The Continental

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The Continental

Symbolalbum.jpg
from the album SymbolSmallerBlue.png
Crystalball album.png
from the album Crystal Ball
Song details
Performer: Prince and the New Power Generation
First Released: 13 October 1992 - SymbolSmallerBlue.png album
Album(s): SymbolSmallerBlue.png

Crystal Ball (as Tell Me How U Want 2 B Done)

Writer(s): Prince (credited to Prince and the New Power Generation)
Producer(s): Prince (credited to Prince and the New Power Generation)
Live Appearances
First and last live appearance:
Performed regularly on tour:
Performed occasionally in shows:

The Continental is the tenth track (ninth song) on Prince’s 14th album SymbolSmallerBlue.png, the second album to be credited to Prince and the New Power Generation.

In 1998, a remix by Kirk Johnson of the second portion of the track, renamed Tell Me How U Want 2 B Done, was included as the tenth and final track on the first disc of Prince’s 20th album Crystal Ball (his fourth using the name SymbolSmallerBlue.png); this version had previously been used heavily in Kirk J’s B Sides Remix, released in March 1995. The song features a rap by Carmen Electra.

While specific recording dates are not known, basic tracking took place in January 1992, at Paisley Park Studios (during the same set of sessions that produced Damn U, The Flow, Born 2 B.R.E.E.D., With This Tear, Qualified and a revamped version of Sex).

It was included as the 13th track (eighth song) on a March 1992, configuration of the SymbolSmallerBlue.png album, and the 13th track (ninth song) on a late-Summer 1992, configuration, until many of the album’s segues were removed for release.

Kirk Johnson’s remix, Tell Me How U Want 2 B Done, was likely made in 1994 (along with his remixes of Head, When Doves Cry, Pop Life and Alphabet St.). The Crystal Ball liner notes state that Kirk Johnson "was rewarded by getting the producer job on Emancipation", and also states that a "video is available upon clearance from Carmen’s conscience" - it is unclear if a full video of Tell Me How U Want 2 B Done exists, however.


Recording Information
Recording Sessions
Date Studio Additional info
January 1992 Paisley Park Studios,
Chanhassen, MN, USA
Tracking
1994 Paisley Park Studios,
Chanhassen, MN, USA
Remix by Kirk Johnson (named Tell Me How U Want 2 B Done)
Recording Personnel

Versions
Released Versions
Title Length Released Version Additional info
The Continental 5:31 SymbolSmallerBlue.png Studio
Tell Me How U Want 2 B Done 3:14 Crystal Ball Remix Remix by Kirk Johnson
Video Versions
Title Length Released Version Additional info
The Continental 4:56 (2:27) 3 Chains O’ Gold VHS/laserdisc Promo video See The Continental video for details
Broadcasts/streaming (only)
Title Length Released Version Additional info
The Continental 5:31 Act I TV-special Video version Full version of the video using the album version.
Sampled, Referred to, Quoted in...
Title Length Released Version Additional info
2 Whom It May Concern 4:02 My Name Is Prince single

7 single
Damn U single

Studio medley See 2 Whom It May Concern for more details
Kirk J’s B Sides Remix 7:00 Purple Medley single Studio medley See Kirk J’s B Sides Remix for more details
Unreleased Versions
Title Version Additional Info
The Continental Remix Remix with additional lyrics, synth bass part and snare drum
 
Additional Information

See also Trivia


References
Contest Song   < < < All Songs Unreleased Songs > > >   Controversy