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The Hits/The B-Sides - album by Prince, Warner Bros. Records (1993)

The Hits/The B-Sides Prince • Warner Bros. Records • 1993
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1992

1993
The Hits/The B-Sides

1993

Singles Review (5 / 5) Prince Biography Prince Albums Greatest Hits

The Hits/The B-Sides

Warner Bros. Records

album

Most truly essential compilations contain a few stars from pop’s astrological map; these three contain a whole galaxy.

Released in conjunction with The Hits 1 and The Hits 2, this triple-disc CD set was issued as one of three separate releases (discs one and two available separately and containing the popular single releases) on 10 September 1993. The triple disc set The Hits/The B-Sides combines parts 1 and 2 plus the B-side. Issued by Warner Bros Records to recoup the $2 million advance it had given Prince to produce Love Symbol Album in what was the first of six albums released in what at the time was the most expensive deal in music history.

Unlike The Hits 1 and The Hits 2, issued in all formats, the full package The Hits/The B-Sides was available on CD and cassette only. Warner originally envisioned a five disc set, which during development was pared-down to three for pricing reasons. Vehemently opposed to the concept of greatest hits, Prince was uncooperative and was paid off in order not to be involved with this package. Outraged by the release, Prince charged a considerable fee to release the Herb Ritts photoshoot used for the covers in The Hits/The B-Sides collection. Prince was To his mind greatest hits compilations epitomised the end of a musician’s career rather than mark their peak. Aged only 33, Prince was in no mind of quitting. Warner, however, was simply maximising the return on their recent $100 million investment, that at this juncture delivered only one of the six albums due for delivery under this contract. Coupled with Prince’s announcement on 7 June 1993 to change his name to the unpronounceable Prince Love Symbol, Warner took the decision to monetise the hits from his back catalogue. The fact they could do as they pleased with his music compounded would became a long and bitter confrontation which led to the demise of Prince’s relationship with the label. The Hits/The B-Sides would consequently become the final release by Paisley Park Records, under which the package was issued on 13 September 1993 within a week after the final date of Act II Tour. Four months later, Warner terminated its funding of Paisley Park Records and the label closed on 1 February 1994.

With Prince having produced fourteen albums in fifteen years, making some of the most recognisable music in a generation, a hits compilation of Prince was considered long overdue in the eyes of fans and so the package proved a commercial success. The Hits/The B-Sides triple-disc collection certified Platinum on 1 December 1993 and peaked at number 19 on the Billboard 200 album chart and remained in that chart for 18 weeks. In the UK, The Hits/The B-Sides debuted at number 4 and eventually received the BPI’s Gold certification on 22 July 2013.

The set continues to sell in impressive number and the combined collection including The Hits 1 and The Hits 2 have retailed in excess of three million units in the US alone. In the week following Prince’s death in April 2016, the compilation retailed a further 146,000 units and occasioned its re-entry in the chart on 7 May 2016 and improved on its original position to rise to number 4.

The Hits/The B-Sides includes a booklet comprising a 6,500 word liner notes written by Alan Leeds, who was Prince’s tour manager from 1982 to 1992. They tell the story of Prince as a hitmaker and the genesis of every song in the compilation. Leeds had won a Grammy in 1992 for his album notes for James Brown’s anthology Star Time.

Despite being a chart topping LP, Batman is the only previously released album not represented on the two A-side tracks occupying parts 1 and 2 of the set. Its lead single Batdance delivered Prince his fourth of five chart topping hits in his career. The track’s omission was due to the licensing restrictions imposed on that album, that Prince had to sign away his publishing rights to the soundtrack. 200 Balloons, written for a scene in the Batman movie where The Joker parades brandishing many balloons, was rejected for the original soundtrack and replaced with Trust; 200 Balloons was instead released as the B-side for the US chart topping single Batdance and on that basis is appears on The B-Sides disc.

