To cover a 'best of' Prince release?

I'm speaking about his official legitimately released songs, not bootlegs (although I would assume you'd throw in 3 or 4 of those as 'unreleased' gems to entice folks to purchase the set).


I would imagine that a 'greatest hits' release wouldn't be much bigger than the 90's release "The Hits/The B-sides, where you had 2 CDs for the hits, and one for b-sides).

But when dealing with 'Best of' songs, which aren't subject to chart success, but more a subjective critique of his best works, I would imagine the collection to be quite a bit more expansive?


If you were put in charge with organizing a 'best of' package, how would it end up looking? How many CDs? Bonus tracks? How would you arrange it? Chronological or thematic, etc.?

Here is mine. I've posted this many times but it's always a work in progress. Here is the current CD listing. It's in 3 parts:

1 The singles (most of the songs were released as singles, promos or otherwise, somwhere in the world). I also included other artists who were on "Prince" releases (i.e. Grafiti bridge and 1-800-NEW-FUNK singles). Some were included due to the fact that they charted on one chart or the other ("Better with time" comes to mind as it charted on the R&B charts). I also included New Power Generation and Madhouse singles as they were basically Prince records. I used extended versions and full length album tracks for all songs. I wanted to include all the songs from The Hits/The B-sides disc as well so you will see some non singles like "I feel for you" and "Adore"on this part.

2 B-sides and rarities. Disc 6 is live cuts released on singles. I also included 3 of my favorite live bootlegs at the end of this one.

3 Alternate mixes. Other official remixes and many DJ company mixes and a few fan made ones. This set was a little difficult. I have tons of other fan made mixes that aren't included. I didn't want this set to be too long.

PRINCE
Singles, B-sides,
Rarities and Alternate mixes

Singles 1

1 Soft and wet
2 Just as long as we’re together
3 I wanna be your lover
4 Why you wanna treat me so bad
5 Still waiting
6 Sexy dancer (long version)
7 Bambi
8 I feel for you
9 Dirty mind
10 Uptown
11 When you were mine
12 Head
13 Do it all night
14 Controversy
15 Let’s work (dance remix, long version)

Singles 2

1 Do me baby
2 Sexuality
3 1999
4 Little red Corvette (dance mix)
5 Delirious
6 Let’s pretend we’re married
7 D.M.S.R.
8 Automatic
9 When doves cry
10 Let’s go crazy (special dance mix)
11 Purple rain

Singles 3

1 I would die 4 u (extended version)
2 Take me with u (with Apollonia)
3 Paisley Park (remix)
4 Raspberry beret (new mix)
5 Pop life (extended version)
6 America (long version)
7 Kiss (extended version)
8 Mountains (extended version)

Singles 4

1 Anotherloverholenyohead (extended version)
2 Girls and boys
3 Sign o’ the times
4 If I was your girlfriend
5 U got the look (long look)
6 I could never take the place of your man
7 Hot thing (extended remix)
8 The cross
9 Housequake (7 mins MoQuake)
10 Adore
11 A love bizarre-Sheila E (Parts I, II and III)

Singles 5

1 6-Madhouse (end of the world mix)
2 (The perfect) 10-Madhouse (perfect mix)
3 13-Madhouse (Paisley Park mix)
4 Alphabet St
5 Glam slam (remix)
6 I wish u heaven (parts 1, 2 and 3)
7 Batdance
8 Partyman (the video mix)
9 The arms of Orion (with Sheena Easton)

Singles 6

1 Scandalous (the crime, the passion, the rapture)
2 The future (remix)
3 Trust
4 Electric chair (remix)
5 Thieves in the temple (remix)
6 New power generation (funky weapon remix)
7 Can’t stop this feeling I got
8 Round and round-Tevin Campbell (soul mix extended)
9 Melody cool-Mavis Staples (extended remix)
10 Shake-The Time (extended mix)
11 The latest fashion (remix) (with The Time)

Singles 7

1 Gett off (extended remix / purple pump mix)
2 Cream (N.P.G. mix)
3 Insatiable
4 Diamonds and pearls
5 Money don’t matter 2night
6 Thunder
7 Willing and able
8 Sexy M.F. (12” mix)
9 My name is Prince (12” club mix)
10 Damn u
11 The morning papers
12 7 (after 6 long version)
13 2gether-New Power Generation (12” mix)

