Released: August 25, 1982

Songwriter: Prince

Producer: Prince

[Verse 1: Morris Day]
I guess you've heard of my reputation
I've had my share of foolin' around
But everybody needs stimulation
And mine just happens to be all over town

[Pre-Chorus: Morris Day]
It's an easy-money occupation, first-class psychiatry
But just once, I wanna make love without taking off my clothes
Just once, I wanna make love with somebody who really and truly knows:

[Chorus: Morris Day & The Time]
Contrary to rumor, gigolos get lonely too
All my lovers need stimulation
But honey babe, I think that I need you

[Verse 2: Morris Day]
Maybe you're the kind of person
That could turn my world around
Oh, won't you gimme little inspiration
Maybe that's what I need to make me settle down

[Pre-Chorus: Morris Day]
It's an easy-money occupation
But honey, one thing, understand
I've got more money than you could imagine in your wildest dreams
But honey, money don't make no happiness

[Chorus: Morris Day & The Time]
Contrary to rumor, gigolos get lonely too
All my lovers need stimulation
Ah, but honey babe, I think that I need you

[Bridge: Morris Day]
Just once I wanna love without taking off my clothes
Just once I wanna love with somebody who knows
That I got more money than you could ever see
But honey, money won't get me up off of my knees

[Chorus: Morris Day & The Time]
Gigolos get lonely too
All my lovers need stimulation
But honey babe (Honey babe), I think that I need you
Contrary to rumor, gigolos get lonely too
All my lovers need stimulation
But honey babe (Honey babe), I think that I need you

[Outro: Morris Day]
Whatcha gonna do, baby?
Oh, whatcha, whatcha gonna do?
Hey, yeah, whatcha gonna do, baby?
Ah, whatcha, whatcha gonna do?

Do you think we could have dinner sometime, baby?
Well, how about to night?
Baby?

​The Time

The Time grew from the seeds of the Minneapolis music scene in the early 1980’s, galvanized by the creative drive and commercial success of rock-soul juggernaut Prince. The band began as the fruit of a wager Prince made with band leader Morris Day over the song “Partyup” (originally by a band called Enterprise). After the song’s success, Prince agreed to help Morris put together a band.

The nucleus of The Time consisted of drummer Jellybean Johnson, keyboardists Jimmy Jam and Monte Moir, and bassist Terry Lewis, pulled from their local band Flyte Tyme. Guitar demigod Jesse Johnson endeavored to join Prince’s band, but that band didn’t need a guitarist, so he shuffled into The Time’s lineup. Jerome Benton was a promoter from the aforementioned band Enterprise, and was eventually brought on as a comic foil to Morris Day for their stage act.

The band’s debut self-titled album featured two Top 10 R&B hits with “Get It Up” and “Cool.” Their follow-up What Time Is It? delivered an even higher chart peak with “777-9311”. But the band truly hit their stride once featured in Prince’s blockbuster music film Purple Rain. Their songs “Jungle Love” and “The Bird” from the film would become huge R&B and dance hits and propel their third album Ice Cream Castle to #3 on the R&B charts.