"The Glamorous Life" is a song written by Prince, recorded by American percussionist Sheila E. and produced by both. The song has lyrics which reflect a cynicism for the decadence and materialism of the song's protagonist, referred to in the third person, who "wants to lead a glamorous life", although she is aware that "without love, it ain't much". "The Glamorous Life" is the title track and closing song on Sheila E.'s debut solo album, and reached number seven on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart, as well as number one on the Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart. The track earned two Grammy Award nominations and three MTV Award nominations. In 2019, the original Prince demo of the song was released on his posthumous album Originals.

Track listings

7-inch vinyl 12-inch vinyl

Personnel

Credits sourced from Benoît Clerc and Duane Tudahl

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Melissa Tkautz version

"The Glamorous Life" was covered by Australian actress and singer Melissa Tkautz in September 2005. The single was seen as a comeback for Tkautz who had enjoyed considerable success in the early 1990s both as an actress and singer. Tkautz had previously scored an Australian number-one hit in 1991 with the song "Read My Lips", which spent two weeks at the top spot and won her an ARIA Award for Highest Selling Single in 1992. After a twelve-year hiatus from the music industry, Tkautz returned with her cover of Sheila E.'s 1984 hit "The Glamorous Life" and a new album Lost & Found. "The Glamorous Life" debuted and peaked at number 31 on the Australian Singles Chart on September 18, 2005, and spent two weeks in the top 50.

Track listing

Australian CD single

Charts

T-Funk version

Four weeks after Tkautz released her rendition of the song, Australian dance music act T-Funk released their cover, which features vocals from American singer Inaya Day. Andrew De Silva of Australian quartet CDB plays bass on the song. This version reached number 31 on the Australian ARIA Singles Chart four weeks after Tkautz's rendition did the same. Outside Australia, this cover peaked at number five in Hungary and number six on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart.

Track listing

Australian CD single

Credits and personnel

Credits are adapted from the Australian CD single liner notes. Studio Personnel

Charts