If I Was Your Girlfriend

Prince

About If I Was Your Girlfriend

"If I Was Your Girlfriend" was the second single from American musician Prince's 1987 double album Sign o' the Times. The song was a hit in the United Kingdom but was only a minor hit in America. It was originally from the Camille project of 1986, which was to be released under the guise of Prince's alter ego named Camille. The song is delivered from an androgynous male perspective to a woman, wherein Prince explores the possibilities of a more intimate relationship if he were his lover's platonic girlfriend. Trouser Press names the song as one of the album's highlights, noting that it "redefines a relationship in a surprisingly mature way." It is believed that "If I Was Your Girlfriend" deals with the jealousy Prince felt at the close bond shared between then girlfriend/fiancée Susannah Melvoin with her twin sister Wendy. Musically, the song features Prince's pitched-up, androgynous vocals over a sparse bass and drum machine pattern, punctuated by a keyboard line. The opening seconds include a sound collage that includes an orchestra tuning up, a salesman and a sample of Felix Mendelssohn's "Wedding March". 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. 


Year:
1987
5:01
529 
#4

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Look at the bargains over here, ladies

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

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Prince

Prince Rogers Nelson (born June 7, 1958 - found dead in his home April 21, 2016. He died of an accidental overdose of the drug fentanyl), was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. Known by his mononym Prince, he was an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and actor. He produced ten platinum albums and thirty Top 40 singles during his career. He wrote several hundred songs plus produced and recorded his own music for his own music label. Prince had a wide vocal range and was known for his flamboyant stage presence and costumes. His releases sold over 100 million copies worldwide. He won seven Grammy Awards, a Golden Globe, and an Academy Award. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004, the first year he was eligible. Ro… more »

24 fans

Written by: Prince Rogers Nelson

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


12 facts about this song

Release Information
"If I Was Your Girlfriend" was released as a single from Prince’s double album, "Sign o’ the Times", which came out in 1987.
Conceptual Depth
The song takes an interesting perspective, with Prince wishing he could have the close camaraderie with his lover that she has with her girlfriends. Hence the title "If I Was Your Girlfriend".
Chart Performance
Although this song is highly revered now, it only reached No. 67 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Critical Reviews
The track is considered one of Prince’s strongest works and shows his mastery in addressing gender and sexuality.
Songwriting Skill
This song showcases Prince's ability to play with gender roles and norms, an aspect of his artistry that earned him acclaim and recognition.
Album Deep Cut
Even though it was a relative underperformer compared to Prince’s other mega-hits, this song has been hailed by many critics as the best cut from "Sign O' the Times".
Cover Versions
TLC covered "If I Was Your Girlfriend" in their album, "CrazySexyCool". This widely successful cover version introduced the song to a new demographic who may not have been familiar with Prince's original version.
Cinematic Influence
The song has been featured in popular movies like "Jerry Maguire" and "Boomerang". Making the song popular among film audiences.
Use in Media
It is also frequently used in documentaries to underscore Prince's unique take on gender, sexuality, and love.
Grammy Recognition
The double album "Sign o’ the Times", which the song is on, was nominated for album of the year at the 1988 Grammy Awards.
Artistic Influence
Many artists, including Adele and D'Angelo, have mentioned "If I was Your Girlfriend" as a song that greatly influenced their personal musical journey.
Live Performances
Prince often performed this song live, and it became a crowd favorite due to its emotionally charged lyrics and Prince's passionate delivery.

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    If I Was Your Girlfriend

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1987

    Billboard #67


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