After reading a post in this thread: http://prince.org/msg/7/363347, I've noticed that Diamonds and Pearls is the second Prince album regarding sales, with only Purple Rain above.

Is it really so?

If it is, I think it's mainly due to good single choices. In another thread (http://prince.org/msg/7/363288) some orgers have discussed the single choices of Sign O' The Times, which probably, in my opinion, didn't contribute to the album's commercial success. On the contrary, with Diamonds and Pearls it was perfect. First, a really funky track to please mainly the R&B audiences, Gett Off; then a perfect pop tune, Cream; and then a middle of the road ballad to please everyone, Diamonds and Pearls.

Whatever its sales, I've always thought Diamonds and Pearls is a brilliant album. I've noticed The Gold Experience has more fans here in the org, but that's not my case. I don't think there's really much filler in Diamonds and Pearls: only Jughead should be erradicated. Without that one, we have a collection of songs and a variety of styles which only two or three Prince albums can equal.

By the way, we celebrate Diamonds and Pearls 20th anniversary this year!

One of my favorite albums as well.

Happy 20th Anniversary Diamonds and Pearls!

Sorry, not one of my favorite albums

But much respect to everyone who loves it. I always considered it an album made to impress non-Prince fans. It felt like that to me when I heard it. I have even used it to play for people when I want to showcase Prince's "normal" or "not so wierd" side (for lack of a better word). Know what I mean?

It has grown on me in 20 years though. I appreciate the sophistication and breadth of material like Strollin, and Money Don't Matter... but as a Prince album it just doesn't hit me in the heart like other works he has done before and after.

This album gets almost no play from me at all, I can't really explain why. I do still love "Thunder", though. The rest sounds incredibly dated, which is weird because to me, Grafffiti Bridge and Love Symbol still sound great and get plenty of spins. An odd duck.

No mystery here.

He promoted it with a tour and vidoe clips ( at a time when they had real influence).

Two or three good singles ( people pleasers!).

A decent album, accesible to the general public ( unlike, let's say, Lovesexy or Come)

Jug Head.........love it.

It's about promotion, that does include single choices, but if no one is hearing those singles, they won't be hits. Prince put in the leg work with D&P - 5 singles, TV performances up the wazzo, videos for b-sides, a big world tour.

Edit: Basically, what eireboy34 said.

[Edited 7/21/11 13:36pm]

Prince promoted it and Warner backed it up. There you have it.

NouveauDance said:

It's about promotion, that does include single choices, but if no one is hearing those singles, they won't be hits. Prince put in the leg work with D&P - 5 singles, TV performances up the wazzo, videos for b-sides, a big world tour.

Edit: Basically, what eireboy34 said.

[Edited 7/21/11 13:36pm]

I would have 2 say that album was the perfect promotion out of any Prince album besides "Purple Rain". Every single & video was perfect. I will admit Prince isn't good at picking singles. This did no wrong @ all. It just goes to show with the right promotion any Prince album can achieve this....

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

I would have 2 say that album was the perfect promotion out of any Prince album besides "Purple Rain". Every single & video was perfect. I will admit Prince isn't good at picking singles. This did no wrong @ all. It just goes to show with the right promotion any Prince album can achieve this....

Which is why it's kinda frustrating when you get a good album that doesn't get the right promo and single choices, you just think "Come on Prince! If you'd just not chose that ballad as the lead single and gone with the rocker/dance/funk track, we'd be on single 2,3,4 by now!" Grrrrr!

And I don't mean that from a sales POV, good music is good music whether it sells or not - but with sales comes extras like singles, and b-sides, and videos, and remixes, etc.

I am definitely not a fan of Diamonds and Pearls and would rate it as his most disappointing album.

I do think it's interesting to note that "Gett Off" was his lowest charting lead single on the Billboard Hot 100 chart since "Controversy." Contrary to popular opinion it was a bit of a flop and only managed to reach number 21 ("Controversy" only made it as high as number 70). One could argue that the album was a success in spite of, not because of, "Gett Off." "Cream" and "Diamonds and Pearls" are the songs that were huge hits and propelled the album to massive sales.

Say what you will, but this album SAVED his career

ergo I respect this album a lot, and it's def in my top12...

rialb said:

I am definitely not a fan of Diamonds and Pearls and would rate it as his most disappointing album.

