Prince Songs Ranked
Prince Rogers Nelson (June 7, 1958 – April 21, 2016) was an American singer-songwriter, musician, record producer, dancer, actor, and filmmaker. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest musicians of his generation. A multi-instrumentalist who was considered a guitar virtuoso, he was well known for his eclectic work across multiple genres, flamboyant and androgynous persona, and wide vocal range which included a far-reaching falsetto and high-pitched screams.
Prince’s innovative music integrated a wide variety of styles, including funk, R&B, rock, new wave, soul, synth-pop, psychedelia, pop, industrial, and hip hop. He pioneered the Minneapolis sound, a funk-rock subgenre that emerged in the late 1970s. He was also known for his prolific output, releasing 39 albums during his life, with a vast array of unreleased projects left in a vault at his home after his death; it is believed that the vault contains dozens of fully produced albums and over 50 music videos that have never been released, along with various other media. He released hundreds of songs both under his own name and multiple pseudonyms during his life, as well as writing songs that were made famous by other musicians, such as “Nothing Compares 2 U” and “Manic Monday”. Estimates of the complete number of songs written by Prince range anywhere from 500 to well over 1,000.
In April 2016, at the age of 57, Prince died of an accidental fentanyl overdose at his Paisley Park home and recording studio in Chanhassen, Minnesota. He sold over 130 million records worldwide, ranking him among the best-selling music artists of all time. He was honored with special awards including the Grammy President’s Merit Award, the American Music Awards for Achievement and of Merit, and the Billboard Icon Award. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004, the UK Music Hall of Fame in 2006, and the Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame in 2016. Rolling Stone placed Prince among its list of both the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time and 100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time. He is also ranked on the Top 100 Artists of All Time list by Billboard. Here are all of Prince’s songs ranked.
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20. Fallinlove2nite (HITnRUN Phase One, 2015)
“This song isn’t a terrible song. Sure it has a sometimes annoying beat and The singing is a bit too high pitched, but at least this song isn’t painful to listen to. Honestly it’s just a bit boring and repetitive but not specifically bad.”
19. 7 (Love Symbol Album, 1992)
“Prince gets into Biblical mysticism – hey, you can’t say he never tried anything different. The song is heavy on Middle Eastern accents – sitar (or something sounding like) and finger cymbals, and surprisingly, it holds together well. Even more surprisingly, America sent the song up the chart to number…seven.”
18. Darling Nikki (Purple Rain, 1984)
“A very sexy song that I would never play for my mother she is a prince fan like me but I know more of his song’s then my mom does so she only know the one’s that I play for her I try to keep her away from the really sexy one’s so no darling nikki for mom”
17. Controversy (Controversy, 1981)
“Critics know nothing. Back in the 80s many music critics used to say the then-current decade was a waste of time, while pining away for the glory days of Woodstock. In fact, in giving birth to electronic dance music- house and techno- as well as hip-hop and indie rock, it laid the template for the next three decades of popular music. What makes Prince such a fascinating figure is the way he straddles the old and the new (the sexual pun is very much intentional here.)”
See more: Prince Albums Ranked
16. The Most Beautiful Girl in the World (The Gold Experience, 1995)
“By far one of the most overlooked and forgotten singles in Prince’s canon. It’s a shame because it’s among his best. vocally the track is flawless, and the production is nothing to bark at. The man has always been known for his ability to write any dropping music, and this is no exception. One of the most cliched, and beautifully executed tracks the man has ever recorded.”
15. Take Me With U (Purple Rain, 1984)
“Great catchy little Prince tune from Purple Rain, “Take Me With U” sounds a lot more like the standard pop tune of the time, but the thing that sticks out most is that crazy drum solo of sorts that opens and ends the song.”
14. Cream (Diamonds and Pearls, 1991)
“The man could play guitar like nobody’s business-So it is with Final chart-topper Cream. The writing ain’t so great! However, Cream is an agreeable glam rock tribute boogie Stomper and that’s why I’ll always love Prince! Leaving Minneapolis and Planet Earth with a guitar in his hands-a one way ticket to heaven!”
13. Mountains (Under the Cherry Moon, 1986)
“An amazing song, melody lyrics, a great hook and flawless singing,only Prince can make instructions funky – “guitars and drums on the one! uh! “
12. Erotic City (Purple Rain, 1984)
“Erotic City is one of the most unbelievably good songs in the world, I’m not sure how much it gains in the extended mix but it still works bc it’s just kinda one of those songs you never wanna end.”
11. I Wanna Be Your Lover (Prince, 1979)
“This is smart, progressive pop. By this point Prince was already mixing disco, funk and pop in ways that sounded interesting and fresh. This is endlessly funky. The double entendre makes it so sexy and the video is great!”
10. Sign “O” the Times (Sign “O” the Times, 1987)
“Prince’s complex, sprawling and eclectic masterpiece shows Prince in full command of his craft. With the use of a drum machine, digital sampler, digital synthesizer and his alter ego Camille, Prince creates an album overflowing with ideas, excess, and creativity. “
9. The Beautiful Ones (Purple Rain, 1984)
“This song replaced “Electric Intercourse” (which is a great song in its own right… well it is outside of the garbage released version! ) on the Purple Rain soundtrack. As good as E.I. was it’s hard to believe Prince could replace it with something that’s even more brilliant, I guess that’s why he is Prince and cannot be replaced.”
8. Raspberry Beret (Around the World in a Day, 1985)
“Prince lays down one of the most colorful, nostalgic, and psychedelic singles of the twentieth century. One of a handful of the most perfectest pop songs ever. A really good upbeat feel and great memories from the time of release.”
7. I Would Die 4 U (Purple Rain, 1984)
“”I Would Die 4 U” is Prince singing from the point of view of, it seems, one Jesus H. Christ. As a piece of songwriting, it might be the least impressive of the Purple Rain hits, but the dreamy production saves it.”
See more: Elton John Albums Ranked
6. Let’s Go Crazy (Purple Rain, 1984)
“This eulogy of sorts opens up “Let’s Go Crazy”, which also opens up the Purple Rain album. The mood doesn’t stay somber for long though, as the track then becomes a hard rock number, of which my favorite part is the little solo played near the end of the song. Another big hit from Purple Rain, becoming the second number one from the album.”
5. Kiss (Under the Cherry Moon, 1986)
“The irresistibly funky ‘Kiss’ is Prince at the top of his game, which is to say, at the very apex of 80s pop. He reminds me of everyone from Sly to Little Richard without ever seeming too derivative. To see how hard a trick this is to pull off, just compare this guy with Lenny Kravitz.”
4. Little Red Corvette (1999, 1982)
“”Little Red Corvette” succeeds best for me in its writing. I absolutely love the corvette metaphor, which he uses to reference a promiscuous and materialistic girl he wants to have a one-night stand with. I’ve always interpreted the corvette as a metaphor for his rash sexual impulses as well.”
3. 1999 (1999, 1982)
“The title track is clearly the epitome. To these ears, the song’s visceral-ness has always seemed slightly overstated, simply because the synthesized string sound – not the progression/hook itself (which is awesome, obviously), but the sound – is a tad thin; compared to the spunk of the drum/guitar fills and the singing that gets progressively more impassioned as the cut goes on (‘I got a lion in my pocket, and baby he’s ready to ROAR!‘), it’s too distant, too airy.”
2. When Doves Cry (Purple Rain, 1984)
“This will always be Prince’s greatest song. So original and authentic. Powerful and moving. The long version truly conveys the unbelievably powerful emotion of this legendary hit. From the electrifying opening guitar riff to the brilliant synth ending this song will go down as one of the best songs ever.”
1. Purple Rain (Purple Rain, 1984)
“I could listen to this song daily and never tire. I can also relate it to many things in my life. May Prince be in the hands of the Highest and endless thanks for loaning him to us. This song has multiple endings. You could Study and interpret it endlessly. It’s simple but really complex. It’s poetic art and is one of my favorite songs EVER!”