks if she would let him see her naked and give her a bath.
At its core, the song is about the desire for greater intimacy and closeness in a relationship. Instead of just being lovers, the singer wants to be his partner's best friend, confidante, and someone who knows them intimately. He suggests that these deeper levels of connection and affection are what real love is all about.
The lyrics can also be seen as challenging traditional gender roles and expectations in relationships. The singer's desire to dress his girlfriend and wash her hair are typically seen as feminine activities, suggesting that he is not confined by societal norms of masculinity and is willing to break down those barriers in a relationship.
Overall, If I Was Your Girlfriend is a poignant exploration of the complexities of relationships and the benefits of greater openness and intimacy.
Line by Line Meaning
Look at the bargains over here, ladies
Prince is calling out to the ladies, indicating that he has something of value to offer them.
If I was your girlfriend, would you remember To tell me all the things you forgot when I was your man? Hey hey, when I was your man
Prince wonders if he could have a deeper, more intimate relationship with someone where they can reveal everything to each other and not keep secrets.
If I was your best friend, would you let me Take care of you and do all the things that only a best friend can? Oh, only best friends can
Prince would like to have an even deeper relationship, implying that a best friend can be the ultimate confidante.
If I was your girlfriend, would you let me dress you I mean, help you pick out your clothes before we go out? Not that you're helpless But sometime, sometime those are the things that bein' in love's about
Prince is expressing the desire to be involved in all aspects of his partner's life, even things like helping her pick out clothes.
If I was your one and only friend Would you run to me if somebody hurt you even if that somebody was me, yeah Sometimes I trip on how happy we could be, please
Prince wants to be someone his partner can always count on, even if he is the cause of her pain. He longs for a relationship where happiness knows no limits.
Would you let me wash your hair? Could I make you breakfast sometime? Well then, could we just hang out I mean, could we go to a movie and cry together? 'Cause to me baby, that would be so fine (that would be so fine), ooh
Prince desires a relationship where the little things matter, like washing his partner's hair, making breakfast, and just spending quality time together.
Sugar
Prince is calling out affectionately to his partner.
Sugar, do you know what I'm saying to you this evening? (If I was your girlfriend) Maybe you think I'm being a little self-centered But I, I said I want to be all of the things you are to me (if I was your girlfriend) Surely, surely you can see
Prince is trying to express his desire for deeper intimacy with his partner and hopes she sees that he wants to experience what it is like to be in her position as well.
Is it really necessary for me to go out of the room Just because you want to undress? We don't have to make children to make love And we don't have to make love to have an orgasm Your body's what I'm all about Can I see it? I'll show you Why not?
Prince wants to blur the traditional lines of gender roles and asks why he should leave the room when his partner undresses. He insists that sex isn't the most important part of a relationship and expresses that he is interested in his partner's body.
You can do it because I'm your friend I'd do it for you Of course I'd undress in front of you And when I'm naked, what shall I do?
Prince reaffirms that he is his partner's friend and wants to show that he would do anything for her. He confirms that he would also undress in her presence and is curious about what his next move would be.
How can I make you see that it's cool? Can't you just trust me? If I was your girlfriend, you could Oh yeah, I think so
Prince is trying to make his partner feel comfortable and trust him. He once again emphasizes his desire to have a deeper relationship where anything is possible.
Listen, for you naked I would dance a ballet Would that get you off? Tell me what will If I was your girlfriend, would you tell me?
Prince is willing to go to any extent to fulfill his partner's desires and asks if he can fulfill her fantasies if he was her girlfriend.
Would you let me see you naked then? Would you let me give you a bath? Would you let me tickle you so hard you'd laugh and laugh And would you, would you let me kiss you there You know, down there where it counts I'll do it so good, I swear I'll drink every ounce And then I'll hold you tight and hold you long And together we'll stare into silence And we'll try to imagine what it looks like Yeah, we'll try to imagine what, what silence looks like Yeah, we'll, we'll try to imagine what silence looks like Yeah, we'll try
Prince is expressing his desire to be intimately involved with his partner in all aspects, including bathing her and having sex. He wants to experience everything together and be completely vulnerable with each other.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Prince Rogers Nelson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind