Schoolyard

From Prince Vault
Jump to navigationJump to search
Scarlet Pussy   < < < Non-Prince Songs All Prince Songs Unreleased Songs > > >   Scorpio
Schoolyard


from the album
Diamonds And Pearls Super Deluxe Edition
Song details
Performer: Prince and the New Power Generation
First Released: 27 October 2023 - Diamonds And Pearls Super Deluxe Edition
Album(s): Diamonds And Pearls Super Deluxe Edition
Writer(s): Prince
Producer(s): Prince (credited to Prince and the New Power Generation)
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

Schoolyard, titled The Schoolyard on some work orders, was recorded on 2 July 1990 at Olympic Studios, London, England (on the same day as Daddy Pop and Walk Don’t Walk). It was included as the fifth track on a November 1990 configuration of Diamonds And Pearls, and as the third track on a December 1990 configuration, before being discarded on later configurations, once further songs were recorded for the album.

The track was remixed and likely extended on 25 November 1990. Eric Leeds added a sax part to it in December 1992.

The song includes a narrative about a 16-year-old boy seducing a 14-year-old girl. The lyrics mention Squib Cakes by Tower Of Power (written by Chester Thompson, from their 1974 album Back To Oakland), which was sampled on both Release It (recorded prior to this track) and Sleep Around (recorded later). Although no official artist credit has been given to the track, its inclusion on (what became) Diamonds And Pearls would have resulted in this track being credited to Prince and the New Power Generation, which is how it is listed here. The track remains unreleased.

Schoolyard was released in October 2023 as the first track of Vault Tracks part 1, one of the discs with previously unreleased tracks included with the Diamonds And Pearls Super Deluxe Edition.


Recording Information
Recording Sessions
Date Studio Additional info
2 July 1990 Olympic Studios,
London, England
Tracking
25 November 1990. Paisley Park Studios,
Chanhassen, MN, USA
Mix, overdubs
13 December 1992 (estimate) Paisley Park Studios,
Chanhassen, MN, USA
saxophone overdubs by Eric Leeds, mix
Recording Personnel

Released version

  • Prince - all vocals and instruments, except where noted (assumed)
  • Rosie Gaines - background vocals
  • Unidentified female(s) - background vocals
  • Eric Leeds - saxophone

Unreleased version

  • Prince - all vocals and instruments, except where noted (assumed)
  • Rosie Gaines - background vocals
  • Unidentified female(s) - background vocals

Versions
Released Versions
Title Length Released Version Additional info
Schoolyard 7:10 Diamonds And Pearls Super Deluxe Edition Studio


Unreleased Versions
Title Version Additional Info
Schoolyard Studio Original July 1990
Schoolyard Studio overdubbed version without saxophone
 
Additional Information

See also Trivia


References
Scarlet Pussy   < < < All Songs Unreleased Songs > > >   Scorpio