The Very Best of Prince

~ Release by Prince (see all versions of this release, 11 available)

Tracklist

▼ Digital Media 1
#TitleArtistRatingLength
1I Wanna Be Your Lover (single version)
assistant engineer:
Mark Ettel
engineer:
Gary Brandt
producer:
Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”)
acoustic guitar, clavinet, drums (drum set), electric bass guitar, electric grand piano [Yamaha CP-70], electric guitar, string synthesizer [ARP String Ensemble], synthesizer [Minimoog], synthesizer [Oberheim 4-Voice], synthesizer [Polymoog], background vocals and lead vocals:
Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”)
remixer:
Bob Mockler (engineer) and Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”)
arranger:
Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”)
recorded at:
Alpha Studios in Burbank, California, United States
recording of:
I Wanna Be Your Lover
lyricist and composer:
Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”)
publisher:
Controversy Music
Prince32:59
21999 (edit)
recording engineer:
Peggy McCreary
producer:
Prince Rogers Nelson (Prince, “The Artist Formerly Known as…”)
cowbell, cymbal, drum machine [Linn LM-1], electric bass guitar, electric guitar, electronic drum set [Pearl SY-1 Syncussion], handclaps, synthesizer [ARP Omni-2], synthesizer [Oberheim OB-Xa] and tambourine:
Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”)
background vocals:
Jesse Johnson (original guitarist for The Time)
lead vocals:
Lisa Coleman (US pianist/keyboardist & composer), Dez Dickerson, Jill Jones (American singer, songwriter, and actress) and Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”)
arranger:
Prince Rogers Nelson (Prince, “The Artist Formerly Known as…”)
part of:
Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time (as at 2016-06-10) (number: 212) and Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time: 2021 edition (number: 339)
recording of:
1999
lyricist and composer:
Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”)
publisher:
Controversy Music, Warner Chappell Music (publisher as Warner/Chappell Music) and フジパシフィックミュージック 第2事業部 (Fujipacific Music, Inc. Division 2)
Prince43:38
3Little Red Corvette
recording engineer, engineer and mixer:
Peggy McCreary
additional engineer and assistant engineer:
Don Batts
producer:
Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”)
drum machine [Linn LM-1], electric bass guitar, electric guitar, electronic drum set [Pearl SY-1 Syncussion], synthesizer [Oberheim] and lead vocals:
Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”) (on 1982-05-20)
solo electric guitar:
Dez Dickerson (on 1982-05-20)
background vocals:
Lisa Coleman (US pianist/keyboardist & composer) (on 1982-05-20), Dez Dickerson (on 1982-05-20) and Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”) (on 1982-05-20)
arranger:
Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”)
recorded at:
Kiowa Trail Home Studio in Chanhassen, Minnesota, United States (on 1982-05-20)
part of:
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – 500 Songs That Shaped Rock, VH1: 100 Greatest Songs of the 80's (compiled in 2006) (number: 75), Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time (as at 2016-06-10) (number: 108), Billboard: The 500 Best Pop Songs (as of October 2023) (number: 127) and Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time: 2021 edition (number: 360)
recording of:
Little Red Corvette (on 1982-05-20)
lyricist and composer:
Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”)
publisher:
Controversy Music
Prince4.354:57
4When Doves Cry (edit)
recording engineer:
David Leonard (US producer and engineer) and Peggy Mac
producer:
Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”)
drum machine [Linn LM-1], electric guitar, synthesizer [Oberheim OB-Xa], synthesizer [Yamaha DX7], background vocals and lead vocals:
Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”)
performer:
Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”)
arranger:
Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
NPG Records, Inc. (in 2017)
recorded at:
Sunset Sound in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States
edit of:
When Doves Cry by Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”) and The Revolution (founded by Prince)
recording of:
When Doves Cry (on 1984-03-01)
lyricist and composer:
Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”)
publisher:
Because Éditions and Controversy Music
Prince4.253:49
5Let’s Go Crazy
recording engineer:
David Leonard (US producer and engineer) and Susan Rogers (US sound engineer)
producer:
Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”)
drum machine [Linn LM-1], electronic drum set [Pearl SY-1 Syncussion], electronic drum set [Simmons SDS-V] and percussion:
Bobby Z. (on 1983-08-07)
electric bass guitar:
Brown Mark (on 1983-08-07)
electric guitar:
Wendy Melvoin (on 1983-08-07)
instruments:
Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”) (on 1983-08-07)
synthesizer:
Lisa Coleman (US pianist/keyboardist & composer) (on 1983-08-07) and Dr. Fink (on 1983-08-07)
background vocals:
Brown Mark (on 1983-08-07), Lisa Coleman (US pianist/keyboardist & composer) (on 1983-08-07), Dr. Fink (on 1983-08-07) and Wendy Melvoin (on 1983-08-07)
lead vocals:
Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”) (on 1983-08-07)
arranger:
Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Warner Bros. Records Inc. (not for release label use, company behind the “WB Records” imprint) (in 1984), WEA International Inc. (not for release label use! copyrights holder, distributor for the world outside of the US) (in 1984) and NPG Records, Inc. (in 2017)
recorded at:
The Warehouse in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, United States (on 1983-08-07)
recording of:
Let’s Go Crazy (on 1983-08-07)
lyricist and composer:
Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”)
Prince & The Revolution3.654:41
6Purple Rain
recording engineer:
David Rivkin (producer/engineer David Rivkin) (in 1983) and David Leonard (US producer and engineer) (in 1983)
producer:
Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”) and The Revolution (founded by Prince)
cello:
David Coleman (American cellist & composer) (on 1983-08-03) and Suzie Katayama (on 1983-08-03)
drum machine [Linn LM-1], electronic drum set [Pearl SY-1 Syncussion], electronic drum set [Simmons SDS-V] and percussion:
Bobby Z. (on 1983-08-03)
electric bass guitar:
Brown Mark (on 1983-08-03)
electric grand piano [Yamaha CP-70]:
Dr. Fink (on 1983-08-03)
electric guitar:
Wendy Melvoin (on 1983-08-03) and Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”) (on 1983-08-03)
synthesizer:
Lisa Coleman (US pianist/keyboardist & composer) (on 1983-08-03) and Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”) (on 1983-08-03)
viola and violin:
Novi Novog (on 1983-08-03)
background vocals:
Brown Mark (on 1983-08-03), Lisa Coleman (US pianist/keyboardist & composer) (on 1983-08-03), Dr. Fink (on 1983-08-03) and Wendy Melvoin (on 1983-08-03)
lead vocals:
Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”) (on 1983-08-03)
conductor:
Lisa Coleman (US pianist/keyboardist & composer) (strings) and Wendy Melvoin (strings)
performer:
Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”) (on 1983-08-03) and The Revolution (founded by Prince) (on 1983-08-03)
strings arranger:
Lisa Coleman (US pianist/keyboardist & composer) and Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”)
arranger:
Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”) and The Revolution (founded by Prince)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Warner Bros. Records Inc. (not for release label use, company behind the “WB Records” imprint) (in 1984), WEA International Inc. (not for release label use! copyrights holder, distributor for the world outside of the US) (in 1984) and NPG Records, Inc. (in 2017)
recorded at:
First Avenue in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States (on 1983-08-03) and Sunset Sound, Studio 3 in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States (from 1983-08 until 1983-09)
engineered at:
Sunset Sound, Studio 3 in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States (from 1983-08 until 1983-09)
part of:
Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time: 2021 edition (number: 18), Helsingin Sanomat: 100 maailman parasta laulua (2022-1-15) (number: 39), Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – 500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time (as at 2016-06-10) (number: 143)
live recording of:
Purple Rain (on 1983-08-03)
lyricist and composer:
Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”)
publisher:
Because Éditions, Controversy Music and Island Music Ltd.
Prince & The Revolution4.28:41
7I Would Die 4 U
recording engineer:
David Rivkin (producer/engineer David Rivkin) (in 1983) and David Leonard (US producer and engineer) (in 1983)
producer:
Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”) (in 1983)
drums (drum set) and percussion:
Bobby Z. (on 1983-08-03)
electric bass guitar:
Brown Mark (on 1983-08-03)
electric guitar:
Wendy Melvoin (on 1983-08-03) and Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”) (on 1983-08-03)
instruments:
Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”) (on 1983-08-03)
keyboard:
Lisa Coleman (US pianist/keyboardist & composer) (on 1983-08-03) and Dr. Fink (on 1983-08-03)
background vocals:
Brown Mark (on 1983-08-03), Lisa Coleman (US pianist/keyboardist & composer) (on 1983-08-03), Dr. Fink (on 1983-08-03) and Wendy Melvoin (on 1983-08-03)
lead vocals:
Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”) (on 1983-08-03)
arranger:
Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
NPG Records, Inc. (in 2017)
recorded at:
First Avenue in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States (on 1983-08-03) and Sunset Sound in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States (from 1983-08 until 1983-09)
edit of:
I Would Die 4 U (live, 1983-08-03: First Avenue, Minneapolis, MN, USA, with overdubs; album edit) by Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”) and The Revolution (founded by Prince)
live recording of:
I Would Die 4 U (on 1983-08-03)
lyricist and composer:
Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”)
publisher:
Controversy Music
Prince & The Revolution32:57
8Raspberry Beret
recording engineer:
Susan Rogers (US sound engineer)
engineer:
David Leonard (US producer and engineer), Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”), Susan Rogers (US sound engineer) and David Tickle
producer and mixer:
Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”)
assistant mixer:
Susan Rogers (US sound engineer)
12 string guitar, drum machine [Linn LM-1], electric bass guitar, electric grand piano [Yamaha CP-80], percussion, synthesizer [Yamaha DX7] and lead vocals:
Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”)
cello:
David Coleman (American cellist & composer) and Suzie Katayama
violin:
Novi Novog
background vocals:
Lisa Coleman (US pianist/keyboardist & composer), Susannah Melvoin and Wendy Melvoin
arranger:
Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
NPG Records, Inc. (in 1985)
recorded at:
Paisley Park in Chanhassen, Minnesota, United States
part of:
Billboard: The 500 Best Pop Songs (as of October 2023) (number: 362)
recording of:
Raspberry Beret (from 1984-09-07 until 1984-09-13)
lyricist and composer:
Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”)
publisher:
Controversy Music
Prince & The Revolution43:33
9Kiss
recording engineer:
Coke Johnson, David Leonard (US producer and engineer), Peggy McCreary, Susan Rogers (US sound engineer), David Tickle and David Z. (producer/engineer David Rivkin)
producer:
Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”) and The Revolution (founded by Prince)
acoustic guitar, drum machine [Linn 9000], drum machine [Linn LM-1] and synthesizer [Yamaha DX7]:
David Z. (producer/engineer David Rivkin)
electric guitar and lead vocals:
Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”)
background vocals:
Bruce DeShazer, Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”) and Marr Starr
arranger:
David Z. (producer/engineer David Rivkin)
recorded at:
Paisley Park Studios in Chanhassen, Minnesota, United States and Sunset Sound in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States
part of:
Billboard: The 500 Best Pop Songs (as of October 2023) (number: 11), Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time: 2021 edition (number: 85) and Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time (as at 2016-06-10) (number: 461)
recording of:
Kiss (from 1985-04-27 until 1986-02-10)
lyricist and composer:
Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”)
publisher:
Controversy Music
Prince & The Revolution3.43:46
10Sign ’O’ the Times (single version)
engineer:
Coke Johnson, Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”) and Susan Rogers (US sound engineer)
producer:
Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”)
drum machine [LinnDrum], electric guitar, sampler [Fairlight CMI] and lead vocals:
Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”)
arranger:
Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”)
recorded at and mixed at:
Paisley Park Studios in Chanhassen, Minnesota, United States and Sunset Sound in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States
music videos:
Sign “☮︎” the Times by Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”)
part of:
Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time (as at 2016-06-10) (number: 299)
recording of:
Sign “☮︎” the Times (from 1986-07-15 until 1986-07-16)
lyricist and composer:
Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”)
publisher:
Shanachie
Prince3.753:43
11U Got the Look
engineer:
Coke Johnson, Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”) and Susan Rogers (US sound engineer)
producer:
Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”)
cymbal and drum machine [Linn LM-1], hi-hat and timbales:
Sheila E.
electric guitar, sampler [Fairlight CMI] and synthesizer [Prophet VS]:
Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”)
lead vocals:
Camille (Prince, “The Artist Formerly Known as…”) and Sheena Easton
performer:
Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”)
arranger:
Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”)
recorded at and mixed at:
Sunset Sound in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States
music videos:
U Got the Look by Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”)
recording of:
U Got the Look (from 1986-12-21 until 1986-12-23)
lyricist and composer:
Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”)
publisher:
Controversy Music
Prince3.853:48
12Alphabet St.
recording engineer and mixer:
Joe Blaney, Eddie Miller (US recording engineer) and Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”)
producer:
Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”)
cuíca, drum machine [Dynacord ADD-One], drum machine [Linn LM-1], electric bass guitar, electric guitar, synthesizer, synthesizer [Roland D-50] and lead vocals:
Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”)
drums (drum set):
Sheila E.
Hammond organ:
Boni Boyer (US vocalist)
handclaps:
Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”) and Sheila E.
saxophone:
Eric Leeds (saxophonist)
trumpet:
Atlanta Bliss
background vocals:
Boni Boyer (US vocalist), Cat (Cat Glover or Catherine Vernice Glover) and Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”)
lead vocals [rap]:
Cat (Cat Glover or Catherine Vernice Glover)
spoken vocals:
Ingrid Chavez
performer:
Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”)
arranger:
Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”)
recorded at and mixed at:
Paisley Park Studios in Chanhassen, Minnesota, United States
part of:
NME: 50 Greatest Guitar Riffs of All Time (2012-10-25) (number: 29)
recording of:
Alphabet St.
