The Line

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The Line

Song details Performer: Prince (assumed) Writer(s): Prince (assumed) Producer(s): Prince (assumed) Live Appearances First and last live appearance: This track is not believed to have been performed live by Prince Performed regularly on tour: none Performed occasionally in shows: none

The Line is an unreleased song recorded on 22 December 1987 (six days after Dance On, during a stretch of sessions focused on the Lovesexy album). It was written in response to a poem by Ingrid Chavez which Prince had recorded with her earlier in the month, entitled Cross The Line. The Line was included on an early version of the album, compiled on 21 January 1988, but was omitted from an acetate made on 27 January 1988. The song includes a chanted portion used in live shows since early 1987, "People, people. I’ve got a brand new dance", which mentions Housequake. The track ends with Boni Boyer singing lyrics from Take My Hand, Precious Lord. Interestingly, chants and background vocals from The Line were sampled on remixes for Partyman in 1989. A scream by Boni Boyer from this track (as well as the same chants sampled on Partyman remixes) was later used in the opening seconds of Acknowledge Me (credited incorrectly to "Bonni Boyer"), with the liner notes stating that The Line was "2 b released at a later date". The song remains unreleased, however. Recording Information Recording Sessions Date Studio Additional info 22 December 1987 Paisley Park Studios, Chanhassen, MN, USA Tracking 16 January 1988 Paisley Park Studios, Chanhassen, MN, USA Vocal and horn overdubs Recording Personnel Prince - vocals and instruments, except where noted Sheila E. - vocals and percussion Boni Boyer - vocals Eric Leeds - saxophone Atlanta Bliss - trumpet Unknown vocalists - shouted background vocals (likely including Cat, Greg Brooks and Wally Safford) Versions Unreleased Versions Title Version Additional Info The Line Studio Recorded 22 December 1987; before percussion, horns and chanted overdubs The Line Studio Final version after percussion, horns and chanted overdubs Sampled, Referred to, Quoted in... Title Length Released Version Additional info Partyman (The Purple Party Mix) 6:02 Partyman single Remix Remix by Femi Jiya and Prince; Includes sampled clips of Sexy Dancer, I Wanna Be Your Lover, Head, Partyup, Let’s Work, 1999, Raspberry Beret, Erotic City, Kiss, U Got The Look, Housequake, Alphabet St., The Future and chants from Batdance and The Line Partyman (The Purple Party Mix) 5:58 The Scandalous Sex Suite EP Remix edit As above, missing The Joker’s opening dialogue Partyman (The Video Mix) 6:20 Partyman single Remix Remix by Femi Jiya and Prince Partyman (The Video Mix) 6:11 The Scandalous Sex Suite EP Remix edit As above, missing The Joker’s opening dialogue Partyman (The Video Mix Edit) 5:40 Partyman single Remix edit As above, contains The Joker’s opening dialogue; earlier fade-out than full version Acknowledge Me 5:26 Crystal Ball Studio Acknowledge Me 3:15 Lip-synch TV broadcast Studio, (small differences in mix compared to released version) 9 April 1994, Soul Train, Paramount Studios, Stage 30, Hollywood, CA, USA Acknowledge Me Unreleased Original 1993 recording Edited for release Acknowledge Me Unreleased Re-recording New Power Generation version; Sonny T. on vocals

Additional Information See also Trivia Unreleased Songs Cross The Line References The Vault: The Definitive Guide to the Musical World of Prince (2004)

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