Ok, so we all know that RaveUn2 was intended to be a hit, what with all the trendy guests, and incredibly pop-like songs. And we also know that whether or not you liked it has absolutely nothing to do with if it could sell. I personally think this album could have sold millions, because it just reaks of commercialism. Now, before anyone jumps on me for saying they don't care if P sells or not, neither do I. This is just for fun. Pretend you're a major record producer and sell this album.

STEP 1: Combine your favorite songs from Rave In2, Rave Un2, and any Rave singles.

Here's my list:
Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic
Undisputed (moneyopolis mix)
Greatest Romance (Adam and Eve Mix)
Hot Wit U (Nasty Girl Mix)
So far so pleased
Everyday is a Winding Road
Man O' War
Baby Knows (extended)
I love U, but I dont trust you anymore.
Silly Game
Wherever U Go, Whatever U Do
Pretty Man (extended)

Sadly, I cut my 2 favorite songs from these albums, Strange But True, and Beautiful Strange. I love 'em, but they are so not radio-playable. Tangerine, and Sun, Moon and Stars I also cut.

Step 2: Packaging

I would keep the packaging very similar. Different case makes it stand out. Keeping in mind it's 1999, I would not include interactive CDs or DVDs, knowing that most listeners wouldn't bother paying extra for that stuff. Pretty Man would remain a hidden track. Promos would be removed.

Step 3: Marketing
Me? I would sell it under the name of some other group. Nobody in the selling-group would ever give Prince a chance, so I'd say the album was done by some 20-something pop group. I might give them a name that had something to do with puppets. What's more, I would advertise that they wrote their own stuff and played the instruments. This would give pop-buyers justification for enjoying their pop-music, saying their is artistic merit in it, and the musicians are actually talented.

The usual radio promos, posters etc would be done, as well as TV spots of course.

Group would cite their main influences as the Beatles and Michael Jackson. Would only mention they liked Prince if it was directly asked of them.

Step 4: Singles and radio play

I would distribute different singles to different stations:

R&B, Hip-Hop: Hot Wit U (nasty girl) as my first single, and Undisputed as a follow-up.

Rock, Alternative: Baby Knows as my first, So far so pleased as follow-up.

Pop-stuff: Multiple singles, including Baby Knows, So Far, Greatest Romance and winding road.

Elevator/Light stations: Silly Game.

So, did anybody actually read this? Would it be a million-seller? How would you do it differently? What are the flaws in this?

And lastly, because I posted this, do I have any life whatsoever?

last time i checked you still can't polish a turd!

Marrk said:

Ouch! But seriously, are you telling me that the other hits that are out there are better than what's on Rave? Hell, no! It's all crap.

First off, I would have destroyed Everyday Is a Winding Road. This is an awful awful cover version, and futher proof that Prince should stick to his own songs (although A Case of U does counter this argument).

Hot Wit U is just embarassing to my ears (although I agree the Nasty Girl remix is slightly more acceptable), and would actually be first to get the chop.

Prettyman is a song that is really growing on me. At first I thought it was just a tired old JB send up, but if you take it on its ownmerits its not bad, so I would definitely have track listed this one.

My tracklist would be:

Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic
Undisputed
The Greatest Romance Ever Sold
Prettyman (extended)
Tangerine (extended...I think one exists)
So Far So Pleased
The Sun The Moon & Stars
Man O War
Baby Knows
I Love U But I Dont Trust U Anymore
Wherever U Go, Whatever U do


Personally though I think the only way to listen to his listen to his music round this period is to make a hybrid album of New Power Soul and Rave, including the best songs off each, now that is a killer album. Off NPS Id have:

Until You're In My Arms
When U Love Somebody
Shoo Bed Ooh
Come On
The One

Cool, a response. Just the type of thing I'm looking for on these threads.

well here in belguim in the most famous man magazine called P-magazine(the p is not standing for prince ).
the rave album was listed weeks - months as the top 10 best albums at this moment.it was nr 1 4 a long time .
and this is not a commercial magazine .u know they know what music is .
i also think its a great comercial album .
and there were some potential hits on it.

Hum, you forgot to remove the lamb speech of the inner cover... so embarrasing...

True this album should have sold millions. The music has great, say, commercial potential.

Perfect elevator music, too!

Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic
Strange But True
The Greatest Romance Ever Sold
Hot Wit U
Tangerine
So Far, So Pleased
The Sun, The Moon And Stars
I Love U But I Don't Trust U Anymore
Beautiful Strange
Prettyman

I love Rave so much becoz of the fact that its the 1st LP I bought from Prince and it opened the window 4 Prince's world 2 me. Without it I wouldn't witness the REAL music that Prince did in this world.

antuco said:

I think your comment about the "Rave sheep" is ignorant! Animal rights are just as important as human rights, and people like Prince are vital to call attention to the evil man causes in the name of $$$! "Animal Kingdom" and the "Rave sheep" are probably the two most socially responsible and noble statements Prince has made! Are you aware that those liner notes regarding animal rights won Prince an award, something his music rarely does of late? That is because it is important to spread the word that all life counts, and the Sheep statement is the most noble thing regarding Rave. Prince should do a total environmental/ecology/animal rights theme album, a psudo "Whats Going On".


p.s...there is no way to make "Rave" a "hit"; the album is rather limp, no matter the configuration.

Anji said:

Damn thats pretty much the tracklist id have...id add Man O War but otherwise thats pretty sound!

pimpytheclown said:



Say whatever the f you want, these sheep notes are out of place. And I'll go on skipping the AnimalFarm-fonkybluecheese track.
By the way, I don't expect P's music to teach me anything about social rights . However I do respect your point of view. Glad he got an award too...
Peace.

Sorry, it's still a shite album.

It's like aural duckbutter.