Album: For You: Difference between revisions

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|length                = 33:26
|length                = 33:26
|label                  = [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warner_Bros._Records Warner Bros.]
|label                  = [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warner_Bros._Records Warner Bros.]
|studios                = [[Record Plant]], Sausalito, CA, USA<br>
|studios                = [[Record Plant]], Sausalito, CA, USA; [[Sound Labs]], Los Angeles, CA, USA
[[Sound Labs]], Los Angeles, CA, USA
|previous year          = None
|previous year          = None
|next year              = 1979
|next year              = 1979
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'''Recording Process'''
'''Sessions and compiling'''


Many of the songs ([[For You]], [[Soft And Wet]], [[Just As Long As We're Together]], [[Baby]] [[My Love Is Forever]] and [[I'm Yours]]) had been demoed by [[Prince]] as home recordings or early studio recordings in 1976 and 1977. These tracks were all re-recorded for the album, when [[In Love]], [[Crazy You]] and [[So Blue]] were also recorded.  
Many of the songs ([[For You]], [[Soft And Wet]], [[Just As Long As We’re Together]], [[Baby]] [[My Love Is Forever]] and [[I’m Yours]]) had been demoed by [[Prince]] as home recordings or early studio recordings in 1976 and 1977. These tracks were all re-recorded for the album, when [[In Love]], [[Crazy You]] and [[So Blue]] were also recorded.  


The album sessions took place at [[Record Plant]], Sausalito, CA, USA, from 1 October 1977 to 22 December 1977, before overdubs and mixing were done in early January 1978 at [[Sound Labs]], Los Angeles, CA, USA. While [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warner_Bros._Records Warner Bros.] had initially given [[Prince]] a budget of $180,000 for his first three albums, the album sessions of '''For You''' accumulated $170,000 in studio bills.
The album sessions took place at [[Record Plant]], Sausalito, CA, USA, from 1 October 1977 to 22 December 1977, before overdubs and mixing were done in early January 1978-at [[Sound Labs]], Los Angeles, CA, USA. While [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warner_Bros._Records Warner Bros.] had initially given [[Prince]] a budget of $180,000 for his first three albums, the album sessions of '''For You''' accumulated $170,000 in studio bills.


An early configuration of the album contains a different sequence and including the unreleased tracks [[Make It Through The Storm]] (here titled [[Make It Through The Storm|We'll Make It Through The Storm]]) and [[Amber Eyes]]. Some of the versions included vary in timing from the released album, and the unreleased sequence is listed below (although minor discrepancies do not necessarily indicate a different version of the song was used, and may simply reflect a difference in silence at the beginning or end of a track).
[[Prince]]’s handwritten notes as used in [[Book:_The_Beautiful_Ones|The Beautiful Ones]] book released posthumously in 2019 revealed a previously-unknown early configuration of the album, from which only three of the nine tracks carried over to the next configuration and to the final release - [[For You]], [[Soft And Wet]], and [[Baby]]. This configuration closed with a cover version of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Sondheim Stephen Sondheim’s] song [[Send In The Clowns]] (incorrectly attributed by [[Prince]] as being written by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judy_Collins Judy Collins], whose version he was probably familiar with). The notes also revealed four other track titles that were previously unknown ([[Bodyfreeze]], [[Never Really Fell Out Of Love With You]], [[You Are Everything To Me]], and [[Let Me Touch You]]), as well as two tracks that were previously known but which did not make it onto later configurations ([[I Spend My Time Loving You]] and [[Love In The Morning]]). It is assumed that these tracks were indeed recorded, but it has not been confirmed that the album was ever actually compiled in this form; it is certainly possible that [[Prince]] was working through ideas when writing down this tracklist. The tracklist is included below as an early configuration.
 
Another configuration of the album contains a different sequence and including the unreleased tracks [[Make It Through The Storm]] (here titled [[Make It Through The Storm|We’ll Make It Through The Storm]]) and [[Amber Eyes]]. Some of the versions included vary in timing from the released album, and the unreleased sequence is listed below (although minor discrepancies do not necessarily indicate a different version of the song was used, and may simply reflect a difference in silence at the beginning or end of a track).
 
In a 2022 podcast [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tommy_Vicari Tommy Vicari] mentions he was sent an ‘LP length demo tape,’ prior to him working with [[Prince]] in the studio. And that the process creating '''For You''' was essentially them re-recorded each song track by track. [[Make It Through The Storm]] was mentioned as a track on that tape that didn’t
make the final cut.
<!-- It is possible that the 1977 sequence that includes [[Make It Through The Storm]] and [[Amber Eyes]] is from the before mentioned LP length demo tape. If that hypotheses is correct it means there must be earlier recordings of [[In Love]], [[Crazy You]] and [[So Blue]]. -->


[[Prince]] was credited for all vocals, songwriting, every instrument played on the album, as well as the whole arrangements and production. The only credit given to someone other than [[Prince]] is a co-writing credit to [[Chris Moon]] for the lyrics of [[Soft And Wet]]. Moon and Prince disagreed over credits due on [[My Love Is Forever]], which was financially settled after the album release.
[[Prince]] was credited for all vocals, songwriting, every instrument played on the album, as well as the whole arrangements and production. The only credit given to someone other than [[Prince]] is a co-writing credit to [[Chris Moon]] for the lyrics of [[Soft And Wet]]. Moon and Prince disagreed over credits due on [[My Love Is Forever]], which was financially settled after the album release.
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'''Promotion'''
'''Promotion'''


The album would produce two singles, [[Single: Soft And Wet|Soft And Wet]], issued two months after the album release, and [[Single: Just As Long As We're Together|Just As Long As We're Together]], released in November 1978.  
The album would produce two singles, [[Single: Soft And Wet|Soft And Wet]], issued two months after the album release, and [[Single: Just As Long As We’re Together|Just As Long As We’re Together]], released in November 1978.  


[[Prince]] didn't go on tour to promote the album. A band was assembled in late 1978 and played their first concerts with [[Prince]] at the [[05_January 1979|Capri Theatre on 5]] and [[06_January 1979|6 January 1979]], but they failed to convince Warner executives that the band was ready to tour.
[[Prince]] didn’t go on tour to promote the album. A band was assembled in late 1978-and played their first concerts with [[Prince]] at the [[05_January 1979|Capri Theatre on 5]] and [[06_January 1979|6 January 1979]], but they failed to convince Warner executives that the band was ready to tour.




'''Charts'''
'''Charts'''


The album reached number 163 on the US [[The_Billboard_200|Billboard Top LP's & Tapes]] chart were it remained only five weeks. During the same period, the pop chart toppers were the soundtrack to blockbuster movie "Grease", Linda Rondstadt's "Living In The USA", Donna Summer's "Live And More" and Billy Joel's "52nd Street".
The album reached number 163 on the US [[The_Billboard_200|Billboard Top LP’s & Tapes]] chart were it remained only five weeks. During the same period, the pop chart toppers were the soundtrack to blockbuster movie "Grease", Linda Rondstadt’s "Living In The USA", Donna Summer’s "Live And More" and Billy Joel’s "52nd Street".


On the [[Billboard_Top_R&B_Albums|Billboard Soul LP's Chart]] [[Album: For You|For You]] fared a lot better, reaching number 21. However the album could not compete with other LPs of established black artists like Brothers Johnson ("Blam"), Ashford And Simpson ("Is It Still Good For Ya"), Funkadelic ("One Nation Under A Groove"), Barry White ("The Man") and Chic ("C'est Chic"); these albums together with other very successful LPs from Donna Summer ("Live And More"), Rick James ("Come Get It") and Rose Royce ("Strikes Again") trusted the first five positions in the Soul LPs chart from August to December 1978, making it almost impossible for [[Prince]] to reach top ten.
On the [[Billboard_Top_R&B_Albums|Billboard Soul LP’s Chart]] [[Album: For You|For You]] fared a lot better, reaching number 21. However the album could not compete with other LPs of established black artists like Brothers Johnson ("Blam"), Ashford And Simpson ("Is It Still Good For Ya"), Funkadelic ("One Nation Under A Groove"), Barry White ("The Man") and Chic ("C'est Chic"); these albums together with other very successful LPs from Donna Summer ("Live And More"), Rick James ("Come Get It") and Rose Royce ("Strikes Again") trusted the first five positions in the Soul LPs chart from August to December 1978, making it almost impossible for [[Prince]] to reach top ten.




Line 51: Line 56:
# <b>[[Soft And Wet]]</b> (3:01) <small><sup>1</sup>&nbsp; </small>
# <b>[[Soft And Wet]]</b> (3:01) <small><sup>1</sup>&nbsp; </small>
# <b>[[Crazy You]]</b> (2:17)
# <b>[[Crazy You]]</b> (2:17)
# <b>[[Just As Long As We're Together]]</b> (6:24)
# <b>[[Just As Long As We’re Together]]</b> (6:24)
# <b>[[Baby]]</b> (3:09)
# <b>[[Baby]]</b> (3:09)
# <b>[[My Love Is Forever]]</b> (4:09) <small><sup>2</sup>&nbsp; </small>
# <b>[[My Love Is Forever]]</b> (4:09) <small><sup>2</sup>&nbsp; </small>
# <b>[[So Blue]]</b> (4:26)
# <b>[[So Blue]]</b> (4:26)
# <b>[[I'm Yours]]</b> (5:01)
# <b>[[I’m Yours]]</b> (5:01)
|credits                = All songs written by [[Prince]] except where indicated.
|credits                = All songs written by [[Prince]] except where indicated.
<br>
<br>
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# <b>[[Soft And Wet]]</b> (3:01) <small><sup>1</sup>&nbsp; </small>
# <b>[[Soft And Wet]]</b> (3:01) <small><sup>1</sup>&nbsp; </small>
# <b>[[Crazy You]]</b> (2:17)
# <b>[[Crazy You]]</b> (2:17)
# <b>[[Just As Long As We're Together]]</b> (6:24)
# <b>[[Just As Long As We’re Together]]</b> (6:24)
*Side 2:
*Side 2:
# <b>[[Baby]]</b> (3:09)
# <b>[[Baby]]</b> (3:09)
# <b>[[My Love Is Forever]]</b> (4:09) <small><sup>2</sup>&nbsp; </small>
# <b>[[My Love Is Forever]]</b> (4:09) <small><sup>2</sup>&nbsp; </small>
# <b>[[So Blue]]</b> (4:26)
# <b>[[So Blue]]</b> (4:26)
# <b>[[I'm Yours]]</b> (5:01)
# <b>[[I’m Yours]]</b> (5:01)
|musicians              = [[Prince]] - all vocals and instruments
|musicians              = [[Prince]] - all vocals and instruments
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrice_Rushen Patrice Rushen] - synth keyboards on [[Baby]] (uncredited)
|production            = [[Prince]] - producer, arranger, engineer, dust cover design
|production            = [[Prince]] - producer, arranger, engineer, dust cover design
* [[Tommy Vicari]] - executive producer, engineer, remixer
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tommy_Vicari Tommy Vicari] - executive producer, engineer, remixer
* [[David Rivkin]] - vocal recording engineer (uncredited)
* [[David Rivkin]] - vocal recording engineer (uncredited)
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrice_Rushen Patrice Rushen] - synth programming (uncredited)
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrice_Rushen Patrice Rushen] - synth programming (uncredited)
* [[Charles Veal]] - string arrangement on [[Baby]] (uncredited)
* [[Charles Veal]] - string arrangement on [[Baby]] (uncredited)
* [[Steve Fontano]] - assistant engineer
* [[Steve Fontano]] - assistant engineer
* [[Dave Roeder]] - assistant engineer
* [[Dave Roeder]] - assistant engineer
* Bernie Grundman - mastering (A&M)
* Mike Reese - mastering
* (Bernie Grundman - mastering on 1984 re-issue)
* Jeff Farmakes - art direction (The Ad Company)
* Jeff Farmakes - art direction (The Ad Company)
* Joe Giannetti - photography
* Joe Giannetti - photography
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}}
}}
{{AlbumSinglesLine|
{{AlbumSinglesLine|
|Single = [[Single: Just As Long As We're Together|Just As Long As We're Together]]
|Single = [[Single: Just As Long As We’re Together|Just As Long As We’re Together]]
|B-side = [[In Love]]
|B-side = [[In Love]]
|Image  = Justaslongasweretogether single.jpg
|Image  = Justaslongasweretogether single.jpg
|Link  = Single: Just As Long As We're Together
|Link  = Single: Just As Long As We’re Together
}}
}}
}}
}}
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{{ChartLine|
{{ChartLine|
| Date            = 28 Oct. 1978
| Date            = 28 Oct. 1978
| Chart (Country) = '''USA''': [[The_Billboard_200|Billboard Top LP's & Tapes]]  
| Chart (Country) = '''USA''': [[The_Billboard_200|Billboard Top LP’s & Tapes]]  
| Peak Position  = 163
| Peak Position  = 163
| Weeks in chart  = 5
| Weeks in chart  = 5
Line 116: Line 121:
{{ChartLine|
{{ChartLine|
| Date            = 22 Jul. 1978
| Date            = 22 Jul. 1978
| Chart (Country) = '''USA''': [[Billboard_Top_R&B_Albums|Billboard Soul LP's Chart]]
| Chart (Country) = '''USA''': [[Billboard_Top_R&B_Albums|Billboard Soul LP’s Chart]]
| Peak Position  = 21
| Peak Position  = 21
| Weeks in chart  = 23
| Weeks in chart  = 23
}}
{{Chart-HRline}}
{{ChartLine|
| Date            = 14 May 2016
| Chart (Country) = '''USA''': [[The Billboard 200]]
| Peak Position  = 138<sup>'''R'''</sup>
| Weeks in chart  = 1
{{Template:ChartLine-2|text=<sup><b>R</b></sup> <i>indicates re-entry of an album that had already charted.</i>}}
}}
}}
| certifications =
| certifications =
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|releases              = {{:Releases: For You}}
|releases              = {{:Releases: For You}}
|album promotion        = Signature sessions were organized in record shops. Amongst others:
|album promotion        = Signature sessions were organized in record shops. Amongst others:
:- 15 Sep. 1978 Unique Records, San Francisco, CA, USA
:- 15 Sep. 1978-Unique Records, San Francisco, CA, USA
:- 16 Sep. 1978 The Record Factory, Oakland, CA, USA
:- 16 Sep. 1978-The Record Factory, Oakland, CA, USA
* US press adverts for this album.<br>
* US press adverts for this album.<br>
[[File:Foryou_USpromoadvert.png|x200px]] &nbsp; [[File:Foryou_USpromoadvert2.jpg|x200px]]
[[File:Foryou_USpromoadvert.png|x200px]] &nbsp; [[File:Foryou_USpromoadvert2.jpg|x200px]]
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[[File:1978-xx-xx_For_You_Retail_Poster.png|x200px]]
[[File:1978-xx-xx_For_You_Retail_Poster.png|x200px]]
|trivia                = An early configuration is known, containing a different sequence and alternate tracks. This is listed in the Alternative section above.
|trivia                = An early configuration is known, containing a different sequence and alternate tracks. This is listed in the Alternative section above.
*''[[Billboard_Top_R&B_Albums|Billboard Soul LP's Chart]] Chart progression'':<br><small>Entry position '''55''' (22 Jul. 1978), '''54''' (29 Jul. 1978), '''49''' (5 Aug. 1978), '''49''' (12 Aug.  1978), '''47''' (19 Aug. 1978), '''60''' (26 Aug. 1978), '''60''' (2 Sep. 1978), '''58''' (9 Sep. 1978), '''48''' (16 Sep. 1978), '''38''' (23 Sep. 1978), '''30''' (30 Sep. 1978), '''27''' (7 Oct. 1978), '''21''' (14 Oct. 1978), '''28''' (21 Oct. 1978), '''28''' (28 Oct. 1978), '''28''' (4 Nov. 1978), '''30''' (11 Nov. 1978), '''51''' (18 Nov. 1978), '''51''' (25 Nov. 1978), '''47''' (2 Dec. 1978), '''62''' (9 Dec. 1978), '''62''' (16 Dec. 1978), Exit position: '''67''' (23 Dec. 1978).</small>
*''[[Billboard_Top_R&B_Albums|Billboard Soul LP’s Chart]] Chart progression'':<br><small>Entry position '''55''' (22 Jul. 1978), '''54''' (29 Jul. 1978), '''49''' (5 Aug. 1978), '''49''' (12 Aug.  1978), '''47''' (19 Aug. 1978), '''60''' (26 Aug. 1978), '''60''' (2 Sep. 1978), '''58''' (9 Sep. 1978), '''48''' (16 Sep. 1978), '''38''' (23 Sep. 1978), '''30''' (30 Sep. 1978), '''27''' (7 Oct. 1978), '''21''' (14 Oct. 1978), '''28''' (21 Oct. 1978), '''28''' (28 Oct. 1978), '''28''' (4 Nov. 1978), '''30''' (11 Nov. 1978), '''51''' (18 Nov. 1978), '''51''' (25 Nov. 1978), '''47''' (2 Dec. 1978), '''62''' (9 Dec. 1978), '''62''' (16 Dec. 1978), Exit position: '''67''' (23 Dec. 1978).</small>
* ''[[The_Billboard_200|Billboard Top LP's & Tapes]] Chart progression'':<br><small>Entry position '''190''' (28 Oct. 1978), '''181''' (4 Nov. 1978), '''173''' (11 Nov. 1978), '''165''' (18 Nov. 1978), Exit position: '''163''' (25 Nov. 1978). </small>
* ''[[The_Billboard_200|Billboard Top LP’s & Tapes]] Chart progression'':<br><small>Entry position '''190''' (28 Oct. 1978), '''181''' (4 Nov. 1978), '''173''' (11 Nov. 1978), '''165''' (18 Nov. 1978), Exit position: '''163''' (25 Nov. 1978). </small>
|alternative            =  
|alternative            =  
{{Alternative|
{{Alternative|
|format = Album
|format = Album
|config =  
|config =  
* '''<u>Undated configuration</u> (from [[Prince]]’s notes as used in [[Book:_The_Beautiful_Ones|The Beautiful Ones]] book)'''
:; Side 1:
# <b>[[For You]]</b>
# <b>[[Bodyfreeze]]</b>
# <b>[[Never Really Fell Out Of Love With You]]</b>
# <b>[[You Are Everything To Me]]</b>
# <b>[[I Spend My Time Loving You]]</b>
:; Side 2:
# <b>[[Soft And Wet]]</b>
# <b>[[Baby]]</b>
# <b>[[Let Me Touch You]]</b>
# <b>[[Love In The Morning]]</b>
# <b>[[Send In The Clowns]]</b>
<br>
* '''<u>1977 configuration</u>'''
* '''<u>1977 configuration</u>'''
:; Side 1:
:; Side 1:
# <b>[[For You]]</b> (1:00)
# <b>[[For You]]</b> (1:00)
# <b>[[In Love]]</b> (3:30)
# <b>[[In Love]]</b> (3:30)
# <b>[[Make It Through The Storm|We'll Make It Through The Storm]]</b> (2:50)
# <b>[[Make It Through The Storm|We’ll Make It Through The Storm]]</b> (2:50)
# <b>[[Crazy You]]</b> (1:40)
# <b>[[Crazy You]]</b> (1:40)
# <b>[[Just As Long As We're Together]]</b> (3:30)
# <b>[[Just As Long As We’re Together]]</b> (3:30)
:; Side 2:
:; Side 2:
# <b>[[Baby]]</b> (3:08)
# <b>[[Baby]]</b> (3:08)
# <b>[[Soft And Wet|Soft 'n' Wet]]</b> (2:58)
# <b>[[Soft And Wet|Soft ‘N’ Wet]]</b> (2:58)
# <b>[[My Love Is Forever]]</b> (4:05)
# <b>[[My Love Is Forever]]</b> (4:05)
# <b>[[So Blue]]</b> (4:25)
# <b>[[So Blue]]</b> (4:25)
# <b>[[Amber Eyes]]</b> (5:30)
# <b>[[Amber Eyes]]</b> (5:30)
}}
}}
|references            = [[Book:_The_Vault|'''The Vault: The Definitive Guide to the Musical World of Prince''']] ''by Per Nilsen & jooZt Mattheij, with the UPTOWN Staff'' (Uptown, 2004)  
|references            = ''[[Book:_The_Vault|The Vault: The Definitive Guide to the Musical World of Prince (2004)]]''
* '''[[Book:_The_Beautiful_Ones|The Beautiful Ones]]''' ''by [[Prince]] and Dan Piepenbring'' (Spiegel & Grau, USA, 2019)
* <b>Copyright:</b> [http://cocatalog.loc.gov/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?DB=local&PAGE=First US Copyright Office / SR0000000839 / 1978-04-26]
* <b>Copyright:</b> [http://cocatalog.loc.gov/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?DB=local&PAGE=First US Copyright Office / SR0000000839 / 1978-04-26]
* <b>Charts:</b> [http://books.google.fr/books/serial/ISSN:00062510?rview=1&lr=&hl=fr&sa=N&start=1050 Billboard Magazine] Vol. 90 n° 29 to 51.  
* <b>Charts:</b> [http://books.google.fr/books/serial/ISSN:00062510?rview=1&lr=&hl=fr&sa=N&start=1050 Billboard Magazine] Vol. 90 n° 29 to 51.  
* <b>Releases:</b> [http://www.aprilsnow.be/colref/colref_prince.htm AprilSnow], [http://sleevographia2.free.fr/0Chercher.htm Sleevographia]
* <b>Releases:</b> [http://www.aprilsnow.be/colref/colref_prince.htm AprilSnow], [http://sleevographia2.free.fr/0Chercher.htm Sleevographia]
* <b>Sales:</b> '''Prince: The Musical Whiz Kid Grows Up''' ''by Donald J. Hutera'' (Trax Magazine Vol.1 Issue 4: December 1979)
* <b>Sales:</b> '''Prince: The Musical Whiz Kid Grows Up''' ''by Donald J. Hutera'' (Trax Magazine Vol.1 Issue 4: December 1979)
* [http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache%3AeV3wT-NLIL4J%3Awww.rockaway.com%2Fprince%2Ffor-you-handwritten-liner-notes%20&cd=2 Rockaway Records]
|categories            = [[Category:1978]][[Category:Albums (Prince)]][[Category:Studio albums (Prince)]]
|categories            = [[Category:1978]][[Category:Albums (Prince)]][[Category:Studio albums (Prince)]]
}}
}}

Latest revision as of 12:45, 15 September 2022

None: See Full Discography ◄ All Prince Albums All Related Artists Albums ► 1979: Prince
For You

Album details

Released: 7 April 1978
Length: 33:26
Label(s): Warner Bros.
Studio(s): Record Plant, Sausalito, CA, USA; Sound Labs, Los Angeles, CA, USA

Charts, Certifications & Awards

Charts
America
Country: Chart Entry Date Peak Position Weeks in Chart
USA: Billboard Top LP’s & Tapes 28 Oct. 1978 163 5
USA: Billboard Soul LP’s Chart 22 Jul. 1978 21 23
USA: The Billboard 200 14 May 2016 138R 1
R indicates re-entry of an album that had already charted.
Certifications
This album has not received any certifications in the USA
Awards
This album has not received any awards in the USA

Singles released

Soft And Wet
b/w So Blue
Just As Long As We’re Together
b/w In Love

Alternate Album Configuration

Side 1
  1. For You
  2. Bodyfreeze
  3. Never Really Fell Out Of Love With You
  4. You Are Everything To Me
  5. I Spend My Time Loving You
Side 2
  1. Soft And Wet
  2. Baby
  3. Let Me Touch You
  4. Love In The Morning
  5. Send In The Clowns


  • 1977 configuration
Side 1
  1. For You (1:00)
  2. In Love (3:30)
  3. We’ll Make It Through The Storm (2:50)
  4. Crazy You (1:40)
  5. Just As Long As We’re Together (3:30)
Side 2
  1. Baby (3:08)
  2. Soft ‘N’ Wet (2:58)
  3. My Love Is Forever (4:05)
  4. So Blue (4:25)
  5. Amber Eyes (5:30)
For You is the first full-length studio album by Prince, and the first Prince-related release of any kind. The album was released when Prince was 19 years old, in April 1978, receiving international release later based on his success in the years that followed.


Sessions and compiling

Many of the songs (For You, Soft And Wet, Just As Long As We’re Together, Baby My Love Is Forever and I’m Yours) had been demoed by Prince as home recordings or early studio recordings in 1976 and 1977. These tracks were all re-recorded for the album, when In Love, Crazy You and So Blue were also recorded.

The album sessions took place at Record Plant, Sausalito, CA, USA, from 1 October 1977 to 22 December 1977, before overdubs and mixing were done in early January 1978-at Sound Labs, Los Angeles, CA, USA. While Warner Bros. had initially given Prince a budget of $180,000 for his first three albums, the album sessions of For You accumulated $170,000 in studio bills.

Prince’s handwritten notes as used in The Beautiful Ones book released posthumously in 2019 revealed a previously-unknown early configuration of the album, from which only three of the nine tracks carried over to the next configuration and to the final release - For You, Soft And Wet, and Baby. This configuration closed with a cover version of Stephen Sondheim’s song Send In The Clowns (incorrectly attributed by Prince as being written by Judy Collins, whose version he was probably familiar with). The notes also revealed four other track titles that were previously unknown (Bodyfreeze, Never Really Fell Out Of Love With You, You Are Everything To Me, and Let Me Touch You), as well as two tracks that were previously known but which did not make it onto later configurations (I Spend My Time Loving You and Love In The Morning). It is assumed that these tracks were indeed recorded, but it has not been confirmed that the album was ever actually compiled in this form; it is certainly possible that Prince was working through ideas when writing down this tracklist. The tracklist is included below as an early configuration.

Another configuration of the album contains a different sequence and including the unreleased tracks Make It Through The Storm (here titled We’ll Make It Through The Storm) and Amber Eyes. Some of the versions included vary in timing from the released album, and the unreleased sequence is listed below (although minor discrepancies do not necessarily indicate a different version of the song was used, and may simply reflect a difference in silence at the beginning or end of a track).

In a 2022 podcast Tommy Vicari mentions he was sent an ‘LP length demo tape,’ prior to him working with Prince in the studio. And that the process creating For You was essentially them re-recorded each song track by track. Make It Through The Storm was mentioned as a track on that tape that didn’t make the final cut.

Prince was credited for all vocals, songwriting, every instrument played on the album, as well as the whole arrangements and production. The only credit given to someone other than Prince is a co-writing credit to Chris Moon for the lyrics of Soft And Wet. Moon and Prince disagreed over credits due on My Love Is Forever, which was financially settled after the album release.


Promotion

The album would produce two singles, Soft And Wet, issued two months after the album release, and Just As Long As We’re Together, released in November 1978.

Prince didn’t go on tour to promote the album. A band was assembled in late 1978-and played their first concerts with Prince at the Capri Theatre on 5 and 6 January 1979, but they failed to convince Warner executives that the band was ready to tour.


Charts

The album reached number 163 on the US Billboard Top LP’s & Tapes chart were it remained only five weeks. During the same period, the pop chart toppers were the soundtrack to blockbuster movie "Grease", Linda Rondstadt’s "Living In The USA", Donna Summer’s "Live And More" and Billy Joel’s "52nd Street".

On the Billboard Soul LP’s Chart For You fared a lot better, reaching number 21. However the album could not compete with other LPs of established black artists like Brothers Johnson ("Blam"), Ashford And Simpson ("Is It Still Good For Ya"), Funkadelic ("One Nation Under A Groove"), Barry White ("The Man") and Chic ("C'est Chic"); these albums together with other very successful LPs from Donna Summer ("Live And More"), Rick James ("Come Get It") and Rose Royce ("Strikes Again") trusted the first five positions in the Soul LPs chart from August to December 1978, making it almost impossible for Prince to reach top ten.


Sales

Owen Husney reported the album sold 150,000 to 200,000 copies in Trax Magazine in December 1979.



Track listing
CD LP

The compact disc version is a reissue from the LP.

  1. For You (1:06)
  2. In Love (3:38)
  3. Soft And Wet (3:01) 1 
  4. Crazy You (2:17)
  5. Just As Long As We’re Together (6:24)
  6. Baby (3:09)
  7. My Love Is Forever (4:09) 2 
  8. So Blue (4:26)
  9. I’m Yours (5:01)

The vinyl long play format is the initial release.

  • Side 1:
  1. For You (1:06)
  2. In Love (3:38)
  3. Soft And Wet (3:01) 1 
  4. Crazy You (2:17)
  5. Just As Long As We’re Together (6:24)
  • Side 2:
  1. Baby (3:09)
  2. My Love Is Forever (4:09) 2 
  3. So Blue (4:26)
  4. I’m Yours (5:01)

All songs written by Prince except where indicated.

1  Music by Prince, lyrics by Prince and Chris Moon
2  Music by Prince, lyrics by Prince (credited) and Chris Moon (uncredited)



Personnel
Musicians
  • Prince - all vocals and instruments


Production
  • Prince - producer, arranger, engineer, dust cover design
  • Tommy Vicari - executive producer, engineer, remixer
  • David Rivkin - vocal recording engineer (uncredited)
  • Patrice Rushen - synth programming (uncredited)
  • Charles Veal - string arrangement on Baby (uncredited)
  • Steve Fontano - assistant engineer
  • Dave Roeder - assistant engineer
  • Mike Reese - mastering
  • (Bernie Grundman - mastering on 1984 re-issue)
  • Jeff Farmakes - art direction (The Ad Company)
  • Joe Giannetti - photography


Thanks
  • "Special thanks to God, Owen, Britt, Bernadette, My Father and Mother, Russ Thyret, Gary, David Rivkin / Sound 80 Studios, C. Moon, Eddie, Sharon and Eleanor, L. Phillips, Bobby "Z" Rivkin, Tom Coster, Graham Lear, Joe Giannetti, Patrice Rushen, Charles Veal, Jr., Shirley Walker, Knut Koupee Music, Chuck Orr, Lisa H., and You!"



