Top 10 Prince And The Revolution Songs

Photo: Christopher Bahn, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Our Top 10 Prince and The Revolution Songs list looks at one of music’s most eclectic and popular rock bands. The band got together in the 70’s. They were known for rock, pop, R&B, funk, and psychedelic music. They were known for being a racially and gender-mixed band. The band is best known for the singles “1999,” “When Doves Cry,” “Let’s Go Crazy,” “Purple Rain” and other hit songs. The band won three Grammy Awards during their time together. They officially broke up in 1986. It’s time to find out more about Prince and The Revolution.

Prince released several albums before he decided to work with The Revolution. Prince formed his backing band, The Revolution, in 1979. The band initially consisted of Prince (lead vocalist, guitarist, and pianist), Dez Dickerson (guitarist, vocals, and background vocals), Andre Cymone (bass guitarist), Bobby Z (drums and percussion), Gayle Chapman (keyboards) and Matt Fink (keyboards). In 1980, Gayle Chapman quit the band because she wasn’t feeling musically fulfilled. Lisa Coleman replaced her. Andre Cymone left the band a year later because he was having problems with Prince . He also wanted his own career. Cymone accused Prince of taking credit for his work on singles. He also wanted his own career. He said that Prince stole many of his songs that were used for other artists. Mike Brown replaced Cymone. In 1982, Dez Dickerson left the band for religious reasons. It left the door open for Wendy Melvoin to join the band.

Prince and The Revolution released the 1999 album in 1982. The album peaked at number five on the Billboard 200 charts and number four on the R&B charts. The album features the singles “1999,” “Little Red Corvette,” “Delirious,” “Automatic,” and “Let’s Pretend We’re Married.” The album was a critical and commercial success for the band. It sold over four million copies.

The band released the soundtrack to the movie Purple Rain in 1984. This is one of the most successful movie soundtracks in music history. The soundtrack was number one for 24 consecutive weeks. The album stayed on the charts for 122 weeks. The soundtrack features the hit singles “When Doves Cry,” “Let’s Go Crazy,” “Purple Rain,” “I Would Die 4 U,” and “Take Me with U.” The album won a Grammy Award. Prince won an Oscar for the album. It sold over 25 million copies worldwide. It’s considered one of the best-selling albums of all time. A lot of the songs on our list will be from this album.

Prince and The Revolution released Around the World in a Day in 1985. They had an uphill battle because they had to compete with the previous album. This project wasn’t as radio friendly as Purple Rain, but it did have two hit singles. The album peaked at number one on the Billboard 200 charts and four on the R&B charts. The album features the singles “Raspberry Beret,” “Paisley Park,” “Pop Life,” and “America.” The album sold over two million copies.

They released Parade in 1986. The album is the soundtrack album for the movie Under the Cherry Moon. This is the last album that Prince recorded with The Revolution. It peaked at number three on the Billboard charts and number two on the r&b charts. It features the singles “Kiss,” “Mountains,” “Anotherloverholenyohead” and “Girls & Boys.” It sold over one million copies during its run.

Prince and The Revolution weren’t together long, but they impacted music. They created a style that was all their own. Prince was a legendary artist with and without The Revolution. His time with The Revolution was classic. They managed to have a lot of hit singles together. This Top 10 Prince and The Revolution Songs list will feature their best singles.

# 10 – Take Me with U

The first song on our Top 10 Prince and The Revolution Songs list is “Take Me with U” from the Purple Rain Soundtrack. The track has a psychedelic beat to it. This sexy song is about Kid and Apollonia from the movie of the same name. Their characters fall in love and want to be together. The song could be relatable for any couple who wanted to be together regardless of the cost. Here’s some trivia about the song. The song was supposed to be on Apollonia 6’s album, but it was used for the movie. The music sounds sensual to match the theme of the song.

The music will hook you as soon as you hear the drumbeat. It has a slick bassline that will leave you speechless. Prince sings this song in a lower key. The song shows off his soulful side because he usually recorded songs with a rock edge. This song gave him a chance to show off his R&B side. Apollonia is along for the ride in the duet. She tries to match his tone when they sing the chorus. She goes up in a higher key during some of the verses while he sings in a lower key. This isn’t the first song that comes to mind when you think of the explosive soundtrack, but it’s a pretty good song.

# 9 – Pop Life

The next song on our Top 10 Prince and The Revolution Songs list is “Pop Life” from the Around the World in a Day album. The track has a pop and funk sound. This is a haunting song about the pitfalls of being a celebrity in the music industry. Prince was feeling pressure to use drugs in the industry. He wrote a song about that pressure. This song is the prehistoric version of “Ironic” by Alanis Morissette. She sings a song with a similar theme to “Pop Life.” The title can be misleading. You would never know the song has a deep and powerful message until you listen to it. Prince is being deep by discussing his feelings about the industry.

He was never a fan of the big celebrity life, so it wasn’t surprising that he wrote a song like this. The song opens with a low synth line and goes into the main theme. This feat is created with a smooth bass guitar and piano chords. The song has hand claps to give the song a tempo. Prince sounds very good on this track. He sings the song in falsetto with a hint of grit. He has excellent timing because he sings in time with the beat. The minor complaint is the song includes sound effects that weren’t needed. The song was good without them.

# 8 – Raspberry Beret

The metaphoric song is from the Around the World in a Day album. The song has a psychedelic and pop sound. This coming-of-age song is about a teenage boy who has sex for the first time with a girl who wears a raspberry beret. There aren’t too many songs that are about teenage sex, but he manages to make it work. This song is an indicator that Prince is an innovator of eclectic songs.

He wasn’t afraid to talk about different subjects. He even decided to write controversial ones like this song. Prince sang the song in his lower register. The tone worked with the music. He might have sounded off-key if he chose to sing in his upper register. The background vocalists do a great job supporting Prince. The Revolution does an excellent job with the music. The harmonica, string instruments and cymbals are fire. The music is excellent for dancing.

# 7 – Little Red Corvette

This promiscuous song is from the 1999 album. The title of this unique song is a metaphor for a one-night stand with a stranger. The song talks about all of the emotions involved in having sex. Prince cleverly came up with a way to talk about sex by using a car as a metaphor for it. There aren’t many songwriters who could come up with a unique way to describe having sex the way Prince was able to do it. Here’s some trivia about the song.

Prince came up with the idea for the song when he fell asleep in Lisa Coleman’s Mercury Marauder. Strangely, he didn’t use that car as the song’s title. The funky beat will hook you until the song ends. The guitar instrumentation is magnificent. The synthesizers and drum beats give the song its post-disco sound. The music gives you a chance to move around to it. He sounds sensual throughout the song. His voice blends in with the music very well.

# 6 – 1999

This celebratory song is from the same album. This party anthem celebrates life until the end of the 20th century. Prince and The Revolution wanted everyone to party like the last day on earth. Everything about the music works for this type of song. The keyboard and synthesizers are the stars of the music. They are infectious and impressive. It’s a great head-bopper and will have you moving around in your seat. We dare you not to get hooked once the keyboard, drums, and guitars have started.

The verses sound similar to The Bangles’ “Manic Monday.” Prince wrote that song for The Bangles so it would explain why the songs sound similar to each other. The song makes you want to party like there’s no tomorrow. The song was released in 1982, but it doesn’t sound dated. The theme of the song still resonates today. He’s telling you to enjoy life. The Revolution gets a chance to sing in the song along with the Purple One. This song is flawless.

# 5 – Kiss

The next song on our Top 10 Prince and the Revolution Songs list is “Kiss” from the Parade album. The track has a funk beat. This funky song is about wanting to be with someone. He wants to be with someone regardless of how she looks. He just wants to have sex with her. Prince shows versatility in this song. He goes up and down like a vocal roller coaster throughout the song. He sings the verses in falsetto and the chorus in his lower register.