Considering it as a ‘hits’ package, The Hits/The B-Sides publishes for the first four three previously unavailable tracks: Peach – recorded at Olympic Studios in London during the Diamonds And Pearls Tour in 1992; Pope – newly recorded in 1993 for Prince’s dance inspired stage show Glam Slam Ulysses; and Pink Cashmere – about the coat Prince bought girlfriend Anna Fantastic for her eighteenth birthday, which was recorded for her in June 1988, with Clare Fischer‘s orchestration added in the summer of 1990. Both Peach and Pope were recorded at Paisley Park Studios. The fourth song, Nothing Compares 2 U, is a live rendition captured on 27 January 1992 in a performance with the NPG.

Cover story

The photos used for the covers of Prince’s first greatest hits compilation, were shot in the autumn of 1991 by fashion photographer Herb Ritts. Directing music videos for Madonna and Janet Jackson, as well as commercials for Chanel, Calvin Klein, and Estee Lauder, in addition to shooting 40 covers for Vanity Fair, Ritts, was famed for his black and white photography – in 1990, he had shot images for Madonna’s The Immaculate Collection. His session with Prince began at 10am and continued until 7:30pm at Paisley Park Studios, as well as outside in the nearby Chanhassen Arboretum to capture Prince juxtaposed against the autumn leaves. Prince is dressed in a black Armani jumpsuit with lace sleeves. The shoot was done for the January 1992 edition of Vogue to accompany an article titled The Fresh Prince, a retrospective of his ever-evolving styles. The Hits/The B-Sides collection shows Prince striking many poses – all images used are from this shoot. Ritts died on Boxing Day 2002, he was aged 50.

Prince | The Hits/The B-Sides
Photography by Herb Ritts

The B-sides

Separately to the familiar tracks occupying discs 1 and 2, The Hits collection is generally recognised for disc 3, making available and for the first time on CD many of Prince’s long out of print outtakes issued as B-sides for his iconic singles. The oldest in this compilation is Gotta Stop (Messin’ About) recorded in 1980 at Prince’s North Arm Drive home studio, Gotta Stop (Messin’ About) was issued in the US as B-side to Let’s Work. For the UK the track was promoted to the A-side, backed with Uptown on the B-side – the first of only a few occasions a non-album track was issued as the A-side to a single.

Horny Toad was B-side for the US single Delirious, recorded in 1982 at Prince’s Kiowa Trail home studio. Being that Delirious was a US only release, Horny Toad got its UK release backing Little Red Corvette in that single’s November 1983 reissue. Girl also dates from 1982, but its version included as B-side for America is a reworking from July 1985 recorded at the Washington Avenue warehouse studio.

Power Fantastic was intended for the album Dream Factory in 1986 with The Revolution, it was the first recording done in his then newly installed home studio at Galpin Blvd.When the band dissolved later that year the track remained unreleased and so was not actually ever a B-side. Shockadelica is also recorded at the same property in 1986 intended for Prince’s resulting solo album Camille, when that project became abandoned the track was issued as the B-side for If I Was Your Girlfriend. La La La, He He Hee was likewise recorded at Galpin in 1987, the result of a lyrical challenge set by Sheena Easton and was B-side to Sign O’ The Times.

The following tracks were recorded at Sunset Sound in Hollywood: Hello is a response track in the wake of press criticism arising from Prince’s non-participation in the We Are The World charity single recorded in May 1985, Hello was released as B-side for Pop Life. Feel U Up is a 1986 rerecording of an earlier version of the song, this updated version was released as the B-side for Partyman in 1989. In February 1985, Prince performed 4 The Tears In Your Eyes as his contribution to LiveAid, backed by The Revolution. The Hits/The B-Side version is a re-recording done on 4 June 1985 at Studio Instrument Rentals on Sunset Blvd, which was broadcast during the live event itself on 13 July 1985. Both versions of 4 The Tears In Your Eyes are reissued in Around The World In A Day Deluxe Edition in 2025.