lyricist and composer:
Prince Rogers Nelson (Prince, “The Artist Formerly Known as…”)
publisher:
Controversy Music
Prince3.755:40
13Thieves in the Temple
recording engineer:
Tom Garneau and Michael Koppelman
producer and mixer:
Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”)
drum machine [Dynacord ADD-One], drum machine [LinnDrum], electric guitar, synthesizer [Roland D-50], background vocals and lead vocals:
Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”)
arranger:
Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”)
mixed at:
Paisley Park Studios in Chanhassen, Minnesota, United States
samples:
I Can't Stand It by The Chambers Brothers
recording of:
Thieves in the Temple
lyricist and composer:
Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”)
publisher:
Controversy Music
Prince3.353:21
14Gett Off
recording engineer:
Michael Koppelman
additional engineer:
Ray Hahnfeldt and Steve Noonan
assistant engineer:
Kimm James
producer:
The New Power Generation and Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”)
drums (drum set):
Michael B. (drummer aka Michael B.)
electric bass guitar:
Sonny T. (Prince bass player)
electric guitar:
Levi Seacer, Jr.
flute:
Eric Leeds (saxophonist)
percussion:
Damon Dickson and Kirk Johnson (percussionist/drummer, producer, composer)
synthesizer:
Tommy Barbarella
background vocals:
Damon Dickson, Rosie Gaines, Kirk Johnson (percussionist/drummer, producer, composer) and Levi Seacer, Jr.
lead vocals:
Rosie Gaines and Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”)
lead vocals [rap]:
Tony M. (from The New Power Generation)
remixer:
Keith “KC” Cohen
performer:
The New Power Generation and Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”)
arranger:
The New Power Generation and Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”)
recorded at:
Paisley Park in Chanhassen, Minnesota, United States
remixed at:
Larrabee West (original location of Larrabee Sound Studios from 1969–1991) in West Hollywood, California, United States
recording of:
Gett Off
lyricist and composer:
Prince Rogers Nelson (Prince, “The Artist Formerly Known as…”)
publisher:
Because Éditions and Controversy Music
Prince & The New Power Generation, Eric Leeds3.754:31
15Cream (version without rap monologue)
recording engineer:
Michael Koppelman
additional engineer:
Tim Penn
producer:
The New Power Generation and Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”)
mixer:
Keith Cohen
drums (drum set):
Michael B. (drummer aka Michael B.)
electric bass guitar:
Sonny T. (Prince bass player)
electric guitar:
Levi Seacer, Jr.
Hammond organ and background vocals:
Rosie Gaines
synthesizer:
Tommy Barbarella
lead vocals:
Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”)
performer:
The New Power Generation and Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”)
arranger:
The New Power Generation and Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”)
recorded at:
Paisley Park in Chanhassen, Minnesota, United States
mixed at:
Larrabee Sound Studios (present day location in North Hollywood, since 1991) in North Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States
recording of:
Cream
lyricist and composer:
Prince Rogers Nelson (Prince, “The Artist Formerly Known as…”)
publisher:
Controversy Music
Prince & The New Power Generation3.54:13
16Diamonds and Pearls (edit)
recording engineer and mixer:
Michael Koppelman
additional engineer:
Tim Penn
producer:
The New Power Generation and Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”)
additional electronic drum set:
Sheila E.
drum machine [Roland R-8] and electric guitar:
Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”)
drums (drum set):
Michael B. (drummer aka Michael B.)
electric bass guitar:
Sonny T. (Prince bass player)
synthesizer:
Tommy Barbarella and Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”)
background vocals and lead vocals:
Rosie Gaines and Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”)
arranger:
The New Power Generation and Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”)
recorded at:
Paisley Park Studios in Chanhassen, Minnesota, United States
recording of:
Diamonds and Pearls
lyricist and composer:
Prince Rogers Nelson (Prince, “The Artist Formerly Known as…”)
publisher:
Controversy Music
Prince & The New Power Generation34:20
17Money Don’t Matter 2 Night
recording engineer:
Michael Koppelman and Matt Larson (recording engineer)
engineer:
Tim Penn
producer:
The New Power Generation and Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”)
mixer:
Michael Koppelman
drums (drum set):
Michael B. (drummer aka Michael B.)
electric bass guitar:
Levi Seacer, Jr.
lead vocals:
Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”)
performer:
The New Power Generation and Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”)
arranger:
The New Power Generation and Prince (“The Artist Formerly Known as…”)
recorded at:
Paisley Park in Chanhassen, Minnesota, United States and Warner–Pioneer Studio in Tokyo, Japan
recording of:
Money Don’t Matter 2 Night
lyricist and composer:
Prince Rogers Nelson (Prince, “The Artist Formerly Known as…”)
publisher:
Controversy Music
Prince & The New Power Generation3.54:45