Prince never saw Nothing Compares 2 U as the hit it became. He only began to reclaim it live, once it had become a number one worldwide.

Could he make the same mistake with Open Book?

I think so.

He always does this with hits he wrote. He did the same with "I Could Never take The Place" and now "How Come U Don't." He almost gave "Kiss" to Mazarati!

Prince will never again write, sing, produce or have a number one single. Letitgo.

kellyannemcclure said:

never say never!

"Open Book" is certainly a good song, very accessible and well written. While it doesn't seem likely at the moment that Prince will ever have a #1 hit again, don't count the man out until he's dead! Much stranger things have happened.

add "Acknowledge Me" to that list too...

VJillian said:

I love "Acknowledge Me." One of my fav. songs 2 sing along 2.

SquirrelMeat said:

It's a fantastic song, but in order for it to be a #1 hit you'd have to convince people that Britney Spears is the one singing on it.

"Open Book" is one of my favorites! I really think that,had Prince released his own version of this song as a single back in the early 90s,it would have been a SMASH.There are so many great Prince songs that never got the attention they deserved.

Did anyone like the Javetta Steele version of open book? Although it tried to stick as close to the original as possible, I think it lost all its power.

Open Book is a great song, except for the fact that the lyrics don't work if the song is sung by a man...

"You'll never read this girl, so the open book is closing."

"I'll give back your name, if you give back my heart."

That's why he hasn't released his version... it's a demo to be sung by a female protege. The lyrics don't work in the version that he sings.

DAMN straight never say never, second that.

im sure many said he wouldnt get a number one the 1st time he did, and a dozen times since.

Cool avatar U got there...ETHERSPIN!!

kellyannemcclure said:

I'm not sayin its gonna go to number one, but I do believe Alicia Keys is releasing HCUDCMA as the next single. You never know.

I hate 2 admit it but,I guess I'm not on the up and up like I thought I was when it comes 2 prince because I don't know the song you all are talking about ?????

loolam said:

Will they quit playing that "Woman's Worth" thing then? GOD that gives me hives, mainly the lyrics...

About Alicia Keys and HCUDCMA...I saw her in concert the other night (amazing show BTW!) and when she did that song...the whole place knew every word!! It was so amazing to me as a Prince fam to hear a room full of people knowing every word to that song someplace else besides a Prince concert. On another note...she also covered Shhh, and I must say I was one of the few who knew it. She did do a good job though!!

erm..just one small question...WHAT THE HELL IS OPEN BOOK?

Hmmm "Open Book" is a nice song... But I don't think it would be THAT BIG...

kellyannemcclure said:

I don't know whether this will be the case or not, but why are some people so obsessed with his stuff being popular or being played on radio?

It very well could've been a big hit back in 1990 or 1991. But it would have to have some serious work done on it today to be a hit single. It just sounds straight out of that early 90s era, you know. Great, great song though. Glad to see other folks on here giving it props.

His last big Uk hits were "controversy" in 1993, TMBGITW in 1994, Gold in 1995 Betcha by golly wow in 1996. Six years? The only chance of a big comeback is for him to hit with a catchy "full of hooks" ballad or re-release an oldie....

In my opinion he needs to collaborate with Alicia Keys with a cameo rap from Eve.

Doesn't the concept of a "number one" hit have everything to do with major label promotion and radio play? Haven't we repeatedly covered these choices that Prince has made?

In my opinion, he's more capable than ever before of creating a "hit," but to do so would comprise much of what he believes in as an artist.

kellyannemcclure said:

Yea, I heard the same thing about Madonna for the last 5 or 6 years. Ever hear of her song "Music?" Yea she was over too remember? Remember when Prince was so pissed at Warner Brothers he wrote "The Most Beautiful Girl" and released it on another label? That was a smash too. Believe me, he can write "I'm A Slave 4 U" in fact he already did, ever hear "Nasty Girl?" He's got it in him. It's up to him to just write it, and get it out there.

Jarret said:

Women's worth blows so bad I think I actually have hopes for a publishing deal. If that sells, shit anything will!

BanishedBrian said:

Ok. But U CAN see it the other way as sung by a man. Dig: "You'll never read this, girl, so the open book is closing." like he's calling her girl...get it?
Ok second part: "I'll give back your name" When a man marries and the woman takes his name as her last, he is saying that he'll do anything to get his heart back... even divorce or "give back her (maiden, original last) name. I always thought that was how it was meant. I guess cause I'm a guy he's a guy I love the song and sing it all the time! Peace.

what album is this song on? eye never heard of it either...

BackStagePass said:

"Open Book" doesn't appear on any Prince album.It's a song that he offered to Martika in 1990 for her album.It was recorded by Jeveeta Steele in 1993,and it appeared on her album.But,the version that we are discussing is the circulating bootleg version with Prince's vocals.It is really an incredible song.Trust me,this is one song that you should hunt down!