Part-Time Lover
"Part-Time Lover" is a song written, produced, and performed by American singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder, released in August 1985 as the lead single from his twentieth studio album, In Square Circle, on the Tamla label.[1] The track explores the secretive dynamics of an extramarital affair, with lyrics detailing covert signals and rendezvous between lovers who maintain separate public lives, such as calling once and hanging up to confirm safe arrival home.[2] The song's upbeat synth-pop sound, driven by Wonder's use of the LinnDrum machine and synthesizers—along with his own drumming—evokes the infectious energy of 1960s Motown hits like "You Can't Hurry Love" by the Supremes, while incorporating layered backing vocals from artists including Syreeta Wright, Philip Bailey, Keith John, and Luther Vandross.[1][2] Upon release, "Part-Time Lover" achieved significant commercial success, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for one week on the chart dated November 2, 1985, as well as topping the Hot Black Singles (now Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs), Hot Dance/Club Play Songs, and Adult Contemporary charts simultaneously, the first Motown single to top all four charts at the same time.[3][1] Internationally, it peaked at number one in Canada, within the top twenty in the Netherlands, number three on the UK Singles Chart, and within the top ten in several other countries including Australia, France, Ireland, and Spain.[1] As the last of Wonder's octet of number-one hits on the Billboard Hot 100, spanning from 1963 to 1985, "Part-Time Lover" marked a commercial pinnacle in his 1980s output and has since been covered across genres like reggae, bossa nova, and jazz, underscoring its enduring influence in popular music.[2][1]Background and recording
Development
The song "Part-Time Lover" drew inspiration from Stevie Wonder's personal experiences with secretive romantic relationships in the early 1980s, during a time when he was navigating the end of one partnership while beginning another. Wonder described this in an interview with British journalist David Nathan, noting the need for covert signals to maintain discretion without alerting others.[2][1] Written by Wonder during the recording sessions for his album In Square Circle in 1984–1985, the track was crafted as the lead single, serving to introduce its synth-heavy production and a departure from the organic, funk-driven sound of his 1970s work toward a more polished, commercial 1980s pop-R&B aesthetic.[4] This placed it within a pivotal moment in Wonder's career, following a five-year hiatus from full-length studio albums since Hotter Than July in 1980 and signaling his continued evolution under Motown.[1] Wonder developed initial demos for the song at his Wonderland Studios in Los Angeles, where he incorporated code-like signals into the lyrics—such as the "ring once, hang up the phone" motif—to evoke the thrill and secrecy of clandestine affairs.[5]Studio sessions
The recording of "Part-Time Lover" took place during sessions for Stevie Wonder's album In Square Circle from 1984 to 1985 at Wonderland Studios in Los Angeles, California.[6][5] Wonder, who produced the track, handled the primary instrumentation himself, programming and performing on synthesizers for bass lines and lead sounds, as well as drum machines and keyboards to create the song's rhythmic foundation.[7] Guest vocalists contributed significantly to the track's layered harmonies and ad-libs. Luther Vandross provided prominent backing vocals and ad-libs, adding a distinctive R&B flair that complemented Wonder's lead.[8][9] Additional backing vocals came from Syreeta Wright, Philip Bailey, and Keith John, enhancing the song's lush, multi-voiced chorus.[8][9] Production was overseen by Wonder as the primary producer, with associate producer and engineer Gary Olazabal handling synthesizer programming, recording, and mixing duties at Wonderland Studios.[5][10] Overdubs, including additional synthesizer elements, were contributed by Brad Buxer.[11] Engineering assistance was provided by Bob Harlan and Steve Van Arden, supporting the digital recording process that emphasized Wonder's innovative use of synthesizers and drum programming for a polished, radio-friendly sound.[12][13] The final mix highlighted the track's dense layers of synth textures and punchy rhythm section, characteristic of mid-1980s digital production techniques.[9]Composition and lyrics
Musical structure
"Part-Time Lover" is classified as synth-pop and R&B, characteristic of mid-1980s production styles emphasizing electronic instrumentation. The album version runs for 4:12.[14] The song employs a conventional structure consisting of an intro, two verses, two choruses, a bridge, a final chorus, and an outro.[15] It opens with a sparse intro featuring a telephone ring sound, establishing the narrative context through minimal synth elements before building into the first verse. The arrangement evolves progressively, starting with restrained verse sections driven by a prominent Yamaha DX7 synthesizer bassline and atmospheric pads, then expanding in the choruses with layered synth stabs and vocal harmonies for a denser, more uplifting sound.[16] Gated reverb is applied to the drum pattern, enhancing the 1980s R&B groove.[17] Set primarily in B♭ minor, the track maintains a minor-key foundation that conveys underlying tension in the verses, resolved through brighter harmonic shifts in the choruses.[15] The tempo is 86 beats per minute, providing a mid-tempo danceable pulse suitable for its synth-R&B style.[18] Wonder incorporates vocoder effects on select vocal harmonies, adding a robotic, futuristic texture to the backing layers.Themes and interpretation