I do think it's interesting to note that "Gett Off" was his lowest charting lead single on the Billboard Hot 100 chart since "Controversy." Contrary to popular opinion it was a bit of a flop and only managed to reach number 21 ("Controversy" only made it as high as number 70). One could argue that the album was a success in spite of, not because of, "Gett Off." "Cream" and "Diamonds and Pearls" are the songs that were huge hits and propelled the album to massive sales.

US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play #1

UK Singles Chart #4 (in 1984 When Doves Cry #10)

ForbiddenFruit said:

rialb said:

I am definitely not a fan of Diamonds and Pearls and would rate it as his most disappointing album.

I do think it's interesting to note that "Gett Off" was his lowest charting lead single on the Billboard Hot 100 chart since "Controversy." Contrary to popular opinion it was a bit of a flop and only managed to reach number 21 ("Controversy" only made it as high as number 70). One could argue that the album was a success in spite of, not because of, "Gett Off." "Cream" and "Diamonds and Pearls" are the songs that were huge hits and propelled the album to massive sales.

US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play #1

UK Singles Chart #4 (in 1984 When Doves Cry #10)

That doesn't change anything I wrote. It was his weakest performing lead single from an album in ten years. Prince was still a huge pop star in 1991, he could have released just about anything as his first single and it probably would have made the top ten on the pop charts. Therefore I maintain that "Gett Off" was a flop.

NouveauDance said:

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

I would have 2 say that album was the perfect promotion out of any Prince album besides "Purple Rain". Every single & video was perfect. I will admit Prince isn't good at picking singles. This did no wrong @ all. It just goes to show with the right promotion any Prince album can achieve this....

Which is why it's kinda frustrating when you get a good album that doesn't get the right promo and single choices, you just think "Come on Prince! If you'd just not chose that ballad as the lead single and gone with the rocker/dance/funk track, we'd be on single 2,3,4 by now!" Grrrrr!

And I don't mean that from a sales POV, good music is good music whether it sells or not - but with sales comes extras like singles, and b-sides, and videos, and remixes, etc.

Nowadays an artist of Prince age doesn't really get promoted that well on major labels & radio. That is why Prince has taken over his career.

But I did like the way the whole promotion went with "Musicology". It was actually genius. Everything fit well together for him that year, with the Grammy's per4mance with Beyonce,tour,induction in rock&Roll hall of fame and 20th anniversary of "Purple Rain". Then the sells count with the tour ticket which skyrocketed the album to the top of the charts. That without any real hit singles from it.

Sometimes Prince hits it right on the nose & sometimes he doesn't. But U can't blame him for trying & coming up with new ways. I thought Lotusflow3r promotion was genius to. He just gave up to fast.

rialb said:

ForbiddenFruit said:

US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play #1

UK Singles Chart #4 (in 1984 When Doves Cry #10)

That doesn't change anything I wrote. It was his weakest performing lead single from an album in ten years. Prince was still a huge pop star in 1991, he could have released just about anything as his first single and it probably would have made the top ten on the pop charts. Therefore I maintain that "Gett Off" was a flop.

wrong. everybody was talking about the video and the 23 positions in a one night stand.

prince was a huge pop star again after diamonds and pearls - and his next first single was sexy mf (#66).

rialb said:

ForbiddenFruit said:

US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play #1

UK Singles Chart #4 (in 1984 When Doves Cry #10)

That doesn't change anything I wrote. It was his weakest performing lead single from an album in ten years. Prince was still a huge pop star in 1991, he could have released just about anything as his first single and it probably would have made the top ten on the pop charts. Therefore I maintain that "Gett Off" was a flop.

"Gett off" wasn't a flop here in LA. It was played on the radio on the regular & the clubs...It also remains one of the top songs that non Prince fans want to hear live. Too bad Prince don't do it anymore because of his JW beliefs.

[Edited 7/24/11 9:13am]

ForbiddenFruit said:

rialb said:

That doesn't change anything I wrote. It was his weakest performing lead single from an album in ten years. Prince was still a huge pop star in 1991, he could have released just about anything as his first single and it probably would have made the top ten on the pop charts. Therefore I maintain that "Gett Off" was a flop.

wrong. everybody was talking about the video and the 23 positions in a one night stand.

prince was a huge pop star again after diamonds and pearls - and his next first single was sexy mf (#66).

