What do you guys think:

which Prince-tracks (released or unreleased) have the potential to become hits in 2026-27 IF they would be backed by proper and significant marketing efforts by both the Estate and Warners (or Sony)?

Think of his entire catalog, including tracks recorded for/with others, including obscure tracks. And think of proper marketing campaigns, backed by radio and all other channels, and single releases with added modern-day remixes too. (Although I never cared for remixes, but I'm afraid they would be needed.)

One of my votes would go for 'Love And Sex' (1984), for example (but it needs a new mix from the original multitracks).

[Edited 2/12/26 8:36am]

ShellyMcG said:

Xtraloveable. The version from Hit'n'Run Phase Two. If someone like Bruno Mars released that exact same song it would have been huge.

Very good call. And there's a cool music video.

leecaldon said:

ShellyMcG said:

Xtraloveable. The version from Hit'n'Run Phase Two. If someone like Bruno Mars released that exact same song it would have been huge.

The Gold Standard.

paisleyparkgirl said:

ShellyMcG said:

Xtraloveable. The version from Hit'n'Run Phase Two. If someone like Bruno Mars released that exact same song it would have been huge.

The Gold Standard.

wow,

really?

I almost always skip that one. What have I missed about it?

paisleyparkgirl said:

bobgeorge77 said:

dodger07 said:

Love Sign Always thought it would've been a hit back in the day as well on the back of TMBGIW, if WB didn’t block it. It was getting some attention with the message, the Ice Cube video and Marvin Gaye’s daughter.

yes this, everything about the song sounds like hit, cool video too.

peedub said:

Kares said:

What do you guys think:

which Prince-tracks (released or unreleased) have the potential to become hits in 2026-27 IF they would be backed by proper and significant marketing efforts by both the Estate and Warners (or Sony)?

Think of his entire catalog, including tracks recorded for/with others, including obscure tracks. And think of proper marketing campaigns, backed by radio and all other channels, and single releases with added modern-day remixes too. (Although I never cared for remixes, but I'm afraid they would be needed.)

One of my votes would go for 'Love And Sex' (1984), for example (but it needs a new mix from the original multitracks).

[Edited 2/12/26 8:36am]

Honestly, many of Prince's song could be hits. 75% of a "hit" song is marketing. I mean, look what happened with the Stranger Things tie in.

skywalker said:

Kares said:

What do you guys think:

which Prince-tracks (released or unreleased) have the potential to become hits in 2026-27 IF they would be backed by proper and significant marketing efforts by both the Estate and Warners (or Sony)?

Think of his entire catalog, including tracks recorded for/with others, including obscure tracks. And think of proper marketing campaigns, backed by radio and all other channels, and single releases with added modern-day remixes too. (Although I never cared for remixes, but I'm afraid they would be needed.)

One of my votes would go for 'Love And Sex' (1984), for example (but it needs a new mix from the original multitracks).

[Edited 2/12/26 8:36am]

Honestly, many of Prince's song could be hits. 75% of a "hit" song is marketing.

.

agree

skywalker said:

databank said:

As I have no idea (at all) about what today's hits sound like, I don't know. With a few rare exceptions, most of the current acts I listen to are rather niche (or so I suppose). But unless popular sounds became totally retro in 2026, probably no Prince song at all unless it's massively remixed by some young producer to the point of being barely recognizable as a Prince song. + IDK, except for Bob Marley with Ion Lion Zion, has any song by a long dead artist ever topped the charts?

