Difference between revisions of "Rough"

• This track is not believed to have been performed live by Prince or Jill Jones

• none

• none

Rough is an unreleased song originally recorded in May - June 1980 at Prince's Wayzata Home Studio, Wayzata, 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 1984, the song was considered for The Family, but no new recording was done on the track at the time, as it 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, and is commonly incorrectly referred to as Too Rough, Tough or Too Tough.

Prince version

• Prince - all vocals and instruments (assumed)

Alexander O'Neil version

• Alexander O'Neal - vocals
• Prince - all other vocals and instruments (assumed)

Jill Jones version

• Jill Jones - vocals
• Prince - all other vocals and instruments, except where noted (assumed)
• Eric Leeds - saxophone

• Unreleased Songs
• Jill Jones

• The Vault: The Definitive Guide to the Musical World of Prince (2004)