Many of them already mentioned, but looking back I think it's a pity the edited version of Black Muse was only released on Tidal. Could've been a hit after he died if it was available on more portals, as his ' last single', and making his latest work more known.

ForeverPaisley said:

It is a puzzle that Girls & Boys didn't become a hit.

I agree.I think it was a huge mistake to release "Mountains" as the second single from Parade."Girls And Boy" is much catchier and alot more fun.It would have been a Top 10 hit for sure.

SoulAlive said:

ForeverPaisley said:

It is a puzzle that Girls & Boys didn't become a hit.

I agree.I think it was a huge mistake to release "Mountains" as the second single from Parade."Girls And Boy" is much catchier and alot more fun.It would have been a Top 10 hit for sure.

Probably true, it reached 11 in the UK as the 3rd single, 4 months after the release of Parade.

Get Wild

Strange Relationship

Electric Chair

The Question Of U

The Continental

Acknowledge Me

Come On

High

Dreamer

Dance 4 Me

The Ride

Days Of Wild

bigbrother said:

Never understood why these songs didn't fare better considering the music trends of the time: Just as Long As We're Together Sexy Dancer Private Joy Lady Cab Driver (edited version) Computer Blue- everyone I know loves this! America Strange Relationship Housequake Anna Stesia The Question of U Live 4 Love And God Created Woman Peach Letitgo Come Dreamin About U The Love We Make I hate U Wedding Feast 😉 Black Sweat Fury Chelsea Rodgers Colonized Mind Dreamer The Breakdown

Seriously agree. Peach should have made it on the charts. It was right up there with Cream (could have been a follow up or lead up to it). I freakin' love that song. Lower register with the heavy guitar. BAM so damn good!

SoulAlive said:

ForeverPaisley said:

It is a puzzle that Girls & Boys didn't become a hit.

I agree.I think it was a huge mistake to release "Mountains" as the second single from Parade."Girls And Boy" is much catchier and alot more fun.It would have been a Top 10 hit for sure.

Exactly. I mean, we all love Mountains, but definitely agree with you that Girls & Boys would have been better received on the charts. Definitely more fun.

skipthecharades said:

SoulAlive said:

I agree.I think it was a huge mistake to release "Mountains" as the second single from Parade."Girls And Boy" is much catchier and alot more fun.It would have been a Top 10 hit for sure.

Probably true, it reached 11 in the UK as the 3rd single, 4 months after the release of Parade.

It is increasingly clear to me that I was born in the wrong continent (first gen Canadian's of Scottish Parents) with regards to everything Prince. I could have seen Diamonds & Pearls live, for one It seems many songs hit the charts there that didn't here (even though the UK was a bit slow on the upkeep at the start, I think it wasn't until 1999 that his music finally crossed the water, right?

ForeverPaisley said:

skipthecharades said:

Probably true, it reached 11 in the UK as the 3rd single, 4 months after the release of Parade.

It is increasingly clear to me that I was born in the wrong continent (first gen Canadian's of Scottish Parents) with regards to everything Prince. I could have seen Diamonds & Pearls live, for one It seems many songs hit the charts there that didn't here (even though the UK was a bit slow on the upkeep at the start, I think it wasn't until 1999 that his music finally crossed the water, right?

I think you're right, but don't know for sure about the UK.

Here in the Netherlands the first hit was Controversy (nr. 29).

If I Was Your Girlfriend should have been a massive hit. That track is legendary, but it was too confusing to the audience.

DarkKnight1 said:

If I Was Your Girlfriend should have been a massive hit. That track is legendary, but it was too confusing to the audience.

So many, but is true what you say about IIWYGF is just such an interesting song and wonderful, is just great.

Boys and Girls (should have been the 2nd sing off of Parade)

I Hate you (bigger than it was)

PaisleyPark

The Beautiful Ones ( a favorite of many but not a hit)

The Morning Paper (should have been 2nd single off of Love Symbol after 7)

Housequake (yes it is weird but it's palyfulness and funkiness could have still made it a hit)

Several songs off or 3121 should have been hits on urban and Urban AC radio if not pop radio

Peach

3 tracks if released could have done well...

-

Starfish & Coffee

-

Prettyman

-

Last December

Would be so interesting to experience the hypothetical and see how many more big hits he might have had he played ball with Warner Brothers and let them continue to do their thing for him. I believe he would have had at least 4-6 more significant hits. Not saying I regret anything he did, but makes me ponder what might have been is all.

It may be unfashionable to say it - but I get Warners rationale

-

What did Little Richard say about Prince... " A little less product...a little more appreciated...a little more thought on"

-

Prince was a mad magician who just wanted to get everything out of his head...on to tape...and out in the world...on his terms

-

Paradox - wants to release stuff...WB say as per "[Little Richard] a little bit at a time"...Prince says NO...I want it all out now!

-

But then Prince hoards loads of music in the vault

-

Paradox

-

I don't know...man was a funky ride!

-

Definitely though, if Warners and Prince reached an agreement on the Masters - Prince still would not have been happy in 94...

-

Prince wanted out - for whatever internal/emotional reasons...it was a "divorce"

-

I hoped yet knew that the possibly reunion between the WB & Prince a couple of yrs ago was just a bit too good to be true

Connected said:

It may be unfashionable to say it - but I get Warners rationale

-

What did Little Richard say about Prince... " A little less product...a little more appreciated...a little more thought on"

-

Prince was a mad magician who just wanted to get everything out of his head...on to tape...and out in the world...on his terms

-

Paradox - wants to release stuff...WB say as per "[Little Richard] a little bit at a time"...Prince says NO...I want it all out now!

-

But then Prince hoards loads of music in the vault

-

Paradox

-

I don't know...man was a funky ride!

-

Definitely though, if Warners and Prince reached an agreement on the Masters - Prince still would not have been happy in 94...

-

Prince wanted out - for whatever internal/emotional reasons...it was a "divorce"

-

I hoped yet knew that the possibly reunion between the WB & Prince a couple of yrs ago was just a bit too good to be true

Um, forgive me but aren't Art Official Age and Plectrumelectrum both on Warner Bros?

I think that,if "Private Joy" had been a single,it would have become his biggest pop/crossover hit up to that point...a year before "Little Red Corvette" filled that void.The song is arguably the best song on Controversy and I think it would have done extremely well as a single.

ForeverPaisley said:

Connected said:

It may be unfashionable to say it - but I get Warners rationale

-

What did Little Richard say about Prince... " A little less product...a little more appreciated...a little more thought on"

-

Prince was a mad magician who just wanted to get everything out of his head...on to tape...and out in the world...on his terms

-

Paradox - wants to release stuff...WB say as per "[Little Richard] a little bit at a time"...Prince says NO...I want it all out now!

-

But then Prince hoards loads of music in the vault

-

Paradox

-

I don't know...man was a funky ride!

-

Definitely though, if Warners and Prince reached an agreement on the Masters - Prince still would not have been happy in 94...

-

Prince wanted out - for whatever internal/emotional reasons...it was a "divorce"

-

I hoped yet knew that the possibly reunion between the WB & Prince a couple of yrs ago was just a bit too good to be true

Um, forgive me but aren't Art Official Age and Plectrumelectrum both on Warner Bros?

Did not know that - thanks for the info...gotta love the knowledge in this place!

-

But then if he was doing business with WB...why was the mooted Purple Rain Anniversary shelved?

Connected said:

SoulAlive said:

I think that,if "Private Joy" had been a single,it would have become his biggest pop/crossover hit up to that point...a year before "Little Red Corvette" filled that void.The song is arguably the best song on Controversy and I think it would have done extremely well as a single.

i always thought that, too

ForeverPaisley said:

Connected said:

Did not know that - thanks for the info...gotta love the knowledge in this place!

-

But then if he was doing business with WB...why was the mooted Purple Rain Anniversary shelved?

I wonder these things ALL the time. For example, why wasn't singles like FunkNRoll promoted? Circulating on radio? It should have been and could have brought Prince back on the charts with that, or RNR love affair even. So many missed opportunities *sigh*

And this is why, I don't think Prince really wanted to deal with Warners after 94...even if (as you shed light on), he did recent distribution deals with them

-

If I was being speculative...I think Prince resented WB...as he felt they took advantage of him when he was young...getting him to sign a long term contract

-

He felt cheated and thereafter once the trust was broken, it could never be repaired

-

Whether his resentment was warranted is another matter...but that, if I hazard a guess, is why the reconciliation around AOA and PlectrumElectrum stalled...and the Purple Rain anniversary was shelved

[Edited 6/23/16 14:36pm]

SoulAlive said:

I think that,if "Private Joy" had been a single,it would have become his biggest pop/crossover hit up to that point...a year before "Little Red Corvette" filled that void.The song is arguably the best song on Controversy and I think it would have done extremely well as a single.

This is my go to song on Controversy.

-

Outside of Private Joy...is Controversy...then Sexuality...then Let's Work

-

And that is my 4 cuts...

-

Er...no wait 5th cut - Jack U Off

-

Why they allowed Latoya to butcher it is beyond me

The question of U

We can funk

Anna Stesia

Mountains

Da bang

Poom Poom

Love

Strange Relationship

Tamborine

Gold was top 10 in the UK

Mountains didnt break the top 40 and is the most underachieving chart single of the 80s I'd say.

more recently? Black Sweat shouldve been a hit, also Musicology & Cinnamon Girl - though the video was probably too controversial.

GottaLetitgo said:

Underachieving Chart Performers

1. Letitgo-would have been bigger but no promotion and released in the heat of the WB battle
2. New Power Generation-Thieves was a Top 10 hit but the movie tanking and a really late video and commercial avaialbility of the single (which was neccessary to chart) doomed this one
3. Mountains- UTCM bombing killed the momentum, flew up to the mid-20s and just sort of lifted out of the charts
4. Anotherloverholenyohead- 3rd single from soundtrack to low performing movie project--never had a chance
5. Good Love-What a great pop song that just wasnt' pushed to radio for some reason
6. Fallinlove2nite-I know there is a lot of disagreement about this song on the site but tnhis was a solid chance at Prince getting back on the pop charts, a pretty amazing achievement for anyone over 40 these days
7. Black Sweat-Should have been a hit
8. Gold-A song that had everything you would want in a radio hit---except for record comapny support

Songs that Could Have/Should Have Been Hits

1. The Beautiful Ones---Not released as a single, of course would have been a massive hit
2. Willing and Able- Premier the video at the Super Bowl pre-show and then switch the single to MDM2N, not sure the logic there. I love Money and it was a Top 20 hit but so somber.
3. And God Created Woman- I just love this somg so much, too religious probably for a mainstream hit but as hooky and memorable as it comes
4. So Far So Pleased- Should have been first single choice for Rave
5. Vicki Waiting--Better choice for second single than Partyman
6. Elephants and Flowers- Pop song sound but too religious for secular pop radio
7. In This Bed I Scream-So damn catchy...just too personal to release
8. The 1 U Want 2 C--Just sounded like a hit song

[Edited 6/15/16 7:12am]

MattUK said:

Gold was top 10 in the UK

Mountains didnt break the top 40 and is the most underachieving chart single of the 80s I'd say.

more recently? Black Sweat shouldve been a hit, also Musicology & Cinnamon Girl - though the video was probably too controversial.

GottaLetitgo said:

Underachieving Chart Performers

1. Letitgo-would have been bigger but no promotion and released in the heat of the WB battle
2. New Power Generation-Thieves was a Top 10 hit but the movie tanking and a really late video and commercial avaialbility of the single (which was neccessary to chart) doomed this one
3. Mountains- UTCM bombing killed the momentum, flew up to the mid-20s and just sort of lifted out of the charts
4. Anotherloverholenyohead- 3rd single from soundtrack to low performing movie project--never had a chance
5. Good Love-What a great pop song that just wasnt' pushed to radio for some reason
6. Fallinlove2nite-I know there is a lot of disagreement about this song on the site but tnhis was a solid chance at Prince getting back on the pop charts, a pretty amazing achievement for anyone over 40 these days
7. Black Sweat-Should have been a hit
8. Gold-A song that had everything you would want in a radio hit---except for record comapny support

Songs that Could Have/Should Have Been Hits

1. The Beautiful Ones---Not released as a single, of course would have been a massive hit
2. Willing and Able- Premier the video at the Super Bowl pre-show and then switch the single to MDM2N, not sure the logic there. I love Money and it was a Top 20 hit but so somber.
3. And God Created Woman- I just love this somg so much, too religious probably for a mainstream hit but as hooky and memorable as it comes
4. So Far So Pleased- Should have been first single choice for Rave
5. Vicki Waiting--Better choice for second single than Partyman
6. Elephants and Flowers- Pop song sound but too religious for secular pop radio
7. In This Bed I Scream-So damn catchy...just too personal to release
8. The 1 U Want 2 C--Just sounded like a hit song

[Edited 6/15/16 7:12am]

Is there a better music video Prince had since this one...or was it his last great one?

RJOrion said: