Now your mind is open
2 poetry seldom heard
Your heart has never been broken
Until U've heard these words

Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic

The Greatest Romance Ever Sold (#63 Hot 100, #23 R&B)

The album's first single, The Greatest Romance Ever Sold, is an easy-tempo ballad along the lines of "The Most Beautiful Girl in the World," featuring the Artist's knack for combining pretty melody with staccato rhythm. The rest of the album travels from ballad to box-blaster and back, blending influences from hip-hop to trance without straining.

A Beautiful song, but since Prince was desperately courting mainstream success with the Rave Un2 effort, the obvious single for the music environment at the time should have been So Far So Pleased.

"The Greatest Romance Ever Sold" is a song and single from Prince's (his stage name at that time being an unpronounceable symbol) 1999 album Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic. The track is a smooth ballad, featuring Prince's multi-layered vocals in the chorus.

The B-side was a remix of the track known as the "Adam and Eve" remix, featuring a rap by Eve. This mix was later mixed into the album version and available on the remixed version of the album called Rave In2 the Joy Fantastic. Prince's verse from the song was later interpolated into the song "Silicon" on the 2004 album The Slaughterhouse. The maxi single included additional remixes, produced by The Neptunes (featuring a guest appearance by rapper Q-Tip) and Jason Nevins.

Intended to be a comeback single for Prince, the song only became a minor hit, peaking at #63

(#23 on the R&B charts). This could possibly be because the song's music video may not have been released for best effect, instead premiering shortly after Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic was released and over a month after single was for sale. The failure of this single to make waves contributed to the relatively poor performance of the album.

USA TODAY

A Princely blend of ballads, blasts, surprises

The Artist clutches his past and clinches his future on the rave-worthy Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic (3.5 stars out of four), out Tuesday.

Former identity Prince properly gets a production credit for this sumptuous collaboration between funk's Old School and pop's New Cool. The 15 tracks range from slow jams and aching ballads to sweaty funk workouts and pop-rock blasts, all connected by the common threads of seductive vocals, organic instrumentation and crisp arrangements.

First single The Greatest Romance Ever Sold, a meld of Arabic flavors, booming bass, flamenco guitar lines and turntable scratching, typifies The Artist's ability to fold disparate elements into silky bliss.

imago said:

A Beautiful song, but since Prince was desperately courting mainstream success with the Rave Un2 effort, the obvious single for the music environment at the time should have been So Far So Pleased.

I agree,

Buy releasing SRESold as 1st single,

it seems he might have been trying to still

present himself as a solo album, instead of a (duets) album

Starting out with a song that had a another artist

might have helped set the tone and direction...

He should have tried it, pushed it just to know if it works for him

The Greatest Romance Ever Sold

The greatest romance that's ever been sold
So whatdya know, U and me
Finally face 2 face
Checkin' each other up and down
In all of the obvious places
Was there ever a reason
4 us 2 be apart
The air that fills up this room says "not hardly"
So this is where U end
And U and I begin (This is where U and I, U and I begin)

CHORUS:
The greatest romance that's ever been sold
The greatest romance that's ever been sold

Baby, baby
Now your mind is open
2 poetry seldom heard
Your heart has never been broken
Until U've heard these words:
"Your body was designed 2 respond 2 mine
In spite of your desire 2 mold me"
And in the middle of it all
We kiss and like rain we fall into... (Like rain, we fall)

CHORUS
(Oh baby, oh baby, baby)

Oh, I know U feel me, I know that U can dance (Help)
But what do U know about the greatest romance?
Not what U think, but what U believe (Tell me)
What was the real reason that Adam never left Eve
And if the truth sounds like a memory
Then U know it was meant 2 be, meant 2 be (Meant 2 be)
Leave your inhibitions behind
Come on, come on, let's see (What? Why)

So this is where U end (This is where U end)
And U and I begin (U...)

