Neon Telephone

Nasty Girl   < < <

Non-Prince Songs

All Prince Songs

Unreleased Songs

> > >   Neurotic Lover’s Bedroom

Neon Telephone

from the album Vermillion single art for Neon Telephone Song details Performer: Three O’Clock First Released: 24 May 1988 - Vermillion album Album(s): Vermillion Writer(s): Prince (as Joey Coco) Producer(s): Ian Ritchie 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

Neon Telephone is the sixth track on Three O’Clock’s first and only Paisley Park Records album Vermillion (their fourth and final album), and soon after the album’s release, Neon Telephone was released as the album’s second single (which also turned out to be the band’s final single). Writing credit is given to Joey Coco, a pseudonym used on a few 1985-7 songs given to other artists (including You’re My Love, Telepathy and Baby Go-Go). Basic tracking took place on 10 July 1985 at the Washington Avenue Warehouse in Edina, Minnesota (two days after ♥ Or $, Girls & Boys and Alexa De Paris, the same day as God Is Everywhere). It was initially considered for use on Parade and/or Under The Cherry Moon but was instead saved for later use (it did, however, inspire the use of a neon telephone in Christopher Tracy’s apartment in the movie Under The Cherry Moon). It was sent to Three O’Clock for consideration along with Girl O’ My Dreams, We Can Funk, Teacher, Teacher and Can’t Stop This Feeling I Got, but the band decided to use only this track. Three O’Clock’s vocal overdubs and instrumentation were recorded in 1987 - early 1988 at American Recording, Woodland Hills, California. Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman re-recorded their background vocals during this session with Three O’Clock. Recording Information Recording Sessions Date Studio Additional info 10, 11, 13, 17 (estimate) & 18 July 1985 (estimate) Washington Avenue Warehouse, Edina, MN, USA Tracking, overdubs, mix (10th); vocal overdubs, mix (11th); overdubs, mix (13th); overdubs, mix (17th); mix (18th) 12 - 14 January 1986 Sunset Sound- Studio 3, Hollywood, CA, USA New mix (12th); mix & mix [instrumental] (13th & 14th) 17 June 1986 Washington Avenue Warehouse, Edina, MN, USA Mix 1987 - early 1988 American Recording, Woodland Hills, CA, USA Three O’Clock re-recording (no Prince input) Recording Personnel Three O’Clock version Michael Quercio - lead vocals, bass guitar Mike Mariano - keyboards Danny Benair - drums Jason Falkner - guitar Wendy Melvoin - background vocals Lisa Coleman - background vocals Unreleased version Prince - all vocals and instruments, except where noted (assumed) Lisa Coleman - keyboards and background vocals Wendy Melvoin - guitars and background vocals Susannah Melvoin - background vocals Bobby Z. - tambourine Versions Released Versions Title Length Released Version Additional info Neon Telephone 3:56 Vermillion Neon Telephone single Studio Neon Telephone (Extended 12" Version) 6:28 Neon Telephone single Extended Version Unreleased Versions Title Version Additional Info Neon Telephone (instrumental) Studio Initial version as instrumental Neon Telephone Studio Prince’s original studio version Neon Telephone Studio Alternate take of Prince’s original studio version

Additional Information See also Trivia Vermillion album Neon Telephone single Neon Telephone inspired the use of a neon telephone in Christopher Tracy’s apartment in the movie Under The Cherry Moon. According to Lisa Coleman, Prince "had a hard time finding just the right home for it, (going) from artist to artist in his own camp – always female – to other bands, so I thought it was funny that then it ended up being done by The Three O’ Clock, who were all boys". The female artists to whom Prince had offered the track are not identified. References The Vault: The Definitive Guide to the Musical World of Prince (2004) Prince and the Parade/Sign O’ The Times Era Studio Sessions 1985 and 1986, Duane Tudahl (2021) Hooks ‘N’ You: Three O’Clock, “Vermillion” by Min Read (Popdose - 7 April 2010)

Nasty Girl   < < <

All Songs

Unreleased Songs

> > >   Neurotic Lover’s Bedroom