Strange Relationship: Difference between revisions

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{{song|
{{song|
|song name                = Strange Relationship
|song name                = Strange Relationship
|album image              = [[File:sott.jpg|100px|link=Album: Sign O’ The Times]] <br><small> from the album [[Album: Sign O’ The Times|Sign O’ The Times]] </small>
|album image              = [[File:sott.jpg|100px|link=Album: Sign O' The Times]] <br><small> from the album <br>[[Album: Sign O' The Times|Sign O' The Times]] </small> <br> [[File:sottDeluxe.jpg|100px|link= Album: Sign O' The Times Deluxe|Sign O' The Times ''Super Deluxe Edition'']]<br><small> from the album <br>[[Album: Sign O' The Times Deluxe|Sign O' The Times ''Super Deluxe Edition'']]
|single image              = [[Image:Piano&amicrophone1983.jpg|100px|link=Album: Piano & A Microphone 1983]] <br><small> from the album [[Album: Piano & A Microphone 1983|Piano & A Microphone 1983]]</small>
|single image              = [[Image:Piano&amicrophone1983.jpg|100px|link=Album: Piano & A Microphone 1983]] <br><small> from the album [[Album: Piano & A Microphone 1983|Piano & A Microphone 1983]]</small>
|performer                = [[Prince]]
|performer                = [[Prince]]
|first released            = [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/March 30|30 March 1987]] - [[Album: Sign O’ The Times|Sign O’ The Times]] album
|first released            = [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/March 30|30 March 1987]] - [[Album: Sign O' The Times|Sign O' The Times]] album
|album(s)                  = [[Album: Sign O’ The Times|Sign O’ The Times]]<br>
|album(s)                  = [[Album: Sign O' The Times|Sign O' The Times]]<br>
[[Album: One Nite Alone... Live!|One Nite Alone... Live!]]
[[Album: One Nite Alone... Live!|One Nite Alone... Live!]]
|writer(s)                = [[Prince]]
|writer(s)                = [[Prince]]
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|previous song            = [[Strange But True]]
|previous song            = [[Strange But True]]
|next song                = [[Strange Way]]
|next song                = [[Strange Way]]
|introduction              = '''Strange Relationship''' is the third track on the second disc of [[Prince]]’s ninth album [[Album: Sign O’ The Times|Sign O’ The Times]].  
|introduction              = '''Strange Relationship''' is the third track on the second disc of [[Prince]]'s ninth album [[Album: Sign O' The Times|Sign O' The Times]].  


In 2001, a 1987 live version was included as part of [[NPG Ahdio Show 4|NPG Ahdio Show # 4]], and the same version was offered as an individual download in 2005.  
In 2001, a 1987 live version was included as part of [[NPG Ahdio Show 4|NPG Ahdio Show # 4]], and the same version was offered as an individual download in 2005.  


In 2002, a live version was also included as the sixth track on the second disc of [[Album: One Nite Alone... Live!|One Nite Alone... Live!]], [[Prince]]’s first live album (along with [[Muse 2 The Pharaoh]], [[Mellow]] and [[The Other Side Of The Pillow]] from the same show).
In 2002, a live version was also included as the sixth track on the second disc of [[Album: One Nite Alone... Live!|One Nite Alone... Live!]], [[Prince]]'s first live album (along with [[Muse 2 The Pharaoh]], [[Mellow]] and [[The Other Side Of The Pillow]] from the same show).


A brief solo piano rehearsal of the track was released on the 2018 posthumous album [[Album: Piano & A Microphone 1983|Piano & A Microphone 1983]], preceded by [[Mary Don’t You Weep]], which also includes some lyrics from '''Strange Relationship'''.
A brief solo piano rehearsal of the track was released on the 2018 posthumous album [[Album: Piano & A Microphone 1983|Piano & A Microphone 1983]], preceded by [[Mary Don't You Weep]], which also includes some lyrics from '''Strange Relationship'''.


Initial tracking is believed to have taken place on [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/March 14|14 March 1983]] at [[Prince]]’s [[Kiowa Trail Home Studio]] in Chanhassen, Minnesota. [[Wendy Melvoin]] and [[Lisa Coleman]] reworked the track heavily in Summer 1985, adding sitar and other overdubs, most likely at [[Sunset Sound]] in Hollywood, CA. The sitar sound is not a real sitar, but comes from the Fairlight CMI, a unit [[Prince]] did not have at the time, but which was available at [[Sunset Sound]].
Initial tracking is believed to have taken place on [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/March 14|14 March 1983]] at [[Prince]]'s [[Kiowa Trail Home Studio]] in Chanhassen, Minnesota. [[Wendy Melvoin]] and [[Lisa Coleman]] reworked the track heavily in one or more sessions in mid-late June 1985, adding Fairlight CMI sitar and other overdubs at [[The Complex Studios]], Los Angeles, California.


This version was included as the seventh track on a late April 1986 configuration of [[Album: Dream Factory|Dream Factory]], and as the album expanded, it was included as the sixth track on the first disc on the [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/June 3|3 June 1986]] and [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/July 18|18 July 1986]] configurations.  
This overdubbed version was edited down in a later session and included as the seventh track on a late April 1986 configuration of [[Album: Dream Factory|Dream Factory]], and as the album expanded, it was included as the sixth track on the first disc on the [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/June 3|3 June 1986]] and [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/July 18|18 July 1986]] configurations.  


When [[Prince and the Revolution|the Revolution]] disbanded, [[Prince]] remixed the song at [[Sunset Sound]] in Hollywood, California, to minimize [[Wendy Melvoin]] and [[Lisa Coleman]]’s involvement. [[Eric Leeds]] recorded a saxophone overdub, but [[Prince]] removed it from the final mix, which was included as the third track on the [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/November 5|5 November 1986]] configuration of the [[Album: Camille|Camille]] album (to be credited to [[Alias: Camille|Camille]]).  
When [[Prince and the Revolution|the Revolution]] disbanded, [[Prince]] remixed the song at [[Sunset Sound]] in Hollywood, California, to minimize [[Wendy Melvoin]] and [[Lisa Coleman]]'s involvement. [[Eric Leeds]] recorded a saxophone overdub, but [[Prince]] removed it from the final mix, which was included as the third track on the [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/November 5|5 November 1986]] configuration of the [[Album: Camille|Camille]] album (to be credited to [[Alias: Camille|Camille]]).
 
A few weeks later, it was included as the sixth track on the second disc of the triple-album [[Album: Crystal Ball 1986|Crystal Ball]] on the [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/November 30|30 November 1986]] configuration, which was eventually pared down and became [[Album: Sign O' The Times|Sign O' The Times]].
 
Probably after its release on [[Album: Sign O' The Times|Sign O' The Times]] [[Prince]] commisioned Shep Pettibone to remix the song, possibly around the same time Pettibone also remixed [[Hot Thing]]. Club Mix remaiunedunreleased at the time, but was released on [[Album: Sign O' The Times Deluxe| Sign O' The Times ''Super Deluxe'']] in 2020 together with the Initial [[Wendy Melvoin|Wendy]] & [[Lisa Coleman|Lisa]] overdubbed version, called ‘Original Version’ here, even while the true original version was recorded in 1983.


A few weeks later, it was included as the sixth track on the second disc of the triple-album [[Album: Crystal Ball 1986|Crystal Ball]] on the [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/November 30|30 November 1986]] configuration, which was eventually pared down and became [[Album: Sign O’ The Times|Sign O’ The Times]].
|recording info            =
|recording info            =
{{RecordingLine|
{{RecordingLine|
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}}
}}
{{RecordingLine|
{{RecordingLine|
|date                      = Summer 1985
|date                      = Mid June 1985
|studio                    = [[Sunset Sound]],<br>Hollywood, CA, USA (assumed)
|studio                    = [[The Complex Studios]], Los Angeles, CA
|additional info          = Sitar overdubs and reworking by [[Wendy Melvoin]] and [[Lisa Coleman]]
|additional info          = Overdubs and reworking by [[Wendy Melvoin]] and [[Lisa Coleman]]
}}
{{RecordingLine|
|date                      = Late June 1985
|studio                    = [[The Complex Studios]], Los Angeles, CA
|additional info          = Overdubs and reworking by [[Wendy Melvoin]] and [[Lisa Coleman]]
}}
{{RecordingLine|
|date                      =  Mid March 1986 (assumed)
|studio                    = [[Galpin Blvd Home Studio]],<br>Chanhassen, MN, USA
|additional info          =  Editing, mixing
}}
}}
{{RecordingLine|
{{RecordingLine|
Line 51: Line 64:
|studio                    = [[Sunset Sound]],<br>Hollywood, CA, USA
|studio                    = [[Sunset Sound]],<br>Hollywood, CA, USA
|additional info          = Remix  minimizing [[Wendy Melvoin|Wendy]] & [[Lisa Coleman|Lisa]] contributions & recording of later discarded saxophone overdub
|additional info          = Remix  minimizing [[Wendy Melvoin|Wendy]] & [[Lisa Coleman|Lisa]] contributions & recording of later discarded saxophone overdub
}}
{{RecordingLine|
|date                      = mid- late 1987 (assumed)
|studio                    = Mastermix Studio, New Jersey
|additional info          = remix, additional production, editing; Shep Pettibone
}}
}}
|recording personnel      =  
|recording personnel      =  
*[[Prince]] - all vocals and instruments, except where noted (credited as [[Alias: Camille|Camille]] for vocals)
*[[Prince]] - all vocals and instruments, except where noted (credited as [[Alias: Camille|Camille]] for vocals)
*[[Wendy Melvoin]] - tamborine, congas
*[[Wendy Melvoin]] - tamborine, congas
*[[Lisa Coleman]] - sitar, wooden flute
*[[Lisa Coleman]] - sitar, wooden flute (both from Fairlight)
<hr>
<hr>
*[[Don Batts]] -  engineer (basic tracking)
*[[Don Batts]] -  engineer (basic tracking)
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|1= '''Strange Relationship'''
|1= '''Strange Relationship'''
|2= 4:04
|2= 4:04
|3= [[Album: Sign O’ The Times|Sign O’ The Times]]
|3= [[Album: Sign O' The Times|Sign O' The Times]]
|4= Studio
|4= Studio
|5=  
|5=  
}}
{{Songline|
|1= '''Strange Relationship'''
|2= 4:04
|3= [[Album: Sign O' The Times Deluxe| Sign O' The Times ''Deluxe'']]
|4= Studio
|5= Remastered in 2020
}}
}}
{{Songline|
{{Songline|
Line 103: Line 128:
|4= Live
|4= Live
|5= [[15 December 2002|15 December 2002, Aladdin Theatre for the Performing Arts, Las Vegas, NV, USA]]
|5= [[15 December 2002|15 December 2002, Aladdin Theatre for the Performing Arts, Las Vegas, NV, USA]]
}}
{{Songline|
|1= '''[[Strange Relationship]] (Original Version)'''
|2= 6:41
|3= [[Album: Sign O' The Times Deluxe|Sign O' The Times ''Super Deluxe'']]
|4= Studio
|5=
}}
{{Songline|
|1= '''[[Strange Relationship]] (1987 Shep Pettibone Club Mix)'''
|2= 7:07
|3= [[Album: Sign O' The Times Deluxe|Sign O' The Times ''Super Deluxe'']]
|4= Remix
|5=
}}
}}
}}
}}
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|1= '''Strange Relationship'''
|1= '''Strange Relationship'''
|2= Studio
|2= Studio
|3= 1985 recording with overdubs intended for [[Album: Dream Factory|Dream Factory]]
|3= 1985 mix with saxophone by [[Eric Leeds]] (removed for release)
}}
}}
{{Unreleasedline|
{{Unreleasedline|
|1= '''Strange Relationship'''
|1= '''Strange Relationship'''
|2= Studio
|2= Studio
|3= 1985 mix with saxophone by [[Eric Leeds]] (removed for release)
|3= 'sitar' version, edit, as placed on [[Album: Dream Factory|Dream Factory]]
}}
}}
}}
}}
Line 154: Line 193:
|line =
|line =
{{Songline|
{{Songline|
|1= '''[[Mary Don’t You Weep]]'''
|1= '''[[Mary Don't You Weep]]'''
|2= 4:42
|2= 4:42
|3= [[Album: Piano & A Microphone 1983|Piano & A Microphone 1983]] album pre-order download
|3= [[Album: Piano & A Microphone 1983|Piano & A Microphone 1983]] album pre-order download
Line 165: Line 204:
|first live appearance    = [[24 August 1986|24 August 1986: New Morning, Paris, France]] <br>
|first live appearance    = [[24 August 1986|24 August 1986: New Morning, Paris, France]] <br>
* [[28 February 2016-2|28 February 2016 (show 2): Paramount Theatre, Oakland, CA, USA]]   
* [[28 February 2016-2|28 February 2016 (show 2): Paramount Theatre, Oakland, CA, USA]]   
|performed regularly on    =[[Lovesexy Tour]]
|performed regularly on    =[[Lovesexy Tour]]
*[[One Nite Alone... Tour]]
*[[One Nite Alone... Tour]]
|performed occasionally in = [[All Concerts#1986|1986]], [[All Concerts#1987|1987]], [[All Concerts#1988|1988]], [[All Concerts#2002|2002]], [[All Concerts#2003|2003]], [[All Concerts#2007|2007]], [[All Concerts#2011|2011]], [[All_Concerts#2013|2013]], [[All Concerts#2016|2016]] <small>''(solo piano)'' </small>
|performed occasionally in = [[All Concerts#1986|1986]], [[All Concerts#1987|1987]], [[All Concerts#1988|1988]], [[All Concerts#2002|2002]], [[All Concerts#2003|2003]], [[All Concerts#2007|2007]], [[All Concerts#2011|2011]], [[All_Concerts#2013|2013]], [[All Concerts#2016|2016]] <small>''(solo piano)'' </small>
|trivia                    =  
|trivia                    =  
|see also                  = [[Album: Sign O’ The Times|Sign O’ The Times]] album
|see also                  = [[Album: Sign O' The Times|Sign O' The Times]] album
*[[Album: Sign O' The Times Deluxe|Sign O' The Times ''Super Deluxe Edition'']] album
*[[Album: Dream Factory|Dream Factory]] unreleased album
*[[Album: Camille|Camille]] unreleased album
*[[Album: Crystal Ball 1986|Crystal Ball]] unreleased album
|references                = ''[[Book:_The_Vault|The Vault: The Definitive Guide to the Musical World of Prince (2004)]] ''
|references                = ''[[Book:_The_Vault|The Vault: The Definitive Guide to the Musical World of Prince (2004)]] ''
* ''[https://www.amazon.com/Prince-Purple-Rain-Studio-Sessions/dp/1538114623/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8 Prince and the Purple Rain Era Studio Sessions 1983 and 1984 (Expanded Edition, paperback), Duane Tudahl (2018)]''
* ''[https://www.amazon.com/Prince-Purple-Rain-Studio-Sessions/dp/1538114623/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8 Prince and the Purple Rain Era Studio Sessions 1983 and 1984 (Expanded Edition, paperback), Duane Tudahl (2018)]''
|categories                = [[Category:1987]][[Category:Released Songs (Prince)]][[Category:Songs (Prince)]][[Category:Recorded 1983]]
|categories                = [[Category:1987]][[Category:Released Songs (Prince)]][[Category:Songs (Prince)]][[Category:Recorded 1983]]
}}
}}

Revision as of 16:53, 22 September 2020

Strange But True   < < < Non-Prince Songs All Prince Songs Unreleased Songs > > >   Strange Way
Strange Relationship

from the album
Sign O' The Times
Sign O' The Times Super Deluxe Edition
from the album
Sign O' The Times Super Deluxe Edition
from the album Piano & A Microphone 1983
Song details
Performer: Prince
First Released: 30 March 1987 - Sign O' The Times album
Album(s): Sign O' The Times

One Nite Alone... Live!

Writer(s): Prince
Producer(s): Prince
Live Appearances
First and last live appearance:
Performed regularly on tour:
Performed occasionally in shows:

Strange Relationship is the third track on the second disc of Prince's ninth album Sign O' The Times.

In 2001, a 1987 live version was included as part of NPG Ahdio Show # 4, and the same version was offered as an individual download in 2005.

In 2002, a live version was also included as the sixth track on the second disc of One Nite Alone... Live!, Prince's first live album (along with Muse 2 The Pharaoh, Mellow and The Other Side Of The Pillow from the same show).

A brief solo piano rehearsal of the track was released on the 2018 posthumous album Piano & A Microphone 1983, preceded by Mary Don't You Weep, which also includes some lyrics from Strange Relationship.

Initial tracking is believed to have taken place on 14 March 1983 at Prince's Kiowa Trail Home Studio in Chanhassen, Minnesota. Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman reworked the track heavily in one or more sessions in mid-late June 1985, adding Fairlight CMI sitar and other overdubs at The Complex Studios, Los Angeles, California.

This overdubbed version was edited down in a later session and included as the seventh track on a late April 1986 configuration of Dream Factory, and as the album expanded, it was included as the sixth track on the first disc on the 3 June 1986 and 18 July 1986 configurations.

When the Revolution disbanded, Prince remixed the song at Sunset Sound in Hollywood, California, to minimize Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman's involvement. Eric Leeds recorded a saxophone overdub, but Prince removed it from the final mix, which was included as the third track on the 5 November 1986 configuration of the Camille album (to be credited to Camille).

A few weeks later, it was included as the sixth track on the second disc of the triple-album Crystal Ball on the 30 November 1986 configuration, which was eventually pared down and became Sign O' The Times.

Probably after its release on Sign O' The Times Prince commisioned Shep Pettibone to remix the song, possibly around the same time Pettibone also remixed Hot Thing. Club Mix remaiunedunreleased at the time, but was released on Sign O' The Times Super Deluxe in 2020 together with the Initial Wendy & Lisa overdubbed version, called ‘Original Version’ here, even while the true original version was recorded in 1983.


Recording Information
Recording Sessions
Date Studio Additional info
14 March 1983 (estimate) Kiowa Trail Home Studio,
Chanhassen, MN, USA 		Basic tracking
August 1983 (estimate) Kiowa Trail Home Studio,
Chanhassen, MN, USA 		Rehearsal recording
Late April / early May 1984 Flying Cloud Drive Warehouse,
Eden Prairie, MN, USA 		overdubbing
Mid June 1985 The Complex Studios, Los Angeles, CA Overdubs and reworking by Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman
Late June 1985 The Complex Studios, Los Angeles, CA Overdubs and reworking by Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman
Mid March 1986 (assumed) Galpin Blvd Home Studio,
Chanhassen, MN, USA 		Editing, mixing
Late October - early November 1986 Sunset Sound,
Hollywood, CA, USA 		Remix minimizing Wendy & Lisa contributions & recording of later discarded saxophone overdub
mid- late 1987 (assumed) Mastermix Studio, New Jersey remix, additional production, editing; Shep Pettibone
Recording Personnel

Versions
Released Versions
Title Length Released Version Additional info
Strange Relationship 4:04 Sign O' The Times Studio
Strange Relationship 4:04 Sign O' The Times Deluxe Studio Remastered in 2020
Strange Relationship 2:38 Piano & A Microphone 1983 'Rehearsal' a.k.a. Strange Relationship (Piano & A Microphone 1983 Version)
Strange Relationship (Live '87) 4:41 NPG Music Club .wma download Live 21 March 1987, First Avenue, Minneapolis, Minnesota; edited from full live version
Strange Relationship 4:24 One Nite Alone... Live EP promo Live 11 March 2002, Murat Theatre, Indianapolis, IN, USA; longer version than below; begins with spoken intro from previous song, slightly longer audience noise at end without spoken transition
Strange Relationship 4:12 One Nite Alone... Live! Live 11 March 2002, Murat Theatre, Indianapolis, IN, USA; slightly alternate edit than above
Strange Relationship (Live In Las Vegas) 3:52 Live At The Aladdin Las Vegas promo Live 15 December 2002, Aladdin Theatre for the Performing Arts, Las Vegas, NV, USA
Strange Relationship (Original Version) 6:41 Sign O' The Times Super Deluxe Studio
Strange Relationship (1987 Shep Pettibone Club Mix) 7:07 Sign O' The Times Super Deluxe Remix
Video Versions
Title Length Released Version Additional info
Strange Relationship 2:30 Lovesexy Live 1 VHS Live 9 September 1988, Westfalenhallen, Dortmund, West Germany
Strange Relationship T.B.C. Live At The Aladdin Las Vegas DVD Live 15 December 2002, Aladdin Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, NV, USA
Sampled, Referred to, Quoted in...
Title Length Released Version Additional info
Mary Don't You Weep 4:42 Piano & A Microphone 1983 album pre-order download Rehearsal Contains lyrical interpolation of Strange Relationship
Unreleased Versions
Title Version Additional Info
Strange Relationship Studio Original 1983 recording
Strange Relationship Studio 1985 mix with saxophone by Eric Leeds (removed for release)
Strange Relationship Studio 'sitar' version, edit, as placed on Dream Factory
 
Additional Information
See also Trivia
References
Strange But True   < < < All Songs Unreleased Songs > > >   Strange Way
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