Erotic City was recorded in March 1984 as Prince’s first collaboration with Sheila E, he later said the track was inspired after watching George Clinton in concert and wrote it that night. It is considered Prince’s best B-side track and originally backed Let’s Go Crazy in 1984, and again in 1986 as B-side for the UK single Girls & Boys. Irresistible Bitch originates from 1981, the released version was laid down in 1983 and is B-side for Let’s Pretend We’re Married. She’s Always In My Hair is inspired by Jill Jones. It was recorded in the same session as Irresistible Bitch and in 1985 released in the US as B-side to Raspberry Beret while in the UK backed Paisley Park and the following year reissued as B-side for Girls & Boys. 17 Days was recorded in January 1984 with the full band The Revolution, it backed Prince’s biggest selling single When Doves Cry and was yet another track re-released in 1986 to back Girls & Boys. How Come U Don’t Call Me Anymore was B-side for 1999. Another Lonely Christmas was B-side for I Would Die 4 U; both were recorded in 1982. God is a vocal version of the same track which appeared in the Purple Rain movie as the Love Theme, this later version was recorded at Prince’s warehouse studio at Flying Cloud Drive in 1984 and was B-side to the single Purple Rain.

The remaining tracks were laid down at Paisley Park Studios: 200 Balloons was recorded in 1989 intended for the Batman movie but was dropped from the main soundtrack when replaced with Trust and was instead released as B-side for Batdance. Escape is largely a 1988 reworking of the A-side it backed, Glam Slam. I Love U In Me was recorded in 1989 and was a B-side for two singles, The Arms Of Orion and then two years later on Insatiable. Scarlet Pussy was one of the first tracks recorded at Pisley Park, in December 1987, for Prince’s unreleased Camille project, the track was released the following year as B-side for I Wish U Heaven.

The compilation does not include any of the original songs published as B-sides for Graffiti Bridge or Diamonds And Pearls. The only original B-side tracks from Prince’s 1980’s singles missing from the compilation is the instrumental Alexa De Paris (B-side for Mountains in 1986), Love Or $ (B-side for Kiss 1986), and Sex (issued with the 1989 EP The Scandalous Sex Suite).

Data

Producer
Prince
Label
Paisley Park Records
Distribution
Warner Bros. Records
Cover/Design
Herb Ritts and Jeff Gold
Released
32 years ago on 13 September 1993
Running Time
3:45:53 (56 track set)
US Chart Peak
4
US R&B Peak
6
UK Chart Peak
4
Orig. Formats

Tracklist

Disc 1

  1. When Doves Cry
    Purple Rain Purple Rain (1984)
    [Prince & The Revolution] (3:47)
  2. Pop Life
    Around The World In A Day Around The World In A Day (1985)
    [Prince & The Revolution] (3:41)
  3. Soft And Wet
    For You For You (1978)
    (3:02)
  4. I Feel For You
    Prince Prince (1979)
    (3:24)
  5. Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad?
    Prince Prince (1979)
    (3:48)
  6. When You Were Mine
    Dirty Mind Dirty Mind (1980)
    (3:43)
  7. Uptown
    Dirty Mind Dirty Mind (1980)
    (4:09)
  8. Let's Go Crazy
    Purple Rain Purple Rain (1984)
    [Prince & The Revolution] (4:39)
  9. 1999
    1999 1999 (1982)
    [feat. Lisa Coleman, Jill Jones and Dez Dickerson] (3:36)
  10. I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man
    Sign O’ The Times Sign O’ The Times (1987)
    (3:38)
  11. Nothing Compares 2 U [duet with Rosie Gaines] (4:57)
  12. Adore
    Sign O’ The Times Sign O’ The Times (1987)
    (4:39)
  13. Pink Cashmere (6:13) 1
  14. Alphabet St.
    Lovesexy Lovesexy (1988)
    [feat. Cat Glover] (5:38)
  15. Sign O' The Times
    Sign O’ The Times Sign O’ The Times (1987)
    (3:42)
  16. Thieves In The Temple
    Graffiti Bridge Graffiti Bridge (1990)
    (3:19)
  17. Diamonds And Pearls
    Diamonds And Pearls Diamonds And Pearls (1991)
    [Prince & the New Power Generation] (4:19)
  18. 7
    Love Symbol Love Symbol (1992)
    [Prince & the New Power Generation] (5:09)
Running Time
74 min, 49 sec

Disc 2

  1. Controversy
    Controversy Controversy (1981)
    (3:35)
  2. Dirty Mind
    Dirty Mind Dirty Mind (1980)
    (3:49)
  3. I Wanna Be Your Lover
    Prince Prince (1979)
    (2:56)
  4. Head
    Dirty Mind Dirty Mind (1980)
    [feat. Lisa Coleman] (4:43)
  5. Do Me, Baby
    Controversy Controversy (1981)
    (3:55)
  6. Delirious
    1999 1999 (1982)
    (2:38)
  7. Little Red Corvette
    1999 1999 (1982)
    [feat. Lisa Coleman and Dez Dickerson] (4:55)
  8. I Would Die 4 U
    Purple Rain Purple Rain (1984)
    [Prince & The Revolution] (2:56)
  9. Raspberry Beret
    Around The World In A Day Around The World In A Day (1985)
    [Prince & The Revolution] (3:31)
  10. If I Was Your Girlfriend
    Sign O’ The Times Sign O’ The Times (1987)
    (3:46)
  11. Kiss
    Parade Parade (1986)
    [Prince & The Revolution] (3:45)
  12. Peach [feat. sample of Kim Basinger] (3:48) 1
  13. U Got The Look
    Sign O’ The Times Sign O’ The Times (1987)
    [duet with Sheena Easton] (3:46)
  14. Sexy MF
    Love Symbol Love Symbol (1992)
    [Prince & the New Power Generation] (4:29)
  15. Gett Off
    Diamonds And Pearls Diamonds And Pearls (1991)
    [Prince & the New Power Generation] (4:30)
  16. Cream
    Diamonds And Pearls Diamonds And Pearls (1991)
    [Prince & the New Power Generation] (4:12)
  17. Pope [feat. Mayte] (3:28) 1
  18. Purple Rain
    Purple Rain Purple Rain (1984)
    [Prince & The Revolution] (8:40)
Running Time
74 min, 41 sec

Disc 3

  1. Hello
    Around The World In A Day Around The World In A Day (1985)
    [A-side: Pop Life] (3:23)
  2. 200 Balloons
    Batman Batman (1989)
    [A-side: Batdance] (5:05)
  3. Escape
    Lovesexy Lovesexy (1988)
    [A-side: Glam Slam] (3:30)
  4. Gotta Stop (Messin' About)
    Dirty Mind Dirty Mind (1980)
    [A-side: Let's Work] (2:54)
  5. Horny Toad
    1999 1999 (1982)
    [A-side: Delirious] (2:12)
  6. Feel U Up
    Batman Batman (1989)
    [A-side: Partyman] (3:44) 2
  7. Girl
    Around The World In A Day Around The World In A Day (1985)
    [A-side: America] (3:47)
  8. I Love U In Me
    Batman Batman (1989)
    [A-sides: Arms Of Orion & Insatiable] (4:12)
  9. Erotic City
    Purple Rain Purple Rain (1984)
    [A-side: Let's Go Crazy] (3:55)
  10. Shockadelica
    Sign O’ The Times Sign O’ The Times (1987)
    [A-side: If I Was Your Girlfriend] (3:30) 2
  11. Irresistible Bitch
    1999 1999 (1982)
    [A-side: Let's Pretend We're Married] (4:11)
  12. Scarlet Pussy
    Lovesexy Lovesexy (1988)
    [A-side: I Wish U Heaven] (4:18)
  13. La La La, He He Hee
    Sign O’ The Times Sign O’ The Times (1987)
    [A-side: Sign O' The Times] (3:21)
  14. She's Always In My Hair
    Around The World In A Day Around The World In A Day (1985)
    [A-side: Raspberry Beret] (3:27)
  15. 17 Days
    Purple Rain Purple Rain (1984)
    [A-side: When Doves Cry] (3:55)
  16. How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore?
    1999 1999 (1982)
    [A-side: 1999] (3:50)
  17. Another Lonely Christmas
    Purple Rain Purple Rain (1984)
    [A-side: I Would Die 4 U] (4:51)
  18. God
    Purple Rain Purple Rain (1984)
    [A-side: Purple Rain] (4:02)
  19. 4 The Tears In Your Eyes
    We Are The World We Are The World (1985)
    (3:23)
  20. Power Fantastic (4:45) 3
Running Time
75 min, 49 sec

Released as a single

1 Previously unreleased.
2 Intended for release on the aborted album Camille.
3 Intended for release on the aborted album Dream Factory.

