Diamonds and Pearls
International cover
Studio album by
Prince and the New Power Generation
ReleasedOctober 1, 1991
RecordedJuly 1990– May 1991
Studio
Genre
Length65:45
424:02 (Super Deluxe Edition)
LabelPaisley Park, Warner Bros.
ProducerPrince
Prince chronology
Graffiti Bridge
(1990)		 Diamonds and Pearls
(1991)		 Love Symbol
(1992)
US release
Singles from Diamonds and Pearls
  1. "Gett Off"
    Released: June 7, 1991
  2. "Cream"
    Released: September 9, 1991
  3. "Insatiable"
    Released: November 4, 1991
  4. "Diamonds and Pearls"
    Released: November 25, 1991
  5. "Money Don't Matter 2 Night"
    Released: March 3, 1992
  6. "Thunder"
    Released: June 15, 1992 (UK only)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[2]
Blender[5]
Calgary HeraldB[6]
Christgau's Consumer Guide(2-star Honorable Mention)(2-star Honorable Mention)[7]
Entertainment WeeklyC[8]
Tom HullB+[9]
MusicHound Rock3.5/5[10]
NME6/10[11]
Pitchfork8.3/10 (2016)[12]
7.8/10 (2023)[13]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide[14]

Diamonds and Pearls is the thirteenth studio album by American recording artist Prince, and the first with his backing band The New Power Generation. It was released on October 1, 1991, by Paisley Park Records and Warner Bros. Records. The album produced several hit singles, including "Gett Off", "Cream", "Money Don't Matter 2 Night", "Insatiable", and the title track. Dancers Lori Werner (then dancing under the stage name of Lori Elle) and Robia LaMorte, known as "Diamond" and "Pearl" respectively, appeared on the holographic cover (re-pressings of the album are non holographic). Diamond and Pearl also appeared in the music videos for "Cream", "Strollin'", "Gett Off", and the title track, and also participated in Prince's Diamonds and Pearls Tour.

Diamonds and Pearls contains a hybrid of music styles, from the funk of "Daddy Pop", "Jughead", and first single "Gett Off", to some of the more mainstream pop/rock songs Prince had recorded in some time, such as "Cream", "Money Don't Matter 2 Night" and the title song. "Willing and Able" was used in a video montage during the closing credits of CBS' coverage of Super Bowl XXVI.[15]

Release

Diamonds and Pearls was released in the United States on October 1, 1991, and two days later internationally.[16] It peaked at number three on the Billboard 200, number two on the UK Albums Chart, and number one on the Billboard Top R&B Albums and the ARIA Albums Chart in Australia. It also peaked top 10 across several charts in Europe and New Zealand. The album gathered two top 5 singles, the title track, which peaked at number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and the final number-one single on the Hot 100 of his career with "Cream". Along with that, "Gett Off" and "Money Don't Matter 2 Night" both hit the top 40 on the Hot 100, peaking at 21 and 23, respectively.[17]

On August 24, 2023, it was announced that Diamonds and Pearls would be reissued in remastered, deluxe and super deluxe versions that were released on October 27, 2023. The super deluxe version contains a 2023 remaster of the album, 15 remastered versions of all the singles mixes and edits, 33 previously unreleased studio recordings from the vault, an unreleased live concert album of the official dress rehearsal of the Diamonds and Pearls Tour recorded at Glam Slam on January 11, 1992, a Blu-ray release of the dress rehearsal at Glam Slam on January 11, 1992, as well as footage from Special Olympics Concert recorded on July 20, 1991, and the soundcheck that took place the day before, and a completely restored version of the Diamonds and Pearls Video Collection. A limited edition 7" vinyl of all the singles from Diamonds and Pearls including the new single "Alice Through The Looking Glass" were released as well.[18]

Track listing

All music is composed by Prince and The New Power Generation

Diamonds and Pearls track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Thunder"
5:45
2."Daddy Pop"
  • Prince
5:16
3."Diamonds and Pearls"
  • Prince
4:47
4."Cream"
  • Prince
4:13
5."Strollin'"
  • Prince
3:47
6."Willing and Able"
5:00
7."Gett Off (with Eric Leeds)"
  • Prince
  • Leeds
4:31
8."Walk Don't Walk"
  • Prince
3:07
9."Jughead"
  • Prince
  • Mosley
  • Kirk Johnson
4:59
10."Money Don't Matter 2 Night"
4:47
11."Push"
  • Prince
  • Gaines
5:53
12."Insatiable"
  • Prince
6:39
13."Live 4 Love (Last Words from the Cockpit)"
  • Prince
  • Mosley
6:59
Total length:65:45

Super Deluxe

The first disc is that of the original album.

