On Episode 60 of the Press Rewind – Prince Lyrics Podcast, I am again joined by Farooq Ansari to discuss the sleazy, robotic funk of “Erotic City.” Arguably Prince’s best and most well-known B-side to the iconic “Let’s Go Crazy.” Enter the Garden of Hedonism with us to talk about this Prince and Sheila E masterpiece.
“Every time I comb I hair, thoughts of you get in my eyes.”
“Darling Nikki” may have captured the ire of the Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC) in the mid-’80s thanks to its prominence on the massively popular Purple Rain album. Still, in reality, “Erotic City” should have gotten more attention. As the B-side to also massively popular “Let’s Go Crazy” single, “Erotic City” found its way into many homes in 1984. It was inside these homes and over the radio airwaves where the debate between “fuck” and “funk” raged on.
I believe that Prince’s (team fuck) and Sheila E’s (team funk) phrasing is different for this song, which makes any sort of debate a moot point. Regardless of the explicit language, the song remains a P-funk-inspired masterpiece that has transcended its original status as a B-side, non-album single. The amount of attention, airplay, and love from fans and non-fans alike are what make “Erotic City” come alive!
The goal of each episode of Press Rewind is to:
- Take a track by track look at the lyrical content of Prince’s discography
- Discuss my own interpretation of each song’s lyrics along with any guest I may have
- If submitted, discuss listener’s interpretations of each song’s lyrics
Thank you for joining me on this journey through Prince’s catalog!