How am I wrong? I can tell you that where I'm from virtually no one was talking about "Gett Off." Diamonds and Pearls didn't click until "Cream." Look at how well "Cream" and "Diamonds and Pearls" performed even after the first single bombed on the pop charts. I think the problem was that this was an era when Prince started to falter with his choices for singles. As you pointed out "Sexy MF" had a fairly dismal performance and so did "My Name is Prince." Typically the first single performs the best with each subsequent single charting lower. By opting for uncommercial first singles I suspect that had a negative impact on later, more commercial singles, particularly in the case of the album. Maybe Prince was trying to be cutting edge and release "weird" songs as singles like he did with "When Doves Cry?"

ForbiddenFruit said:

rialb said:

That doesn't change anything I wrote. It was his weakest performing lead single from an album in ten years. Prince was still a huge pop star in 1991, he could have released just about anything as his first single and it probably would have made the top ten on the pop charts. Therefore I maintain that "Gett Off" was a flop.

wrong. everybody was talking about the video and the 23 positions in a one night stand.

prince was a huge pop star again after diamonds and pearls - and his next first single was sexy mf (#66).

He also regained an urban audience with gett off

lwr001 said:

ForbiddenFruit said:

wrong. everybody was talking about the video and the 23 positions in a one night stand.

prince was a huge pop star again after diamonds and pearls - and his next first single was sexy mf (#66).

He also regained an urban audience with gett off

That was one interesting aspect of Diamonds and Pearls. A song like "Cream" was obviously a "pop" single and "Insatiable" was an obvious "r & b" song. In the past the same singles tended to be hits on both charts but with Diamonds and Pearls it seemed like he was tailoring different singles for different markets. It worked pretty well with Diamonds and Pearls but not so well with .

[Edited 7/21/11 16:03pm]

rialb said:

ForbiddenFruit said:

wrong. everybody was talking about the video and the 23 positions in a one night stand.

prince was a huge pop star again after diamonds and pearls - and his next first single was sexy mf (#66).

How am I wrong? I can tell you that where I'm from virtually no one was talking about "Gett Off." Diamonds and Pearls didn't click until "Cream." Look at how well "Cream" and "Diamonds and Pearls" performed even after the first single bombed on the pop charts. I think the problem was that this was an era when Prince started to falter with his choices for singles. As you pointed out "Sexy MF" had a fairly dismal performance and so did "My Name is Prince." Typically the first single performs the best with each subsequent single charting lower. By opting for uncommercial first singles I suspect that had a negative impact on later, more commercial singles, particularly in the case of the album. Maybe Prince was trying to be cutting edge and release "weird" songs as singles like he did with "When Doves Cry?"

I agree with you that Gett Off was a flop as far as chart numbers go, but as far as D&P not clicking until Cream...the album wasn't released until after Cream was released as a single.

motherfunka said:

rialb said:

How am I wrong? I can tell you that where I'm from virtually no one was talking about "Gett Off." Diamonds and Pearls didn't click until "Cream." Look at how well "Cream" and "Diamonds and Pearls" performed even after the first single bombed on the pop charts. I think the problem was that this was an era when Prince started to falter with his choices for singles. As you pointed out "Sexy MF" had a fairly dismal performance and so did "My Name is Prince." Typically the first single performs the best with each subsequent single charting lower. By opting for uncommercial first singles I suspect that had a negative impact on later, more commercial singles, particularly in the case of the album. Maybe Prince was trying to be cutting edge and release "weird" songs as singles like he did with "When Doves Cry?"

I agree with you that Gett Off was a flop as far as chart numbers go, but as far as D&P not clicking until Cream...the album wasn't released until after Cream was released as a single.

Don't try to confuse the issue by bringing facts into the discussion.

Actually that may serve to underscore my point about "Gett Off" being a bit of a flop. It's fairly rare for an album to have two singles pulled from it before it is released. As far as I know that was the first time that happened with a Prince album. I wonder if Warner Brothers and/or Prince was dissatisfied with the performance of "Gett Off" and wanted a higher charting single to serve as the launch for the album? Or maybe they viewed "Gett Off" as more of a teaser than a proper single?

rialb said:

motherfunka said:

I agree with you that Gett Off was a flop as far as chart numbers go, but as far as D&P not clicking until Cream...the album wasn't released until after Cream was released as a single.

