Prince's 1999 became a New Year's Eve party standard. The song was released in 1982 as the title track of his fifth studio album, 1999, and its repeated references to celebration made it a natural choice for year-end parties.
The track combines funk, rock, synthesizers, and layered vocals. Prince recorded much of the album himself, while the song also features contributions from members of his band the Revolution. Its theme is not a straightforward calendar countdown; the lyrics use the year 1999 as an imagined moment of upheaval and extravagance.
The song is often connected specifically with the transition into the year 2000, but it was not released in 1999. That year was also the title's setting and a later moment of renewed public attention. The song should not be confused with Prince's separate hit “Purple Rain,” which is also frequently heard at parties.