Album: Around The World In A Day (1985)

Charted: 60 7

License This Song 

• What's the matter with your life
  Is the poverty bringing you down?
  Is the mailman jerking you 'round?
  Did he put your million dollar check
  In someone else's box?
  
  Tell me, what's the matter with your world
  Was it a boy when you wanted a girl? (boy when you wanted a girl)
  Don't you know straight hair ain't got no curl (no curl)
  Life it ain't real funky
  Unless it's got that pop
  Dig it
  
  Pop life
  Everybody needs a thrill
  Pop life
  We all got a space to fill
  Pop life
  Everybody can't be on top
  But life it ain't real funky
  Unless it's got that pop
  Dig it
  
  Tell me, what's that underneath your hair?
  Is there anybody living there? (anybody living there)
  You can't get over, if you say you just don't care (don't care)
  Show me a boy who stays in school
  And I'll show you a boy aware
  Dig it
  
  Pop life
  Everybody needs a thrill
  Pop life
  We all got a space to fill
  Pop life
  Everybody can't be on top
  But life it ain't real funky
  Unless it's got that pop
  Dig it
  
  Oh
  What you putting in your nose?
  Is that where all your money goes (is that where your money goes)
  The river of addiction flows
  You think it's hot, but there won't be no water
  When the fire blows
  Dig it
  
  Pop life
  Everybody needs a thrill
  Pop life
  We all got a space to fill
  Pop life
  Everybody wants to be on top
  But life it ain't real funky
  Unless it's got that pop
  
  Everybody needs a thrill
  Pop life
  We all got a space to fill
  Pop life
  Everybody can't be on top
  But life it ain't real funky
  Unless it's got that pop Writer/s: Prince Rogers Nelson
  Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group
  Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 9

• Ron from AtlantaThis groove is Prince as inspired by the Beatles during their psychedelic period. The intro sound fx (reverse taping) and the break with the boos/cheers borrows ideas from songs like Tomorrow Never Knows, Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite, and I'm Only Sleeping.
• Chris from SomewhereI was thinking that the noises were from a boxing match, especially with the bell at the beginning...
• Markantney from BiloxeMar 2015,
  
  Breeze, you're correct but I have to believe it's because (even for Prince) the song was such a departure from his previous Songs/Albums/Hits? It's also not quite smooth enough to be jazzy, not enough Rhythm for "Da Club", and it's not even "Pop" enough for "Rock". I was teen when this was out and I remember all of us (in the Hood) thinking the song was OK but nothing you'd fly to the "RecahSto" (from Under the Cherry Moon) and buy but you wouldn't switch stations if it was on the radio either. And it was played on the R&B stations (I listened to) a lot back then.
  
  I actually didn't really like the song until many years later, same for Raspberry Beret.
• Sasah from Atlanta, GaMusic appeals to people on different levels. I understand the sadness in this song. I can parlay the message with things that I've encountered in my life. To some, Prince may no longer be a 'star' as someone mentioned above. Prince is an artist. He is a musical genius. He is an industry trailblazer that has accomplished things that many artists with similar tenure have not achieved and never will. He is a business man. As an artist, I'd rather be labeled as a legend, an icon, an innovator instead of a 'star.' Stars blaze brightly, they lose gas, fade out and die. Who would want to be a star when they can be an icon? For comparison, just look at the washed up careers of many 80's or even 90's artists who wish they could book a venue today, who wishes they could take a meeting with industry decision makers. Bite your tongue! Duct tape your fingers together!
• Leo from Westminster 1, MdUnfortunately, for Prince-Pop Life is a song that I just can't get into. Besides, Prince is a whole lot more convincing on guitar than he is on piano so I'm kinda suprised that it charted into the Top 10 as highly as it did. As a Prince song, Pop Life is no masterpiece-in fact, its forgettable
  -way below for the Purple One's impossibly high standards. When he plays the piano, its as if he's having sex with it!-Prince is no Elton or Jerry Lee, that's for sure! Yeah, the subject matter is about the trappings of fame, but if you want to be eloquent or gracious about celebritry, I'd rather listen to that other one-namer Madonna crying with sadness a Drowned World/Substitute for Love. She did it the right and intelligent way with her superstar status enhanced and intact while Prince is someone who had stardom and threw it all away! For shame!
• Erik from Minneapolis, MnReportedly, the line "what you puttin' in your nose?" is asking Morris Day about his addictions.Prince was/is very anti-drug.(even though I've talked to people who claim to have done drugs w/ him((revolution members)) )
• Eugene from Minneapolis, MnBig Daddy Kane sampled this in "The Lover In You" back in 1991. But then he used another sample "Hangin On A String" by Loose Ends for his remix! I have always liked "Pop Life", it is IMO the best song on his "Around The World In One Day". This is also the only Prince album I have ever owned.
• Neil from Toronto, OnThe original version of "Pac's Life" by 2pac was inspired by this song and uses a sample of this song.
• Breeze from Riverside, CaA unique song that didn't quite catch the vibe of the African American ear, but delivers a good message about choices in one's life.

More Songfacts:

Walkin' On The SunSmash Mouth

You wouldn't know it from the upbeat melody, but "Walkin' On The Sun" by Smash Mouth is about the 1992 Los Angeles Riots.

How To Save A LifeThe Fray

"How To Save A Life" by The Fray was inspired by a teenager lead singer Isaac Slade mentored at a camp for troubled youth in Colorado.

Just DanceLady Gaga

"Just Dance" was Lady Gaga's first hit, and it also brought the techno-synth sound that had been popular in Europe for the previous decade to the United States.

Don't ChaThe Pussycat Dolls

Sir Mix-A-Lot is credited as a writer on The Pussycat Dolls' biggest hit, "Don't Cha," because it interpolates his 1988 song "Swass," where he goes, "Don't you wish your boyfriend was swass like me?"

Can't Get You Out Of My HeadKylie Minogue

Kylie Minogue's "Can't Get You Out Of My Head" received more airplay during the 2000s than any other song in the UK.

Rock And RollLed Zeppelin

According to Jason Bonham, who has filled in for his father on Led Zeppelin reunions, "Rock And Roll" is the hardest Led Zep song to play on drums.

Editor's Picks

Eric ClaptonFact or Fiction

Did Eric Clapton really write "Cocaine" while on cocaine? This question and more in the Clapton edition of Fact or Fiction.

What Musicians Are Related to Other Musicians?Song Writing

A big list of musical marriages and family relations ranging from the simple to the truly dysfunctional.

Bible LyricsMusic Quiz

Rockers, rappers and pop stars have been known to quote the Bible in their songs. See if you match the artist to the biblical lyric.

Gilby ClarkeSongwriter Interviews

The Guns N' Roses rhythm guitarist in the early '90s, Gilby talks about the band's implosion and the side projects it spawned.

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat WorldSongwriter Interviews

Jim talks about the impact of "The Middle" and uses a tree metaphor to describe his songwriting philosophy.

Chris Fehn of SlipknotSongwriter Interviews

A drummer for one of the most successful metal bands of the last decade, Chris talks about what it's like writing and performing with Slipknot. Metal-neck is a factor.