What would they be?

I think the lead single would be Rockhard in a Funky Place, followed by Cindy C., and the third and final one would have to be Superfunkycalifragisexy.

When 2 R In Love....

Cindy C

When 2 R In Love

EVERY SONG

I love that album!

Cindy C, for sure. Bob George would've been interesting to hear on the radio! Loved the album at the time. Do you guys feel it has aged well, compared to his other records?

TheBird said:

mblevels said:

TheBird said:

Cindy C, for sure. Bob George would've been interesting to hear on the radio! Loved the album at the time. Do you guys feel it has aged well, compared to his other records?

That depends. If you consider this an '80s album, it has aged just as well as the other '80s albums. Compared to the other albums released in the '90s though, I think it has aged much better. I think Prince's '80s work is a lot more timeless than the albums he made in the '90s. Although this is one of my favorite Prince albums, I don't think it could have successful singles. I can't see any of the songs work on the radio, to be honest. [Edited 12/16/10 14:53pm]

I agree about the singles. I have a feeling that was one of the reasons Prince pulled it. There was only one radio friendly song on the project (W2RIL)

rockhard is my fave but i think that's a bit to risque for the radio...ROFL

how much radio play did soft and wet get back in the day?

I

[Edited 12/16/10 15:32pm]

[Edited 12/16/10 15:32pm]

Interesting topic, this is something I have wondered about. I think both "Le Grind" and "Cindy C." could have been singles. It's true that the album probably would not have had any top 10 hits on the Hot 100 but I do think it would have hadsome sizeable R & B hits which I believe was kind of the point of the album, to reconnect with his "black" audience.

This could have been an awesome album era. Totally underground.

Le GrindCindyCDead on It When2RNLoveBobGeorge Superfunkycalifragisexy2NigsUnited4WestRock Hard in a Funky Place

I could see the black cloud guitar in use. black ruffled shirts, lace and leather, dark makeup and masks. gun microphones. the Band looking something like the Dirty Mind/COntroversy band

Bob George could have been an afterhours video (which of course like Madonnas Erotica or Truth or Dare) would have been crazy attention

I think the Black album musically was a perfect followup 2 SOTT

Singles

Le Grind

Rock Hard in A Funky Place

When 2 R in Love

Bob George

Bsides

Scarlett Pussy

18 (R U Legal Yet?)

...Touch Myself

rialb said:

Interesting topic, this is something I have wondered about. I think both "Le Grind" and "Cindy C." could have been singles. It's true that the album probably would not have had any top 10 hits on the Hot 100 but I do think it would have hadsome sizeable R & B hits which I believe was kind of the point of the album, to reconnect with his "black" audience.

I don't think this album would have drawn a more black audience, than SOTT could have.

the Black album music was still made during the Dream Factory years.

And to me it was experiemental funk/rock

I don't think Purple Rain really lost his black audience, because all the black radio stations were rocking everything from Let's Go Crazy, 17 Days, When Doves Cry, Purple Rain, Erotic City... I mean just about every song from the album was played on the black radio stations where I grew up.

I think a lot of people here don't realize what radio was like in 1987. When 2 R In Love is the only truly serviceable track here. There is no way Le Grind, Bob George or Rock Hard would have been played on the radio.

Cindy C or Superfunkycalifragisexy, in edited form, might do it as well...but I don't think the Black Album would have been much of a hit on the charts.

Otoh, Prince seemed to be out of touch with chart-ability at that point anyway, as LoveSexy went on to show.

Le Grind

i'm surprised how much love Cindy C is getting as a prospective single. i beg to differ. i dislike the song and don't think it would have fared well. i'd say

Bob George (great, controversial lead single, best represents the feel of the album IMO; radio would've just had to beep out certain parts, heck he got away with quite a bit on Erotic City and other songs like Irresistible)

Superfunky...

Le Grind

When 2 R in Love (r & b radio always played his ballads to death back then)

datdude said:

Bob George (great, controversial lead single, best represents the feel of the album IMO; radio would've just had to beep out certain parts, heck he got away with quite a bit on Erotic City and other songs like Irresistible)

Mainstream radio in 1987 would not have touched this record with a 10 foot pole. It goes way beyond merely excusing fuck as funk in Erotic City.

i guess my point of reference in Detroit is the Electrifying Mojo. he would've played it and in my mind i guess he's "mainstream"

datdude said:

i guess my point of reference in Detroit is the Electrifying Mojo. he would've played it and in my mind i guess he's "mainstream"

I agree, he probably WOULD have played it! ...but aside from a few, I don't think it would have been touched by the majority. I think the subject matter would have been too risky and Prince was no longer at the point in his career where radio stations would play whatever he released just because his name was on it.