"Part-Time Lover" narrates the story of a man involved in a clandestine affair, where he and his lover employ secretive communication methods to avoid detection, such as calling and ringing once before hanging up to signal a safe return home.[19] Additional signals include blinking the lights if his primary partner is nearby, emphasizing their status as "undercover passion on the run" and "strangers by day, lovers by night."[17] The narrative culminates in a twist revealing mutual infidelity, as another man calls their private exchange without leaving a name, suggesting the protagonist's partner is engaged in a similar betrayal.[2] The song's core themes revolve around infidelity, the necessity of secrecy in extramarital relationships, and the irony of reciprocal cheating, where both parties deceive their primary partners while deceiving each other.[9] It contrasts the fleeting "part-time" excitement of the affair with the ongoing deception required to sustain it, acknowledging the moral conflict through lines like "knowing it's so wrong, but feeling so right."[17] This duality underscores the thrill and peril of forbidden romance, portraying infidelity not as tragedy but as a mutual, almost playful game.[9] In breaking down the lyrics, the opening verse establishes the clandestine tone by detailing the coded phone rituals and avoidance tactics, such as parking cars blocks away to evade suspicion.[19] The bridge heightens the tension with the revelation of the affair's risks and the unexpected call that exposes the lover's duplicity, leading to the ironic acknowledgment that "two can play that game."[2] The outro reinforces this twist, repeating the desire for nothing to disrupt the "part-time lover" dynamic while implying the inescapable consequences of betrayal.[19] Interpretations of the song highlight Stevie Wonder's personal touch, drawn from his own experiences with secretive romantic encounters, including a real-life incident involving a disguised phone call to check on a partner, which lends authenticity without constituting a direct autobiography.[1] Wonder himself noted that the track's relatable depiction of hidden relationships could stir trouble among listeners in similar situations.[1] Symbolically, the phone rituals and light signals represent the fragmented, concealed lives of the characters, mirroring the compartmentalization inherent in infidelity.[9] The upbeat, synth-enhanced groove further juxtaposes these dark themes, creating an emotional contrast that amplifies the song's ironic, lighthearted take on deception.[9]Release
Formats and promotion
"Part-Time Lover" was released on August 24, 1985, as the lead single from Stevie Wonder's twentieth studio album, In Square Circle, which followed on September 13, 1985, via Tamla Records, a Motown subsidiary.[1][4] The single appeared in multiple formats, including a 7-inch vinyl edition with a 3:47 radio edit on the A-side and an instrumental version on the B-side, alongside a 12-inch single featuring a 6:55 extended mix and a dub version.[20] Digital reissues emerged in the 2000s as part of compilations like The Definitive Collection.[8] Motown's promotional efforts centered on Wonder's return to full-length studio work after a five-year gap, with an early showcase at the 1985 National Association of Recording Merchandisers (NARM) convention in Hollywood, Florida, where Wonder performed the track and earned the "Artist of the Decades" award.[1] The campaign emphasized radio airplay to spotlight Wonder's comeback, alongside live appearances tying into the album rollout.[1] Marketing positioned "Part-Time Lover" as a upbeat, dance-oriented track blending pop and R&B elements to attract broad audiences, highlighting Wonder's prowess as a multi-instrumentalist on synthesizers and drums.[21] Advertisements for In Square Circle promoted its innovative "new sound," with the single's music video aiding broader exposure.[1]Music video
The official music video for "Part-Time Lover" was directed by Bill Parker and released in September 1985.[22] It stars Stevie Wonder alongside actor Remy Johnson, with production handled by Karolyn Ali.[22][23] The video intercuts footage of Wonder performing energetically on synthesizer with narrative scenes illustrating the song's theme of a clandestine affair, including a couple watching the 1961 film Back Street on television at the outset.[24] This visual storytelling highlights the use of phone codes for secret communication and the comedic revelation of mutual infidelity among the characters. The production was completed in Los Angeles on a modest budget typical for Motown releases during the era. The video received heavy rotation on MTV and BET, enhancing Wonder's crossover appeal to broader audiences beyond R&B listeners.[25] Critics praised its synchronization of visuals with the lyrics' playful narrative but noted the acting as simplistic and straightforward.[22] As part of the single's promotion, it helped propel "Part-Time Lover" to widespread visibility upon its debut.Commercial performance
Chart performance
"Part-Time Lover" topped the US Billboard Hot 100 for one week on November 2, 1985, marking Stevie Wonder's ninth number-one hit and his final solo number-one hit on that chart.[26] The single also reached number one on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart for six weeks beginning October 21, 1985, and number one on the Dance Club Songs chart.[3] Additionally, it hit number one on the Adult Contemporary chart, achieving simultaneous leadership across pop, R&B, dance, and adult contemporary formats—a first for any artist.[27] The song debuted on the Hot 100 on September 7, 1985, and remained on the chart for 20 weeks.[28] Internationally, "Part-Time Lover" achieved number-one status in several markets, including Canada, where it topped the RPM Top Singles chart, Belgium (Flanders region), Ireland, New Zealand, Portugal, and Spain.[28][29] It peaked at number three in the United Kingdom, Australia, France, and Sweden, and number five in Norway and Switzerland.[30][28] In the UK, the single spent 13 weeks on the chart.[30] On year-end tallies for 1985, "Part-Time Lover" ranked number 22 on the US Billboard Hot 100, number nine on Canada's RPM Top Singles, and number 37 on the UK year-end singles chart based on sales.[31][29][32]| Country/Region | Peak Position | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | 3 | tsort.info |
| Belgium (Flanders) | 1 | tsort.info |
| Canada | 1 | tsort.info |
| France | 3 | sacharts.wordpress.com |
| Ireland | 1 | tsort.info |
| New Zealand | 1 | tsort.info |
| Norway | 5 | sacharts.wordpress.com |
| Portugal | 1 | sacharts.wordpress.com |
| Spain | 1 | sacharts.wordpress.com |
| Sweden | 3 | sacharts.wordpress.com |
| Switzerland | 5 | sacharts.wordpress.com |
| United Kingdom | 3 | officialcharts.com |
| United States (Hot 100) | 1 | billboard.com |