Between 1976 and 1991, Billboard froze their final Hot 100 chart of the year to focus on a year-end wrap-up issue. So the #1 song the week of January 4, 1986, was the same as the prior week. That was Lionel Richie’s ‘Say Say Say,’ enjoying its second week atop the chart.
In the #2 spot that New Years week was the appropriately titled ‘Party All the Time,’ the first single from Eddie Murphy’s debut music album How Could It Be. This was the kickoff to an ill-fated music career that spanned three albums, poor reviews, and this one hit.
‘Party All the Time’ was written and produced by Rick James, who also performs on the track, and it’s an enjoyable bit of disco funk. Had James kept it for himself, it likely would have been an even bigger hit.
Instead, thanks to Murphy’s paper-thin vocals and outsized ego, it became a critical punching bag, a convenient way for the media to take a shot at a guy unapologetically enjoying his success.
Girl, I can’t understand it, why you want to hurt me
After all of the things I’ve done for you
I buy you champagne and roses, put diamonds on your finger
(Diamonds on your finger)
And still, you hang out all night
What am I to do?
[Chorus: Eddie Murphy]
My girl wants to party all the time
Party all the time
Party all the time
My girl wants to party all the time
Party all the time
She parties all the time
[Post-Chorus: Rick James]
(Party all the time)
She likes to party all the time
(Party all the time)
(Party all the time)
She likes to party all the time
(Party all the time)
[Verse 2: Eddie Murphy]
Girl, I’ve seen you in clubs just hanging out and dancing
You give your number to every man you see
You never come home at night because you’re out romancing
I wish you’d bring some of your love home to me
[Chorus: Eddie Murphy]
But my girl wants to party all the time
Party all the time
Party all the time
My girl wants to party all the time
Party all the time
My girl wants to party all the time
Party all the time
Party all the time
My girl wants to party all the time
Party all the time, yeah
[Bridge: Rick James]
(Party, party)
She likes to party all the time
(Party, party, party, party, party)
[Outro: Rick James]
She likes to party all the time, yeah
She lets her hair down
She likes to party down
She likes to party
She likes to party down
(Party all the time)
Oh, now get down and party, yeah
(Party all the time)
(Party all the time)
Meet Me In Montauk 
I guess if you’re Eddie Murphy in the mid 80s, you can do whatever you want – critics and the public be damned!
I like the beat but hard to hear Eddie Murphy singing 🤷🏻♀️