Around the World in a Day

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Around the World in a Day
Around the World in a Day cover
Studio album by Prince and The Revolution
Released April 22, 1985
Recorded The Warehouse, Sunset Sound, Capitol Studios, Mobile Audio; January – December 1984
Genre Pop, Psychedelic Rock
Length 42:18
Label Warner Bros.
Producer Prince
Professional reviews
Prince and The Revolution chronology
Purple Rain
(1984)		 Around the World in a Day
(1985)		 Parade
(1986)

Around the World in a Day is an album by Prince and The Revolution, released on 22 April 1985 on Warner Bros. (see 1985 in music). The album was released without any publicity, simply turning up in record stores to the surprise of fans. Prince decided to go in the opposite direction of Purple Rain and instead of giving fans what they expected, he challenged them to new sounds. A happy medium for all was the hit single "Raspberry Beret".

The album opens with a keyboard-flute interrupted by a screaming Prince. The title track combines a Middle-Eastern sound with Prince's trademark drum machine and an organ solo. It fades into "Paisley Park", a Beatlesque tune which describes a whimsical place and general feeling of joy. Prince later took the song name for his vanity label and recording studio. The heartfelt "Condition of the Heart" follows with a powerful piano introduction. Next is the hit "Raspberry Beret" followed by the album's funkiest track "Tamborine", containing only bass guitar, drums, finger cymbals and vocals, all performed by Prince alone.

Side 2 at first may sound as if the record/CD is skipping, with the introduction to "America". "Pop Life" follows, lamenting the trappings of celebrity. Next is the gospel arrangement of "The Ladder" recalling "Purple Rain", if not quite as catchy. The album ends with the raucous blues-rock and roll of "Temptation" which closes with Prince arguing with God and confessing to "be good".

Overall, the album was not as radio-friendly as 1999 or Purple Rain, but it still had two U.S. top 10 hits, went triple platinum and was an important step in Prince's musical evolution, incorporating new instruments and musical styles. The more international direction would also endear Prince to his European audiences, adding to his audience of American fans.

Contents

[edit] Charts

Chart (1985) Peak
position
U.S. Billboard 200 1
U.S. Billboard R&B Albums 4
UK Albums Chart 5

[edit] Track listing

All songs composed by Prince, except where noted.

[edit] Side one

  1. "Around the World in a Day" (David Coleman, John L. Nelson, Prince) – 3:27
  2. "Paisley Park" – 4:41
  3. "Condition of the Heart" – 6:46
  4. "Raspberry Beret" – 3:31
  5. "Tamborine" – 2:46

[edit] Side two

  1. "America" (Prince and the Revolution) – 3:40
  2. "Pop Life" – 3:42
  3. "The Ladder" (John L. Nelson, Prince) – 5:26
  4. "Temptation" – 8:21

[edit] Personnel

  • Sheila E - drums on "Pop Life"
  • Jonathan Melvoin - percussion on "Around the World in a Day"
  • Brad Marsh - tamborine on "America"
  • Eddie Minnifield - saxophone on "Temptation"
  • David Coleman - cello
  • Suzie Katayama - cello
  • Novi Novog - violin
  • Annette Atkinson - double bass on "Pop Life"
  • Tim Barr - double bass on "Pop Life"

[edit] Singles and Hot 100 chart placings

  1. "Paisley Park"
  2. "She's Always in My Hair"
  1. "Raspberry Beret"
  2. "She's Always in My Hair" (US)
  3. "Hello" (UK)
  1. "Pop Life"
  2. "Hello" (US)
  3. "Girl" (UK)
  • "America" (#46 U.S., #35 R&B) No UK release
  1. "America"
  2. "Girl"

[edit] External links

  • Around the World in a Day lyrics
Preceded by
We Are the World by USA for Africa		 Billboard 200 number-one album
June 1 - June 21, 1985		 Succeeded by
Beverly Hills Cop (soundtrack) by Various artists
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