The band went nameless for almost three years while supporting Prince live and appearing in his music videos. Chapman and Cymone left in the early 1980's and were replaced by Lisa Coleman on keyboards and Brownmark on bass. The first album on which The Revolution performed was the 1982 Prince release, 1999, which has the band's moniker written in reverse on the back cover.
When the 1999 Tour ended in 1983, Dez Dickerson left the band for religious reasons and was replaced by Lisa's childhood friend and soon-to-be lover Wendy Melvoin on guitar. The first album officially released as Prince & The Revolution was Purple Rain in 1984, which sold over 16 million copies in the United States alone.
The band's sound incorporated heavy metal, pop, funk, R&B and hard rock elements. Wendy Melvoin & Lisa Coleman formed a particular creative bond with Prince and greatly influenced the band's output during the rest of their tenure. The band achieved two number-one Billboard 200 albums (Purple Rain & Around The World In A Day), six top ten singles on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and won three Grammy Awards.
In 1985, members of the soon-to-be-defunct group The Family (which, in turn, included former members of another group, The Time) joined The Revolution, along with people from Sheila E.'s band. This included the addition of three dancers/vocalists/comic foils (known as The Bodyguards).
The last lineup of Prince & the Revolution was informally known as the Counter-Revolution and consisted of:
- Jerome Benton (The Bodyguards)
- Atlanta Bliss (trumpet)
- Greg Brooks (The Bodyguards)
- Lisa Coleman (keyboards, piano and vocals)
- Doctor Fink (keyboards and vocals)
- Eric Leeds (saxophone)
- Brown Mark (bass guitar and vocals)
- Susannah Melvoin (backing vocals)
- Wendy Melvoin (guitar and vocals)
- Prince (lead vocals, guitar, and piano)
- Wally Safford (The Bodyguards)
- Miko Weaver (guitar)
- Bobby Z. (drums)
The Revolution was officially disbanded by Prince in 1986 after the Hit N Run tour, which supported Parade, the soundtrack for the movie Under the Cherry Moon. Melvoin and Coleman went on to a successful career as Wendy & Lisa.
Pop Life
Prince & The Revolution Lyrics
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Is the poverty bringing you down?
Is the mailman jerking you 'round?
Did he put your million dollar check
In someone else's box?
Tell me, what's the matter with your world
Was it a boy when you wanted a girl? (boy when you wanted a girl)
Life it ain't real funky
Unless it's got that pop
Dig it
Pop life
Everybody needs a thrill
Pop life
We all got a space to fill
Pop life
Everybody can't be on top
But life it ain't real funky
Unless it's got that pop
Dig it
Tell me, what's that underneath your hair?
Is there anybody living there? (anybody living there)
You can't get over, if you say you just don't care (don't care)
Show me a boy who stays in school
And I'll show you a boy aware
Dig it
Pop life
Everybody needs a thrill
Pop life
We all got a space to fill
Pop life
Everybody can't be on top
But life it ain't real funky
Unless it's got that pop
Dig it
Oh
What you putting in your nose?
Is that where all your money goes (is that where your money goes)
The river of addiction flows
You think it's hot, but there won't be no water
When the fire blows
Dig it
Pop life
Everybody needs a thrill
Pop life
We all got a space to fill
Pop life
Everybody wants to be on top
But life it ain't real funky
Unless it's got that pop
Everybody needs a thrill
Pop life
We all got a space to fill
Pop life
Everybody can't be on top
But life it ain't real funky
Unless it's got that pop
The lyrics to Prince & The Revolution's song Pop Life comment on the nature of success and fame, and how it can lead people to compromise themselves and their values. The first verse addresses the idea of financial struggle and the frustration that can come from not being able to achieve the level of success that one desires. The second verse references gender norms and expectations, pointing out the pressure to conform to societal standards of beauty. The chorus repeats the phrase "Pop Life" and emphasizes the importance of having a thrilling and exciting life, though the implication is that this is often seen as synonymous with achieving fame and wealth.
The third verse discusses addiction, specifically drug addiction and the toll it can take on one's life. The lyrics suggest that the pursuit of pleasure and excess can lead to destruction, and that the high life is not sustainable in the long term. The final chorus reinforces the idea that everyone wants to be successful and "on top," but acknowledges that this is not a realistic or attainable goal for all. The song ultimately suggests that true happiness comes from finding a balance between ambition and contentment, and being true to oneself rather than trying to fit into societal expectations.
Line by Line Meaning
What's the matter with your life
What is bothering you in your life
Is the poverty bringing you down?
Are you feeling down due to financial difficulties?
Is the mailman jerking you 'round?
Are you being troubled by the mailman?
Did he put your million dollar check
Did he put your million dollar cheque
In someone else's box?
In someone else's mailbox?
Tell me, what's the matter with your world
What is bothering you in your world?
Was it a boy when you wanted a girl? (boy when you wanted a girl)
Did you want a girl but ended up having a boy?
Don't you know straight hair ain't got no curl (no curl)
You won't get curls with straight hair
Life it ain't real funky
Life isn't enjoyable
Unless it's got that pop
Unless it has an element of excitement
Dig it
Understand it
Pop life
The exciting life
Everybody needs a thrill
Everyone desires excitement
We all got a space to fill
We all have a void to fill in our lives
Everybody can't be on top
Not everyone can be in a position of power
But life it ain't real funky
Life isn't enjoyable
Unless it's got that pop
Unless it has an element of excitement
Tell me, what's that underneath your hair?
What is hidden beneath your hair?
Is there anybody living there? (anybody living there)
Is there any personality beneath the exterior?
You can't get over, if you say you just don't care (don't care)
You can't overcome a problem if you don't care about it
Show me a boy who stays in school
Show me a boy who stays in school
And I'll show you a boy aware
And I'll show you an aware boy
Oh
Expression of surprise
What you putting in your nose?
What are you snorting?
Is that where all your money goes (is that where your money goes)
Does all your money go into that?
The river of addiction flows
The addiction is like a river that continues to flow
You think it's hot, but there won't be no water
You may feel good about it, but it won't last
When the fire blows
When you face the consequences
Everybody wants to be on top
Everyone desires to be in a position of power
But life it ain't real funky
Life isn't enjoyable
Unless it's got that pop
Unless it has an element of excitement
Everybody needs a thrill
Everyone desires excitement
Pop life
The exciting life
We all got a space to fill
We all have a void to fill in our lives
Pop life
The exciting life
Everybody can't be on top
Not everyone can be in a position of power
But life it ain't real funky
Life isn't enjoyable
Unless it's got that pop
Unless it has an element of excitement
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Prince Rogers Nelson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind