Album: Symbol: Difference between revisions

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|album name            = <div style="margin-top:-.5em;margin-bottom:-.2em;float:left;clear:left;">[[File:Symbolpurple.png|42px]]</div>
|album name            = <div style="margin-top:-.5em;margin-bottom:-.2em;float:left;clear:left;">[[File:Symbolpurple.png|42px]]</div>
|album image            = [[File:symbolalbum.jpg]]
|album image            = [[File:symbolalbum.jpg]]
|date                  = [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/October_5|5 October 1992]] (UK)<br>
|date                  = [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/October_5|5 October 1992]] (Europe)<br>
[[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/October_13|13 October 1992]] (USA)
[[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/October_13|13 October 1992]] (USA)
|length                = 74:58  
|length                = 74:58  
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|previous album link    = [[Album: Diamonds And Pearls|Diamonds And Pearls]]
|previous album link    = [[Album: Diamonds And Pearls|Diamonds And Pearls]]
|next album link        = [[Album: The Hits 1|The Hits 1]]
|next album link        = [[Album: The Hits 1|The Hits 1]]
|introduction          = [[File:SymbolSmaller.png]] is the 14th full-length studio album by [[Prince]]. It’s also the second album co-credited to the New Power Generation. It was released worldwide in October 1992 (twelve months after  his previous album [[Album: Diamonds And Pearls|Diamonds And Pearls]]), and would be his last to be co-credited to a band until [[Album: One Nite Alone... Live!|One Nite Alone... Live!]], by [[Prince and the New Power Generation]], in 2002.  
|introduction          = [[File:SymbolSmaller.png]] is the 14th full-length studio album by [[Prince]]. It’s also the second and last album to be credited to [[Prince and the New Power Generation]]. It was released worldwide in October 1992 (twelve months after  his previous album [[Album: Diamonds And Pearls|Diamonds And Pearls]]), and would be his last to be co-credited to a band until [[Album: One Nite Alone... Live!|One Nite Alone... Live!]], by [[Prince and the New Power Generation]], in 2002.  


The album’s unpronounceable name, [[File:SymbolSmaller.png]], often leads to the album being referred to as ''Symbol'' or ''Love Symbol'' (''Love Symbol'' was used as the identifying name on the top seal of the jewel case CD release and on the [[Single: Peach|Peach]] single, which included [[My Name Is Prince]] as a b-side). [[File:SymbolSmaller.png]] would later become [[Prince]]’s name, in 1993, and he would go on to release six albums under that name (from 1995-1999).
The album’s unpronounceable name, [[File:SymbolSmaller.png]], often leads to the album being referred to as ''Symbol'' or ''Love Symbol'' (''Love Symbol'' was used as the identifying name on the top seal of the jewel case CD release and on the [[Single: Peach|Peach]] single, which included [[My Name Is Prince]] as a b-side). [[File:SymbolSmaller.png]] would later become [[Prince]]’s name, in 1993, and he would go on to release six albums under that name (from 1995-1999).
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<b>Sessions and compiling</b>
<b>Sessions and compiling</b>


Like the previous album, [[Album: Diamonds And Pearls|Diamonds And Pearls]], [[File:SymbolSmaller.png]] for the most part did not contain any updated tracks from the vault; only [[The Flow]] was a re-recording, of the original track recorded in September 1990. The rest of the album’s 16 songs were written and recorded between September 1991, and March 1992 at [[Paisley Park Studios]], Chanhassen, MN, USA, with two exceptions: [[Blue Light]] was recorded in May 1991, and [[file:EyeBlue.png|link=Eye Wanna Melt With U]][[Eye Wanna Melt With U| Wanna Melt With U]] was recorded in July 1992 as the final track recorded for the album.  
Like the previous album, [[Album: Diamonds And Pearls|Diamonds And Pearls]], [[File:SymbolSmaller.png]] for the most part did not contain any updated tracks from the vault; only [[The Flow]] was a re-recording, of the original track recorded in September 1990. The rest of the album’s 16 songs were written and recorded between September 1991, and March 1992 at [[Paisley Park Studios]], Chanhassen, MN, USA. [[file:EyeBlue.png|link=Eye Wanna Melt With U]][[Eye Wanna Melt With U| Wanna Melt With U]] was the final track recorded for the album in Spring 1992. The only exception is [[Blue Light]] which was recorded earlier, in May 1991.  


The released album contains two [[Symbol segues|segues]], featuring actress [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirstie_Alley Kirstie Alley] as reporter "Vanessa Batholomew" which attempt to create a story for the album. Two early configurations of the album are known (see [[#Quotations and trivia|below]] for details), which contained additional segues to more fully explain the story of the album; these were removed from the final sequence to include [[file:EyeBlue.png|link=Eye Wanna Melt With U]][[Eye Wanna Melt With U| Wanna Melt With U]] instead.
The released album contains two [[Symbol segues|segues]], featuring actress [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirstie_Alley Kirstie Alley] as reporter "Vanessa Bartholomew" which attempt to create a story for the album. Two early configurations of the album are known (see [[#Quotations and trivia|below]] for details), which contained additional segues to more fully explain the story of the album; these were removed from the final sequence to include [[file:EyeBlue.png|link=Eye Wanna Melt With U]][[Eye Wanna Melt With U| Wanna Melt With U]] instead.


The album featured the same band as [[Album: Diamonds And Pearls|Diamonds And Pearls]] with a few minor changes. [[Rosie Gaines]] had left the band, and [[Mayte]] was introduced, adding vocals to a few tracks; additionally, D.J. Graves added scratching to some tracks, but he was not considered a member of the band.  
The album featured the same band as [[Album: Diamonds And Pearls|Diamonds And Pearls]] with a few minor changes. [[Rosie Gaines]] had left the band, and [[Mayte]] was introduced, adding vocals to a few tracks; additionally, D.J. Graves added scratching to some tracks, but he was not considered a member of the band.  
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The storyline of the album was adapted for the [[Act I]] tour. It was also the subject of a TV program ([[TV Film: Act I|Act I]]) which was developed into a long form video (the [[Home Video: 3 Chains O’ Gold|3 Chains O’ Gold]] home video released in 1994), and a comic-book ([[Bibliography|Three Chains Of Gold]]).
The storyline of the album was adapted for the [[Act I]] tour. It was also the subject of a TV program ([[TV Film: Act I|Act I]]) which was developed into a long form video (the [[Home Video: 3 Chains O’ Gold|3 Chains O’ Gold]] home video released in 1994), and a comic-book ([[Bibliography|Three Chains Of Gold]]).
<b>Charts</b>


The album reached number 5 on the US [[The Billboard 200]] Chart and number 8 on the [[Billboard Top R&B Albums]] Chart, but reached number 1 on the UK Gallup Top 40 Album Chart.  
The album reached number 5 on the US [[The Billboard 200]] Chart and number 8 on the [[Billboard Top R&B Albums]] Chart, but reached number 1 on the UK Gallup Top 40 Album Chart.  


On [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/December_17|17 December 1992]], [[File:SymbolSmaller.png]] was certified gold by the RIAA, indicating 500,000 copies shipped in the USA.
 
<b>Certifications</b>
 
On [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/December_17|17 December 1992]], [[File:SymbolSmaller.png]] was certified platinum by the RIAA.
|tracklisting          =  
|tracklisting          =  
# <b>[[My Name Is Prince]]</b> (6:38) <small><sup>1</sup>&nbsp; </small>
# <b>[[My Name Is Prince]]</b> (6:38) <small><sup>1</sup>&nbsp; </small>
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<sup>2</sup>&nbsp; Written by [[Prince]], [[Tony M.]] and [[Levi Seacer, Jr.]]<br>
<sup>2</sup>&nbsp; Written by [[Prince]], [[Tony M.]] and [[Levi Seacer, Jr.]]<br>
<sup>3</sup>&nbsp; Written by [[Prince]] and [[Tony M.]]<br>
<sup>3</sup>&nbsp; Written by [[Prince]] and [[Tony M.]]<br>
<sup>4</sup>&nbsp; Contains a sample of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tramp_(song) Tramp], written by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lowell_Fulson Lowell Fulson] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_McCracklin Jimmy McCraklin], as performed by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lowell_Fulson Lowell Fulson]<br>
<sup>4</sup>&nbsp; Contains a sample of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tramp_(song) Tramp], written by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lowell_Fulson Lowell Fulson] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_McCracklin Jimmy McCracklin], as performed by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lowell_Fulson Lowell Fulson]<br>
<sup>5</sup>&nbsp; Contains samples of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Know_You_Got_Soul_(Eric_B._%26_Rakim_song) I Know You Got Soul], written and performed by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_B._%26_Rakim Eric B. & Rakim], ''Jazz It Up (Jazz Mix)'', written and performed by C.F.M. Band and ''Niggaz 4 Life'', written by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_D.O.C. The D.O.C.], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dr._Dre Dr. Dre] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MC_Ren MC Ren], as performed by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N.W.A N.W.A.]<br>
<sup>5</sup>&nbsp; Contains samples of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Know_You_Got_Soul_(Eric_B._%26_Rakim_song) I Know You Got Soul], written and performed by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_B._%26_Rakim Eric B. & Rakim], ''Jazz It Up (Jazz Mix)'', written and performed by C.F.M. Band and ''Niggaz 4 Life'', written by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_D.O.C. The D.O.C.], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dr._Dre Dr. Dre] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MC_Ren MC Ren], as performed by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N.W.A N.W.A.]<br>
<sup>6</sup>&nbsp; Contains a sample of ''God Made Me Funky'', written by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bennie_Maupin Bennie Maupin], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Summers_(musician) Bill Summers], [http://anonymz.com/?https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DeWayne_McKnight Blackbyrd McKnight], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Clark_(jazz_musician) Mike Clark], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Jackson_(bassist) Paul Jackson], as performed by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Headhunters The Headhunters]
<sup>6</sup>&nbsp; Contains a sample of ''God Made Me Funky'', written by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bennie_Maupin Bennie Maupin], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Summers_(musician) Bill Summers], [http://anonymz.com/?https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DeWayne_McKnight Blackbyrd McKnight], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Clark_(jazz_musician) Mike Clark], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Jackson_(bassist) Paul Jackson], as performed by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Headhunters The Headhunters]
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*[[Tommy Barbarella]] - keyboards on [[Sexy M.F.]], [[Love 2 The 9’s]], [[The Morning Papers]], [[Sweet Baby]], [[Damn U]], [[Arrogance]], [[And God Created Woman]] and [[3 Chains O’ Gold]]
*[[Tommy Barbarella]] - keyboards on [[Sexy M.F.]], [[Love 2 The 9’s]], [[The Morning Papers]], [[Sweet Baby]], [[Damn U]], [[Arrogance]], [[And God Created Woman]] and [[3 Chains O’ Gold]]
*[[Tony M.]] - rap on [[My Name Is Prince]], [[Sexy M.F.]], [[Love 2 The 9’s]], [[The Max]], [[The Flow]], background shouts on [[Arrogance]] and [[The Sacrifice Of Victor]]
*[[Tony M.]] - rap on [[My Name Is Prince]], [[Sexy M.F.]], [[Love 2 The 9’s]], [[The Max]], [[The Flow]], background shouts on [[Arrogance]] and [[The Sacrifice Of Victor]]
*[[Kirk Johnson|Kirky J.]] - background vocals and shout on [[My Name Is Prince]], [[Sexy M.F.]], [[Love 2 The 9’s]], [[The Max]], [[Arrogance]], [[The Flow]] and [[The Sacrifice Of Victor]]
*[[Kirk Johnson|Kirky J.]] - background vocals and shout on [[My Name Is Prince]], [[Sexy M.F.]], [[Love 2 The 9’s]], [[The Max]], [[Arrogance]], [[The Flow]] and [[The Sacrifice Of Victor]], drum programming on [[The Max]]
*[[Damon Dickson]] - background vocals and shouts on [[My Name Is Prince]], [[Sexy M.F.]], [[Love 2 The 9’s]], [[The Max]], [[Arrogance]], [[The Flow]] and [[The Sacrifice Of Victor]]
*[[Damon Dickson]] - background vocals and shouts on [[My Name Is Prince]], [[Sexy M.F.]], [[Love 2 The 9’s]], [[The Max]], [[Arrogance]], [[The Flow]] and [[The Sacrifice Of Victor]]
*[[Mayte]] - vocals on [[Love 2 The 9’s]] and [[The Max]]
*[[Mayte]] - vocals on [[Love 2 The 9’s]], [[The Max]], [[Blue Light]] and [[And God Created Woman]]
*D.J. Graves - scratching<br>
*[[William 'Diamond J.' Graves]] - scratching<br>
*[[Michael B. Nelson]] - trombone on [[Sexy M.F.]], [[Love 2 The 9’s]], [[The Morning Papers]], [[Arrogance]], [[The Flow]], [[And God Created Woman]], [[3 Chains O’ Gold]] and [[The Sacrifice Of Victor]] (credited as "Mike Nelson")
*[[Michael B. Nelson]] - trombone on [[Sexy M.F.]], [[Love 2 The 9’s]], [[The Morning Papers]], [[Arrogance]], [[The Flow]], [[And God Created Woman]], [[3 Chains O’ Gold]] and [[The Sacrifice Of Victor]] (credited as "Mike Nelson")
*[[Kathy Jensen]] - baritone saxophone on [[Sexy M.F.]], [[Love 2 The 9’s]], [[The Morning Papers]], [[Arrogance]], [[The Flow]], [[And God Created Woman]], [[3 Chains O’ Gold]] and [[The Sacrifice Of Victor]] (credited as "Kathy J.")
*[[Kathy Jensen]] - baritone saxophone on [[Sexy M.F.]], [[Love 2 The 9’s]], [[The Morning Papers]], [[Arrogance]], [[The Flow]], [[And God Created Woman]], [[3 Chains O’ Gold]] and [[The Sacrifice Of Victor]] (credited as "Kathy J.")
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*[[Steve Strand]] - trumpet on [[Sexy M.F.]], [[Love 2 The 9’s]], [[The Morning Papers]], [[Arrogance]], [[The Flow]], [[And God Created Woman]], [[3 Chains O’ Gold]] and [[The Sacrifice Of Victor]]
*[[Steve Strand]] - trumpet on [[Sexy M.F.]], [[Love 2 The 9’s]], [[The Morning Papers]], [[Arrogance]], [[The Flow]], [[And God Created Woman]], [[3 Chains O’ Gold]] and [[The Sacrifice Of Victor]]
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirsty_Alley Kirstie Alley] - "Vanessa Bartholomew" on [[Symbol segues#Segue # 1|Segue]], [[Damn U]], [[Arrogance]] and [[Symbol segues#Segue # 2|Segue]]
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirsty_Alley Kirstie Alley] - "Vanessa Bartholomew" on [[Symbol segues#Segue # 1|Segue]], [[Damn U]], [[Arrogance]] and [[Symbol segues#Segue # 2|Segue]]
*[[Michael Koppelman]] - bass guitar on [[Blue Light]]<br>
*[[Michael Koppelman]] - bass guitar and (uncredited) keyboards on [[Blue Light]]<br>
*[[Eric Leeds]] - saxophone on [[Blue Light]]<br>
*[[Eric Leeds]] - saxophone on [[Blue Light]]<br>
*[[Atlanta Bliss]] - Trumpet on [[The Max]] (uncredited and sampled from an unknown recording)
*[[Atlanta Bliss]] - Trumpet on [[The Max]] (uncredited and sampled from an unknown recording)
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|see also              =  
|see also              =  
{{SeeAlso|
{{SeeAlso|
|item1  = [[Home Video: 3 Chains O’ Gold|3 Chains O’ Gold<br>(Home video)]]
|item1  = [[Home Video: 3 Chains O’ Gold|3 Chains O’ Gold]]<br>(Home video)  
|image1  = [[File:3Chainsofgold_vhs.jpg|60px|border|link=SHome Video: 3 Chains O’ Gold]]
|image1  = [[File:3Chainsofgold_vhs.jpg|60px|border|link= Home Video: 3 Chains O’ Gold]]
|item2  = [[Act I|Act I<br>(Tour)]]
|item2  = [[Act I|Act I Tour]]
|image2  = [[File:1993_Act_1_VIP_pass.jpeg|60px|link= Act I]]
|image2  = [[File:1993_Act_1_VIP_pass.jpeg|60px|link= Act I]]
}}
}}
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<br>
<br>
}}
}}
|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)]]''  
* <b>Copyright:</b> [http://cocatalog.loc.gov/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?DB=local&PAGE=First US Copyright Office / SR0000146900 / 1992-11-02] supplemented by: [http://cocatalog.loc.gov/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?DB=local&PAGE=First SR0000205730 / 1997-07-01]  
* <b>Copyright:</b> [http://cocatalog.loc.gov/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?DB=local&PAGE=First US Copyright Office / SR0000146900 / 1992-11-02] supplemented by: [http://cocatalog.loc.gov/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?DB=local&PAGE=First SR0000205730 / 1997-07-01]  
*[https://www.housequake.com/2006/07/10/michael-koppelman-interview-engineer/ '''Michael Koppelman Interview''' by ''Cateto'' (housequake.com: 10 July 2006)]
* <b>Certifications:</b> [http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php RIAA database], [http://www.bpi.co.uk/certifiedawards/search.aspx BPI database]; [http://australian-charts.com/forum.asp?todo=viewthread&id=41980&pages= '''ARIA Monthly Certifications 1990-Present''' ''by Nelson'' (Australian-charts.com: 5 Nov. 2013)]
* <b>Certifications:</b> [http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php RIAA database], [http://www.bpi.co.uk/certifiedawards/search.aspx BPI database]; [http://australian-charts.com/forum.asp?todo=viewthread&id=41980&pages= '''ARIA Monthly Certifications 1990-Present''' ''by Nelson'' (Australian-charts.com: 5 Nov. 2013)]
* <b>Charts:</b> [http://www.billboard.com/#/album/prince-the-new-power-generation/the-love-symbol-album/49118 www.billboard.com / the-love-symbol-album], [http://www.theofficialcharts.com/artist/_/prince/ UK Official Charts / Prince], [http://bit.ly/oNH1kZ Austriancharts.at], [http://bit.ly/n2z2vV Australian-charts.com], [http://bit.ly/qFTAc6 Charts.org.nz], [http://bit.ly/nm1Uih Hitparade.ch], [http://bit.ly/oRRBSE Dutchcharts.nl], [http://bit.ly/pRLZSH Swedishcharts.com] and [http://bit.ly/r0hNz2 Norwegiancharts.com]
* <b>Charts:</b> [http://www.billboard.com/#/album/prince-the-new-power-generation/the-love-symbol-album/49118 www.billboard.com / the-love-symbol-album], [http://www.theofficialcharts.com/artist/_/prince/ UK Official Charts / Prince], [http://bit.ly/oNH1kZ Austriancharts.at], [http://bit.ly/n2z2vV Australian-charts.com], [http://bit.ly/qFTAc6 Charts.org.nz], [http://bit.ly/nm1Uih Hitparade.ch], [http://bit.ly/oRRBSE Dutchcharts.nl], [http://bit.ly/pRLZSH Swedishcharts.com] and [http://bit.ly/r0hNz2 Norwegiancharts.com]
|categories              = [[Category:1992]][[Category:Albums (Prince And The NPG)]][[Category:Studio albums (Prince)]][[Category: Paisley Park Records releases]]
|categories              = [[Category:1992]][[Category:Albums (Prince And The NPG)]][[Category:Studio albums (Prince)]][[Category: Paisley Park Records releases]]
}}
}}

Latest revision as of 07:38, 16 October 2024

1991: Diamonds And Pearls ◄ All Prince Albums All Related Artists Albums ► 1993: The Hits 1

Album details

Released: 5 October 1992 (Europe)

13 October 1992 (USA)

Length: 74:58
Label(s): Paisley Park Records / Warner Bros.
Studio(s): Paisley Park Studios, Chanhassen, MN, USA; Larrabee Sound Studios, North Hollywood, CA, USA

Charts, Certifications & Awards

Charts
America
Country: Chart Entry Date Peak Position Weeks in Chart
USA: The Billboard 200 31 Oct. 1992 5 34
USA: Billboard Top R&B Albums 5 Dec. 1992 8 35
USA: The Billboard 200 14 May 2016 111R 1
R indicates re-entry of an album that had already charted.
 
Europe
Country: Chart Entry Date Peak Position Weeks in Chart
Austria: Alben Top 75 18 Oct. 1992 1(1) 16
Germany: Musikmarkt Top 100 Albums 19 oct. 1992 5 20
The Netherlands: Nationale Top 100 17 Oct. 1992 6 16
Norway: VG-Lista Top 40 Albums Week 42/1992 10 3
Sweden: Top 60 Albums 14 Oct. 1992 10 4
Switzerland: Schweizer Hitparade 18 Oct. 1992 4 12
U.K.: UK Albums Chart 12 Oct. 1992 1(1) 21
 
Pacific
Country: Chart Entry Date Peak Position Weeks in Chart
Australia: ARIA Top 50 Albums 25 Oct. 1992 1(1) 15
New Zealand: Top 40 Albums 25 Oct. 1992 4 14
Certifications
Institution, Country Date Certification
RIAA, USA 17 Dec. 1992 Gold & Platinum (1 million)
BPI, UK 1 Oct. 1992 Silver & Gold (300,000)
BPI, UK 1 May 1993 Platinum (600,000)
SNEP, France 1993 Gold (100,000)
ARIA, Australia 15 Nov. 1992 Gold (35,000)
ARIA, Australia 7 Feb. 1993 Platinum (70,000)
Awards
This album has not received any awards in the USA

Singles released

Sexy M.F.
b/w Strollin’
My Name Is Prince
b/w Sexy Mutha
7
b/w 7
Damn U
b/w 2 Whom It May Concern
The Morning Papers
b/w Live 4 Love

See also

3 Chains O’ Gold
(Home video) 		Act I Tour

Alternate Album Configuration

  • March 1992, configuration
  1. Album Intro
  2. My Name Is Prince
  3. Sexy M.F.
  4. Segue
  5. Love 2 The 9’s
  6. The Morning Papers
  7. The Max
  8. Blue Light
  9. Segue
  10. However Much U Want
  11. Segue
  12. Sweet Baby
  13. Segue
  14. The Continental
  15. Damn U
  16. Segue
  17. Arrogance
  18. The Flow
  19. Segue
  20. 7
  21. Segue
  22. And God Created Woman
  23. 3 Chains O’ Gold
  24. Segue
  25. The Sacrifice Of Victor


  • 28 May 1992, configuration
  1. Album Intro
  2. My Name Is Prince
  3. Sexy M.F.
  4. Segue
  5. Love 2 The 9’s
  6. The Morning Papers
  7. The Max
  8. Segue
  9. Blue Light
  10. Segue
  11. Sweet Baby
  12. Segue
  13. The Continental
  14. Damn U
  15. Segue
  16. Arrogance
  17. The Flow
  18. Segue
  19. 7
  20. Segue
  21. And God Created Woman
  22. 3 Chains O’ Gold
  23. Segue
  24. The Sacrifice Of Victor


  • Late Summer 1992, configuration
  1. Album Intro
  2. My Name Is Prince
  3. Sexy M.F.
  4. Segue
  5. Love 2 The 9’s
  6. The Morning Papers
  7. The Max
  8. Segue
  9. Blue Light
  10. Wanna Melt With U
  11. Sweet Baby
  12. Segue
  13. The Continental
  14. Damn U
  15. Segue
  16. Arrogance
  17. The Flow
  18. Segue
  19. 7
  20. Segue
  21. And God Created Woman
  22. 3 Chains O’ Gold
  23. Segue
  24. The Sacrifice Of Victor


is the 14th full-length studio album by Prince. It’s also the second and last album to be credited to Prince and the New Power Generation. It was released worldwide in October 1992 (twelve months after his previous album Diamonds And Pearls), and would be his last to be co-credited to a band until One Nite Alone... Live!, by Prince and the New Power Generation, in 2002.

The album’s unpronounceable name, , often leads to the album being referred to as Symbol or Love Symbol (Love Symbol was used as the identifying name on the top seal of the jewel case CD release and on the Peach single, which included My Name Is Prince as a b-side). would later become Prince’s name, in 1993, and he would go on to release six albums under that name (from 1995-1999).

The album’s cover photograph was taken from the 7 video, but on initial CD copies of the album, the symbol was embossed in gold into the jewel case itself; a very unusual move for CD packaging.


Sessions and compiling

Like the previous album, Diamonds And Pearls, for the most part did not contain any updated tracks from the vault; only The Flow was a re-recording, of the original track recorded in September 1990. The rest of the album’s 16 songs were written and recorded between September 1991, and March 1992 at Paisley Park Studios, Chanhassen, MN, USA. Wanna Melt With U was the final track recorded for the album in Spring 1992. The only exception is Blue Light which was recorded earlier, in May 1991.

The released album contains two segues, featuring actress Kirstie Alley as reporter "Vanessa Bartholomew" which attempt to create a story for the album. Two early configurations of the album are known (see below for details), which contained additional segues to more fully explain the story of the album; these were removed from the final sequence to include Wanna Melt With U instead.

The album featured the same band as Diamonds And Pearls with a few minor changes. Rosie Gaines had left the band, and Mayte was introduced, adding vocals to a few tracks; additionally, D.J. Graves added scratching to some tracks, but he was not considered a member of the band.

While eight songs are essentially solo performances by Prince, the remaining eight songs feature Michael B. on drums, Sonny T. on bass guitar, Tommy Barbarella on keyboards, Levi Seacer, Jr. on rhythm guitar, and the rapping trio of Tony M. (performing lead raps) and Damon Dickson and Kirk Johnson (playing percussion and performing background raps/vocals). Additionally, the five-piece horn section of Mike Nelson, Kathy J., Dave Jensen, Brian Gallagher and Steve Strand contributed horns to some tracks.


Promotion

The album produced five commercially-released singles, Sexy M.F., My Name Is Prince (both of which preceded the album’s release), 7, Damn U (in the USA only) and The Morning Papers. Blue Light, Sweet Baby and Love 2 The 9’s were also planned as singles in early 1993, and acetates were made up for each single, but they were left unreleased, and The Morning Papers was released instead.

Prince toured extensively to support the album on the Act I tour (in North America) and the Act II tour, both of which largely focused on the album (although to a lesser extent on Act II); additionally, he regularly played some tracks from the album on the preceding tour, the Diamonds And Pearls Tour, which ended shortly before the album’s release.

The storyline of the album was adapted for the Act I tour. It was also the subject of a TV program (Act I) which was developed into a long form video (the 3 Chains O’ Gold home video released in 1994), and a comic-book (Three Chains Of Gold).


Charts

The album reached number 5 on the US The Billboard 200 Chart and number 8 on the Billboard Top R&B Albums Chart, but reached number 1 on the UK Gallup Top 40 Album Chart.


Certifications

On 17 December 1992, was certified platinum by the RIAA.



Track listing
CD LP
  1. My Name Is Prince (6:38) 1 
  2. Sexy M.F. (5:24) 2 
  3. Love 2 The 9’s (5:44)
  4. The Morning Papers (3:57)
  5. The Max (4:30)
  6. Segue (0:21)
  7. Blue Light (4:37)
  8. Wanna Melt With U (3:50)
  9. Sweet Baby (4:01)
  10. The Continental (5:30)
  11. Damn U (4:24)
  12. Arrogance (1:35) 3 
  13. The Flow (2:25) 4 
  14. 7 (5:12) 5 
  15. And God Created Woman (3:18)
  16. 3 Chains O’ Gold (6:02)
  17. Segue (1:29)
  18. The Sacrifice Of Victor (5:41) 6 

The vinyl long play format was release at same time as the CD.

  • Side 1:
  1. My Name Is Prince (6:38) 1 
  2. Sexy M.F. (5:24) 2 
  3. Love 2 The 9’s (5:44)
  • Side 2:
  1. The Morning Papers (3:57)
  2. The Max (4:30)
  3. Segue (0:21)
  4. Blue Light (4:37)
  5. Wanna Melt With U (3:50)
  6. Sweet Baby (4:01)
  • Side 3:
  1. The Continental (5:30)
  2. Damn U (4:24)
  3. Arrogance (1:35) 3 
  4. The Flow (2:25) 4 
  • Side 4:
  1. 7 (5:12) 5 
  2. And God Created Woman (3:18)
  3. 3 Chains O’ Gold (6:02)
  4. Segue (1:29)
  5. The Sacrifice Of Victor (5:41) 6 

All songs written by Prince, except where noted.

1  Written by Prince, Rap written by Tony M.
2  Written by Prince, Tony M. and Levi Seacer, Jr.
3  Written by Prince and Tony M.
4  Contains a sample of Tramp, written by Lowell Fulson and Jimmy McCracklin, as performed by Lowell Fulson
5  Contains samples of I Know You Got Soul, written and performed by Eric B. & Rakim, Jazz It Up (Jazz Mix), written and performed by C.F.M. Band and Niggaz 4 Life, written by The D.O.C., Dr. Dre and MC Ren, as performed by N.W.A.
6  Contains a sample of God Made Me Funky, written by Bennie Maupin, Bill Summers, Blackbyrd McKnight, Mike Clark, Paul Jackson, as performed by The Headhunters



Personnel
Musicians


Production


Thanks
  • none.



Releases
LP, CD, Cassettes and Other versions
Country Format Cat. Number Comments Front Back Label 1 Label 2
This section is under construction

Variants, Special Editions and Reissues
Country Format Cat. Number Comments Front Back Label 1 Label 2
This section is under construction
 
Additional Information
Promotion (at time of release) Trivia
  • Pre-Release: Flyer distributed to concert goers in Paris - summer 1992 (note the release date was earlier than the final release)

  • Time Of Release: Commercial ad in Japan, WB Records ad in Billboard & in Rolling Stone.

   

  • The CD was available in a limited edition hard golden slipcase box (see Variant Editions section for details). The contents of the album, including the booklet, were identical to the regular release.
  • Three early configurations of the album are known, listed in the Alternative Configuration section above.
References
1991
Diamonds And Pearls 		All Albums All Related Artists Albums 1993
The Hits 1
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