The origins of Vanity 6 are somewhat inconclusive due to Prince surrounding himself in equal parts of mystery, innuendo and privacy at the time. Due to his exclusive deal with Warner Bros., he had the power to sign and record anyone he wanted to, and it was his desire for an R-rated girl group that was the catalyst for the formation of Vanity 6. At one time featuring his girlfriend Susan Moonsie and personal assistant Jamie Shoop, the group was originally to be called The Hookers. Rumor has it that Moonsie was to be known as Vagina (pronounced “Vageena”) before settling on Vanity after her staunch refusal.
Just before recording sessions for their debut album began, Prince met Canadian nude model Denise Matthews and was quickly smitten. She was then given the Vanity persona, leaving Moonsie relegated to back-up duties along with Brenda Bennett. It wasn’t long before Matthews and Prince were an item, and now with the line-up complete, work began on the record. Although all music was performed and the album produced by Prince (under the guise of The Starr Company) the liner notes credit writing to all three girls and to some members of The Time on a few tracks.
The three women formed a unique look, mixing lingerie with leather jackets and stilettos. And while the first single released, “He’s So Dull,” didn’t exactly set the world on fire, it was the second single — coupled with its seductive video — that shot the group to stardom while climbing the dance charts to the top.
“Nasty Girl” is sex personified; a seductive groove and three delicious looking women wearing next to nothing worked a treat. Matthews was not a great singer, but her charisma and looks more than compensated when she appeared live or onscreen. This track has since been sampled and covered many times, but never has it sounded as sexy and smooth as in its original state. It also appeared in movies and TV shows, most notably in Beverly Hills Cop during a scene in a strip club.
“Wet Dream” continues this theme with Matthews making her desires known for — guess who — “He’s so good lookin,’ he’s the cutest dude I ever seen / He’s my little lover, number one star of my wet dream.” It’s probably the most “Prince” sounding of all the songs here, and his voice is detectable in the chorus harmonies. “Drive Me Wild” is one of two songs credited to Moonsie and it’s the album’s most simplistic song, featuring a minimalist arrangement that’s pretty much New Wave, but with none of the funky solo or breaks that were a staple of Prince’s sound back then.
“He’s So Dull,” which was used as the lead single, is easily the most mainstream moment here. It is in sound and execution very much a Revolution track — not surprising as this one has Dez Dickerson (of The Revolution) credited with a co-write. It’s surprising it wasn’t a hit because it’s so ready made, Prince could have done it himself.
In parts, the album is wickedly funny due to Prince’s penchant for all things perverse as well as some awesome lyrics in the form of a phone conversation on “If A Girl Answers (Don’t Hang Up). Allow me to indulge:
Vanity: Oh, I see, did he just take out the trash?
Jimmy’s girl: No, that’s somethin’ he use 2 do, now he’s taking out me
Vanity: Oh, I see, well, tell ’em he left his pants over here last night
Jimmy’s girl: That’s OK, U keep ’em, he won’t be needin’ ’em 2 night
Jimmy’s girl is, of course, played to hilarious effect by Prince, and along with Brenda’s rap to end the conversation, it’s a true highlight. “Make-Up” is Moonsie’s second song and follows in the same vain as the first. It’s again a minimal affair in both music and lyrics with a kind of hypnotic groove that gives the album a real New Wave edge.
Brenda takes the lead for “Bite The Beat,” which is surprisingly one of the album’s strongest tracks. Her voice is deeper and more mysterious than those of her counterpart’s, and at times her androgynous delivery rivals Prince in the weirdness stakes. Lyrically, it covers familiar ground, but this time the intent is not as clear as it’s buried in double entendres and clever innuendos.
The album closes with a sweet song of love and a plea to the sisterhood to wait for Mr. Right. “3 x 2 = 6” is an enchanting ballad and gives Matthews a chance to let her voice shine. Lyrically it’s the most accomplished song on the record and also closely resembles Prince’s solo work. There’s a wonderfully sincere quality hearing Matthews sing, “My made-up name is Vanity cuz a girl’s best friend’s her pride / And a working girl don’t have 2 tolerate the Mailman’s tricks.”
Vanity 6 became a popular side attraction to the Purple One’s circus at the time. Along with The Time, they supported Prince on the Triple Threat Tour — of which anyone who was there will tell you, the shows are very deserving of their now legendary status. Although by the time of his Purple Reign in ’84 with Matthews no longer around, the now famous Apollonia was his muse and the group was rechristened Apollonia 6. However, there’s no replicating the original and Vanity 6 are a constant reminder of that.
