Watch Prince Bring ‘I Wanna Be Your Lover’ To ‘Midnight Special’ In 1980
The song was the then burgeoning superstar’s breakout single.
By Nate Todd May 14, 2024 • 12:34 pm PDT
Vintage late night program The Midnight Special released video of Prince appearing on the show in 1980. The then burgeoning superstar was promoting his breakthrough single, “I Wanna Be Your Lover.”
Prince released “I Wanna Be Your Lover” on August 24, 1979. The song was the lead single to his self-titled album which arrived in October 1979, following his 1978 debut, For You. Prince played every instrument on his first two albums.
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The multi-talented musician appeared on The Midnight Special on January 11, 1980. At the time, “I Wanna Be Your Lover,” was climbing the charts — Prince’s first major hit in the U.S. — eventually peaking at No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topping the Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart.
The success of “I Wanna Be Your Lover” paved the way for the prolific musician’s excellent albums that followed: Dirty Mind (1980), Controversy (1981) and 1999 (1982). Prince would achieve worldwide superstardom and iconic status with his 1984 album and film Purple Rain.
That success largely began with “I Wanna Be Your Lover.” Watch Prince bring the song to Midnight Special in 1980 below:
