Originals (2019)
1. Sex Shooter
2. Jungle Love
3. Manic Monday
4. Noon Rendezvous
5. Make-Up
6. 100 MPH
7. You're My Love
8. Holly Rock
9. Baby, You're a Trip
10.The Glamorous Life
11.Gigolos Get Lonely Too
12.Love...Thy Will Be Done
13.Dear Michaelangelo
14.Wouldn't You Love to Love Me?
15.Nothing Compares 2 U
If ever there were a clearer illustration of Prince’s near-unmatched musical genius, this is it. Originals is a collection of songs he gave away – tracks originally written for others that, in many cases, became massive hits. And here, performed in his own voice and style, they reveal just how much of himself he embedded in even his so-called “secondary” work. Most artists would count themselves lucky to write one song this strong. Prince shelved entire albums’ worth.
The range on display is staggering. From Sheila E. to The Bangles, Kenny Rogers to The Time, the material spans pop, funk, soul, and beyond. And then, of course, there’s Nothing Compares 2 U, which turned Sinead O’Connor into a household name. To hear Prince’s version now – sparse, aching, and unmistakably his – is to understand where the song truly lived all along.
Unlike the previously issued Piano and a Microphone, this isn’t a collection of demos or sketches. These are finished recordings, or very nearly so – fully formed and studio-ready. Still, there are moments, as on Holly Rock, where one senses the track might have benefited from a final pass. Had Prince chosen to keep some of these songs for himself, it’s likely a few would have received the extra polish that transforms good into great. But even in this slightly raw state, they carry the unmistakable stamp of his artistry.
One doubts Prince would have planned for this material to be compiled in this way. And yet, its release feels less like exploitation and more like revelation. These aren’t cast-offs – they’re hidden gems, lovingly presented. For the devoted listener, Originals offers both a fresh perspective and an unexpected gift: a chance to hear the familiar in an entirely new light, through the voice that created it.
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