1999 is the titular song and lead single of Prince’s 1982 breakout album. The song–the album opener–introduces an apocalyptic universe that asks the listener to live their life until they can’t anymore, or party ‘til it’s 1999. When Prince initially submitted the album to Warner Bros., 1999 did not exist, but the label asked him to produce a song that summarized the theme of the LP. The song was recorded at Kiowa Trail Studios in Chanhassen, Minnesota on the same day as Little Red Corvette, August 7, 1982. It was mixed at Sunset Sound Studio in Hollywood.

Many people believed the world would end in the year 2000. To “party like it’s 1999” would imply having the party of your life, as you would do if you were partying for the last time before the world ends.

1999 was highly successful, especially with the many re-releases and performances leading up, into, and through the year 1999. For a time, it was Prince’s trademark song and was arguably his most popular, only second in sales to the next song and single from 1999, Little Red Corvette.

See my Song Lyric Sunday selection on FeliciaDenise.com.

Don’t worry, I wont hurt you

I only want you 2 have some fun

I was dreamin when I wrote this

Forgive me if it goes astray

But when I woke up this mornin

Coulda sworn it was judgment day

The sky was all purple,

There were people runnin everywhere

Tryin 2 run from the destruction,

You know I didn’t even care

Cuz they say two thousand zero zero party over,

Oops out of time

So tonight I’m gonna party like it’s 1999

I was dreamin when I wrote this

So sue me if I go 2 fast

But life is just a party, and parties werent meant 2 last

War is all around us, my mind says prepare 2 fight

So if I gotta die I’m gonna listen 2 my body tonight

Yeah, they say two thousand zero zero party over,

Oops out of time

So tonight I’m gonna party like it’s 1999

Yeah

Lemme tell ya somethin

If you didn’t come 2 party,

Don’t bother knockin on my door

I got a lion in my pocket,

And baby he’s ready 2 roar

Yeah, everybodys got a bomb,

We could all die any day

But before I’ll let that happen,

Ill dance my life away

Oh, they say two thousand zero zero party over,

Oops out of time

Were runnin outta time (tonight I’m gonna)

So tonight we gonna (party like it’s 1999)

We gonna, oww

Say it 1 more time

Two thousand zero zero party over oops,

Out of time

No, no (tonight I’m gonna)

So tonight we gonna (party like it’s 1999)

We gonna, oww

Alright, it’s 1999

You say it, 1999

1999

1999 don’t stop, don’t stop, say it 1 more time

Two thousand zero zero party over,

Oops out of time

Yeah, yeah (tonight I’m gonna)

So tonight we gonna (party like it’s 1999)

We gonna, oww

Yeah, 1999 (1999)

Don’tcha wanna go (1999)

Don’tcha wanna go (1999)

We could all die any day (1999)

I don’t wanna die,

Id rather dance my life away (1999)

Listen 2 what I’m tryin 2 say

Everybody, everybody say party

Cmon now, you say party

That’s right, everybody say (party)

Can’t run from the revelation, no (party)

Sing it 4 your nation yall (party)

Tell me what you’re singin, baby say (party)

Telephones a-ringin, mama (party)

Cmon, cmon, you say (party)

Everybody, [two times] (party)

Work it down 2 the ground, say (party)

(party)

Come on, take my body, baby (party)

That’s right, cmon, sing the song (party)

(party)

That’s right (party)

Got a lion in my pocket mama, say (party)

Oh, and he’s ready 2 roar (party)

Mommy, why does everybody have a bomb?

Mommy, why does everybody have a bomb?