CHORUS
(Uh huh uh huh)

I know U can feel me, I know U can dance (I know)
But what do U know about the greatest romance?
(The greatest romance that's ever been sold)
Not what U think, but what U believe
Can U tell me the real reason that Adam never left Eve
(The greatest romance that's ever been sold) (Greatest romance)
Listen 2 me, uh, U brought me the grapes from the vine, oh, yes U did
(The greatest romance that's ever been sold)

Can I talk 2 U? (Talk 2 U)
Listen, U help me 2 remember the secrets of time
And U, U, U, U offer me your love, your love, your love so divine
And in return girl and in return I will surrender
Aw yeah, I will surrender, oh yes I will

The greatest romance that's ever been sold

© 1999 Emancipated Music — ASCAP

Really the video for this one as well.

Well done.

MadamGoodnight said:

Really the video for this one as well.

Well done.

ditto!

TheEnglishGent said:

Regarding so far so pleased, wasn't there some kind of contractual problem with gwen stefani's record co? I believe they wanted to release it but weren't allowed.

Though Prince's duet with Gwen Stefani, "So Far So Pleased", was considered to be a single, plans were halted when No Doubt's label refused to grant permission (fearing it would confuse fans since the band's album, Return of Saturn, was about to be released)

The track contains co-lead vocals by No Doubt singer Gwen Stefani (a favor Prince returned by working on No Doubt's track Waiting Room).

I've always considered this to be one of his worst songs, if not even "the worst" when judged by how much hype it got and how little it delivered. I like bits and pieces of it when I put it on - it's got some nice ideas and the verses have a mood of their own - but it's just so directionless as a song that I find it hard to listen to. It doesn't help that the drums don't groove at all (it beats me why he stuck with those drum sounds for NPS and Rave). The lyrics don't seem to be about much anything either. It seems like the chorus - whatever it's supposed to really mean - contradicts what's stated in the verses.

Not blaming anyone for liking it. It just doesn't click with me at all.

This track was my favourite ...

l love the way he played the ballad of this track the beat remixed.. similar to mustang mix which l love ...

The B-side was a remix of the track known as the "Adam and Eve" remix, featuring a rap by Eve.

A gem of a song - the chord changes are magical.

Oh, I know U feel me, I know that U can dance (Help)
But what do U know about the greatest romance?
Not what U think, but what U believe (Tell me)
What was the real reason that Adam never left Eve
And if the truth sounds like a memory
Then U know it was meant 2 be, meant 2 be (Meant 2 be)
Leave your inhibitions behind
Come on, come on, let's see (What? Why)

So this is where U end (This is where U end)
And U and I begin (U...)

I love the song! Very sensual and nicely flowing. Unfortunately, the romantic feeling gets spoiled by the lyrics in the chorus: Why is this romance sold rather than told? I never understood.

Possessed: the Rise & Fall of Prince

chapt 18

Comeback

pg 236

Arista released Rave on November 9,1999, and Prince continued to throw himself into promotion of the project, planning a mini-tour of the United States and a video shoot for "the Greatest Romance Ever Sold."

Davis superiors at Bertelsmann had other ideas, though, and insisted that early promotion focus on European markets, a decision driven by the presence of the company's headquarters in Germany. Prince resisted, arguing to Davis that the U.S. market was crucial and that European appearances would delay the video shoot. But Davis had no real choice, and Prince reluctantly sat for interviews on television shows throught Europe.

These, and his visits to American programs such as the Today Show, were brief, stilted affairs that did little to stir enthusiasm for the album. Larry Graham was a distracting presence during many of the interviews, as Prince wasted valuable promotional time lauding his friend.

"This is the best bass player I've ever had," Prince said when Graham joined him on the Swedish show OP Reis. "Larry is as important as anyone, anywhere, anytime."

ADONIA said:

This track was my favourite ...

l love the way he played the ballad of this track the beat remixed.. similar to mustang mix which l love ...

The B-side was a remix of the track known as the "Adam and Eve" remix, featuring a rap by Eve.

Merci pour le rappel

Rave In2 the Joy Fantastic

The Greatest Romance Ever Sold features Eve

In 1999, she was featured on Prince's album Rave In2 The Joy Fantastic, and she was to co-star on the eventually cancelled Hot Wit' U single from that same album.

The B-side was a remix of the track known as the "Adam and Eve" remix, featuring a rap by Eve. This mix was later mixed into the album version and available on the remixed version of the album called Rave In2 the Joy Fantastic. Prince's verse from the song was later interpolated into the song "Silicon" on the 2004 album The Slaughterhouse. The maxi single included additional remixes, produced by The Neptunes (featuring a guest appearance by rapper Q-Tip) and Jason Nevins.

The greatest romance that's ever been sold

Come on

Come on

(NPG on E.V.E.)

Yo, your eyes seem 2 whisper into ecstasy
4 a long time I never let a soul next 2 me
Melted all over your frame and tested me — handled it
Honestly, my brain — U scrambled it (Your Adam)
Said U'd like 2 be my Adam, I needed that
And U're like "4ever", I stayed but U pleaded that
Made U mine, how could U ever leave-I?
E.V.E. created your feelings — the first believer ([And why's that?])
Embrace your whole being — soul I took over
I became your queen — U 2 me: my knight, my love soldier
Enjoy my fruit juices — abundant, have plenty
Never had 2 think twice, I'm yours alone 4 life, simply
Conquer all, breathe 4 each other, U'll never find
Love as warm or as deep or as enticing as mine
Control U — know U'll die without me
'Nuff said, nothing is temptin' as Eve — never doubt me

Make it alone without U, hah — clever
U's got the tight puller, I got the lever
Sweet drops of rain I am 2 your umbrella
2gether we make the remix a big sella

The greatest romance that's ever been sold

So whatdya know, U and me
Finally face 2 face
Checkin' each other up and down
In all of the obvious places
Was there ever a reason
4 us 2 be apart
The air that fills up this room says "not hardly"
So this is where U end
And U and I begin (This is where U and I, U and I begin)

CHORUS:
The greatest romance that's ever been sold
The greatest romance that's ever been sold

Baby, baby
Now your mind is open
2 poetry seldom heard
Your heart has never been broken
Until U've heard these words:
"Your body was designed 2 respond 2 mine
In spite of your desire 2 mold me"
And in the middle of it all
We kiss and like rain we fall into... (Like rain, we fall)

CHORUS
(Oh baby, oh baby, baby)

Oh, I know U feel me, I know that U can dance (Help)
But what do U know about the greatest romance?
Not what U think, but what U believe (Tell me)
What was the real reason that Adam never left Eve
And if the truth sounds like a memory
Then U know it was meant 2 be, meant 2 be (Meant 2 be)
Leave your inhibitions behind
Come on, come on, let's see (What? Why?)
The greatest romance

So this is where U end (This is where U end)
And U and I begin (U...)

CHORUS
(Uh huh, uh huh)

Let me holla atcha baby (Holla holla)
I know U can feel me, I know U can dance (I know)
But what do U know about the greatest romance?
(The greatest romance that's ever been sold)
Not what U think, but what U believe
Can U tell me the real reason that Adam never left Eve
(The greatest romance that's ever been sold)
I ain't gonna gonna leave U baby, no no
I ain't never gonna leave U, no
(The greatest romance that's ever been sold)
Can I tell U whatcha, can I tell ya whatcha did 4 me, baby?
Can I holla atcha one time, huh?
(The greatest romance that's ever been sold) (Greatest romance)
Listen 2 me, uh, U brought me the grapes from the vine, oh, yes U did
(The greatest romance that's ever been sold)
Can I talk 2 U? (Talk 2 U)
Listen, U help me 2 remember the secrets of time
And U, U, U, U offer me your love, your love, your love so divine
And in return girl, and in return I will surrender
Aw yeah, I will surrender, oh yes I will

CHORUS

...that's ever been sold {x3}

The greatest romance that's ever been sold

© 1999 Emancipated Music — ASCAP

OldFriends4Sale said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

Beautiful!

LadyZsaZsa said:

[img:$uid]http://princevault.com/images/c/c0/TGRES-vid5in1.png[/img:$uid] Bottom right-hand corner...

OldFriends4Sale said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

ADONIA said:

This track was my favourite ...

l love the way he played the ballad of this track the beat remixed.. similar to mustang mix which l love ...

The B-side was a remix of the track known as the "Adam and Eve" remix, featuring a rap by Eve.

