Jerk Out
Encyclopedia
"Jerk Out" is a song from The Time
's 1990 album Pandemonium
. The song was originally recorded in December 1981 by Prince
at his home studio during sessions for What Time Is It?. Prince originally performed all instruments and vocals and this recording remains unreleased. Prince reworked the song in the Spring of 1985 for the band Mazarati
. Guitarist Tony Christian recorded vocals for the song but it was ultimately left off the album, though circulates among collectors. Again, the song was reworked in late 1989 for inclusion on Pandemonium and contains input by the band. Bruce DeShazer A.K.A Tony Christian backing vocals remain on the track.
"Jerk Out" is a pop-funk offering driven by multiple drum machine
patterns and an infectious bassline
. Some spacey sounding keyboards are important in the mix, as well as a "Controversy
"-like funky guitar. Bass and guitar solos are provided by Terry Lewis
and Jesse Johnson
respectively. The title refers to acting like a jerk (unpleasant person), supposedly inspired by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis
on an airline flight. The song was originally rejected due to some harsh lyrics in the third verse. They survived the Mazarati take but were revised for Pandemonium.
The song was released as the debut single from Pandemonium and became the group's highest-charting single, reaching number one on the U.S. R&B chart and number nine on the U.S. pop chart. "Jerk Out" also peaked at number six on the dance chart. A maxi-single was also released with several remixes of the song. The Sexy Mixes were remixed by Shep Pettibone
.
The Time (band)
The Time is a funk and dance-pop ensemble formed in 1981. They are close Prince associates and arguably the most successful artists who have worked with him.-Prince, Formation and Success:...
's 1990 album Pandemonium
Pandemonium (The Time album)
Pandemonium is a 1990 album by The Time. Much like the three previous albums, the album consists of music in the funk-pop or ballad genre, although this album breaks the 6-song album tradition. Originally, the album began life as Corporate World, with nearly all of the material written and...
. The song was originally recorded in December 1981 by Prince
Prince (musician)
Prince Rogers Nelson , often known simply as Prince, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Prince has produced ten platinum albums and thirty Top 40 singles during his career. Prince founded his own recording studio and label; writing, self-producing and playing most, or all, of...
at his home studio during sessions for What Time Is It?. Prince originally performed all instruments and vocals and this recording remains unreleased. Prince reworked the song in the Spring of 1985 for the band Mazarati
Mazarati
Mazarati was an American R&B band formed in the mid-1980s by former Prince and The Revolution bassist Brown Mark. Originally hailing from Minneapolis, they are now defunct as a group. The band's sole hit was a song called "100 MPH", which was written and co-produced by Prince.-Debut at Paisley...
. Guitarist Tony Christian recorded vocals for the song but it was ultimately left off the album, though circulates among collectors. Again, the song was reworked in late 1989 for inclusion on Pandemonium and contains input by the band. Bruce DeShazer A.K.A Tony Christian backing vocals remain on the track.
"Jerk Out" is a pop-funk offering driven by multiple drum machine
Drum machine
A drum machine is an electronic musical instrument designed to imitate the sound of drums or other percussion instruments. They are used in a variety of musical genres, not just purely electronic music...
patterns and an infectious bassline
Bassline
A bassline is the term used in many styles of popular music, such as jazz, blues, funk, dub and electronic music for the low-pitched instrumental part or line played by a rhythm section instrument such as the electric bass, double bass, tuba or keyboard...
. Some spacey sounding keyboards are important in the mix, as well as a "Controversy
Controversy (song)
"Controversy" is the title track and lead single to the 1981 album by Prince. One of his most respected classic funk songs, "Controversy" addresses certain speculation about Prince at the time such as his sexuality, religion and racial background, and how he could not understand the curiosity...
"-like funky guitar. Bass and guitar solos are provided by Terry Lewis
Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis
James Samuel "Jimmy Jam" Harris III and Terry Steven Lewis are an American R&B and pop-music songwriting and record production team...
and Jesse Johnson
Jesse Johnson (musician)
Jesse Woods Johnson is a musician best known as the guitarist in the original lineup of The Time....
respectively. The title refers to acting like a jerk (unpleasant person), supposedly inspired by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis
Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis
James Samuel "Jimmy Jam" Harris III and Terry Steven Lewis are an American R&B and pop-music songwriting and record production team...
on an airline flight. The song was originally rejected due to some harsh lyrics in the third verse. They survived the Mazarati take but were revised for Pandemonium.
The song was released as the debut single from Pandemonium and became the group's highest-charting single, reaching number one on the U.S. R&B chart and number nine on the U.S. pop chart. "Jerk Out" also peaked at number six on the dance chart. A maxi-single was also released with several remixes of the song. The Sexy Mixes were remixed by Shep Pettibone
Shep Pettibone
Robert E. Pettibone, Jr. is a record producer, remixer, songwriter and club DJ, one of the most prolific of the 1980s. His earliest work known to the public was for one of New York City's top disco/dance radio stations, WRKS 98.7 "Kiss" FM, and later as remixer/producer for the disco label Salsoul...
.
Maxi-single
- "Jerk Out" ( Sexy Mix) – 8:55
- "Jerk Out" ( Sexy Edit) – 4:36
- "Jerk Out" (A Capella) – 2:28
- "Jerk Out" ( Sexy Dub) – 7:14
- "Jerk Out" ( Sexy Instrumental) – 7:02
Charts
| End of year chart (1990) | Position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 93 |