Singles 8

1 Pink cashmere
2 Peach
3 Nothing compares 2 u
4 Pope (12” remix)
5 The most beautiful girl in the world
6 Staxowax
7 Mustang mix
8 Beautiful (extended club mix)
9 Shhh
10 Love sign (with Nona Gaye) (the story board video mix)
11 MPLS-MPLS (extended version)
12 Standing at the altar (extended version)-Margaret Cox
13 Letitgo

Singles 9

1 Space
2 Come
3 Superhero-New Power Generation
4 When 2 r in love
5 Purple medley
6 Get wild-New Power Generation (club mix)
7 The good life-New Power Generation
8 Count the days-New Power Generation
9 I hate u (extended remix)
10 Gold
11 P control
12 Endorphinmachine

Singles 10

1 Dolphin
2 Girl 6-New Power Generation
3 Dinner with Delores
4 Had u
5 Come on-New Power Generation
6 The one-New Power Generation
7 Push it up-New Power Generation
8 Betcha by golly wow
9 The holy river
10 Somebody’s somebody
11 Face down (x-tended rap money mix)
12 Jam of the year (NYC live)
13 I can’t make u love me
14 Slave
15 The truth
16 Extraordinary

Singles 11

1 5 women
2 It’s about that walk
3 The rest of my life
4 The greatest romance ever sold (extended remix)
5 Man o’ war
6 Baby knows
7 1999 the new master
8 One song
9 Cybersingle
10 U make my sun shine (with Angie Stone)
11 She loves me 4 me
12 The work-part 1
13 Last December

Singles 12

1 Xenophobia
2 Days of wild (concert mix)
3 Supercute
4 Daisy chain
5 Peace
6 Pop life (live at Las Vegas)
7 Musicology
8 Cinnamon girl
9 Call my name

Singles 13

1 The war
2 NPG in this funky house / All the critics love u in Paris
3 Controversy (live in Hawaii)
4 Letitgo (live at Paisley Park)
5 Strange relationship (live)
6 Glasscutter
7 S.S.T.
8 Te amo Corazon
9 Black sweat
10 Beautiful loved and blessed (with Tamar)
11 Fury
12 Satisfied

Singles 14

1 The song of the heart
2 Guitar
3 Chelsea Rodgers
4 The one u wanna c
5 Future baby mama
6 Somewhere here on Earth
7 Crimson and Clover
8 Chocolate box (with Q-Tip)
9 Dance 4 me
10 Better with time

B-sides and Rarities 1

1 We want Prince-Sexual Harassment (long version)
2 Gotta stop (messin’ about)
3 How come u don’t call me anymore
4 Horny toad
5 Irresistible bitch
6 17 days
7 Erotic city (dance mix)
8 God
9 God (instrumental)
10 Another lonely Christmas (long version)
11 4 the tears in your eyes (“We are the world” version)
12 She’s always in my hair (new mix)
13 Hello (fresh dance mix)
14 Girl (long version)

B-sides and Rarities 2

1 Love or $ (extended version)
2 Alexa De Paris (extended version)
3 6 ½-Madhouse
4 10 ½-Madhouse
5 13 ¼-Madhouse
6 La la la he he hee (highly explosive) (with Sheena Easton)
7 Shockadelica (extended version)
8 Escape (long version)
9 Scarlet pussy (long version)
10 Good love (“Bright lights, big city” version)
11 200 balloons
12 Feel u up (long stroke)
13 I love u in me

B-sides and Rarities 3

1 Sex
2 Love song-Madonna
3 T.C.’s rap
4 Brother with a purpose
5 Get off
6 The lubricated lady
7 Loveleft, loveright
8 Horny pony
9 Violet the organ grinder
10 Gangster glam
11 Clockin’ the jizz
12 Things have gotta change (Tony M rap)
13 2 the wire
14 Get some solo
15 Do your dance
16 Housebangers
17 Q in doubt

B-sides and Rarities 4

1 Ethereal mix
2 Call the law-New Power Generation
3 51 hours-Diamond and Pearl
4 2 whom it may concern
5 Power fantastic
6 4 the tears in your eyes (video mix)
7 Interactive (CD-ROM version)
8 Kirk J’s B-sides remix
9 Free the music-New Power Generation
10 Rock N Roll is alive (and it lives in Minneapolis)
11 On sale now
12 Rebirth of the flesh
13 Contest song
14 When will we b paid
15 Underneath the cream
16 Gamillah
17 2045 radical man
18 Magnificent

B-sides and Rarities 5

1 United States of Division
2 Silver tongue
3 Purple house
4 Brand New Orleans
5 PFUnk
6 The morning after
7 In a large room with no light
8 We all wanna be Prince-Felix Da Housecat
9 Purple and gold
10 Cause and effect

B-sides and Rarities 6 (the live B-sides)

1 Face down (NYC live)
2 1+1+1=3 (live)
3 Gotta broken heart again (live at Las Vegas)
4 Strange relationship (live at Las Vegas)
5 Sometimes it snows in April (live at Las Vegas)
6 Dear Mr man (live at Webster Hall)
7 Vicki waiting (live at Paisley Park)
8 We march (live at Paisley Park)
9 Te amo Corazon / Fury (recorded live at the 2006 Brit awards)
10 Feel better, feel good (live)
11 Mountains / Shake your body (live)
12 Y U wanna treat me so bad (live)
13 Just my imagination
14 Blues in C (if I had a harem)
15 While my guitar gently weeps (at the 2004 Rock N Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony) (with Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, Dhani Harrison, Steve Winwood and others)

Alternate mixes 1

1 Soft and wet (disco mix)
2 Just as long as we’re together (Hot tracks)
3 Just as long as we’re together (disco mix)
4 I feel for you (skyline mix)
5 Controversy (New York City mix)
6 1999 (“dives with whales” mix)
7 1999 (white label mix)
8 1999 (Y2K 4U mix)
9 When doves cry (wild version)
10 When doves cry (Hot tracks)
11 When doves cry (white label mix)

Alternate mixes 2

1 Take me with u (Hot tracks)
2 Computer blue (longer unreleased version)
3 America / Baby I’m a star (Fatbag)
4 Raspberry beret (Hot tracks)
5 Pop life (Fresh dance mix)
6 New position (Disconet)
7 Kiss (Paisley Park version)
8 Kiss (DMC)

Alternate mixes 3

1 Sign o’ the times (“far out” version)
2 Sign o’ the times (DMC)
3 Hot thing (dub version)
4 Housequake (DMC)
5 Housequake (Razormaid)
6 Housequake (Ultimix)
7 Alphabet St (illiterate mix)
8 Alphabet St (DMC)
9 Alphabet St “this is not music, this is a trip”
10 Glam slam / Escape dub (Ultimix)
11 Batdance (DMC)

Alternate mixes 4

1 Batdance (Whammy wax)
2 Batdance (the bat mix)
3 Batdance (Vicki Vale mix)
4 Partyman (DMC)
5 Partyman (purple party mix)
6 Partyman (music mix)
7 Thieves in the temple part II
8 Thieves in the temple (house mix)
9 Thieves in the temple (house dub)
10 Gett off (“23 positions” mix)
11 Gett off (DMC)
12 Gett off (approx: damn near 10 mins)

Alternate mixes 5

1 Gett off (houstyle / urge mix)
2 Gett off (urge dub)
3 Gett off (flutestramental / thrust mix)
4 Gett off (thrust dub)
5 Gett off (Rosie’s dub)
6 Cream (Hot tracks)
7 Thunder (extended)
8 Sexy M.F. (ultimate mix)
9 Sexy mutha
10 My name is Prince (Turbobeat)
11 My name is Prince (house mix)

Alternate mixes 6

1 My name is Prince (original mix edit)
2 My name is Prince (hardcore 12” mix)
3 7 (acoustic version)
4 7 (mix 5 long version)
5 2gether-New Power Generation (interview)
6 2gether-New Power Generation (enlightenment)
7 2gether-New Power Generation (jeep mix)
8 2gether-New Power Generation (instrumental)
9 Pink cashmere (guitar version)
10 Pink cashmere (12” remix)
11 Nothing compares 2 u (atmosphere mix)
12 Flutestramental
13 Sexy staxaphone and guitar
14 Mustang instrumental
15 Brian’s mix

