7 is the 14th track (13th song) on Prince’s 14th album , the second to be credited to Prince and the New Power Generation, and, five weeks after the album’s release, 7 was released as the album’s third single (on the same day as the Damn U single). In 1993, the track was included as the 18th and final track on The Hits 1 (also included as the first disc of The Hits / The B-Sides). In 2006, the track was included as the 15th track on the first disc of Ultimate.
While specific recording dates are not known, basic tracking took place in December 1990 at Paisley Park Studios in Chanhassen, Minnesota. This early version was not included on any known configuration of the Diamonds And Pearls album though. Additional recording or basic tracking of a new version took place between September 1991, and March 1992, at Paisley Park Studios in Chanhassen, Minnesota. It was included as the 19th track (twelfth song) on a March 1992, configuration of the album, and the 19th track (13th song) on a late-Summer 1992, configuration, before many of the album’s segues were removed for release. The track is a solo recording by Prince, but the drum loop is sampled from Tramp, a 1967 song written by Lowell Fulson and Jimmy McCracklin, as performed by Lowell Fulson (from Tramp 1967, also released as a single; also performed by Otis Redding and Carla Thomas).
Remixes of the track were made by Hip Hop producer Marley Marl for a possible inclusion on the maxi-single but they remain unreleased.
|
|
Recording Information
|
Recording Sessions
|
Date
|
Studio
|
Additional info
|
December 1990
|
Paisley Park Studios, Chanhassen, MN, USA
|
Tracking (early version)
|
September 1991 - March 1992
|
Paisley Park Studios, Chanhassen, MN, USA
|
Tracking or adding to December 1990 version
|
9 August 1992
|
Paisley Park Studios, Chanhassen, MN, USA
|
New version in E-flat with different vocals
|
Summer 1992
|
Larrabee Sound Studios, North Hollywood, CA, USA
|
Additional Production and Mix by Keith "K.C." Cohen
|
Late 1992 (assumed)
|
Unknown studio, USA
|
Remixes by Marley Marl
|
Recording Personnel
|
- Prince - all vocals and instruments
- Chuck Thomas - drums (uncredited, sampled loop from Tramp by Lowell Fulson)
|
|
Versions
|
Released Versions
|
Title
|
Length
|
Released
|
Version
|
Additional info
|
7
|
5:13
|
album
|
Studio
|
|
7 (Album Version)
|
5:09
|
7 single
The Hits 1
The Hits / The B-Sides
Ultimate
|
Edit
|
Same as album version without the opening sound effect
|
7 (Album Edit)
|
4:23
|
7 single
4Ever
|
Edit
|
|
7 (Acoustic Version)
|
3:54
|
7 single
|
Remix
|
Remix to enhance acoustic sound; not an acoustic recording
|
7 (After 6 Long Version)
|
5:15
|
7 single
|
Remix
|
|
7 (After 6 Edit)
|
4:20
|
7 single
|
Remix edit
|
|
7 (Mix 5 Long Version)
|
4:56
|
7 promo
|
Remix
|
|
7 (Mix 5 Edit)
|
4:06
|
7 promo
|
Remix edit
|
|
7 (E Flat Version)
|
5:02
|
Vault Series Vol.1 USB Key
7 (E Flat Version) digital download
|
Remix
|
|
|
Video Versions
|
Title
|
Length
|
Released
|
Version
|
Additional info
|
7
|
5:11
|
The Hits Collection VHS/DVD
|
Promo video
|
See 7 video for more details
|
7
|
4:40
|
3 Chains O’ Gold VHS/laserdisc
|
Promo video
|
Edited version of 7 above
|
|
Broadcasts/streaming (only)
|
|
Sampled, Referred to, Quoted in...
|
|
Unreleased Versions
|
Title
|
Version
|
Additional Info
|
7
|
early version
|
Mayte was the ’seed of an idea for the song', Dec. '90
|
7 (Bigger End Chorus)
|
Remix
|
Remix (possibly in-progress) by Marley Marl for 7 single. Almost (if not) identical to the 7 (Final Vocal).
|
7 (Drums And Vocals)
|
Remix
|
Remix (possibly in-progress) by Marley Marl for 7 single. 7 (Final Vocal) with a slightly different backing.
|
7 (Final Vocal)
|
Remix
|
Remix (possibly in-progress) by Marley Marl for 7 single.
|
7 (Final Vocal Safety Remix)
|
Remix
|
Remix (possibly in-progress) by Marley Marl for 7 single. Almost (if not) identical to the 7 (Final Vocal).
|
7 (Instrumental)
|
Remix
|
Remix (possibly in-progress) by Marley Marl for 7 single. Instrumental version of the 7 (Final Vocal).
|
7 (Rumble Mix)
|
Remix
|
Remix (possibly in-progress) by Marley Marl for 7 single. Almost (if not) identical to the 7 (Final Vocal).
|
7 (TV Track)
|
Remix
|
Remix (possibly in-progress) by Marley Marl for 7 single. Mostly instrumental version of the 7 (Final Vocal).
|
|
|