Releases
LP, CD, Cassettes and Other versions
Country Format Cat. Number Comments Front Back Label 1 Label 2
America
USA LP BSK 3150 Promotional 1st issue with Burbank label + promo stamp
USA LP BSK 3150 1st issue with Burbank label and sticker
USA LP BSK 3150 2nd issue with Warner label
USA Long Box CD 3150-2 Reissued under ref.:07599-27348-20
USA Cassette M5 3150 Reissued under ref.: 07599-27348-4
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USA 8-Track WB M8 3150
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Country Format Cat. Number Comments Front Back Label 1 Label 2
Canada LP BSK 3150
Canada (Quebec) LP BSK 3150 Q
Brazil LP 670.9285 Promotional
Brazil LP 670.9285
Venezuela LP 200.2507
Europe
Germany LP K 56 989 WE 351(G) Gema Biem labels
Germany LP K 56 989 WE 351(U) Gema Biem labels
Germany CD 256 989 Gema Biem label
Germany Cassette 456989 1st edition Biem Gema label
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Germany Cassette 456989 2nd Edition Gema Biem label + barcode
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France LP WB 56 989 Sacem label
Spain LP 56989 S.G.A.E. label
Italy LP 56989 S.I.A.E. label
Italy Cassette 456989 S.I.A.E. orange paper labels
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Italy Cassette 456989 S.I.A.E. black plastic labels
Greece LP K 56 989 Gema Biem labels
Asia
Japan LP P-13053 Promotional w/OBI and "sample" sticker
Japan LP P-13053 With OBI
Japan CD 20P2-2001 1987 Forever Young Series
Japan CD 32XD-704
Japan Cassette PKG-3068
Korea LP MHRL-1088 Creato labels
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Korea Cassette MHRC-1088 Creato labels
Pacific
Australia LP BSK 3150 MX209381
Australia Cassette M5W 3150 1st edition
Australia Cassette M5W 3150 2nd edition
New Zealand LP BSK 3150
New Zealand Cassette M5W 3150

Variants, Special Editions and Reissues
Country Format Cat. Number Comments Front Back Label 1 Label 2
Europe
Germany CD 7599-27348-2 WE 835 Reissue
Germany Cassette 07599-27348-4 Reissue
[show]► See more  ► See more 
Country Format Cat. Number Comments Front Back Label 1 Label 2
Asia
Japan CD WPCR-1021 Promotional with OBI + sticker
Japan CD WPCR-1021 With OBI
Japan CD WPCR-75013 2005 Forever Young series reissue
Japan SHM-CD WPCR-13530 2009 reissue with OBI + sticker
Japan 3"CD R-390085 Greatest Hits sampler series with OBI
Pacific
Australia Cassette 61171-4 Reissue
Images courtesy of AprilSnow and Sleevographia

 

 
Additional Information
Promotion (at time of release) Trivia
  • Signature sessions were organized in record shops. Amongst others:
- 15 Sep. 1978-Unique Records, San Francisco, CA, USA
- 16 Sep. 1978-The Record Factory, Oakland, CA, USA
  • US press adverts for this album.

 

  • US Retail Poster for this album.
  • An early configuration is known, containing a different sequence and alternate tracks. This is listed in the Alternative section above.
  • Billboard Soul LP’s Chart Chart progression:
    Entry position 55 (22 Jul. 1978), 54 (29 Jul. 1978), 49 (5 Aug. 1978), 49 (12 Aug. 1978), 47 (19 Aug. 1978), 60 (26 Aug. 1978), 60 (2 Sep. 1978), 58 (9 Sep. 1978), 48 (16 Sep. 1978), 38 (23 Sep. 1978), 30 (30 Sep. 1978), 27 (7 Oct. 1978), 21 (14 Oct. 1978), 28 (21 Oct. 1978), 28 (28 Oct. 1978), 28 (4 Nov. 1978), 30 (11 Nov. 1978), 51 (18 Nov. 1978), 51 (25 Nov. 1978), 47 (2 Dec. 1978), 62 (9 Dec. 1978), 62 (16 Dec. 1978), Exit position: 67 (23 Dec. 1978).
  • Billboard Top LP’s & Tapes Chart progression:
    Entry position 190 (28 Oct. 1978), 181 (4 Nov. 1978), 173 (11 Nov. 1978), 165 (18 Nov. 1978), Exit position: 163 (25 Nov. 1978).
References
None
See Full Discography 		All Albums All Related Artists Albums 1979
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