OKAY...picking singles to release off of albums are very important in the pop/R&B music genre. OKAY imagine or dig this. If you were a WB exec and you were in charge of choosing what Prince singles to release off of his landmark albums in the 80's or albums that of his that didn't fare too well later in his career, what songs you would have chosen as singles and in what order? You don't have to state what you would have done for every album by LIL MAN, only the ones you wish...(how's that for democracy).

Ok.. for his 1987 album "Sign O The Times" this is what I would have done.

* 1st Single- Sign O The Times.....LIL MAN and WB made the right choice IMO choosing the leadoff single from this album. Of course, by this being the first single it's going to get a lot of attention. And this single got LIL MAN recognized as a lyricist to be reckon with. Rolling Stone magazine in their 1988 Critics Poll voted this song as one of the best singles of the year 1987.

* 2nd Single- Housequake....Yes I know this is an unorhodox choice, but this song was being played on R&B radio constantly when Sign O The Times came out. This song with that deep groove would have surely crossed over to pop radio station playlists. Of course WB could have released a nice clean version of the song just had the DJ's bleep out the expletive stuff. But this song would have been a TOP 10 record at least, I bet. And this song surely could have went to number #1 on the R&B charts. Everybody it seems was bumping this in their ride back in 87'. I remember me and my friends wanted to use this as our graduation song during our high school graduation ceremony in the summer of 87'.

* 3rd Single- U Got The Look.....I agree with WB's choice as third single. And imagine coming after the second single HOUSEQUAKE, this would have really got people excited. Sign O The Times lost a little momentum when IF I WAS YOUR GIRLFRIEND was released as a single then flopped on the charts. It's a good song don't get me wrong. But I don't think it should have been released as a single. Maybe P was trying to garner some attention to the album by releasing this song as a single. I remember when top 40 disc jockeys stations debuted the song as a single on the radio. After they played it, they had listeners call in to either RUSH IT (meaning they approved of the song and liked it) or FLUSH IT(meaning they hated it). 70% of the listeners didn't like it, they said flush it. However, what was interesting, was that some said the music was great and even innovative, but those lyrics were too "quirky". As a result, this top 40 pop station wouldn't play it anymore. Once again, this is a great song with lyrics that really forces the listener to focus in on the subject matter. However, this isn't really single material...IMO. I wonder how this song would have fared if it would have been released as a single in say 1994 or something like that.

* 4th Single- I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man....I argee with WB for releasing this as the 4th single.

So as it relates to this particular album, I only would have changed the 2nd single that was released.

* Brother 9/15 aka CR3

I often think about this myself!

*I was surprised by I Wish U Heaven from Lovesexy - it didn't do so great here in the UK and that's because the British public didn't really get it, I think.

*I really think he should have released Question of U and We Can Funk from Graffiti Bridge.

*Batdance did well over here, but there were better singles on the Batman album - plenty of dance grooves which would have done well (take your pick!).

There's stuff from the later albums I really like but doubt they would have done well as singles. What he really should have released was his version of Nothing Compares 2 U - it's a million times better than when Sinead O'Connor did it!!!

I'll tackle the Gold Experience.

The Gold Experience (Which is my favorite Prince album)

1st Single - Endorphinmachine

This would have been a terrific lead of single for this record. It says in one song what the album is. Ripping, roaring, filthy, wonderful, and joyous. It has a terrific tone and pace, outstanding guitar work, and fun lyrics. This is one his songs that I always felt like I should be hearing on the radio.

2nd Single - Shhh

Instead of releasing Eye Hate U as the albums ballad, Shhh would have been a better choice. By far the most sensual and seductive song on the album, this would have been a good follow up to Endorphinmachine. My idea behind this is u open them up and get them interested with the hard hitting roar of Endorphinmachine, and then "talk them into bed" with Shhh. Can't u just picture the video 4 this song? Mayte and Prince, back in the day, gettin' freak "Beautiful Experience" video style.

3rd Single - Now

Every time that I play this song, I think to myself "Dammit this could have been THE party jam 4 1995!" Here is one of his wittiest, funniest, and most danceable hip hop derived tracks that would have blasted onto radio with a vengence. This is a song that really has a mass appeal that went unused. Here is something for hip hop fans, funk fans, r&b lovers, and casual music fans alike. Now has always been one of my favorite Prince songs, and I firmly believe that it could have been a big hit for him.

4th Single - Gold

I know that this was released as a single in the UK and in Europe, but nobody ever really got 2 hear it in the United States. Gold would have made everyone of those people who bought Purple Rain and then tuned out sit up and go "Holy Shit! Prince, where've u been!?" I always felt this song was an anthem waiting 2 be embraced. Not only does it tie 2gether the elements of the three singles I mentioned above very well, (Endorphinmachine's wailing guitar, Shhh's sensuality, and Now's accessibility), the song itself makes the soul soar. I always felt that the Gold Experience was Prince's greatest non-hit, an album that just pulsed with life and brilliance, and got lost in his feud with WB.

I think Elephants and Flowers would have been a good choice for a 2nd single for Graffitti Bridge.

I think they made the wrong choice with "Eye hate U" on Gold. I think there is much stronger material on that CD that could have opened some eyes (shy, dolphin, endorphine machine to name a few).

I just can't understand the logic of not releasing "So Far, So Pleased" from RAVE. With a fun, high-energy video with Gwen, we're talking instant hit.

Classic number one singles that never were...

When U were mine

The Ladder

Lovesexy

Housequake

Stange Relationship

The Question Of U

Shake (I know, no quite prince)

Walk Don't Walk

The Continental

Race

Endorphin Machine

Interactive

Now

Baby Knows


Commercial heaven

The One should have been released with the promo video. That was getting quite a lot of play on MTV. They even premiered it.

i have 2 agree with XtrueX. anything with gwen and prince would have 2 b a hit. not 2 mention the fact that it is actually a good song. we'll c i f the song he wrote 4 no doubt will get airplay.

In This Bed Eye Scream!! That song was a total hit.

damn its too hard to say...i like the real stuff not some 4;00 min radio jam... i like the bootlegs...movie star, school yard...ect

i'll get "batman", i guess.

1st single - "Electric Chair". Hard enough to make a lasting impression, Funky enough to make you dance.

2nd single - "Scandalous". Exactly what the world needed. A Prince baby-maker. "The Scandalous Sex Suite", though... I don't know about that.

3rd single - "Partyman". Fun loving, funky little ditty. European/Japanese video a must for US airplay outlets.

I don't think "Batdance" should've been released as a single. Its actually kinda corny, and while musically good, the samples bring the track down quite a bit.

Sign of The Times

[*] Ballad of Dorothy Parker -- might've done well on slow-jam programming and other urban formats.
[*] Strange Relationship -- a song that funky should've had a chance in the pop and r&b markets.

Lovesexy

[*] Lovesexy -- great for pop markets.

Batman

[*] Vicki Waiting -- another good, solid pop song gone to waste. The man copped a wonderful Stevie feel and let it go. This way, too, the 12" might be released. (P, I wanna hear that guitar solo!!!! That was my favorite tone of yours from the 1980s!!!! Boohooooo!)

[*] Trust -- This song pops up at sporting events more often than I thought. Middle America seems to dig uptempo gems like this.

Graffiti Bridge

[*] Joy in Repetition -- with the right video, Mtv would've eaten this one up.

o(+> (yeah, I'm skippin', on purpose...)

[*] Love 2 the 9s -- Pop radio would've played this.
[*] Sacrifice of Victor -- ditto.
[*] Sweet Baby -- Maybe for adult contemporary radio, who would've gladly played this.

I agree with previous comments about [*]Now from Gold. Subsequent albums, I'm not too sure about.

Prince, for a supposed musical genius, you sure can be a dufus!

I really believe that certain Prince albums would have sold more copies if the right singles had been released.Here's a few examples....


****'Parade'--- Everyone knows that "Girl And Boys" would have made a much stronger second single,instead of "Mountains".

***'Lovesexy'--- The second single should have been the title track,instead of the so-so "Glam Slam".

***'Love Symbol'--- It's a shame that the two best tracks "The Continental" and "And God Created Woman" weren't released as singles.This is the type of album that could have lasted a year on the charts,with one single after another.

***'Emancipation'--- Disappointingly,Prince chose several bland singles from this album.The first single should have been the club-ready "Sleep Around",to be followed by the intoxicating "Emale",and then maybe a ballad ("One Kiss At A Time"?).