He shows his rock side when he starts screaming in the song. He didn’t overdo the screaming to a point where he would sound like he was screeching. He did just enough to tease the listeners. The music is simple and basically stripped. The music mainly features the acoustic guitar and the kicking drum beat. The guitar solo is definitely worth a listen. It’s impossible to sit still listening to this song. It’s easy to see why this song is one of his biggest hits.

# 4 – I Would Die 4 U

This loving song is from the Purple Rain Soundtrack. This emotional song is about his religious devotion to the woman he loves. He would do anything, including die for her. Some people may find it obsessive, while others may find it romantic. Prince proves he is an enigma by opening up the song. He opens the song with the line, “I’m not a woman. I’m not a man. I’m something that you’ll never understand.” Most people don’t use lines like this in their songs. He proved he’s not like most people. He’s a creative genius. The music is excellent.

Prince and The Revolution created an infectious beat for this song. The synth sounds amazing. It has a thumping drum beat. The keyboard sounds gorgeous. Prince is a little hard to understand in parts of the song, but he sounds outstanding. He uses his signature scream in the chorus just before the bridge. This song is an earworm that will stay in your head long after it is finished.

# 3 – Purple Rain

This unique song is from the Purple Rain Soundtrack. The song has a soul, rock, gospel, and blues sound. This metaphoric song is about the world coming to an end and being with the one you love. You have to have faith that God will guide you through any storm. You may have thought this song would have been number one on our list since it’s one of his signature songs. This indicates how hard it was to decide which song would be number one. Here is some trivia about the song. It was initially supposed to be a country song. The song was supposed to go to Stevie Nicks. She didn’t think she could do it, so he kept it for himself. He made the right decision because the song’s synonymous with the band.

The song opens with a fantastic guitar solo. The solo is followed by drum programming and a grand piano, which gives it a gospel sound. This was a nice change for the band because they didn’t do songs like this. The track features three verses that are followed by an infectious chorus. Prince builds up to an emotional delivery. During the final chorus, the song has a phenomenal guitar solo that takes over the song. The song concludes with a haunting piano solo and orchestral strings. Prince has incredible vocal range throughout the song. He sings the song in his lower register and soars towards the end of it. He turns the song into a power ballad.

# 2 – Let’s Go Crazy

This one-of-a-kind song is from the Purple Rain Soundtrack. The song had a rock, funk, and new wave beat. This religious song is about getting through life and facing evil. He doesn’t want the devil to break us down. He wants us to turn to our faith in God to help us get through the crazy times. Prince opens the song with a sermon. He’s taking us to church as he talks about everyone enjoying life. He wants us to look forward to endless happiness when we die. This is not a song you would hear every day. Prince is the only artist who could be creative enough to write a song like this one.

The song is guitar-laden. The music is perfect for playing air guitar. The base, synthesizer, and drums give it a climactic sound. Prince sings in his lower register in the verses. He goes up an octave when he sings the chorus. His signature scream is featured towards the end of the song. The only complaint about the song is that it is tough to understand. You will need the lyrics to understand what he’s saying in this song. Other than that complaint, this song could have easily been number one on our list.

# 1 – When Doves Cry

The number one song on our Top 10 Prince and The Revolution Songs list is “When Doves Cry” from the Purple Rain Soundtrack. The song has a pop and soul sound to it. This complex song is about Prince’s relationship with an ex-girlfriend. The song was used in the movie to describe the marriage of Prince’s character’s parents. The song has a smooth and groovy beat to it. It doesn’t have a bass line, but that does not hurt the music. It has a mighty guitar solo. The synthesizer is breathtaking. The keyboard also makes the song work. Prince sings the song in his lower register, and sounds flawless. His vocals are solid and soulful. He harmonizes towards the song’s end, sending chills up your spine. He shows excellent control over his vocals towards the end of the song. He does his signature scream but holds a note while doing it. It’s easy to see why this song was such a big hit. It is flawless and deserves the number-one spot on our list.