Sign O The Times (the very beginning -- keyboard path -- plus the funky guitar.. Its so cool)
Girls & Boys
Darlin Nikki
Little Red Corvette

Electric Intercourse

Question of U

Thieves in the Temple (Remix Version --- because that long version is so much better than the album cut)

[Edited 6/29/14 11:26am]

Well it realy wuld depend what music those people like, how old they r, etc. I certainly wouldn't chose the same song/album 4 everyone.

I always start with something like "When Doves Cry" or "Little Red Corvette." I do that because it's something that's "familiar" and I think they show hints of his genius.

When Doves Cry is his only flawless song so far. Its crossover appeal alone is staggering.

Shockedelicus said:

When Doves Cry is his only flawless song so far. Its crossover appeal alone is staggering.

I don't know what you mean by flawless. Little Red Corvette, Purple Rain, Sign O The Times etc don't have 'flaws' either.

Little Red Corvette or Kiss!

I know it's probably a stock answer, but I think you can never go wrong with "Purple Rain". I actually think it's one of the greatest songs ever made...

To me, it's about the type of music that person likes. Putting on "Dirty Mind" [the album] for someone who likes punk, or new wave, is always a decent touch. I played "Xpectation" [the full album] for my uncle [who hates Prince for some reason ], & he friggin' LOVED it [He's a jazz head]! It's mostly about who you're playing something for to make the right choice, imo. I, personally would play something like "Jack U Off" for a random, just to see their reaction.

Tittypants said:

To me, it's about the type of music that person likes. Putting on "Dirty Mind" [the album] for someone who likes punk, or new wave, is always a decent touch. I played "Xpectation" [the full album] for my uncle [who hates Prince for some reason ], & he friggin' LOVED it [He's a jazz head]! It's mostly about who you're playing something for to make the right choice, imo. I, personally would play something like "Jack U Off" for a random, just to see their reaction.

Exactly. I always say I could make a Prince mix for anyone - including my mom, who basically doesn't like any music that came out after 1955. (That's an exaggeration, obviously - though not as big as you might think.) All I need is a couple of examples of other artists they like.

The extended version of "She's Always in my Hair". NEVER FAILS to make them say, "Wow!"

1999 always succeeds in making the person dance, it's so damn catchy and likeable

Some other good ones would be Little Red Corvette (most of the adults I know consider this their favorite Prince song) and When Doves Cry (the favorite of most teenagers I know)

erotic city or if i was your girlfriend

erotic city has an aesthetic that a lot of people like, and it's a great song

if i was your girlfriend is so completely Prince, though, that i often recommend it first.

The title is on theme ("but Prince, you're a boy!"). The lyrical content is solid. The desires of the narrator are an uncomfortable mashup of love and lust and neediness and control issues, and in my opinion the music reflects this perfectly. You get the bizarre high pitched camille vocals (baffling to non-fans), the distortion on the vocals that he left in, the really comical backing vocals ("thaat woould bee soo fiiiiine")... it's just weird and silly-serious. There's the sex rap at the end. And the song itself might not grab the non-fan immediately, but if it ever does, they'll realize that all this weird stuff is decoration for some really good music.

fusk said:

erotic city or if i was your girlfriend

erotic city has an aesthetic that a lot of people like, and it's a great song

if i was your girlfriend is so completely Prince, though, that i often recommend it first.

The title is on theme ("but Prince, you're a boy!"). The lyrical content is solid. The desires of the narrator are an uncomfortable mashup of love and lust and neediness and control issues, and in my opinion the music reflects this perfectly. You get the bizarre high pitched camille vocals (baffling to non-fans), the distortion on the vocals that he left in, the really comical backing vocals ("thaat woould bee soo fiiiiine")... it's just weird and silly-serious. There's the sex rap at the end. And the song itself might not grab the non-fan immediately, but if it ever does, they'll realize that all this weird stuff is decoration for some really good music.

Was just about to say that. Your other choice is also a good one.

'Arms of Orion' or 'Push'.

I think the obvious choice for pop appeal plus original signature sound is "When Doves Cry"

But if you want to paint a picture of creative imagination: "Bob George"

I'm not sure you can encapsulate him with one song, but I would probably go with the extended version of 'Erotic City'

Delirious.catchy, quirky and funky