***'Rave Unto The Joy Fantastic"--- A good first single would have been "So Far,So Pleased",to be followed by "Baby Knows".

GREAT topic!

For You- Soft and Wet and Just As Long As We're Together are perfect. In Love would be nice too!

Prince- I Wanna Be Your Lover and Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad are perfect, but Bambi or I Feel for You would have definitely been better than Still Waiting, in my opinion!

Dirty Mind- Uptown and Dirty Mind are perfect!

Controversy- all 3 are perfect

1999- Great single choices! If he had another, I think Free would have done well

Purple Rain- who can argue with any of these? I think they all are perfect, but The Beautiful Ones would have been great as well!


ATWIAD- He chose the right 3.

Parade- GIRLS AND BOYS should have been released in the US as the second single!

SOTT- Perfect choices, but I would throw Housequake in there as well!

Lovesexy- Great album with great singles! I wish he would have released the title track too. Anna Stesia is too precious for mass consumption!

Batman- All are great, but I wish he would have released The Future here as well.

Graffiti Bridge- First, this should have been a 10-track album with only the 3 Prince cuts. That said, I think in addition to the 2 Prince tracks released, Can't Stop, The Question of U, and Joy in Repetition would have been good singles as well!

Diamonds and Pearls- If only the Willing and Able promo would have been a REAL single. Others are perfect.

Symbol- This is where he started to go awry. What happened to the plans at the time to release The Continental and And God Created Woman? Those would have been KILLER. The Max would have been entertaining as well.

Hits/B-Sides- Why not release an old B-side too? Pink Cashmere is old. I think Erotic City would have done well! Peach should have been the first release- it is such a summer song.

Come- These singles are fine because this wasn't meant to be very commercial. However, had he wanted it to be, Loose!, an edit of Come and Pheremone would have done it.

The Gold Experience- probably his worst single choices. All ballads? Please! The tone of the album is fast and energetic! Try P Control, 319, Endorphinmachine and THEN you can go with TMGITW or Gold (not both) and close with Dolphin!

Chaos and Disorder- filled its contractual obligation. Zannalee may have done well.

Emancipation- more ballads- arg! Try Sleep Around, Joint 2 Joint and Jam of the Year! The Love We Make would have been a good ballad. The Holy River is a good choice, in my opinion.

Crystal Ball/The Truth- not meant for singles!

Vault- why not hit us over the head with Old Friends 4 Sale? Your fans already consider it classic! It would have been better in its original version though. Instead, we get another bland ballad- Extraordinary!

Rave- ooh- this one had potential as well. TGRES? Another ballad, Prince? Come on! Your reputation as being an 80s artist was fostered and fortified by your poor choice of singles- you weren't taking risks anymore! Try So Far So Pleased, Hot Wit U and Rave! You could throw in I Love U But I Don't Trust U Anymore as the ballad!

Rainbow Children- I agree with his decision to not release any singles off of this, but if he did, I would think that Last December, 1+1+1 is 3 and She Loves Me 4 Me would have been good choices!

I have a few more opinions....


***'Controversy'--- The third single should have been "Private Joy".This song is infectious,and probably would have been a huge pop hit.

***'Purple Rain'--- I know,it's silly to argue with the single choices from this album,but don't you guys think that "The Beautiful Ones" would have made a better choice for the fifth single,instead of "Take Me With U"?

***'Sign O'The Times'---The four singles were fine choices,but still,it's a shame that "Housequake" and "Adore" weren't released as singles (both tunes received alot of radio airplay regardless).The song "It" could have easily been a pop smash.

***'Batman'--- The second single should have been "The Future".This is a daring,pulsing song that would have been huge in the clubs (house music was big back then).

***'Graffiti Bridge'--- After "Thieves In The Temple",Prince should have released the rocking "Can't Stop This Feeling I Got" instead of the forgettable "New Power Generation".

***'Diamonds and Pearls'--- I agree with the first four single choices,but instead of "Money Don't Matter 2Night",Prince should have released the charming "Strollin" as the fifth single."Money..." is a pleasant song,but I don't think too many people really understood his message."Strollin" is simply irresistible,and would have been a surprise hit.