Pop Life

Album: Around The World In A Day (1985)
Charted: 60 7
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  • What's the matter with your life
    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)
    Don't you know straight hair ain't got no curl (no curl)
    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 Writer/s: Prince Rogers Nelson
    Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 9

  • Ron from AtlantaThis groove is Prince as inspired by the Beatles during their psychedelic period. The intro sound fx (reverse taping) and the break with the boos/cheers borrows ideas from songs like Tomorrow Never Knows, Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite, and I'm Only Sleeping.
  • Chris from SomewhereI was thinking that the noises were from a boxing match, especially with the bell at the beginning...
  • Markantney from BiloxeMar 2015,

    Breeze, you're correct but I have to believe it's because (even for Prince) the song was such a departure from his previous Songs/Albums/Hits? It's also not quite smooth enough to be jazzy, not enough Rhythm for "Da Club", and it's not even "Pop" enough for "Rock". I was teen when this was out and I remember all of us (in the Hood) thinking the song was OK but nothing you'd fly to the "RecahSto" (from Under the Cherry Moon) and buy but you wouldn't switch stations if it was on the radio either. And it was played on the R&B stations (I listened to) a lot back then.

    I actually didn't really like the song until many years later, same for Raspberry Beret.
  • Sasah from Atlanta, GaMusic appeals to people on different levels. I understand the sadness in this song. I can parlay the message with things that I've encountered in my life. To some, Prince may no longer be a 'star' as someone mentioned above. Prince is an artist. He is a musical genius. He is an industry trailblazer that has accomplished things that many artists with similar tenure have not achieved and never will. He is a business man. As an artist, I'd rather be labeled as a legend, an icon, an innovator instead of a 'star.' Stars blaze brightly, they lose gas, fade out and die. Who would want to be a star when they can be an icon? For comparison, just look at the washed up careers of many 80's or even 90's artists who wish they could book a venue today, who wishes they could take a meeting with industry decision makers. Bite your tongue! Duct tape your fingers together!
  • Leo from Westminster 1, MdUnfortunately, for Prince-Pop Life is a song that I just can't get into. Besides, Prince is a whole lot more convincing on guitar than he is on piano so I'm kinda suprised that it charted into the Top 10 as highly as it did. As a Prince song, Pop Life is no masterpiece-in fact, its forgettable
    -way below for the Purple One's impossibly high standards. When he plays the piano, its as if he's having sex with it!-Prince is no Elton or Jerry Lee, that's for sure! Yeah, the subject matter is about the trappings of fame, but if you want to be eloquent or gracious about celebritry, I'd rather listen to that other one-namer Madonna crying with sadness a Drowned World/Substitute for Love. She did it the right and intelligent way with her superstar status enhanced and intact while Prince is someone who had stardom and threw it all away! For shame!
  • Erik from Minneapolis, MnReportedly, the line "what you puttin' in your nose?" is asking Morris Day about his addictions.Prince was/is very anti-drug.(even though I've talked to people who claim to have done drugs w/ him((revolution members)) )
  • Eugene from Minneapolis, MnBig Daddy Kane sampled this in "The Lover In You" back in 1991. But then he used another sample "Hangin On A String" by Loose Ends for his remix! I have always liked "Pop Life", it is IMO the best song on his "Around The World In One Day". This is also the only Prince album I have ever owned.
  • Neil from Toronto, OnThe original version of "Pac's Life" by 2pac was inspired by this song and uses a sample of this song.
  • Breeze from Riverside, CaA unique song that didn't quite catch the vibe of the African American ear, but delivers a good message about choices in one's life.
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