What Time Is It? is a 1982 album by the Time. Their second album, it was recorded at Sunset Sound and Prince's home studio in the Minneapolis suburbs. The title of the album comes from an exclamation by Morris Day that became associated with the band's on-stage theatrics, appearing frequently on the band's debut album as well.
Showcasing the synth-funk of Prince's Minneapolis sound, What Time Is It? produced three singles: "777-9311", "The Walk" and "Gigolos Get Lonely Too".
Recording Although the individual members of the Time are credited with instrumentation, most of the instruments on the album were played by Prince, with Morris Day playing drums on half of the album. Morris Day sang lead vocals, and Vanity performed spoken vocals on "The Walk". Additionally, the Time guitarist Jesse Johnson appears on "Gigolos Get Lonely Too".
Commercial performance The album peaked at number 26 on the Billboard 200 and number two on the Top Soul LPs. It spent a total of 33 weeks on the Billboard 200 and 38 weeks on the R&B Albums chart. The album's peaking was more successful than the group's previous release. The album was eventually certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for sales over 500,000 copies in the United States. The Time supported the album by touring as one of Prince's opening acts on the 1999 Tour.
Track listing
Personnel Adapted from liner notes and Benôit Clerc
Musicians Morris Day – lead and backing vocals, drums Prince – backing vocals , electric guitars , synthesizers , Yamaha CP-70 electric grand piano , bass guitar , drums , Linn LM-1 , percussion Vanity – spoken vocals Jesse Johnson – electric guitar and backing vocals Susan Moonsie, Kim Upsher – backing vocals
Production Prince – engineer Don Batts – recording and mixing engineer Peggy McCreary – recording and mixing engineer Bernie Grundman – mastering
Technical Al Beaulieu – photography
Singles and chart placings "777-9311" (#2 R&B, #88 Pop) "777-9311" "Grace" (non-album track) – 7" single "The Walk" – 12" single
"The Walk" (#24 R&B, #104 Pop) "The Walk" "OnedayI'mgonnabesomebody" – 7" single "777-9311" – Japan 7" single "I Don't Wanna Leave You" – 12" single
"Gigolos Get Lonely Too" (#77 R&B) "Gigolos Get Lonely Too" "I Don't Wanna Leave You"
Charts
Weekly charts +Weekly chart performance for What Time Is It? Chart (1982) Peakposition
Year-end charts +Year-end chart performance for What Time Is It? Chart (1983) Position US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) 24
Certifications
Notes
References
External links What Time Is It? lyrics