1. Nothing Compares 2 U (Sinead O'Connor)
Due to Sinead's excellent version of this previously rather unknown Family song, it has become a classic on the same level as 'Purple Rain' or 'Kiss'. This version is actually a lot better than the original, or Prince's own re-recording for 'The Hits' in 1993, mainly because of the effective simplicity of the arrangement. Where in the other versions there's a strong emphasis on the instrumental motif between lines in the verses (which becomes rather heavy and boring after only a few times), here the emphasis is on Sinead's wonderfully strong voice. And the intentional out-of-key, almost dissonant string arrangement of the original never worked for me; I'm glad this version is so much more pleasing to the ear.

2. I Wish U Heaven (Darren Hayes)
If you've never heard this version, don't dismiss it just because Savage Garden singer Hayes sang it. This version is absolutely stunning! It's a very solemn arrangement, featuring only solo piano and Darren's amazing voice, 'cause that's really what his voice is: amazing. His Michael Jackson-like range really suits this song so well, and it's a better performance than Prince's own, who's falsetto is really not the strongest in the world.

3. I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man (Jordan Knight)
I will probably be crucified for even mentioning this cover of Prince's up-tempo rocker from 'Sign O' The Times', but if you try to be open-minded about this recording, you'll probably feel like I d about it: it's just brilliant. It's so cleverly produced: it's a great song disguised as a boy band-ballad, and I truly feel the melody actually works better as a ballad. And if you forget for a while that we're talking about a former NKOTB-member, you'll have to admit Jordan's a better singer than Prince.

4. Manic Monday (The Bangles)
One of Prince's best commercially structured pop songs, and I wish I could hear his own version someday, if it even exists. The verses, which are great, always reminded me somewhat of '1999', but where '1999' really doesn't have (or need) a killer chorus, this song does have it, and it's also got a phenomenal bridge.

5. Love Thy Will Be Done (Martika)
I don't know how much input Martika had in writing this song, but I'm guessing it was limited. This is an excellent song, this recording in particular. I've heard Prince's own version, but I think Martika's own is far superior. In the '80's, Prince would record the entire instrumental tracks for his protégé's, including backing vocals, so that only the lead vocal needed to be added. In this recording, Martika does most of the backing vocals herself, and I think it's for the better. Prince created very unique, very distinctive vocal harmonies, but sometimes, they're a little too distinctive, and not always as effective.

6. When You Were Mine (Cindy Lauper)
What's so great about Cindy's vocals, is that she always puts so much emotion into them. Her almost whiny approach really suits this song very well, and I think it's a better version than the one on 'Dirty Mind'.

7. A Love Bizarre (Sheila E.)
Like 'Love Thy Will Be Done', Prince co-wrote this with the original performer. It's a great track, and somewhat of an '80's classic, I guess. What I like most is the simplicity of melodic contents, but the downright effectiveness of the use of it. It feels like an endless loop of the same chords (not unlike 'Extra Lovable'), but it never gets boring because of the subtle (and not so subtle) changes in the arrangement.

8. Nasty Girl (Vanity 6)
Although not credited to Prince on the album notes, it nonetheless is 100% a Prince song, and like 'A Love Bizarre', a classic.

9. With This Tear (Celine Dion)
A very strong Prince song, made stronger of course by the exceptional voice of Dion, who can truly uplift any song she sings. I've always liked this song very much, because of the great build-up and the inspiring lyrics. Again, a song of which I'd really love to hear Prince's own (demo) version.

10. How Come You Don't Call Me Anymore? (Stephanie Mills)
After 'Purple Rain', perhaps Prince's most covered song. I like this version most, because of the excellent classy arrangement, which truly gives it a very classic soul feel, much like Carole King's 'You Make Me Feel (Like A Natural Woman)'. And of course Stephanie is a great vocal performer, which makes this version of Prince's 'killer B' better than his own, and actually also better than that of another vocal powerhouse, Alicia Keys, who updated the song with several modern R&B tactics, that really didn't suit the song that well.

Other worthy mentions: 'Purple Rain' by Leann Rimes, 'Purple Rain' by The Waterboys (great string arrangement!), 'When Doves Cry' by Guy Sebastian (Okay, I know he did this on one of the Idol-shows, but just listen to the near acapella opening: fan-tas-tic!), 'Kiss' by Tom Jones (there's just so much energy and fun in this performance!).
[Edited 4/10/06 1:31am]

For a 'Kiss' cover version it's gotta be the cover by Age of Chance in the 80's - totally killer guitar led version.

WHAT THE HECK? Jordan Knight should be shot on sight for his awful, disrespectful version of ICNTTPOYM!

#1-The Glamorous Life:Lets get real here,it's a Prince song,one can even hear him singing in the background.This song is KILLER.Damn near perfect in construction.It covers pop/r&b/dance & latin music in one song.It also captures the 80's mentality of style over substance(lyrically)without sounding like it's dated.

#2-777 9311:The funkiest track ever laid down.The Neptunes and Timbaland are still tryin to recreate this groove

#3-Sugar Walls:How hot is this track!!!!One of the sexiest grooves ever.turned a nice scottish girl like Sheena Easton into a sexy vixen.

#4-Make Up:The future of dance music became evident in 1982 with Prince writing not just 1999 but What Time Is It and Vanity 6.He covered early signs of House,break beat ,trance and drum&base long before madonna's ray of light lp.This track from the vanity 6 lp is in my opinion the best synth pop/drum&base song ever made prior to the 90's

#5-Waiting Room:Prince and No Doubt teamed up for a great song.From Their Rock Steady lp.This should have been a single.he should do a whole dance lp again,this song showed he can still make contemporary dance music thats sounds un-like anything playing in any dance club.

#6-Nothing Compares 2 U:nuff said

#7-Hollyrock:This song is just electric.

#8-Stand Back:I've heard alot of rumors about this one..that he wrote it for Stevie Nicks..that they co-wrote it together..and that he just played keyboards.Whatever the case may be he is involved in this classic song.It's so groovy.Stevie Nicks best track solo as far as I am concerned.

#9-All Day/All Night: The best track off of Jill Jones' lp.This track should have gotten tons of airplay.I have heard his version and it rocks hard.he should release his own version.

#10-She's Always In My Hair:D'Angelo rocked this track.How cool was it to have this used as the opening song to Scream2.Not many people can cover a Prince song well(especially a B-side)and he nailed this one.Thanks for covering it D'Angelo.

khemseraph said:

Tight list.

Graycap23 said:

Thanks..I should add bubbling under is Release It by The Time and nasty Girl By vanity 6

I feel for you, Chaka Khan.
Darling Nikki, Foo Fighters

jackmitz said:

co-sign. And if you ever saw Jordan Knight 'try' to sing on The Surreal Life, you wouldn't have bothered mentioning him.

G Spot-Jill Jones
However much u want-Mayte
Lovesign-Nona Gaye
Time Waits for no One-Mavis Staples (one of the loveliest songs EVER written!)
Erotic City-George Clinton and P Funk
A Love Bizarre-Sheila
Ice Cream Castles-The Time
The Stick-The Time
High Fashion>Mutiny-The Family
How come u don't call me-Alicia Keys
The Undertaker-Mavis Staples