It’s been nearly two years since Prince left us, and it’s fair to say the world remains a far lesser place without the Purple One. The one consolation to Prince no longer being with us is the sheer amount of unheard music he left behind, enough that one person who went through Prince’s vault’s suggested a new Prince song could be released once a month for the next century. Now, the Prince estate, via Pitchfork, have uncovered and released a true gem — the only known studio recording of one his most famous songs, “Nothing Compares 2 U.” You can check out the specially made music video, compiled from old rehearsal footage of Prince and the Revolution, down below.
“Nothing Compares 2 U” was first released by the Prince-formed band The Family on their 1985 self-titled album, but it never charted. Prince, knowing the song’s potential for greatness, lent the song to singer Sinéad O’Connor in 1990, and it became a worldwide smash hit. This was but one of many songs Prince lent to other singers or specifically wrote just for them that became global hits. Later, Prince would perform the song live many times and released a live version on his first greatest hits compilation back in 1993. After his death, his friend and fellow ’80s icon Madonna sang it in honor of him.
This newly released demo, however, is the only known studio recording of the classic song with Prince actually singing lead. It was recorded by Susan Rogers in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, and features backing vocals by regular Prince collaborators Susannah Melvoin and Paul “St. Paul” Peterson. This was done in the summer of 1984, during the height of Purple Rain mania, so chances are Prince was mulling over including it on the Revolution’s next studio album, Around the World in a Day, but decided against it. This newly-discovered original version will soon be released as two 7″ vinyl singles—in picture disc and black vinyl formats.
What do you think of this amazing rendition of this classic Prince track? Be sure to let us know down below in the comments.
Images: Warner Brothers
More About Prince
- Prince has his own shade of purple
- Prince’s music videos are finally available
- Hear Prince’s song “Deliverance”
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