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about
Los Angeles-based singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Wil Key, has tapped legendary Paisley Park singer, Jill Jones, for a brand-new original song celebrating the life and legacy of Prince. The song was written by Key as part of his most recent double album entitled Globetrotter: Side B which was recorded in 15 different countries and features over 40 artists from around the world. The new cut has a melodic touch and chord progression reminiscent of Prince’s mid-tempo Sign O’ The Times sleeper - “The Ballad of Dorothy Parker,” but includes a nod to several other songs and licks from the purple repertoire.
To achieve the most authentic representation of the distinctive Prince sound, Key decided to produce the track using only real instruments save a vintage LINN drum machine which was designed by Roger Linn and used by Prince on so many of his major hits throughout the artist’s career. In keeping with this spirit of authenticity, Key did all of the LINN drum programming himself and also elected, in classic Prince style, to perform most of the musical parts as well including all of the male vocals, organ, synths and rhythm guitar parts.
Also contributing to the instrumental parts of the song are Andrew Gouche, one of Prince’s bass players and former Musical Director for Chaka Chan. Gouche’s bassline helps to galvanize the groove of the song by bridging the gap between the LINN drum rhythms and Key’s driving guitar work. Filling out the band on lead guitar, is Tori Ruffin of the Prince-formed group, The Time, who lays down a fiery, jazz-tinged guitar solo worthy of the purple one.
The vocal recording session took place at LA Studios in Hollywood - just around the corner from Prince’s beloved recording studio - Sunset Sound. Jill Jones is every bit as vibrant and soulful here as she has been on her Prince-produced albums of the 1980’s – singing the chorus parts effortlessly and then weaving in her signature adlibs around Key’s adlibbed vocal runs. The song closes with a touching and emotional spoken love letter from Jones to her old friend and musical partner.
The song will be released on Monday, June 7, 2021 which would have been the late artist’s 63rd birthday. It is available on all streaming platforms and will also be available on limited-edition vinyl in the near future. More information is available at: www.wil-key.com
lyrics
Tracy was a bad boy, from the north side
he liked to hoop n’ game
light-skinned and small, with a lot of style
the boy could really play
Now Tracy he marched to another drum
and whenever you heard it you knew
there could be only one
a radiant child of the sun
nothing more to say
I hear your voice callin’, I hear the Dove
Purple the color of music and love
You are the paint for the artist in us
We thank u, We thank u
I hear your Melody Cool like the rain
Showering down over 17 days
We all are marchin’ in Tracy’s Parade
We thank u, we thank u
Fast forward, Tracy’s in a band
See the train came to carry him down
To Central Grand
Paid the fare, with the guitar in his hand
And he was on his way
Now Tracy, he could sing and could dance (what you say)
That’s when the Hollywood brothers stepped in
to spin a sweet romance
They said “sign your name, we’re giving you a chance”
And took him to LA
I hear your voice callin’, I hear the Dove
Purple the color of music and love
You are the paint for the artist in us
We thank u, We thank u
I hear your Melody Cool like the rain
Showering down over 17 days
We all are marchin’ in Tracy’s Parade
We thank u, we thank u
All of this and more
Is for you
Whenever I feel like giving up
Whenever my sunshine, turns to rain
Whenever my hopes and dreams
Are aimed in the wrong direction
You’re always there
I can hear you singin’, sayin’
Tonight I’m gonna be somebody’s somebody
Tonight I’m gonna belong to someone
We gon’ bring the music to the party
It’s erotic (Erotic City), don’t stop it (Can’t stop this feelin’ I got)
Pop life, everybody needs a thrill
Pop life, we all got a space to fill
Pop life, everybody can’t be on top
Life it ain’t real funky, when you ain’t here to rock….
(Guitar solo)
I hear your voice callin’, I hear the Dove
Purple the color of music and love
You are the paint for the artist in us
We thank u, We thank u
I hear your Melody Cool like the rain
Showering down over 17 days
We all are marchin’ in Tracy’s Parade
We thank u, we thank u
Tracy’s parade
Tracy’s parade
credits
released June 7, 2021
Vocals, Organ, Synths, Guitar and LINN drum - Wil Key
Vocals - Jill Jones
Vocals - Laura Key
Bass - Andrew Gouche
Lead Guitar - Tori Ruffin
Los Angeles-based artist and producer, Wil Key, is the genuine article! A triple-threat studio veteran who has produced,
recorded and performed with some of the finest talent on the planet including members of Linkin Bridge, R&B/Jazz singer Miki Howard, The Flobots, Def Jam recording artists Playa, whose subsequent debut album was produced by Timbaland....more
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