Way Up

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Way Up

Heymansmellmyfinger album.jpg
from the album Hey Man... Smell My Finger
Song details
Performer: George Clinton
First Released: 12 October 1993 - Hey Man... Smell My Finger album
Album(s): Hey Man... Smell My Finger
Writer(s): Foley
Producer(s): Foley and George Clinton
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

Way Up is the third track on George Clinton’s second and final Paisley Park Records album Hey Man... Smell My Finger. The song was written by Foley, who also produced it with George Clinton. Clinton stated in an interview that Prince appears on this song when speaking about his involvement on the Hey Man... Smell My Finger : He’s all over the record – Way Up, Get Satisfied, Big Pump. He got down on this one compared to his first Paisley Park Records album. I left the tapes goin’. I said 'Now don’t be shy. Put somethin’ on these motherfuchers'. He came to me like this was so sacred. I said 'Fuck that. I need a hit record; You’ve got the shit, let’s put it together. While Prince is credited as the co-writer of The Big Pump and his (uncredited) vocals are clearly audible and reconizable on Get Satisfied, the extent of his contribution on Way Up as a producer, arranger, vocalist or musician is unknown.

While specific recording dates are not known, album sessions took place between 1990-1991 at Paisley Park Studios in Chanhassen, Minnesota with Eric Leeds (on horns) and The Steeles. It was included as the seventh track on a 1992 configuration of the album, which was changed significantly before release.

Interestingly, an early version of the track contained lyrics recited by Clinton that were included on the song Martial Law and the chorus of Cookie Jar sung by The Steeles.


Recording Information
Recording Sessions
Date Studio Additional info
1990-1991 (assumed) Paisley Park Studios,
Chanhassen, MN, USA
Tracking
Recording Personnel

Versions
Released Versions
Title Length Released Version Additional info
Way Up 5:08 Hey Man... Smell My Finger Studio


Unreleased Versions
Title Version Additional Info
Way Up Studio Long version with lyrics and more instrumentation. Includes lyrics from Cookie Jar.
Way Up Studio Long version, edited for inclusion on the album
 
Additional Information

See also Trivia


References
Way Back When   < < < All Songs Unreleased Songs > > >   We Do This