About the song

Empty Room was initially released as a members-only download from the NPG Music Club on 4 January, 2003 (the day after similar downloads were made available of Copenhagen, Nagoya, Osaka and Tokyo). As an "experiment", the song was released by an e-mailed link to European members only, as the track was recorded during the European leg of the One Nite Alone... Tour (during a NPG Music Club members-only soundcheck on 25 October, 2002, where Copenhagen was also recorded). The same version was later included as the fifth and final track on Prince's third live album C-Note (a compilation of these five soundcheck tracks).
A few studio versions of the track exist. The track was originally recorded in August, 1985 at the Washington Avenue Warehouse in Chanhassen, MN with the Revolution, after an argument with Susanna Melvoin. He then re-recorded it as a quieter piano track in mid-late March, 1992, for the I'll Do Anything movie soundtrack, and then Prince re-worked the 1985 version in late 1994, adding additional instrumentation. A video was made using this 1994 version (see Empty Room for details), and it is likely the song was being considered for the Chaos And Disorder album at this point, although this has not been verified. No studio version of the track has been released.

Recording personnel

1985 recording
Prince - all vocals and instruments, except where noted
Bobby Z. - drums
Other Revolution members and other musicians unconfirmed


1992 recording
Prince - all vocals and instruments


1994 recording
Prince - all vocals and instruments, except where noted
Other Revolution and New Power Generation members and other musicians unconfirmed


2002 recording
Prince - all vocals and instruments, except where noted
John Blackwell - drums
Rhonda Smith - bass guitar
Renato Neto - keyboards

4 August, 1985 - Washington Avenue Warehouse, Chanhassen, MN, USA - Initial tracking

Mid-late March, 1992 Paisley Park Studios, Chanhassen, MN, USA - Re-recording

Late 1994 - Paisley Park Studios, Chanhassen, MN, USA - Overdubs and re-working of 1985 version

25 October, 2002 - Falkoner Salen, Copenhagen, Denmark - Live recording

http://www.princevault.com/index.php/Empty_Room

I love it.
It was fantastic hearing him perform it at Manchester ONA.Such a surprise.
Im bloody raging though because I deleted my copy of the live NPGMC version and that was my favourite.
gutted i tell thee

http://www.princevault.com/index.php/Empty_Room






[Edited 1/8/10 3:16am]

I love that version from '92 without guitar

squirrelgrease said:

Very interesting-mostly him as usual and he hasn't performed it since 2002?

nurseV said:

Yes he did In Montreaux and in Conga Room LA, both in 2009.

Yes he played this great song on a few occasions in the Indigo rooms at the 02 in 2007

zaza said:

What

nurseV said:

You know this thing called "bootlegs", right? Montreaux version is really great!

zaza said:

Umm... yes so I've heard

nurseV said:

Then go and "buy yourself some cherry cola", if you know what I mean

I love it.
It was fantastic hearing him perform it at Manchester ONA.Such a surprise.
Im bloody raging though because I deleted my copy of the live NPGMC version and that was my favourite.
gutted i tell thee

muirdo said:

You're from manchester too? maybe its something in the water here that explains why we hear the similarities in crimson and clover/just my imagination.

I only went to the second night at the appolo so i didnt get to hear him sing empty room. i was devastated when i found out what the set list was

I love the guitar solo in the song.. that fluid stream of continous, rapid fire notes before he relieves the tension with that huge sustained, screaming bend. Oh, man. it just hits me deep in the chest everytime i hear it. Perhaps my favourite solo that he has ever put to record.

3121 said:

Im actually from Kilmarnock I drove down to Manchester and went to both nights.
Aside from being front row at a few Indigo aftershows the ONA were probably my favourite gigs I've been to.
I find you can appreciate Prince more in an intimate venue.

muirdo said:

Kilmarnock?! Opps.. I'll knock my kettle off the boil then thought you were manchester based, mate.

Definately agree, I much prefer Prince concerts in intimate venues.

3121 said:

Another Mancunian here mate. Didn't catch him during the ONA tour as I'd sort of gone off him for a little while at the turn of the century (prepares to get flamed). My favourite ever gig was the Gold Tour at the GMEX in 95. Front, centre standing on both nights - brilliant. Although I got suspended from school on the Friday as I queued all day!!!

I love it.
It was fantastic hearing him perform it at Manchester ONA.Such a surprise.
Im bloody raging though because I deleted my copy of the live NPGMC version and that was my favourite.
gutted i tell thee

muirdo said:

Click on recycle bin file
Hit restore

Maybe that will work

nurseV said:

Yes he did In Montreaux and in Conga Room LA, both in 2009.