“1999” is the titular song and lead single of Prince’s 1982 breakout album. The song–the album opener–introduces an apocalyptic universe that asks the listener to live their life until they can’t anymore, or party ‘til it’s 1999. When Prince initially submitted the album to Warner Bros., “1999” did...
[Intro: Prince]
Don't worry, I won't hurt you
I only want you to have some fun
[Verse 1: Prince, Lisa, Dez, All]
I was dreamin' when I wrote this
Forgive me if it goes astray
But when I woke up this morning
Could have sworn it was judgement day
The sky was all purple
There were people runnin' everywhere
Tryin' to run from the destruction
You know I didn't even care
[Chorus: Prince and All]
'Cause they say
2000, zero-zero, party over, oops, out of time
So tonight, I'm gonna party like it's 1999
[Verse 2: Prince, Lisa, Dez, All]
I was dreamin' when I wrote this
So sue me if I go too fast
But life is just a party
And parties weren't meant to last
War is all around us
My mind says, "Prepare to fight"
So if I gotta die
I'm gonna listen to my body tonight
Yeah
[Chorus: Prince and All]
They say
2000, zero-zero, party over, oops, out of time
So tonight, I'm gonna party like it's 1999
Yeah, yeah, shh
[Verse 3: Prince, Lisa, Dez, All]
Lemme tell ya somethin'
If you didn't come to party
Don't bother knockin' on my door, oh, uh, ah
I got a lion in my pocket
And, baby, he's ready to roar, yeah, yeah
Everybody's got a bomb
We could all die any day, oh
But before I'll let that happen
I'll dance my life away
Oh
[Chorus: Prince and All]
They say
2000, zero-zero, party over, oops, out of time
(We're runnin' outta time)
So tonight, I'm gonna party like it's 1999
So tonight, we gonna, we gonna, oh
Say it one more time
2000, zero-zero, party over, oops, out of time
No, no
Tonight, I'm gonna party like it's 1999
So tonight, we gonna, we gonna, woo
[Bridge: Prince and All]
All right, 1999
You say it, 1999
Ooh, 1999, oh, 1999
Don't stop, don't stop, say it one more time
2000, zero-zero, party over, oops, out of time
Yeah, yeah
Tonight, I'm gonna party like it's 1999
So tonight, we're gonna, we're gonna, woo
[Outro: Prince, Lisa, Prince and Lisa, All]
Yeah, 1999
Don'tcha wanna go? (1999)
Don'tcha wanna go? (1999)
We could all die any day (1999)
I don't wanna die
I'd rather dance my life away (1999)
Listen to what I'm tryin' to say
Everybody, everybody say, "Party"
C'mon now, you say, "Party"
That's right, everybody say, "Party"
Can't run from revelation, no (Party)
Sing it for your nation, y'all (Party), wow!
Drum it with your fingers, baby (Party)
Telephone's a-ringin', mama (Party)
C'mon, c'mon, you say, "Party"
Everybody, two times, "Party"
Woo, work it down to the ground, say, "Party"
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh (Party)
Come on, oh, take my body, baby (Party)
That's right, c'mon, sing the song, ”Party”
(Oh) (Party)
That's right (Party)
Got a lion in my pocket, mama, say, "Party"
Oh, and he's ready to roar (Party)
Ah
[Spoken Outro: Lisa]
Mommy, why does everybody have a bomb?
Mommy, why does everybody have a bomb?
1999 was written by Prince.
1999 was produced by Prince.
The “Oops” signifies how fast time can run up on you when you’re having fun – Just like that, you’ll run out of time and there’ll be no more opportunities for you to party. It emphasizes that you don’t know what’s coming next.
From Songfacts:
Prince gave a rare interview in 1999 when he spoke with Larry King on CNN. More surprisingly, he explained the meaning behind this song. Said Prince: “We were sitting around watching a special about 1999, and a lot of people were talking about the year and speculating on what was go...