Five Songs You Didn’t Know Prince Wrote
Five songs you didn't know Prince wrote, or maybe you did. The legendary star died yesterday at the age of 57, and now the world not only mourns but steps back to look at the influence Prince had on culture. MTV said it best yesterday when they released a statement that read:
“MTV is heartbroken and in utter disbelief at the news that the world has lost Prince Rogers Nelson so suddenly and so before his time. Prince was a once-in-a-lifetime artist who transcended every medium and genre he touched and created music with a passion and individuality that inspired multiple generations. Our hearts and prayers go out to his family, friends and millions of fans.”
The Prince catalog is massive and is the number one selling collection on iTunes right now.
We could have a long list of songs from one of Prince's 39 released albums, and I'm sure hundreds of other unreleased songs. As MTV said Prince "transcended every medium and genre he touched and created music with a passion and individuality that inspired multiple generations." Prince had a hand in writing a lot of songs for other artists. Here are five you may or may not have known that Prince wrote.
- 1
The Bangles - Manic Monday
The Bangles "Manic Monday" was written by Prince, using the pseudonym "Christopher." He originally intended it for the group Apollonia 6 in 1984 but offered it to The Bangles two years later.
Favorite Lyric:
Six o'clock already
I was just in the middle of a dream
I was kissin' Valentino
By a crystal blue Italian stream
- 2
Patti LaBelle - Yo Mister
"Yo Mister" was written by Prince for Patti LaBelle and recorded on her 1989 album, Be Yourself. The song is one of LaBelle's biggest R&B hits to date climbing all the way up to the sixth spot on the Billboard R&B Chart. The song also features Prince on various instruments and background vocals.
Favorite Lyric:
"In her eyes, her father was the biggest fool of them all
And she was speeding, that's what she'd say
Maybe, maybe, maybe she wouldn't talk so stupid
If she knew how much she needed this fool today."
- 3
Sinead O'Connor - Nothing Compares 2 U
This song was originally written and composed by Prince for one of his side projects. The video for this song had reached iconic status and back when MTV showed videos you couldn't help but see it.
Favorite Lyric:
It's been so lonely without you here
Like a bird without a song
Nothing can stop these lonely tears from falling
Tell me baby where did I go wrong
I could put my arms around every boy I see
But they'd only remind me of you - 4
Alicia Keys - How Come You Don't Call Me Anymore
How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore is a song by Prince. A ballad of longing with some gospel elements. Keys recorded a cover of the song and retitled it "How Come You Don't Call Me."
Favorite Lyric:
Still light the fire on a rainy night
Still like it better when your holding me tight
Everybody said
Everybody said that we should never part (mmm)
Tell me baby baby baby why
Why you wanna go and break my heart - 5
MC Hammer - Pray
This was the third single released from MC Hammer's third album, Please Hammer, Don't Hurt 'Em. This song was produced by Hammer and heavily samples Prince's hit song When Doves Cry, it's the first and one of the few songs legally sanctioned by Prince to incorporate samples of one of his compositions.
Favorite Lyric:
All my life I wanted to make it to the top
(That's word, we pray)
Some said I wouldn't
They told me no, but I didn't stop
(That's word, we pray)
Working hard, making those movies everyday
(That's word, we pray)
And on my knees every night, you know I pray
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