With song titles such as “I Would Die 4 U“, “Take Me With U” and “U Got The Look” that date back to the early 1980’s was Prince at all responsible for the short code text language we use today?
Before Prince short code (shorthand) was mostly used by journalist and reporters when writing in notepads. Prince first used his form of short code for song titles way back in 1981 for the song “Jack U Off” from his Controversy album.
It’s pretty clear that Prince did not invent short code but he is somewhat responsible for bringing the short code style into pop culture. Check out this super long list of Prince songs that use short code in their title…
A Case of U – One Nite Alone… – 2002
All The Critics Love U In New York – 1999 – 1982
Back 2 the Lotus – Lotusflower – 2009
Damn U – 
– 1992
Dance 4 Me – MPLSound – 2009
Dig U Better Dead – Chaos and Disorder – 1996
Do U Lie? – Parade – 1986
Dreaming About U – Emancipation – 1996
Eye Hate U – The Gold Experience – 1995
Had U – Chaos and Disorder – 1996
Hot Wit’ U – Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic – 1999
I Can Make U Love Me – Emancipation – 1996
I Love U, but I Don’t Trust U Anymore – Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic – 1999
I Wanna Melt With U – – 1992
I Wish U Heaven – Lovesexy – 1988
I Wonder U – Parade – 1986
I Would Die 4 U – Purple Rain – 1984
If Eye Was the Man in Ur Life – Musicology – 2004
Jack U Off – Controversy – 1981
Joint 2 Joint – Emancipation – 1996
La, La, La Means I Love U – Emancipation – 1996
Live 4 Love – Diamonds and Pearls – 1991
Love 2 The 9’s – – 1992
Money Don’t Matter 2 Night – Diamonds and Pearls – 1991
Muse 2 the Pharaoh – The Rainbow Children – 2001
No More Candy 4 U – MPL Sound – 2009
Nothing Compares 2 U – 1990
Pearls B4 the Swine – One Nite Alone… – 2002
Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic – Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic – 1999
She Loves Me 4 Me – The Rainbow Children – 2001
She Spoke 2 Me – The Vault – 1999
Take Me With U – Purple Rain – 1984
Tell Me How U Wanna B Done – Crystal Ball – 1998
The One U Wanna C – Planet Earth – 2007
The Question of U – Graffiti Bridge – 1990
U Got The Look – Sign “☮” the Times – 1987
U’re Gonna C Me – One Nite Alone… – 2002
What Do U Want Me 2 Do? – Musicology – 2004
Wherever U Go, Whatever U Do – Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic – 1999
When 2 R in Love – Lovesexy – 1988
2 Nigs United 4 West Compton – Black Album – 1987
2Morrow – Crystal Ball – 1998
4ever – Lotusflower – 2009
Prince was the only guy that could wear high heels and look bad ass!!! Click photo or link below to see some photos…
