Darlene Marie

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Darlene Marie / Darlin’ Marie / Darling Marie

Song details Performer: Prince Writer(s): Prince Producer(s): Prince Live Appearances First and last live appearance: This track is not believed to have been performed live by Prince. Performed regularly on tour: none Performed occasionally in shows: none

Darlene Marie is an unreleased track initially recorded in early November 1978 at Prince’s France Avenue Home Studio in Edina, Minnesota and again in late May 1979, at Hollywood Sound Recorders in Los Angeles, California (around the time Prince was recording overdubs for the Prince album). The track was written for Darlene, a girl Prince met in San Francisco, California in September 1978 and was seeing at the time. Her middle name was Maria, but was written as Marie on her baptismal record. Prince liked Marie better than Maria, or found it better suited the lyrics. He first wrote the song as a present for her around her birthday (1 November) and recorded a version of it in early November 1978 in his France Avenue Home Studio in Edina, Minnesota. Apparently the song was renamed Darling Marie when re-recorded in May 1979 and tentatively placed as the last track of an early configuration for the Prince album. It has a relatively simple arrangement and features Prince accompanying himself on acoustic guitar, while the lyrics include the line "Darlene Marie... why don’t you marry me?" This likely refers to the fact that Darlene was engaged to be married when they met. Prince wanted her to marry him instead. Darlene also inspired the song Head. Recording Information Recording Sessions Date Studio Additional info Early Nov. 1978 France Avenue Home Studio, Edina, MN, USA Tracking May 1979 Alpha Studios, Burbank, CA, USA Tracking (Version 2) 30 May 1979 Hollywood Sound Recorders, Los Angeles, CA, USA Mixing Recording Personnel Prince - all vocals and guitar Versions Unreleased Versions Title Version Additional Info Darlene Marie Studio Recorded early Nov. 1978 Darling Marie Studio Recorded late May 1979

Additional Information See also Trivia Unreleased Songs Head Another track named after a friend during the same era is Nadara (and possibly Donna) References The Vault: The Definitive Guide to the Musical World of Prince (2004)

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