Prince and the Revolution

Released: April 10, 1985

Songwriter: Prince

Producer: Prince

[Verse 1]
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?

[Verse 2]
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

[Chorus]
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

[Verse 3]
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

[Chorus]
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

[Verse 4]
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

[Chorus]
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

[Interlude]
Throw the bum out!

[Outro]
Dig it
Pop life
Everybody needs a thrill
Pop life
We all, we 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 Revolution” was originally the live backing band for Prince in the early years of his career. They first appeared in a studio capacity on 1999, but it wasn’t until 1984’s Purple Rain when they were officially credited. The band is noted for its diverse range of musicians, which wasn’t very common in the 1980s and inspired by what Sly Stone did with The Family Stone.

The most famous line-up consisted of Prince on lead vocals, guitar, and piano, Wendy Melvoin on guitar and vocals, Brown Mark on bass guitar and vocals, Lisa Coleman on keyboards, piano, and vocals, Matt “Doctor” Fink on keyboards and vocals, and Bobby Z on drums and percussion. The last albums where the Revolution was credited was 1985’s Around the World In A Day & 1986’s Parade.

more tracks from the album

Purple Rain

From the albums

Prince and the Revolution popular songs

Pop LifePrince and the Revolution

Prince and the Revolution

Purple Rain