Alternate mixes 7

1 Beautiful girl
2 Beautiful beats
3 Letitgo (Caviar radio edit)
4 Letitgo (Cavi’s street edit)
5 Letitgo (instrumental)
6 Letitgo (on the cool out tip radio edit)
7 Letitgo (Sherm stick edit)
8 Letitgo ((-) Sherm stick edit)
9 Space (universal love mix)
10 Space (funky stuff remix)
11 Space (acoustic remix)
12 Space (funky stuff dub)
13 Come (poem)
14 Come (alternate version)
15 Superhero-New Power Generation (indasoul mix)
16 Superhero-New Power Generation (Silk’s house mix)

Alternate mixes 8

1 Superhero-New Power Generation (hero slow motion mix)
2 Superhero-New Power Generation (Denair old skool mix)
3 Superhero-New Power Generation (new power hero mix)
4 Superhero-New Power Generation (Silk’s deep house mix)
5 Get wild-New Power Generation (Pret-a-porter version)
6 Get wild-New Power Generation (money maker)
7 Get wild-New Power Generation (in the house)
8 Get wild-New Power Generation (Kirk J’s)
9 Get wild-New Power Generation (money maker funky jazz mix)
10 The good life-New Power Generation (bullets go bang mix)
11 The good life-New Power Generation (big city remix)
12 The good life-New Power Generation (platinum people mix)
13 The good life-New Power Generation (dancing divaz mix)

Alternate mixes 9

1 Count the days-New Power Generation (edit)
2 I hate u (quiet night mix by Eric Leeds)
3 P control (Miami B mix)
4 Come on-New Power Generation (Doug E Fresh mix)
5 Come on-New Power Generation (remix)
6 Come on-New Power Generation (hypermix)
7 Come on-New Power Generation (latenitemix)
8 Come on-New Power Generation (a capella)
9 The one-New Power Generation (rain mix)
10 The one-New Power Generation (remix)
11 The holy river (instrumental)
12 Somebody’s somebody (ultrafantasy edit)
13 Somebody’s somebody (live studio mix)
14 Face down (instrumental money mix)
15 Face down (a cappella)
16 The greatest romance ever sold (Adam and Eve remix featuring Eve)

Alternate mixes 10

1 The greatest romance ever sold (Jason Nevins romance beats)
2 The greatest romance ever sold (Neptunes extended remix featuring Q-Tip)
3 The greatest romance ever sold (Jason Nevins extended remix)
4 The greatest romance ever sold (Jason Nevins dub)
5 The greatest romance ever sold (Jason Nevins instrumental)
6 Man o’ war (remix)
7 Undisputed (moneyopolis mix)
8 Hot wit u (nasty girl remix)
9 Tangerine (extended version)
10 Baby knows (extended version)
11 Pretty man (extended version)
12 1999 the new master (Rosario)
13 1999 the new master (the inevitable mix)
14 1999 the new master (keep steppin’)
15 1999 the new master (Rosie Doug E deep house)

Alternate mixes 11

1 1999 the new master (a cappella)
2 Love (acoustic)
3 Guitar (original download version)
4 Disco jellyfish (Chocolate box instrumental)
5 Dance 4 me (icon remix)
6 Just another sucker-94 East
7 If you feel like dancin’-94 East
8 Classic medley (mixx it)
9 Megamix (music factory)
10 Almost black mix (funky mix)

Alternate mixes 12

1 The Prince mix (Ultimix)
2 Nelson dance (Funky mix)
3 The love mix (Funky mix)

Alternate 13

1 Mega mix (DMC)
2 NPG music club mega mix
3 Good vs Evil mix (Whammy wax)
[Edited 3/4/10 6:46am]

djdaffy1227 said:

Well alright then

Do I win

djdaffy1227 said:

God damn

djdaffy1227 said:

No, Supa does because he pointlessly "Replied with quote" to your magnificent display.

At least there weren't 364 gifs that had to load...

RodeoSchro said:

djdaffy1227 said:

i like that list...y is "Purple and Gold" on there?

I did this for someone a few years ago and if I remember correctly, it was around ten.

i like your selection Daffy but why not include a CD or two of songs he's written performed by others?
[Edited 3/3/10 14:16pm]

I think, to satisfy the world with a REAL ultimate collection, you'd need Prince's input to come up with something like Neil Young's "Archives" series, of which the first one was a work of wonder and delight. ( http://en.wikipedia.org/w..._1963-1972 )

Without his input, you'd get a one sided, clinical representation of his work, while we all know, there's so much more. And his work deserves so much more room than is given now, first and foremost by Prince himself, who seems to be in doubt about what to think about his own career.

Where "The Hits/The B-Sides" at least partly took his back-catalogue seriously by trying to collect the different kinds of songs Prince release over the decades, it still was not complete. And the titbits of background info in Alan Leeds' liner notes at least suggested he was involved in compiling the three record set, but it was half-hearted, as it at the time was seen as a quick way to get out of his recording contract with Warner Brothers.

So even though DJ Daffy does a rather good job of compiling the released projects and one-off's, it's a rather static affair; too comprehensive for casual fans and too uninteresting for die-hards that already have everything on that list.

If you do some compiling, make the work at least commercially and/or artistically viable. And as said earlier; I rather have Prince's involvement on this, to not only alternate takes and unreleased material, but also never seen photographs/art-design and, in an ideal world, some insight in at least the creation of the songs/albums we treasure.

Again, I would love to point out Neil Young's release, but also The Beatles' Anthology project, that included a documentary, comprehensive liner notes and loads and loads of great alternate takes and previously unheard material in the best quality possible.

Because the two 'official' compilations after "The Hits" of course did not cut it, even though the superior of the two, "Ultimate", at least gave us remastered material not earlier available on CD. So that was a minor plus in the for the rest rather shaky compilations, which were of course due to the lack of Prince's involvement.

And Prince's intentions concerning releasing compilations of his older work, let alone the unreleased material, is unclear. Prince seems aware of the need there is, as he referred to it many a times in the past, but seems unaware and/or uncaring to actually cater to that need. It sure looks like he is more interested in updating his older work to his suit his present day religious beliefs rather than producing compilations of his older work.

But I am afraid that we will always get disjointed compilations of this man's work, as by now his output is all over the place and, let's be honest, he does not seem to care a fuck about what his fans truly want. It's always was, and always will be, about what Prince wants.

If Warner ever makes an attempt at compiling Prince work, I hope they will take his work seriously and give us a two or three disc release with all the non-album material (or better yet; re-release his back-catalogue as remasters, with each album containing the respective non-album material) and maybe chop up the rest; a best of with more rock-orientated material, one with his ballads, one with pop songs and one with extended versions.

And then a good collection of his work for other artists; a double album with the best of his work for the likes of Sheila E., Jill Jones, The Family, etc.

You either do it PROPERLY, or you don't do it all.

And Dan, to be direct; it would depend what road you would take on a "Best Of"; do you want something commercial, or something complete, like DJ Daffy's set.

If you want something commercial, what are you trying to accomplish; want to make a compilation that captures Prince's actual chart-topping hits, which make a dead-stop with The Most Beautiful Girl In The World, or do you want a compilation that covers a range of the best of his entire career?

There are so many angles and the most satisfying of those choices are not possible because it is unclear on where Prince stands concerning this. But, if you read between the lines, Prince will probably never collaborate with anyone on releasing the kind of compilation the die-hards like us really want (with unreleased material, remastered old material, etc), so the best possible "Best Of" is a personal one.

That's the power of a site like this, we are thrown together in a pool of longing and create GRRREAT playlists, dream and fantasize about things that will never be and, in between of that, some of us create powerful friendships that look further than the dream.

How about releasing a "Prince, The Fam's collection"
Then make a compilation of songs picked by his fams. Maybe set up a poll on the Lotus site.

ronnwinter said:

that would be cool

There's definately room for WB to compile more interesting collections of Prince material - many excellent songs have been overlooked so far in their 'best of' attempts. I think a "love" collection would be good, with his more romantic/love side showing through. Most of these haven't been released outside of their respective albums and it's criminal...

I Wish U Heaven
The Most Beautiful Girl
Mountains
Slow Love
God Created Woman
Arms of Orion
Adore
When 2 R In Love
Sometimes It Snows
With You
International Lover
Condition of The Heart
Under The Cherry Moon
etc etc
[Edited 3/3/10 16:57pm]

dance4me3121 said:

I truly believe "Purple and gold" to be one of, if not THE worst song Prince has ever done but it is a rarity and non album track so I added it.
[Edited 3/3/10 18:35pm]

TheVoid said:

I would just package up every album from 1979 to 1994 and remaster them. then I would add 3121 and another 6 or 7 songs from 1994 onwards. I would add an extra disc of bootlegs and another two discs of aftershows. Put them all in one of those nice multi-box type things and sell it for around $150. That would be my best of.