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Prince was a huge fan of director Billy Wilder. He loved Some Like it Hot- some UTCM parallels here and today’s song namesake 1957’s Witness for the Prosecution- the title is from this film. #SOTTDELUXE #Princetwitterthread @deejayumb @EdgarKruize
Witness for the Prosecution (version 1) was recorded at Prince’s home studio on Galpin Blvd beginning on March 14, 1986 using the Fairlight, drums, bass, guitar, and an organ opening the door for backing vocals to have a gospel feel. #SOTTDELUXE #Princetwitterthread
Prince’s use of the Fairlight was a dominant staple throughout the 80s and well documented throughout the recently release Sign O’ the Times deluxe set #SOTTDELUXE #Princetwitterthread https://happymag.tv/understanding-the-fairlight-cmis-place-in-the-history-of-electronic-music/
April ‘86- PRN returned to France to shoot additional scenes for UTCM. On his way back to the states he asked @WendyMelvoin @LisaColeman @SusannahMelvoin @EricLeeds to add vocals and to remix the track that made it on to the June ‘86 version of The Dream Factory as Track 16.
Eric “Blow ya horn” Leeds added a subtle riff from Perry Mason to WFTP
Shout out to Atlanta Bliss who also added horns to the track prior to it being added the Dream Factory. (Image is from the Lovesexy Tourbook)
Reflecting on the role of bootlegs in magnifying PRN’s prolificness. Finding Jewel Box at Revolver- Priceless! Sound quality-not that great & music that was dope AF. The grit of the quality brought you closer to his rawness and it worked on WFTP
Witness for the Prosecution (Version 1) Version 1: Prince - all vocals and instruments, Wendy Melvoin - guitar and background vocals, Lisa Coleman - organ and background vocals, Eric Leeds - saxophone, Atlanta Bliss - trumpet, and Susannah Melvoin backing vocals
“Obviously, he was a heterosexual man and enjoyed having beautiful women around!...But he needed to be the alpha male to get done what he needed to get done; he couldn’t spend any mental energy battling with people for dominance or position.” Susan Roger, Engineer of WFTP, (v1)
“We were all in a room, and Prince pressed play and just said, “Do u like it? (Laughs) I do remember being in the room singing those background vocals and getting up really high trying to work that vibrato.” Lisa Coleman on WFTP
I first heard WFTP (version 1)in the late 1980s via @SteveMa88359947 and his awesome PRN tributes on WBAI in NYC- struck by raw vocals, an impassioned plea, and the mix of rock, funk, and a hint of gospel- only Prince! 
. It was a time of so much leaked music and cassettes.
. It was a time of so much leaked music and cassettes.
WFTP ver. 2 was recorded at Sunset Sound in Studio 3 on Oct. 6, 1986. PRN rerecorded all the instruments and vocals and had Eric Leeds on sax and Atlanta Bliss on trumpet. 7 layers of PRNs background vocals anchor this track; an indicator of a band change and growth
“He...referred to me as "Cuz," short for "cousin," you know — if he wanted me in the studio he'd come over the talkback and say, "Cuz, studio three." He loved Doritos; he loved Famous Amos cookies, the little bags where they were always fresh.” Coke Johnson, Engineer, WFTP (v2)
Deborah Allen, country singer asked Prince to write a song for her and this is what sparked V2 of WFTP- he later decided to keep it and give her “Telepathy”
“I am a witness for the prosecution of a hate in this love affair
I who am guilty of nothing but always wantin' to be there...I will go the electric chair”
I who am guilty of nothing but always wantin' to be there...I will go the electric chair”
I am biased towards version 1 of W4TP. The added vocals of Wendy, Lisa, and Susannah take you to church and make the listener lean in to plea of the guilty. The rock and funk elements of the track persecute you to the dance floor #guilty
Witness 4 the Prosecution, Version 2