Merci pour le rappel

Rave In2 the Joy Fantastic

The Greatest Romance Ever Sold features Eve

In 1999, she was featured on Prince's album Rave In2 The Joy Fantastic, and she was to co-star on the eventually cancelled Hot Wit' U single from that same album.

The B-side was a remix of the track known as the "Adam and Eve" remix, featuring a rap by Eve. This mix was later mixed into the album version and available on the remixed version of the album called Rave In2 the Joy Fantastic. Prince's verse from the song was later interpolated into the song "Silicon" on the 2004 album The Slaughterhouse. The maxi single included additional remixes, produced by The Neptunes (featuring a guest appearance by rapper Q-Tip) and Jason Nevins.

The greatest romance that's ever been sold

Come on

Come on

(NPG on E.V.E.)

Yo, your eyes seem 2 whisper into ecstasy
4 a long time I never let a soul next 2 me
Melted all over your frame and tested me — handled it
Honestly, my brain — U scrambled it (Your Adam)
Said U'd like 2 be my Adam, I needed that
And U're like "4ever", I stayed but U pleaded that
Made U mine, how could U ever leave-I?
E.V.E. created your feelings — the first believer ([And why's that?])
Embrace your whole being — soul I took over
I became your queen — U 2 me: my knight, my love soldier
Enjoy my fruit juices — abundant, have plenty
Never had 2 think twice, I'm yours alone 4 life, simply
Conquer all, breathe 4 each other, U'll never find
Love as warm or as deep or as enticing as mine
Control U — know U'll die without me
'Nuff said, nothing is temptin' as Eve — never doubt me

Make it alone without U, hah — clever
U's got the tight puller, I got the lever
Sweet drops of rain I am 2 your umbrella
2gether we make the remix a big sella

The greatest romance that's ever been sold

So whatdya know, U and me
Finally face 2 face
Checkin' each other up and down
In all of the obvious places
Was there ever a reason
4 us 2 be apart
The air that fills up this room says "not hardly"
So this is where U end
And U and I begin (This is where U and I, U and I begin)

CHORUS:
The greatest romance that's ever been sold
The greatest romance that's ever been sold

Baby, baby
Now your mind is open
2 poetry seldom heard
Your heart has never been broken
Until U've heard these words:
"Your body was designed 2 respond 2 mine
In spite of your desire 2 mold me"
And in the middle of it all
We kiss and like rain we fall into... (Like rain, we fall)

CHORUS
(Oh baby, oh baby, baby)

Oh, I know U feel me, I know that U can dance (Help)
But what do U know about the greatest romance?
Not what U think, but what U believe (Tell me)
What was the real reason that Adam never left Eve
And if the truth sounds like a memory
Then U know it was meant 2 be, meant 2 be (Meant 2 be)
Leave your inhibitions behind
Come on, come on, let's see (What? Why?)
The greatest romance

So this is where U end (This is where U end)
And U and I begin (U...)

CHORUS
(Uh huh, uh huh)

Let me holla atcha baby (Holla holla)
I know U can feel me, I know U can dance (I know)
But what do U know about the greatest romance?
(The greatest romance that's ever been sold)
Not what U think, but what U believe
Can U tell me the real reason that Adam never left Eve
(The greatest romance that's ever been sold)
I ain't gonna gonna leave U baby, no no
I ain't never gonna leave U, no
(The greatest romance that's ever been sold)
Can I tell U whatcha, can I tell ya whatcha did 4 me, baby?
Can I holla atcha one time, huh?
(The greatest romance that's ever been sold) (Greatest romance)
Listen 2 me, uh, U brought me the grapes from the vine, oh, yes U did
(The greatest romance that's ever been sold)
Can I talk 2 U? (Talk 2 U)
Listen, U help me 2 remember the secrets of time
And U, U, U, U offer me your love, your love, your love so divine
And in return girl, and in return I will surrender
Aw yeah, I will surrender, oh yes I will

CHORUS

...that's ever been sold {x3}

The greatest romance that's ever been sold

© 1999 Emancipated Music — ASCAP

ure plus que bienvenu pour le rappel

thanks for the lyrics to this song..

OldFriends4Sale said: