The Time

Released: July 29, 1981

Songwriter: Prince

Producer: Prince

[Verse 1]
Oh baby, we're all alone
Nowhere to go, no telephone
Just you and me and this big old bed
You ain't got nowhere to go
You might as well stop being so cool
Honey, baby, break down

[Verse 2]
Oh baby, take off your clothes
Do it over by the window
Feel the wind blow
That's the atmosphere
Ooh baby, come here

[Verse 3]
Oh baby, honey take your time
'Cause when you come, you come and come
That's when I get mine
Until then, I said honey, "Close your eyes"
Ooooh
Yeah, oh baby

[Verse 4]
Oh baby, baby, don't make me wait
Don't make me wait
Oh, no, no, I can't stand it, baby
Don't make me, don't make me wait, girl
Oh, no, no, no, girl

[Spoken Interlude]
What's it gonna be, baby?
You know I can't wait
Please, please
You know you ain't got nowhere to go
We've come this far, come on
Oh, baby
Oh, baby

[Breakdown]
Break down, baby
Break down, baby
Go on and break it all down
Give me your love
Give me your mind
Break down!
Oh, baby, let me do ya please
Oh, girl, break down
Break down
Ohhhh

[Outro]
Oh girl, oh baby

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.

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