Search by Title

A	B	C	D	E	F	G
H	I	J	K	L	M	N
O	P	Q	R	S	T	U
V	W	X	Y	Z	#

Browse Categories Random Songfact Random Category Add to Songfacts Take the Quiz SongFAQ Get the Newsletter E-Mail Us Message Boards Full Interviews Lyrical Pursuit Song Fallacies

Songfacts:  You can leave comments about the song at the bottom of the page.

This is a protest song about the policies of the Reagan administration regarding the "Evil Empire," the USSR -- Prince was expressing his fears of nuclear war.

The first single released from the album of the same name, it didn't make it into the Top 40 on the first attempt, but did upon re-release after "Little Red Corvette" hit the Top 10.

Prince re-recorded this in 1998 after leaving Warner Brothers Records, who retained rights to the original recording. Prince hated Warner Brothers, and re-recorded it in an attempt to keep them from profiting from the original version. The new version was a minor hit at the beginning of 1999. (thanks, Brad Wind - Miami, FL, for above 3)

According to Rolling Stone magazine, Prince originally recorded the opening verse in three-part harmony. Later he split up the vocals, and the harmony parts became a new melody. When Prince recorded this track, he would go all day and all night without rest, and turn down food since he felt eating would make him sleepy. (thanks, Edward Pearce - Ashford, Kent, England)

This is credited to "Prince And The Revolution." The Revolution was his backup band at the time.

This was Prince's 5th album. The first four sold fairly well, but this was a huge hit.

Comments:

The video for 1999 was one of the first videos to break the color barrier on MTV.
- John, Nashville, TN

Almost, Justin. He said he'd always loved that song, and so he based the horn intro of "1999" on the opening vocal harmony of "Monday Monday." But he wasn't done there. Next, he took the melody and chords from 1999 and rewrote that into "Manic Monday," completing the tribute to the original song. Yes, genius is the word for it.
- KeithAdv, Springfield, IL

Ive always heard that this song is about the End of the World , the Apocalypse. Prince was predicting it would end in 1999 or 2000.
- Mike, Hueytown , AL

Perhaps no other track showcases Prince's extraordinary talent to the same extent. It always sounds loud, punchy and fresh no matter how many times you hear it. Grayson is dead right.
- Marc, London

truly amazing song. the man is a genious.
- Grayson, Cleveland, OH

The greatest line I think it 'But life is just a party and parties weren't meant 2 last' I love that line so much for some reason.
- Chelsea, Wichita, KS

Wow. All I can say about 1999 is that it is one of the best party songs. Whenever this song is played, people always dance to it. If you try to get the song, make sure you get the 6 minute album version because it is much better than the radio single. Prince is great!
- Jake, Philadelphia, PA

Underground experimentalist the Evolution Control Committee parodied this with a compilation CD called "Party Like It's $19.99!"
- fyodor, Denver, CO

remixed by bif naked, dave matthews and somebody else(rob thomas?) in 1999 by a radio station in vancouver (c-fox)
- rob, vancouver, Canada

Phil Collins was such a big fan of this song and Prince that 2 years later he wanted a similar sound when he wrote Sussudio.
- Nelson, Melbourne

The other day I saw in a Dutch TV-show that 1999 was (albeit loosely) based on a melody of a Bach-etude. Unfortunately, I don't know which one...
- Ferdinand, Hilversum, Netherlands

Chord progression is that of Mamas & Papas' "Monday Monday". I think Prince said he based it on that. Anyone?
- Justin, Austin, TX

He performed it in 1999 for a special DVD. Amazing
- Jam Kemal, lindua, South Africa