The funky song opens with a drum machine beat, adds guitar, live playing on the cymbals, and finally the bass and keyboards.
A similar extended version of this occurs after the main lyrics, but starts with the bass and also includes a lengthy rock guitar solo.
The drumbeat is also notable for its intricately programmed hi-hat pattern and its off-beat snare, utilizing an on-beat clap during the choruses and outro.
In a Facebook post from 2014, Jesse Johnson stated that the beat was a stock drumbeat from the Linn LM-1, programmed by Tower of Power drummer David Garibaldi, and that Prince played the guitar using his Hondo Stratocaster.
The 12-inch single was backed with "The Walk", where Morris also banters with Vanity and calls her "Grace," though it is not known if it is meant to be the reporter once again.