I was looking around The Billboards list online and came across Prince discography. They are listing that there are two versions that were released for "Ultimate". One version is listing that it includes The Purple Medley and Erotic City(12" inch version) as well as I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man. Does anyone know anything about this or is this just a mistake on Billboards part??

BettaPlace2Die said:

Might be a mistake. The guy who compiled the 2-cd set worked with Prince. He originally wanted a different type of chronological listening of all the songs, but Prince wanted it as you see it. He also wanted "Erotic City" and a couple of other curse heavy songs removed. So anything with "Erotic City" is a total misprint and does not exist.

ernestsewell said:

Which is why there will never be a remastered WB catalog as long as Prince holds to his current beliefs.

Wall said:

Agreed! It's harsh to say, but I've long stated that it'll take Prince dying before we hear any remastered stuff (although Prince supposedly said he too wondered why nothing was being done....all it'd take is a phone call by HIM to get it going, guarantee ya), or anything fro that illusive vault.

Retail version (August 2006):

CD 1:

1. I Wanna Be Your Lover
2. Uptown
3. Controversy
4. 1999
5. Delirious
6. When Doves Cry
7. I Would Die 4 U
8. Purple Rain
9. Sign 'O' The Times
10. I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man
11. Alphabet St.
12. Diamonds And Pearls
13. Gett Off
14. Money Don't Matter 2night
15. 7
16. Nothing Compares 2 U
17. My Name Is Prince

CD 2:

1. Let's Go Crazy (Special Dance Mix)
2. Little Red Corvette (Dance Remix)
3. Let's Work (Dance Remix)
4. Pop Life (Fresh Dance Remix)
5. She's Always In My Hair (12" Version)
6. Raspberry Beret (12" Version)
7. Kiss (Ext. Version)
8. U got the look (Long look)
9. Hot Thing (Ext. Version)
10. Thieves In The Temple (Remix)
11. Cream (N.P.G. Mix)

Though, I have never seen proof of a Promo CD Set's existence, there is an alternate track listing which may have been provided by Warner Bros in press releases...

Promo version (Spring 2006):

CD 1:

1. Purple Medley
2. I Wanna Be Your Lover
3. Uptown
4. Controversy
5. 1999
6. Little Red Corvette (Dance Mix)
7. Let's Go Crazy (Special Dance Mix)
8. Erotic City (12" Version)
9. Purple Rain
10. When Doves Cry
11. I Would Die 4 U
12. Pop Life - 12" Fresh Dance Mix
13. She's Always in My Hair (12" Version)
14. Raspberry Beret (12" Version)

CD 2:

1. Kiss (Extended Version)
2. Sign 'O' The Times
3. U Got the Look (Long Look)
4. I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man
5. Hot Thing (Extended Remix)
6. Alphabet St.
7. Thieves in the Temple (Remix)
8. Diamonds and Pearls
9. Gett Off
10. Money Don't Matter 2 Night
11. Cream (N.P.G. Mix)
12. 7 (Acoustic Version)
13. Sexy Mutha
14. Nothing Compares 2 U
15. My Name Is Prince

squirrelgrease said:

SNIP


That second list is the way the guy wanted to put the songs in chronological order, but Prince wanted them divided up between album version and B-sides/remixes.

I guess we all agrees on: it was sad Erotic City (12" Version) didn't made the retail version....

ernestsewell said:

That makes sense, as there doesn't seem to be any proof of any promo CDs. Was there a press release with the original list at some point? Or did this guy just post it on a forum?

squirrelgrease said:

I don't remember, but I do remember reading his words in an interview about the compilation. I doubt there was a promo CD put out. Remember, the set was pushed back from release for a few months because of Musicology or 3121 (whichever) coming out about the same time.

ernestsewell said:

Yeah, I made a trip to Best Buy and had the guys there go in the back and look for the Ultimate after news that it was withdrawn. I got a goose egg on that endeavor. The few copies that did not get sent back to WB went for big money on eBay. I waited it out and saved some cash.