I asked AI:

1. The Beatles – Now and Then (2023): Released 43 years after John Lennon’s death and 22 years after George Harrison’s, using AI to extract Lennon's vocals.
2. Whitney Houston – Higher Love (2019): A Kygo remix of a 1990 recording, becoming a global smash 7 years after her passing.
3. Elvis Presley – A Little Less Conversation (2002): This Junkie XL remix hit #1 in over 20 countries, 25 years after Elvis died.
4. Freddie Mercury – Living on My Own (1993): The No More Brothers remix became a massive European hit 2 years after his death.
5. John Lennon – Nobody Told Me (1984): Released on the Milk and Honey album, 4 years after his assassination.
6. George Harrison – My Sweet Lord (2002): Re-released and hit #1 in the UK 1 yearafter his death.
7. Jackie Wilson – Reet Petite (1986): Became a UK #1 hit 2 years after his death (and 29 years after its original release).
8. Roy Orbison – I Drove All Night (1992): A Top 10 hit in the UK and Ireland, released 4 years after he passed.
9. The Beatles – Free as a Bird (1995): Released 15 years after Lennon's death as part of the Anthology project.
10. The Beatles – Real Love (1996): Released 16 years after Lennon's death.
11. Eva Cassidy – Over the Rainbow (2001): Became a UK sensation 5 years after her death due to radio play.
12. The Cranberries – All Over Now (2019): Released exactly 1 year after Dolores O’Riordan’s passing.
13. Jim Reeves – Distant Drums (1966): Hit #1 in the UK 2 years after he died in a plane crash.
14. Jeff Buckley – Hallelujah (2008): Reached #2 on the UK charts 11 years after his death, sparked by an X Factor cover.
15. Nirvana – You Know You're Right (2002): Released 8 years after Kurt Cobain's death, topping the rock charts.

1. 2Pac – Ghetto Gospel (2005): A global #1 hit featuring Elton John, released 9 yearsafter Tupac was killed.
2. The Notorious B.I.G. – Nasty Girl (2005): Topped the charts 8 years after Biggie’s death.
3. Michael Jackson – Love Never Felt So Good (2014): A duet with Justin Timberlake released 5 years after MJ’s death.
4. 2Pac – Changes (1998): One of his most famous songs, released 2 years after his death.
5. Aaliyah – Miss You (2002): Released over 1 year after her fatal plane crash.
6. Michael Jackson – Slave to the Rhythm (2014): Released 5 years after his death; famously "performed" by a hologram at the Billboard Music Awards.
7. Pop Smoke – What You Know It Love (2020): Became a massive TikTok and radio hit months to a year after his passing.
8. Juice WRLD – Already Dead (2021): Released 2 years after his passing.
9. Luther Vandross – Shine (2006): A posthumous hit released 1 year after his death.
10. Left Eye (TLC) – Let's Just Do It (2009): Released 7 years after Lisa Lopes' death.

1. Otis Redding – Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay (1968): Released months after his death, but its longevity made it a "chart-topper" for years to come.
2. Selena – Dreaming of You (1995): Released months after her death, but remained a charting hit for over a year.
3. Bob Marley – Iron Lion Zion (1992): Released 11 years after his death, becoming a huge hit in Europe.
4. Nat King Cole & Natalie Cole – Unforgettable (1991): A virtual duet released 26 yearsafter Nat King Cole’s death.
5. Louis Armstrong – What a Wonderful World (1987): While originally released in 1967, it became a massive US chart hit 16 years after his death because of the movie Good Morning, Vietnam.

Why are you using AI for this?

Kares said:

databank said:

As I have no idea (at all) about what today's hits sound like, I don't know. With a few rare exceptions, most of the current acts I listen to are rather niche (or so I suppose). But unless popular sounds became totally retro in 2026, probably no Prince song at all unless it's massively remixed by some young producer to the point of being barely recognizable as a Prince song. + IDK, except for Bob Marley with Ion Lion Zion, has any song by a long dead artist ever topped the charts?

