If there’s a noise that lets you know the funk is coming more prominently than the animal sounds preceding “Jungle Love’, I’ve yet to hear it.
The best non-Prince song from the movie Purple Rain that ever lived, (Morris Day &) The Time made “Jungle Love” a must have for every party in 1984 and each year since.
Written by Day, Jesse Johnson and Prince (of course), the song encompassed that poignant Minneapolis sound from where the group was from.
What exactly is that sound? Look no further than Wiki’s description.
“”Jungle Love” is a funk-pop offering relying mainly on bass, analog synthesizer and drum machines, although there are elements of new wave keyboards and a rock guitar solo, allowing the song to cross musical boundaries. Added to this are animalistic sound effects by Day and sexual lyrics.”
If you say so—all I know is this song was and is still my jam. Where’s Jerome and that mirror?
Chart Success: Perhaps because the United States was filled with haters in 1984 “Jungle Love” only peaked at No. 20 on the Billboard Hot 100. It remained on the charts for 25 weeks but didn’t make the Billboard year-end Top 100. #Bullshit
Great Lyrics: Morris Day isn’t an introverted individual. In fact, he’s quite the dangerous man.
“I I’ve been watching you
I think I want to know ya
I I am dangerous
Girl I want to show yaMy jungle love
I think I want to know ya
Jungle love
Girl I need to show ya”
Fun Fact: Pieced together by Prince, the band included Jimmy “Jam” Harris and Terry Lewis. While the pair didn’t reach fame in the band they would go on to become one of the biggest R&B/Pop songwriting teams in music history. They’ve written songs for Janet Jackson (a pile of them to be exact), New Edition, Mary J. Blige, Boyz II Men, Beyonce and Usher among several others.
PREVIOUS ENTRIES
100. Hall & Oates – I Can’t Go For That (No Can D0)
99. Michael McDonald – I Keep Forgetting
97. The Police – Every Little Thing She Does Does Is Magic
96. Madonna – Papa Don’t Preach
94. Cyndi Lauper – Time After Time
93. Kenny Loggins – Danger Zone
92. Peter Gabriel – In Your Eyes
91. Night Ranger – Sister Christian
89. Journey – Don’t Stop Believing
87. Debbie Gibson – Foolish Beat
86. Glen Mederios – Nothing’s Going To Change My Love For You
85. John Cougar – Jack and Diane
81. Billy Squier – Everybody Wants You
80. Debbie Gibson – Only In My Dreams
79. Shelia E. – The Glamorous Life
77. Whitney Houston – Greatest Love Of All
76. Paul McCartney & Michael Jackson – Say Say Say
75. Flock of Seagulls – I Ran (So Far Away)
74. Twisted Sister – We’re Not Gonna Take It
73. Musical Youth – Pass The Dutchie
72. The Police – Every Breathe You Take
71. Survivor – The Search Is Over
70. REO Speedwagon – Keep On Loving You
69. Hall & Oates – You Make My Dreams
68. Bobby Brown – Don’t Be Cruel
67. Kenny Loggins – Meet Me Halfway
66. Irene Cara – Flashdance…What A Feeling
65. Tina Turner – What’s Love Got To Do With It
64. Phil Collins – One More Night
63. Europe – The Final Countdown
62. Patrick Swazye – She’s Like The Wind
61. Matthew Wilder – Break My Stride
60. Men Without Hats – Safety Dance
59. Duran Duran – Hungry Like The Wolf
58. Huey Lewis & The News – Power Of Love
55. Styx – Too Much Time On My Hands