Don't try to confuse the issue by bringing facts into the discussion.

Actually that may serve to underscore my point about "Gett Off" being a bit of a flop. It's fairly rare for an album to have two singles pulled from it before it is released. As far as I know that was the first time that happened with a Prince album. I wonder if Warner Brothers and/or Prince was dissatisfied with the performance of "Gett Off" and wanted a higher charting single to serve as the launch for the album? Or maybe they viewed "Gett Off" as more of a teaser than a proper single?

I heard that "Gett Off" was a song that Prince first gave to clubs unbeknownst to Warners. 2 get his urban fans back(which he did). The song got so much buzz that Warners was forced 2 release it as a single. Then later came the album Diamonds & Pearls success. Didn't hurt that he per4rmed it on that yrs MTV Video Awards. Then caused a stir with those revealing assless pants either.

Plus the "Gett Off" Maxi single video was also released & sold relatively well also.

[Edited 7/21/11 17:31pm]

GREAT album!! LOVE IT!!

rialb said:

motherfunka said:

I agree with you that Gett Off was a flop as far as chart numbers go, but as far as D&P not clicking until Cream...the album wasn't released until after Cream was released as a single.

Don't try to confuse the issue by bringing facts into the discussion.

Actually that may serve to underscore my point about "Gett Off" being a bit of a flop. It's fairly rare for an album to have two singles pulled from it before it is released. As far as I know that was the first time that happened with a Prince album. I wonder if Warner Brothers and/or Prince was dissatisfied with the performance of "Gett Off" and wanted a higher charting single to serve as the launch for the album? Or maybe they viewed "Gett Off" as more of a teaser than a proper single?

lmao @ the "Don't try" comment!

I think you summed up what really happened quite well and is probably what really happened. The WB promo machine was in full force on this album and to not have the first single sell well was not part of the plan, hence the release of Cream. You are also correct about that being the first and last time 2 singles were released before the album's release.

@KCOOLMUZIQ you are also correct with Gett Off being sent to clubs, but it was distributed by Warner Bros. so they did know about it. It was sent out on Prince's birthday that year. I was at Glam Slam Minneapolis and heard it, but ofcourse didn't know what it was. It was the "Damn Near 10 minute version".

Gett Off was a copout...He had moved into being more spiritual with Lovesexy but just gave the dumb masses what they wanted with another sex song. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but it seemed disingenuine at the time and still does. It was a sellout song of sorts...not monetarily so much, but artistically.

Timmy84 said:

Prince promoted it and Warner backed it up. There you have it.

...and 3 very well produced videos really helped...gone are the days when we would get really classy, well produced videos to enhance a Prince single. "cream" grew on me after seeing the video a few times...i never really liked the song at 1st... I do believe a good vidoe can do wonders for any song.

D&P was the album that drew me in. It was actually the first Prince album I purchased so of course there's a special place for it in my musical heart. At 13 I didn't know how BIG Prince was in the 80's. I remembered some songs, but I never really payed special attention to him...Michael Jackson was the man as far as I was concerned. I heard 'Gett Off' on the radio and didn't even know it was P, but it was all downhill from there when I found out it was. Prince became my favorite artist. I spent the next few years exploring his back catalogue and eagerly awaiting new releases (and still do). Now, 20 years later, P. remains my favorite artist. I know D&P gets a bad rap around here, but it was the album that exposed me to that purple musical magic, so I give it props for being my entry point.

rialb said:

JAMIESTARR said:

rialb said:

I am definitely not a fan of Diamonds and Pearls and would rate it as his most disappointing album.

I do think it's interesting to note that "Gett Off" was his lowest charting lead single on the Billboard Hot 100 chart since "Controversy." Contrary to popular opinion it was a bit of a flop and only managed to reach number 21 ("Controversy" only made it as high as number 70). One could argue that the album was a success in spite of, not because of, "Gett Off." "Cream" and "Diamonds and Pearls" are the songs that were huge hits and propelled the album to massive sales.

I work in radio and WB did not work that song to Top 40...they tried to build buzz...Cream was the single they sought airplay for.

I thought that was the case anyway.