I asked AI:

Rock & Pop Legends

1. The Beatles – Now and Then (2023): Released 43 years after John Lennon’s death and 22 years after George Harrison’s, using AI to extract Lennon's vocals.
2. Whitney Houston – Higher Love (2019): A Kygo remix of a 1990 recording, becoming a global smash 7 years after her passing.
3. Elvis Presley – A Little Less Conversation (2002): This Junkie XL remix hit #1 in over 20 countries, 25 years after Elvis died.
4. Freddie Mercury – Living on My Own (1993): The No More Brothers remix became a massive European hit 2 years after his death.
5. John Lennon – Nobody Told Me (1984): Released on the Milk and Honey album, 4 years after his assassination.
6. George Harrison – My Sweet Lord (2002): Re-released and hit #1 in the UK 1 yearafter his death.
7. Jackie Wilson – Reet Petite (1986): Became a UK #1 hit 2 years after his death (and 29 years after its original release).
8. Roy Orbison – I Drove All Night (1992): A Top 10 hit in the UK and Ireland, released 4 years after he passed.
9. The Beatles – Free as a Bird (1995): Released 15 years after Lennon's death as part of the Anthology project.
10. The Beatles – Real Love (1996): Released 16 years after Lennon's death.
11. Eva Cassidy – Over the Rainbow (2001): Became a UK sensation 5 years after her death due to radio play.
12. The Cranberries – All Over Now (2019): Released exactly 1 year after Dolores O’Riordan’s passing.
13. Jim Reeves – Distant Drums (1966): Hit #1 in the UK 2 years after he died in a plane crash.
14. Jeff Buckley – Hallelujah (2008): Reached #2 on the UK charts 11 years after his death, sparked by an X Factor cover.
15. Nirvana – You Know You're Right (2002): Released 8 years after Kurt Cobain's death, topping the rock charts.

Hip-Hop & R&B

1. 2Pac – Ghetto Gospel (2005): A global #1 hit featuring Elton John, released 9 yearsafter Tupac was killed.
2. The Notorious B.I.G. – Nasty Girl (2005): Topped the charts 8 years after Biggie’s death.
3. Michael Jackson – Love Never Felt So Good (2014): A duet with Justin Timberlake released 5 years after MJ’s death.
4. 2Pac – Changes (1998): One of his most famous songs, released 2 years after his death.
5. Aaliyah – Miss You (2002): Released over 1 year after her fatal plane crash.
6. Michael Jackson – Slave to the Rhythm (2014): Released 5 years after his death; famously "performed" by a hologram at the Billboard Music Awards.
7. Pop Smoke – What You Know It Love (2020): Became a massive TikTok and radio hit months to a year after his passing.
8. Juice WRLD – Already Dead (2021): Released 2 years after his passing.
9. Luther Vandross – Shine (2006): A posthumous hit released 1 year after his death.
10. Left Eye (TLC) – Let's Just Do It (2009): Released 7 years after Lisa Lopes' death.

Soul, Country & Jazz

1. Otis Redding – Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay (1968): Released months after his death, but its longevity made it a "chart-topper" for years to come.
2. Selena – Dreaming of You (1995): Released months after her death, but remained a charting hit for over a year.
3. Bob Marley – Iron Lion Zion (1992): Released 11 years after his death, becoming a huge hit in Europe.
4. Nat King Cole & Natalie Cole – Unforgettable (1991): A virtual duet released 26 yearsafter Nat King Cole’s death.
5. Louis Armstrong – What a Wonderful World (1987): While originally released in 1967, it became a massive US chart hit 16 years after his death because of the movie Good Morning, Vietnam.

OK, crazy, I never knew!

bozojones said:

Why are you using AI for this?

Because it's helpful?

ShellyMcG said:

leecaldon said:

Very good call. And there's a cool music video.

Was that the last known Prince music video? Obviously not counting the ones that were made without his participation after he died. With the recent releases of the Hit'n'Run albums on vinyl I think it would have been cool for the Prince Estate to put out a 4k version of that video on YouTube. With a lot of new fans gained over the last month or so it might have helped promote newer Prince music to those fans who have only now gotten into his stuff and may only know the Purple Rain songs.

Are saying the estate missed an opportunity?

leecaldon said:

319, Peach.

paisleyparkgirl said:

319, Peach.

Peach already reached #14 in the UK on release and was a top 10 hit in many countries across Europe.

I always thought Last Heart had single potential. You could probably pump up the production a bit for modern ears.