However, I actually don't think Prince had any plans for singles from this album. If so, it's likely we would have seen something promotional sent to radio stations before the release (remember it was only canceled a few days before arrival).

Le Grind is probably the most commercial sounding track (Less explicit lyrics, danceable beat and a bit like U gOt the Look in Melody), it would have been big in clubs.

When 2 R in Love is by and in large the greatest song, but its not really a commercial late 80s smash, a nice ballad, it would have made a 3rd single.

Cindy C would be a good second single, for B sides, I would have put non single tracks off Sign o the Times like Adore as a B side to When 2 R Love (Wow that would have been a great single), Le Grind could be coupled with Housequake and Cindy C could have It.

Single 1 Le Grind/Housequake (Pop Top 10?) R and B #5

Single 2 Cindy C/It or Slow Love (Pop Top 40 , RB #15

Single 3 When 2 R in Love/ Adore (Miss the Pop chart but probably get #3 or higher Black chart)

Superf... is too loopy for a single, Rockhard is a great song but far too quirky and explicit for pop radio (Camille singing "I hate to see an erection go to waste)

Bob George is too misogynistic and just silly, Dead on it is just weak and Instrumental singles never sell (2 nigs)

"Le Grind" as the first single,"When 2 R In Love" as the second single.

I think R&B radio would have given those two songs alot of airplay.

lol@ the folks who are saying "Bob George" should have been a single

Come on guys,you know damn well that radio stations in 1987 wouldn't have gone anywhere near that song

datdude said:

i'm surprised how much love Cindy C is getting as a prospective single. i beg to differ. i dislike the song and don't think it would have fared well. i'd say

Bob George (great, controversial lead single, best represents the feel of the album IMO; radio would've just had to beep out certain parts, heck he got away with quite a bit on Erotic City and other songs like Irresistible)

Superfunky...

Le Grind

When 2 R in Love (r & b radio always played his ballads to death back then)

with the right video Cindy C would have worked easily, playful lyrics, Cindy Crawford a supermodel on the scene

I agree with your choices. too

Huggiebear said:

Instrumental singles never sell (2 nigs)

Madhouse 6 would like to have a word with you.

SoulAlive said:

lol@ the folks who are saying "Bob George" should have been a single

Come on guys,you know damn well that radio stations in 1987 wouldn't have gone anywhere near that song

It could have, this album seriously was a 'rebel' album, Just by the fact this album was on the Rolling Stones top 5 I believe tells a lot at the time

In 1987, it could have easily been popular but not in a pop way

OldFriends4Sale said:

SoulAlive said:

lol@ the folks who are saying "Bob George" should have been a single

Come on guys,you know damn well that radio stations in 1987 wouldn't have gone anywhere near that song

It could have, this album seriously was a 'rebel' album, Just by the fact this album was on the Rolling Stones top 5 I believe tells a lot at the time

In 1987, it could have easily been popular but not in a pop way

I don't think so.What radio station would have played it? Nevermind the cuss words,the song doesn't have the typical verse/chorus/verse structure.

I think "Le Grind" and "When 2 R In Love" are the only tunes that would have gotten airplay,and only on the R&B stations.Pop radio would have stayed away.

OldFriends4Sale said:

It could have, this album seriously was a 'rebel' album, Just by the fact this album was on the Rolling Stones top 5 I believe tells a lot at the time

In 1987, it could have easily been popular but not in a pop way

The album might have sold well due to its controversial nature and been popular in that way BUT DJ's wouldn't go near Bob George in 1987. Really, have so many people forgotten what radio was like at the time?

jtfolden said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

It could have, this album seriously was a 'rebel' album, Just by the fact this album was on the Rolling Stones top 5 I believe tells a lot at the time

In 1987, it could have easily been popular but not in a pop way

The album might have sold well due to its controversial nature and been popular in that way BUT DJ's wouldn't go near Bob George in 1987. Really, have so many people forgotten what radio was like at the time?

yeah but that's why I would have been played after hours. And like so many songs then played after hours I would have been sitting up waiting to hear it lol

I mean Prince was CLEARLY not trying to put out a radio friendly album. College stations Pirate stations and afterhours. Forget Popular as in wholesome lol Controversial Pop would have done it

[Edited 12/17/10 6:44am]

Releasing singles from The Black Album would have diluted the effect, even on it's official release in '94.

I'm glad there are none.

Even if it had any, I can't see any of them doing too well.