Singles from The Hits/The B-Sides

Pink Cashmere, single from The Hits/The B-Sides, Paisley Park Records (1993)

Pink Cashmere

Paisley Park Records

Released
31 August 1993
Distribution
Warner Bros. Records
US Chart Peak
50
UK Chart Peak
No Release
Cover/Art
Herb Ritts and Greg Ross
Formats
  1. Pink Cashmere (6:12)
  2. Soft And Wet (3:01)
Pink Cashmere, single from The Hits/The B-Sides, Paisley Park Records (1993)

Pink Cashmere

Paisley Park Records

12"/Maxi-Single


Released
31 August 1993
Distribution
WEA Records
US Chart Peak
No Release
UK Chart Peak
Did not chart
Cover/Art
Herb Ritts and Greg Ross
Formats
  1. Pink Cashmere [Vocal Version] (3:56)
  2. Pink Cashmere [Guitar Version] (3:58)
  3. The Future [Remix] [remix by William Orbit] (6:25)
  4. Glam Slam [Album Version] (5:04)
Pink Cashmere, single from The Hits/The B-Sides, Paisley Park Records (1993)

Pink Cashmere

Paisley Park Records

12"/Maxi-Single


Released
31 August 1993
Distribution
WEA Records
US Chart Peak
No Release
UK Chart Peak
Did not chart
Cover/Art
Herb Ritts and Greg Ross
Format
  1. Pink Cashmere [Vocal Version] (3:56)
  2. Pink Cashmere [Guitar Version] (3:58)
  3. Paisley Park [Album Version] (4:41)
  4. Glam Slam [Album Version] (5:04)
Peach, single from The Hits/The B-Sides, Paisley Park Records (1993)

Peach

Paisley Park Records

Released
4 October 1993
Distribution
WEA Records
US Chart Peak
No Release
UK Chart Peak
14
Cover/Art
Steven Rothfeld and Greg Ross
Formats
  1. Peach [feat. sample of Kim Basinger] (3:48)
  2. My Name Is Prince [Edit] [feat. Tony Mosley] (4:05)
Peach, single from The Hits/The B-Sides, Paisley Park Records (1993)

Peach

Paisley Park Records

12"/Maxi-Single


Released
4 October 1993
Distribution
WEA Records
US Chart Peak
No Release
UK Chart Peak
14
Cover/Art
Steven Rothfeld and Greg Ross
Format
  1. Peach [feat. sample of Kim Basinger] (3:48)
  2. Girls & Boys [Edit] (3:47)
  3. My Name Is Prince [Edit] [feat. Tony Mosley] (4:05)
  4. Partyman [Edit] (3:07)
Peach [CD 1], single from The Hits/The B-Sides, Paisley Park Records (1993)

Peach [CD 1]

Paisley Park Records

12"/Maxi-Single


Released
4 October 1993
Distribution
WEA Records
US Chart Peak
No Release
UK Chart Peak
14
Cover/Art
Steven Rothfeld and Greg Ross
Format
  1. Peach [feat. sample of Kim Basinger] (3:48)
  2. Mountains (3:58)
  3. Partyman [Edit] (3:07)
  4. Money Don't Matter 2 Night [Edit] (4:12)

Also issued as a 2 disc CD digipak set including CD2.

Peach [CD 2], single from The Hits/The B-Sides, Paisley Park Records (1993)

Peach [CD 2]

Paisley Park Records

12"/Maxi-Single


Released
11 October 1993
Distribution
WEA Records
US Chart Peak
No Release
UK Chart Peak
14
Cover/Art
Steven Rothfeld and Greg Ross
Format
  1. Peach [feat. sample of Kim Basinger] (3:48)
  2. I Wish U Heaven (2:43)
  3. Girls & Boys [Edit] (3:47)
  4. My Name Is Prince [Edit] [feat. Tony Mosley] (4:05)

Also issued as a 2 disc CD digipak set including CD1.

