Prince composed, produced, and arranged the song, with Day later adding lyrics. The Purple One also played all the instruments. In a Facebook post, former Time guitarist Jesse Johnson wrote that the beat used in the song was a stock drumbeat in Prince’s Linn LM-1 drum machine. He added that the beat was programmed by famed Tower of Power drummer David Garibaldi. It’s noted for its intricately programmed hi-hat pattern and offbeat snare, utilizing an on-beat clap during the choruses and the outro. In the same Facebook post, Johnson disclosed that the phone number used in the song was Revolution guitarist Dez Dickerson’s home phone number. After the song became a hit, he was inundated with unwanted calls and had to change his number. “He was very pissed at us all,” wrote Johnson.
“777-9311” was released on July 30, 1982, four weeks before the album’s release. It peaked at #2 on Billboard’s R&B singles chart and #88 on the Billboard Hot 100. And it climbed to #42 on Billboard’s Dance Club Songs chart.
The track has been sampled on eight songs, including “What'z Ya Phone #” by 2Pac, featuring Danny Boy, and “I’m Lovin’ It” by Justin Timberlake. Rapper Sir Mix-a-Lot references “777-9311” on his 1989 single “Beepers.” Hip-hop star Common referenced it on his 1992 track “Puppy Chow, and rapper Kutt Calhoun makes a reference to it on his 2008 song “School Daze.”
The band personnel for What Time Is It? were Jellybean Johnson (drums, percussion), Jimmy Jam (keyboards, vocals), Terry Lewis (bass, vocals), Jesse Johnson (guitar, vocals), Morris Day (lead and backing vocals), and Monte Moir (keyboards, vocals). “777-9311” is one of the Time’s signature songs, and they perform it at most of their shows.
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