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Rough (also listed as Tough, Too Tough, and Too Rough) is an unreleased song originally recorded in May - June 1980 at Prince’s North Arm Drive Home Studio in Orono, Minnesota during recording sessions for the Dirty Mind album.
At some point between June 1980 and April 1981, he recorded a new version with Alexander O’Neal, but recording details are not known.
In 1985, the song was considered for The Family, but seemed inappropriate for the group’s style. It was later considered for Jill Jones' first album Jill Jones, and her vocals were recorded on 8 January 1986, along with saxophone overdubs by Eric Leeds (four days before recording Conversation Piece and Last Heart).
It was rejected from the album, however, and Prince later offered it to Joyce Kennedy of the band Mother’s Finest, who turned the song down without recording a version.
The lyrics describe a tough girl, who will take your money, your self respect and your personality. "She keeps her money in a garter belt. Next to a .38. If you get the chance to take her out. You better not be late."
The song was copyrighted on 25 March 1985 as Rough, but it is commonly incorrectly referred to as Too Rough, and sometimes Tough or Too Tough as well. That list title however is a different, otherwise unrelated song.
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Recording Information
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Recording Sessions
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| Date
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Studio
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Additional info
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| May - June 1980
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North Arm Drive Home Studio,
Orono, MN, USA
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Tracking
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| June 1980 - April 1981
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Studio information needed
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Additional recording with Alexander O’Neal
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| 14 March 1985
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Sunset Sound, Studio 1 (likely),
Hollywood, CA, USA
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Vocal overdubs by Prince
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| March 1985 (likely)
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Studio information needed
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Vocal overdubs with St. Paul and Susannah Melvoin (unconfirmed)
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| 2 June 1985
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The Complex Studios,
Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Overdubs, mix (session by Wendy & Lisa, sans Prince)
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| 11 December 1985 (estimate)
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Sunset Sound - Studio 3,
Hollywood, CA, USA
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Vocal overdubs by Jill Jones
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| 20 December 1985
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Sunset Sound - Studio 3,
Hollywood, CA, USA
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Mix (as Too Rough)
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| 20 December 1985
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Sunset Sound- Studio 3,
Hollywood, CA, USA
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Mix (as Too Rough)
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| 7 January 1986
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Sunset Sound - Studio 3,
Hollywood, CA, USA
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Overdubs, mix (as Too Rough)
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| 8 January 1986
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Sunset Sound - Studio 3,
Hollywood, CA, USA
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Mix, overdubs Saxophone overdubs by Eric Leeds (as Too Rough)
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| 21 February 1986
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Sunset Sound- Studio 3,
Hollywood, CA, USA
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Remix (as Too Rough)
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Recording Personnel
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Prince version
- Prince - all vocals and instruments (assumed)
Alexander O’Neil version
The Family version (possible)
Jill Jones version
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Versions
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Unreleased Versions
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| Title
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Version
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Additional Info
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| Rough
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Studio
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Original 1980 recording with Prince vocals
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| Rough
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Studio
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1980-1 recording with Alexander O’Neal vocals
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| Rough
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Studio
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1985 version with vocals overdubs by Prince
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| Rough
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Studio
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Possible version with The Family
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| Rough
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Studio
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Version after Wendy & Lisa overdubs
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| Rough
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Studio
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1986 recording with Jill Jones vocals
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