Peach / Nothing Compares 2 U, single from The Hits/The B-Sides, Paisley Park Records (1993)

Peach / Nothing Compares 2 U

Paisley Park Records

Released
18 November 1993
Distribution
Warner Bros. Records
US Chart Peak
107
UK Chart Peak
No Release
Cover/Art
Steven Rothfeld and Greg Ross
Formats
  1. Peach [feat. sample of Kim Basinger] (3:48)
  2. Nothing Compares 2 U [Edit] [duet with Rosie Gaines] (4:17)
Controversy [reissue], single from The Hits/The B-Sides, Paisley Park Records (1993)

Controversy [reissue]

Paisley Park Records

Released
29 November 1993
Distribution
WEA Records
US Chart Peak
No Release
UK Chart Peak
5
Cover/Art
Herb Ritts and Greg Ross
Formats
  1. Controversy [Edit] (3:35)
  2. The Future [Remix] [remix by William Orbit] (6:25)

Also available as a 7" picture disc.

Controversy [CD 1], single from The Hits/The B-Sides, Paisley Park Records (1993)

Controversy [CD 1]

Paisley Park Records

12"/Maxi-Single


Released
29 November 1993
Distribution
WEA Records
US Chart Peak
No Release
UK Chart Peak
5
Cover/Art
Herb Ritts and Greg Ross
Format
  1. Controversy [Edit] (3:35)
  2. The Future [Remix] [remix by William Orbit] (6:25)
  3. Glam Slam (5:04)
  4. D.M.S.R. (8:15)

Issued as a 2 disc CD digipak set with CD2.

Controversy [CD 2], single from The Hits/The B-Sides, Paisley Park Records (1993)

Controversy [CD 2]

Paisley Park Records

12"/Maxi-Single


Released
6 December 1993
Distribution
WEA Records
US Chart Peak
No Release
UK Chart Peak
5
Cover/Art
Herb Ritts and Greg Ross
Format
  1. Controversy [Edit] (3:35)
  2. Anotherloverholenyohead (3:58)
  3. Paisley Park (4:41)
  4. New Power Generation (Part II) (2:57)

Also part of a 2 disc CD digipak set including CD1.

The Hits/The B-Sides review

Here was the situation in 1993. The most expensive and successful artist ever and signed less to your label within a year decides to ‘kill’ his name and change it to an unpronounceable squiggle – Prince Love Symbol. Coupled with the fact you feel their music is becoming less commercial and you’ve just committed £100m to them. What do you do? Smash the emergency glass open up the back catalogue and package up a greatest hits collection. The Hits/The B-Sides is the release where the relationship between Prince and Warner Brothers went Tango Uniform. The situation was further complicated as Prince was doggedly opposed to greatest hits packages, viewing this as his tombstone when Warner asked him to pick the cover for it. The spat became so cold it would not fully thaw until 2018. Yet there is plenty of redeeming aspects about this release because in typical Prince fashion there was, as the critics said, a galaxy worth of material to choose from.

Watered down from five discs to three, to convince old fans to buy it squeezed into this compilation are a couple of unreleased tracks Pope and Peach and a long-awaited live version of Nothing Compares 2 U. The real reason for seeking out the triple-disc set and falling prey to Warner’s master plan to get every fan own this collection, is that it resurfaces much cherished and long lost B-sides for the first time on CD, notably 4 The Tears In Your Eyes and Power Fantastic – dedicating the B-sides to an entire disc. Pink Cashmere was another widely bootlegged gem that also gets its much deserved release in the compilation. Prince had Warner worked out: “everybody wants to sell what’s already been sold” but Warner too understood Prince had reached his commercial tipping point … “all that glitters ain’t gold”. As one highly respected DJ at the time put it: “The Hits/The B-Sides is essential to anyone’s music collection”. There’s gold aplenty here and as a set it alleviates the need to change CDs and compresses all the compass points of Prince’s Warner Brothers career into a single, essential and sensational listening session that only few artists in history can muster. That’s what’s called legacy.

The Hits/The B-Sides is rated 5 out of 5 by Goldies Parade.

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