Released: August 11, 1982

Songwriter: Prince Vanity

Producer: Prince

[Verse 1]
Let me tell U my story
My favorite band in life is playing in town on Wednesday night
I wish to God I had the nerve to go
The singer in the band's my type, not too big or small
But I hate to let my inner feelings show

[Chorus]
My made-up name is Vanity 'cause a girl's best friend's her pride
And a working girl don't have to tolerate the mailman's tricks
Everybody gets 3 years of tribulation unless they lie
But with a female, 3 times 2 equals 6

[Verse 2]
When I'm older, I wanna be a movie star just like Greta Garbo
Then I can tell everybody what to do
Well, she was so cool, it was plain to see that she was in control
I bet she never played the part of anyone's fool

[Chorus]
So, my made-up name is Vanity 'cause a girl's best friend's her pride
And a working girl don't have to tolerate the mailman's tricks, oh no
Everybody gets 3 years of tribulation unless they lie
But with a female, 3 times 2 equals 6

Play your song one time, baby girl

I don't think they heard you now, baby

[Bridge]
That's all I need to say because I think you understand
Unless of course, in another life, you were a man

[Chorus]
Please believe me when I tell you, a girl's best friend's her pride
A working girl don't have to tolerate the mailman's tricks, no she don't
Everybody gets 3 years of tribulation unless they lie
But with a female, 3 times 2 equals 6

Won't somebody help me
Please believe me when I tell you, a girl's best friend's her pride
A working girl don't have to tolerate the mailman's tricks, sister can you hear me
Everybody gets 3 years of tribulation unless they lie
But with a female, 3 times 2 equals 6

Sister can you hear me talking to ya
Please believe me when I tell you, a girl's best friend's her pride
A working girl don't have to tolerate the mailman's tricks, sister can you hear me
Everybody gets 3 years of tribulation unless they lie
But with a female, 3 times 2 is 6

Vanity 6

Vanity 6 were a short-lived female vocal trio that came out of Prince’s funk-rock empire and assembled in 1981. Vanity 6 were formed in Prince’s hometown of Minneapolis, where singer/actress Vanity (whose real name was Denise Matthews) got together with fellow singers Brenda Bennett and Susan Moonsie. Backed by The Time, Vanity 6 recorded their self-titled debut album, released in 1982 by Warner Bros. The single “Nasty Girl” became a major hit, and like Prince’s albums, Vanity 6 successfully bridged the gap between R&B/funk and rock/pop/new wave. Vanity 6’s first album was also their last; in late 1983, Vanity left the group and signed with Motown as a solo artist. Moonsie and Bennett, meanwhile, hooked up with singer Apollonia (another Prince disciple) and formed a new group called Apollonia 6.