Purple Forever: Remembering Prince's Greatest Songs

The world lost a legend today when funk and rock icon Prince was found dead at his home in Chanhassen, Minnesota this morning. He was just 57 years old. The Purple One leaves behind a legacy as one of the greatest pioneers in pop culture, challenging preconceived notions on race, sexuality and the art form of music itself spanning over 40+ years. The 57-year-old musician won a total of seven Grammy Awards, a Golden Globe, an Academy Award and was also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame back in 2004. Today, out of respect and honor to one of the greatest to ever do it, we revisit the some of Prince’s greatest music moments, we hope you enjoy.

1. “When Doves Cry”

Album: Purple Rain
Release Date: 1984
This was the lead single from Prince’s Purple Rain album that would eventually become his first ever #1 single. “”When Doves Cry” would eventually become worldwide hit, going platinum and topping the charts for five straight weeks. It was the official #1 single of 1984.

2. “I Would Die 4 U”

Album: Purple Rain
Release Date: 1984
The song was put together by Prince and his newly formed Rock band at the time, The Revolution. They would eventually disband but prior they would release two studio albums, two soundtracks and this uptempo classic “I Would Die 4 U” that would eventually reach #8 on Billboard charts. The band was also the first of it’s kind, known for it’s many members, varied in race and gender.

3. “Diamonds and Pearls”

Album: Diamonds and Pearls
Release Date: 1991
The title track of his 1991 classic, the song was said to be written as an expression of love, not lust which was at the time, the theme of all the remaining singles on the album. The song would eventually become one of Prince’s great singles ever, becoming a top 10 hit reaching number 1 Hot R&B Songs chart. The infamous pearls in the video above belonged renowned jeweler Connie Parente.

4. “Let’s Go Crazy”

Album: Purple Rain
Release Date: 1984
Prince’s songs were sometimes mini-sermons and this was a case of that. The opening track to Purple Rain was said to be message for folks to follow Christian ethics, with the “De-elevator” of the lyrics being a metaphor for the Devil. Needless to say, the song would officially become Prince’s second #1 single in his storied career and for those who never saw his shows, this was a staple for concert performances.

5. “The Most Beautiful Girl in The World”

Album: The Gold Experience
Release Date: 1995
In 1995, Prince made news when he announced that he would no longer go by the stage name Prince, but an instead an unpronounceable symbol. “The Most Beautiful Girl in The World” would become his first single under that moniker and would eventually become Prince’s only number-one single in the UK Singles Chart. The song was rumored to be dedicated to his then wife-to-be Mayte Garcia.

6. “1999”

Album: 1999
Release Date: 1982
“1999” is the title track from his 1982 album of the same name. You’ll likely hear this song at your grandmother’s BBQ but make no mistake, this was the wave in 1982. This very record would also become his defining moment in his rise to superstar status.

7. “I Wanna Be Your Lover”

Album: Prince
Release Date: 1979
This song came about after his 1979 album For You didn’t do to well, reaching only the 163rd spot on the charts and not producing any hit singles. Needless to say, those bad results was the fire needed for Prince to turn things around. “I Wanna Be Your Lover” would eventually become the #1 song on the Hot Dance Club Play chart and #2 in New Zealand.

8. “Little Red Corvette”

Album: 1999
Release Date: 1983
Contrary to it’s title, “Little Red Corvette” has nothing to do with a car, in fact it might be what today’s kids call “thots.” Indeed, Prince was the original playa of all playas, and because of that, “Little Red Corvette” would be one of his biggest hits of all time. The song is about one-night stand with a beautiful, but promiscuous woman.

9.”Purple Rain”

Album: Purple Rain
Release Date: 1984
Before Future came along, the was the originator of the “Purple Rain” was none other than Prince. The song is widely considered one of Prince’s signature songs. Prince would eventually sell over a million singles and eventually win an Oscar for the now defunct category Best Original Song Score for “Purple Rain”.

10. “Kiss”

Album: Parade
Release Date: 1986
Some consider this Prince’s greatest song ever and you’ll occasionally see it appear on people’s Top 10 greatest songs ever lists and what not. But as luck would have it, Warner Bros. didn’t even want to release the record as a single, but after some convincing, it finally made it’s debut on February 5, 1986. The song would eventually
win a Grammy Award for Best R&B Vocal Performance and earn him his third #1 single at the time.

Feel free to share your favorite Prince songs with us below.