Get excited folks. A new version of Prince’s “I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man” has blessed us with its presence. The new release came to surface yesterday, July 16th.
Recorded on May 23rd 1979, this version has remained unreleased until now. The previous recording of the song is from the super deluxe edition of Prince’s album Sign o’ the Times, a double album from 1987. Originally recorded at Hollywood Sound Recorders in Los Angeles, the song is now released by the Prince Estate with Warner Records.
While we have heard renditions of this song before, this particular release is an invigorating one. The previously known 1987 version is an upbeat pop number while the 1979 version takes on a new impression. This rendition illustrates more of a raw sound, cohesive with the sound of the 70s.
The new rendition features distinct vocal harmonies previously unincluded, and Prince’s vocals seem to come from a place of heightened emotions. The listener clearly hears the expression of Prince’s message and the overall mood of the piece.
The newly released version doesn’t include the guitar solo that Prince added in the 1987 rendition. It also doesn’t feature the updated sound the previous version included.
Last month the Prince Estate and Warner Records announced the release of Prince’s previously unheard “Witness 4 the Prosecution (Version 1)” from the super deluxe edition.
Listen to the newest version of “I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man” below.