I'm a vocalist/songwriter and I am big on background harmonies. What songs do you think Prince did the BEST harmonies on? Here's my picks:
"Gold" (especially the ending)
"Adore"
"Elephants & Flowers"
"Big Tall Wall"

illriddles said:

I'll give you a hint: it's the last track off a double album released in the 2nd half of the 80s...

It's not one of my favorite songs, but I love the harmonies on "7."

Put on Money Dont Matter 2 Night, sit back and listen to the backing vocals. It's not all Prince, but it's amazing.

I've always thought the harmonies on the most beautiful girl in the world were pretty good.

Baby
For U

7

7

"Last Heart" and "And God Created Woman" have great harmonies.

call my name

TMBGITW, specially the ending,
and I love the richness of One Kiss at a Time.
Probably also nominate Poom Poom, 3121 and When Eye Lay My Hands U for the weirdness.

Think my absolute fav would have to be Scandalous, but followed closely Insatiable and U Make My Sun Shine, looove those ballads.

Satisfies is good too.

@ wasitgood4u: I take it you loved Adore too! Lol

@ erik319: I thought Prince did ALL vocals on that song.

I guess the list goes on because Prince is VERY good with harmonies. I know Prince is acknowledged well for his musicianship (I know its not a word, but so what?) But I think he is underrated as a singer/vocalist. Prince's harmonies can blow any of these artists out of the water!!

Also I loved the backing vocals on EACH "The Most Beautiful Girl In The World" remix. Too bad I haven't heard the remixes in almost 15 years because I had it on cassette and the cassette messed up and I will never be able to hear it again because it is out of print.

"And God Created Woman" for the rich low baritone harmonies he uses for the backing and even lead harmonies (on certain lines). Had it been released as single maybe to adult contemporary radio it could have been a major hit on those charts. Not to mention the songwriting. Such a spiritual song and lovely message about womanhood and how love emanates so much passion and intensity.

I say it's "The Passion" on the Scandalous Sex Suite -- so many melodies going in and out of each other. it's amazing.

Muse To The Pharoah

Violet The Organ Grinder

(the ending of) The Cross

I Love U In Me

Love (acoustic)

Adore
3121
Old friends for sale
For U
A case of U

@ united1878: At the end of "The Cross" that WAS a beautiful and complex harmony! PERFECT!

ADORE

FOR YOU

BABY

SOFT & WET

STROLLIN

INSATIABLE

MONEY DON'T MATTER

COURTIN TIME

7
TMBGITW

&
The Greatest Romance, this song reminds me of a mix between 7 & TMBGITW.

Who ever came up with this thread is a genius! By far, Adore wins hands down! Everything about that song is pure musical orgasm! From the organ, Eric Leeds and Atlanta Bliss's horn arrangement, right down to the harp "sound" that is suttle, but you hear it near the end of the song.
Peace,
Aaron6ix

Perfect harmonies? A lot of trcks on the Love Symbol album.

Imperfect harmonies? Certain parts on Phermone, Superfunky..., La La La..., Tamborine, etc.

The harmony that touches me the deepest is, "Just as long as we're 2gether."

@ Aaron6: I came up with the thread! I actually think the harmonies on Tambourine were excellent but I don't think they were as "detailed" as some of his other songs. They were great but I think they were "spontaneous". Does that make sense?

Jatrig said:

Agreed. Listening 2 those harmonies on headphones still gives me goosebumps.

For You
I Wish U Heaven
Still Would Stand All Time

I Wish U Heaven is a perfect example. Most artists do three part harmony and I think Prince's keyboard playing plays a major role in how he constructs his vocal harmonies, and make the chords sound "larger".

"One Night Alone"

He sings that song beautifully. One of my favorites for sure.
[Edited 12/16/09 13:03pm]

Purple Rain, duh.

Last December is fabulous as well