Around the World in a Day

Last updated

Around the World in a Day
Prince Around.jpg
Studio album by
Prince and the Revolution
ReleasedApril 22, 1985
RecordedFebruary–December 1984
Studio
Genre
Length42:33
Label Paisley Park, Warner Bros.
Producer Prince
Prince chronology
Purple Rain
(1984)		Around the World in a Day
(1985)		 Parade
(1986)
Singles from Around the World in a Day
  1. "Raspberry Beret"
    Released: May 15, 1985
  2. "Paisley Park"
    Released: May 24, 1985 (UK only)
  3. "Pop Life"
    Released: July 10, 1985
  4. "America"
    Released: October 2, 1985

Around the World in a Day [8] is the seventh studio album by American recording artist Prince, and the second release on which his backing band the Revolution is billed. It was released on April 22, 1985, by Paisley Park Records and Warner Bros. Records. Departing somewhat from the commercial sound of his previous release, the massively successful Purple Rain (1984), the album instead saw Prince experimenting with psychedelic styles and more opulent textures. In compliance with Prince's wishes, the record company released the album with minimal publicity, withholding accompanying singles until almost a month after the album's release. [9]

Contents

Around the World in a Day was released to mixed reception among crossover audiences after the success of Purple Rain, though it nonetheless sold relatively well and became Prince and the Revolution's second number-one album on the Billboard 200. Two of its four singles reached the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100: "Raspberry Beret" and "Pop Life". Following Prince's death, "Raspberry Beret" re-charted on the Billboard Hot 100 as a top 40 hit, reaching number 33. [10] Around the World in a Day was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on July 2, 1985.

Background

Recording for Around the World in a Day was begun in sessions dating back before that of Purple Rain . [11] Following six months of touring behind that bestselling album, Prince returned to recording. [11] An initial inspiration for the album's sound came in the form of a demo, recorded by David Coleman, the brother of Revolution band member Lisa Coleman, which would ultimately become the title track. [11]

The album pursued a dense, psychedelic style that made use of unconventional instruments and cryptic lyrics. [11] Its sound and album cover painting by Doug Henders (artist) drew numerous comparisons to the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album. [4] [9] Prince spoke in an interview about the album's sound and cover, denying inspiration from the Beatles:

"The influence wasn't the Beatles. They were great for what they did, but I don't know how that would hang today. The cover art came about because I thought people were tired of looking at me. Who wants another picture of him? I would only want so many pictures of my woman, then I would want the real thing. What would be a little more happening than just another picture would be if there was some way I could materialize in people's cribs when they play the record. I don't mind [the album being called psychedelic], because that was the only period in recent history that delivered songs and colors. Led Zeppelin, for example, would make you feel differently on each song." [12]

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [13]
Blender Star full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [14]
Chicago Sun-Times Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svg [15]
Entertainment Weekly C [16]
The Guardian Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svg [2]
Mojo Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [17]
Pitchfork 8.8/10 [11]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide Star full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [1]
Spin Alternative Record Guide 4/10 [18]
The Village Voice B− [19]

Despite the muted promotion and its less commercial sound, the album still had two American top 10 hits, and went double platinum. Initial critical reception was mixed, but retrospective reviews are positive.

According to Prince, George Clinton was a fan of the album. [12]

Greg Tate of Spin wrote, "Perhaps it's inevitable, given a career built as much on calculated mindfucking as mindblowing music, that Prince would choose to follow the best album of his career with the most bewildering, if not the worst." [20]

In a positive retrospective review for Pitchfork , Alan Light described the album as "a brave and deeply personal project, exploring sounds and ideas that were almost shocking coming from a pop icon at his peak." [11] Simon Price wrote for The Guardian that the album "always sounds better than you think it will, when you revisit." [2]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Prince, except where noted

Side one [21]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Around the World in a Day" Prince, John L. Nelson, David Coleman3:28
2."Paisley Park" 4:42
3."Condition of the Heart" 6:48
4."Raspberry Beret" 3:33
5."Tamborine" 2:47
Total length:21:18
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
6."America" 3:42
7."Pop Life" 3:43
8."The Ladder"Prince, John L. Nelson5:29
9."Temptation" 8:18
Total length:19:12

Personnel

Musicians

Production

Charts

Singles

  1. "Raspberry Beret"
  2. "She's Always in My Hair" (US)
  3. "Hello" (UK)
  1. "Paisley Park"
  2. "She's Always in My Hair"
  1. "Pop Life"
  2. "Hello" (US)
  3. "Girl" (UK)
  1. "America"
  2. "Girl"

Certifications

Certifications for Around the World in a Day
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
New Zealand (RMNZ) [38] Gold7,500^
United Kingdom (BPI) [39] Gold100,000^
United States (RIAA) [40] 2× Platinum2,000,000^
Summaries
Worldwide—4,300,000 [41]

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

<i>Purple Rain</i> (album) 1984 studio/soundtrack album by Prince and the Revolution

Purple Rain is the sixth studio album by the American singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Prince. It was released on June 25, 1984, by Warner Bros. Records, as the soundtrack album to the 1984 film of the same name. Purple Rain was musically denser than Prince's previous albums, emphasizing full band performances, and multiple layers of guitars, keyboards, electronic synthesizer effects, drum machines, and other instruments.

<i>Musicology</i> (album) 2004 studio album by Prince

Musicology is the twenty-eighth studio album by American recording artist Prince. The album was given to concertgoers at his Musicology Tour, from March 27 to September 9, 2004, in North America. A digital release followed two days after his tour started on March 29, 2004. The physical retail version was released on April 19, 2004 (Europe) and April 20, 2004 (US) by NPG Records and distributed by Columbia Records. Musicology was the first album in five years that Prince released through a major label and, being partially recorded in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, was his first to be recorded outside Minneapolis in many years. Musicology is R&B-themed.

<i>1999</i> (Prince album) 1982 studio album by Prince and the Revolution

1999 is the fifth studio album by American recording artist Prince, released on October 27, 1982, by Warner Bros. Records. It became his first album to be recorded with his band the Revolution. 1999's critical and commercial success propelled Prince to a place in the public psyche and marked the beginning of two years of heightened fame via his following releases.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Manic Monday</span> 1986 single by the Bangles

"Manic Monday" is a song by the American pop rock band the Bangles, which was the first single released from their second studio album, Different Light (1986). The song was written by American musician Prince, under the pseudonym "Christopher". Originally it was intended for the group Apollonia 6 in 1984. Lyrically, it describes a woman who is waking up to go to work on Monday, wishing it was still Sunday so that she could continue relaxing.

<i>The Black Album</i> (Prince album) 1994 studio album by Prince

The untitled sixteenth studio album by American recording artist Prince, referred to as The Black Album, was re-released with re-mastered audio on November 22, 1994, by Warner Bros. Records after its original release on December 8, 1987. The follow-up to Sign o' the Times, the album was to appear in an entirely black sleeve with no title or even a credit to Prince; hence it being referred to as The Black Album. Dubbed The Funk Bible by preceding press releases, and in a hidden message within the album itself, the work seemed to be a reaction to criticism that Prince had become too pop-oriented. It was his attempt to regain his Black audience.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Revolution (band)</span> American rock band

The Revolution is an American band formed in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1979 by Prince, serving as his live band and later as his studio band. The band's sound incorporated rock, pop, R&B, funk, new wave and psychedelic elements. Along with Prince's other projects, the Revolution helped create the Minneapolis sound. By the time of their 1986 breakup, the Revolution had backed Prince on two studio albums, two soundtracks and two videos.

<i>Parade</i> (Prince album) 1986 studio album / soundtrack by Prince and the Revolution

Parade is the eighth studio album by American recording artist Prince, and the third and final album where the Revolution is billed. It also was the soundtrack album to the 1986 film Under the Cherry Moon, directed by and starring Prince. It was released on March 31, 1986 by Paisley Park Records and Warner Bros. Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Let's Go Crazy</span> 1984 single by Prince and The Revolution

"Let's Go Crazy" is a 1984 song by Prince and The Revolution, from the album Purple Rain. It is the opening track on both the album and the film Purple Rain. "Let's Go Crazy" was one of Prince's most popular songs, and was a staple for concert performances, often segueing into other hits. When released as a single, the song became Prince's second number-one hit on the Billboard Hot 100, and also topped the two component charts, the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Hot Dance Club Play charts, as well as becoming a UK Top 10 hit. The B-side was the lyrically controversial "Erotic City". In the UK, the song was released as a double A-side with "Take Me with U".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Raspberry Beret</span> 1985 single by Prince and the Revolution

"Raspberry Beret" is a song written by American musician Prince and the lead single from Prince & the Revolution's 1985 album Around the World in a Day.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Take Me with U</span> 1985 single by Prince and the Revolution

"Take Me with U" is a song by Prince and the Revolution, and the final US single released from their album, Purple Rain (1984).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paisley Park (song)</span> 1985 single by Prince and The Revolution

"Paisley Park" is a 1985 song by Prince and The Revolution. It was the first single released in some international markets from their 1985 album, Around the World in a Day and so is also the album's last single internationally. "Paisley Park" was recorded 3 months after the Purple Rain album was released. Violin on the song was played by Novi Novog, and Wendy & Lisa provide backing vocals. The rest of the song was performed by Prince. The song reached the Top 40 in all of the countries it was released in. It peaked within the Top 20 in both Ireland and the UK.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pop Life (Prince song)</span> 1985 single by Prince and the Revolution

"Pop Life" is a song by Prince and the Revolution. It was the second US single from their 1985 album, Around the World in a Day, reaching number 7 in the US charts, becoming Prince's eighth top-ten hit in a two-year span.

<i>Sign o the Times</i> 1987 studio album by Prince

Sign o' the Times is the ninth studio album by American singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Prince. It was first released on March 30, 1987, as a double album by Paisley Park Records and Warner Bros. Records. The album is the follow-up to Parade and is Prince's first solo album following his disbanding of the Revolution. The album's songs were largely recorded during 1986 to 1987 in sessions for releases Prince ultimately aborted: Dream Factory, the pseudonymous Camille, and finally the triple album Crystal Ball. Prince eventually compromised with label executives and shortened the length of the release to a double album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Get It Up</span>

"Get It Up" is the debut single by the Time, from their 1981 self-titled debut album. Like most of the album, the song was recorded in Prince's home studio in April 1981, and was produced, arranged, composed and performed by Prince with Morris Day later adding his lead vocals. Revolution keyboardist Doctor Fink provided synth solos on the track, uncredited.

<i>Romance 1600</i> 1985 studio album by Sheila E.

Romance 1600 is the second album by the singer-drummer-percussionist Sheila E. Prince contributed some backing vocals, guitar, and bass guitar, and co-wrote/co-produced "A Love Bizarre", a 12-minute epic that became a major hit in its edited radio-friendly form.

<i>Sheila E.</i> (album) 1987 studio album by Sheila E.

Sheila E. is the third solo album by Sheila E., released on Paisley Park Records/Warner Bros. Records in July 1987.

<i>Born to Love</i> (Peabo Bryson and Roberta Flack album) 1983 studio album by Peabo Bryson and Roberta Flack

Born to Love is a 1983 studio album of duets by American singers Peabo Bryson and Roberta Flack. It was released by Bryson's label Capitol Records on July 22, 1983, in the United States. The album yielded the hit single "Tonight, I Celebrate My Love", written by Gerry Goffin and Michael Masser. The track "Maybe" was written and recorded for the film Romantic Comedy (1983).

<i>Straight from the Heart</i> (Peabo Bryson album) 1984 studio album by Peabo Bryson

Straight from the Heart is the tenth studio album by American singer-songwriter Peabo Bryson. It was released in 1984 on Elektra Records, his first of four discs for the label. The album peaked at number 44 on the US Billboard 200, and produced three singles, including his first top ten pop hit "If Ever You're in My Arms Again" which also topped the Adult contemporary chart. Bryson himself co-produced the record, as well as writing five of the eight songs himself and playing keyboards throughout the album.

<i>Jill Jones</i> (album) 1987 studio album by Jill Jones

Jill Jones is the self-titled debut solo album from the artist of the same name; Jill Jones. The album was released in 1987 on Paisley Park / Warner Bros. Records. It was produced by Jones and Prince.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jungle Love (The Time song)</span> 1984 single by The Time

"Jungle Love" is a song from The Time's third album, Ice Cream Castle.

References

  1. 1 2 Matos, Michaelangelo (2004). "Prince". In Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian (eds.). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide (4th ed.). New York: Simon & Schuster. pp.  654–657. ISBN   0-7432-0169-8.
  2. 1 2 3 Price, Simon (April 22, 2016). "Prince: every album rated – and ranked". The Guardian . London. Retrieved April 25, 2016.
  3. ↑ Breihan, Tom (December 2, 2020). "The Number Ones: Prince & The Revolution's "Kiss". Stereogum . Retrieved September 22, 2023. Prince had followed up Purple Rain with the psychedelic pop LP Around The World In A Day.
  4. 1 2 Palmer, Robert (April 22, 1985). "Records: Prince's 'Around the World'". The New York Times . ISSN   0362-4331. OCLC   1645522 . Retrieved September 14, 2011.
  5. ↑ Aretha, David (2012). Awesome African-American Rock and Soul Musicians. Enslow Publishers. ISBN   9781598451405.
  6. ↑ "Prince Biography". Rock and Roll Hall of Fame . Archived from the original on June 1, 2016. Retrieved June 16, 2016.
  7. ↑ Hasted, Nick (April 22, 2016). "Prince: In appreciation of a virtuoso, enduring genius". The Independent . Retrieved December 8, 2016.
  8. ↑ "Prince Official Discography: Around the World in a Day - Prince Studio Albums". Prince Discography Annotated. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
  9. 1 2 Freeman, Kim (May 4, 1985). "Radio Is Mixed On Prince Album". Billboard . Vol. 97, no. 18. New York. pp. 1, 72. Retrieved March 19, 2022.
  10. ↑ "Hip Hop Single Sales: Prince, Desiigner & Drake". HipHopDX. April 30, 2016. Retrieved November 30, 2019.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Light, Alan (April 29, 2016). "Prince / The Revolution: Around the World in a Day". Pitchfork . Retrieved April 30, 2016.
  12. 1 2 Karlen, Neal (September 12, 1985). "Prince Talks: The Silence Is Broken". Rolling Stone . New York. Retrieved May 25, 2015.
  13. ↑ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Around the World in a Day – Prince and the Revolution / Prince". AllMusic . Retrieved October 7, 2017.
  14. ↑ Harris, Keith (June–July 2001). "Prince: Around the World in a Day". Blender . Vol. 1, no. 1. New York. Archived from the original on August 20, 2004. Retrieved April 8, 2017.
  15. ↑ Keller, Martin (April 4, 1993). "A Prince Discography" . Chicago Sun-Times . Retrieved April 8, 2017.
  16. ↑ Browne, David; Sandow, Greg (September 21, 1990). "A decade of Prince albums". Entertainment Weekly . No. 32. New York. Retrieved January 1, 2010.
  17. ↑ Eccleston, Danny (July 2016). "Pop Life". Mojo . No. 272. London. pp. 58–65.
  18. ↑ Weisbard, Eric (1995). "Prince". In Weisbard, Eric; Marks, Craig (eds.). Spin Alternative Record Guide. New York: Vintage Books. pp. 311–313. ISBN   0-679-75574-8.
  19. ↑ Christgau, Robert (July 30, 1985). "Christgau's Consumer Guide". The Village Voice . New York. Retrieved October 28, 2012.
  20. ↑ Greg Tate (July 1985). "Spins". Spin . No. 3. p. 30.
  21. ↑ Prince and the Revolution (February 13, 2023). "Around The World In A Day". Prince Vault.
  22. ↑ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 . St Ives, NSW: Australian Chart Book. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
  23. ↑ "Prince & The Revolution - Around the World in a Day". Austrian Album Charts (in German). Hung Medien.
  24. ↑ "Top Albums/CDs - Volume 42, No. 15, June 22 1985".
  25. 1 2 "Prince & The Revolution - Around the World in a Day". dutchcharts.nl. Hung Medien.
  26. ↑ Pennanen, Timo (2021). "Prince". Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021 (PDF) (in Finnish). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. p. 204.
  27. ↑ "Prince & The Revolution - Around the World in a Day". charts.nz. Hung Medien.
  28. ↑ "Prince & The Revolution - Around the World in a Day". norwegiancharts.com. Hung Medien.
  29. ↑ "Prince & The Revolution - Around the World in a Day". swedishcharts.com. Hung Medien.
  30. ↑ "Prince & The Revolution - Around the World in a Day". hitparade.ch. Hung Medien.
  31. ↑ "UK Albums Chart - April 28, 1985". UK Albums Chart. Official Charts Company.
  32. ↑ "Billboard 200 - June 1, 1985". Billboard .
  33. ↑ "Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums - June 15, 1985". Billboard .
  34. ↑ "Lescharts.com – Prince & the Revolution – Around the World in a Day". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 16, 2016.
  35. ↑ "Top Selling Albums of 1985 — The Official New Zealand Music Chart". Recorded Music New Zealand . Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  36. ↑ "1985: The Year in Music & Video – Top Pop Albums". Billboard. December 28, 1985. Retrieved September 11, 2022.
  37. ↑ "1985: The Year in Music & Video – Top Black Albums". Billboard. December 28, 1985. Retrieved September 11, 2022.
  38. ↑ "New Zealand album certifications – Prince – Around the World in a Day". Recorded Music NZ . Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  39. ↑ "British album certifications – Prince – Around the World in a Day". British Phonographic Industry.
  40. ↑ "American album certifications – Prince – Around the World in a Day". Recording Industry Association of America.
  41. ↑ Souza Filho, Otávio (December 20, 1992). "Prince: muito discos, poucas vendas". O Dia : 7. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.