Disc 2 / LP3&4: Singles & Mixes Remastered track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Gett Off (Damn Near 10 Minutes)"9:36
2."Gett Off (Houstyle)"8:24
3."Violet the Organ Grinder"5:05
4."Gangster Glam"6:04
5."Horny Pony"4:19
6."Cream" (NPG mix)5:46
7."Things Have Gotta Change" (Tony M. rap)3:58
8."Do Your Dance" (K.C. remix)6:00
9."Insatiable" (edit)4:03
10."Diamonds and Pearls" (edit)4:21
11."Money Don't Matter 2 Night" (edit)4:14
12."Call the Law"4:19
13."Willing and Able" (edit)4:17
14."Willing and Able" (video version)5:09
15."Thunder" (DJ fade)3:20
Total length:78:55
Disc 3 / LP5&6: Vault Tracks I track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Schoolyard"7:10
2."My Tender Heart"5:06
3."Pain"5:57
4."Streetwalker"4:48
5."Lauriann"4:15
6."Darkside"5:35
7."Insatiable" (early mix – full version)8:01
8."Glam Slam '91"6:16
9."Live 4 Love" (early version)7:32
10."Cream" (Take 2)4:50
11."Skip to My You My Darling"3:57
12."Diamonds and Pearls" (long version)5:32
Total length:68:59
Disc 4 / LP7&8(Side 1): Vault Tracks II track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Daddy Pop" (long version)6:07
2."Martika's Kitchen"4:21
3."Spirit"4:32
4."Open Book"4:59
5."Work That Fat"4:35
6."Horny Pony" (Version 2)4:21
7."Something Funky (This House Comes)" (band version)7:04
8."Hold Me"4:36
9."Blood on the Sheets"5:46
10."The Last Dance (Bang Pow Zoom and the Whole Nine)"5:36
11."Don't Say U Love Me"4:21
Total length:56:18
Disc 5 / LP8&9(Side 2): Vault Tracks III track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Get Blue"4:43
2."Tip o' My Tongue"4:08
3."The Voice"4:42
4."Trouble"5:36
5."Alice Through the Looking Glass"4:18
6."Standing at the Altar"4:48
7."Hey U"6:10
8."Letter 4 Miles"4:36
9."I Pledge Allegiance to Your Love"4:41
10."The Thunder Ballet"10:56
Total length:54:38
Disc 6 / LP10&11 (Side 1): Live at Glam Slam 1992 I track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Thunder"4:18
2."Daddy Pop"6:23
3."Diamonds and Pearls"5:31
4."Willing and Able"4:12
5."Jughead"6:52
6."The Sacrifice of Victor"10:05
7."Nothing Compares 2 U"4:50
8."Thieves in the Temple"7:01
9."Sexy M.F."5:45
Total length:54:57
Disc 7 / LP 11 (Side 2) & 12: Live at Glam Slam 1992 II track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Insatiable"7:42
2."Cream / Well Done / I Want U / In the Socket"13:58
3."1999 / Baby I'm a Star / Push"9:12
4."Gett Off"6:11
5."Gett Off (Houstyle)"8:05
Total length:45:08

Personnel

Production

  • Arranged and produced by Prince and The New Power Generation[19]
  • Engineered by Keith "KC" Cohen, David Friedlander, Michael Koppelman, Matt Larson, Sylvia Massy, Steve Noonan, Tim Penn and Brian Poer
  • Mixed by Michael Koppelman, Keith Cohen and Tom Garneau
  • Mastered by Michael Koppelman
  • Atmos mixing by Chris James
  • Atmos mastering by Brad Blackwood
  • Vinyl and CD mastering Bernie Grundman

Singles and Hot 100 chart placings

  • "Gett Off" maxi-single (#21 US, #6 US R&B, #4 UK, #8 AUS)
  1. "Gett Off"
  2. "Horny Pony"
  • "Cream" maxi-single (#1 US, #15 UK, #2 AUS)
  1. "Cream"
  2. "Horny Pony"
  1. "Insatiable"
  2. "I Love U in Me"
  1. "Diamonds and Pearls"
  2. "Q in Doubt"
  1. "Money Don't Matter 2 Night"
  2. "Call the Law"
  3. "Push" (UK)
  1. "Thunder"
  2. "Violet the Organ Grinder"
  3. "Gett Off" (Thrust Dub)

Charts

Certifications and sales

Certifications and sales for Diamonds and Pearls
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[54] 4× Platinum 280,000^
Austria (IFPI Austria)[55] Platinum 50,000*
Canada (Music Canada)[56] Platinum 100,000^
France (SNEP)[57] Platinum 500,000[58]
Germany (BVMI)[59] Platinum 500,000^
Netherlands (NVPI)[60] Platinum 100,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[61] Gold 7,500^
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[62] Platinum 100,000^
Sweden (GLF)[63] Gold 50,000^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[64] Platinum 50,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[65] 3× Platinum 900,000^
United States (RIAA)[66] 2× Platinum 2,000,000^
Summaries
Worldwide — 5,800,000[67]

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Massey, Sylvia (February 1, 2010). "Gear Stories With Sylvia Massy—Prince and the Gemini II". MIX. Future plc. Retrieved March 4, 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Prince & the New Power Generation: Diamonds and Pearls > Review" at AllMusic. Retrieved September 15, 2011.
  3. ↑ Williams. Stereo (April 29, 2016). "Let Love Decide: Prince's 'Diamonds and Pearls'". Spin. Retrieved June 6, 2016.
  4. ↑ Watrous, Peter (January 1, 1992). "The Pop Life; Top 12's, or So". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. OCLC 1645522. Retrieved September 15, 2011.
  5. ↑ Blender review Archived August 24, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  6. ↑ Wagamese, Richard (October 6, 1991). "Recent Releases". Calgary Herald.
  7. ↑ Christgau, Robert. "Prince [extended]". robertchristgau.com. Retrieved September 15, 2011.
  8. ↑ Browne, David (October 4, 1991). "Diamonds and Pearls: Prince". Entertainment Weekly. No. #86. Time. ISSN 1049-0434. Archived from the original on October 5, 2012. Retrieved September 15, 2011.
  9. ↑ Hull, Tom (n.d.). "Rock (1970s)". tomhull.com. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  10. ↑ Graff, Gary; Durchholz, Daniel, eds. (1999). MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide (2nd ed.). Farmington Hills, MI: Visible Ink Press. p. 897. ISBN 1-57859-061-2.
  11. ↑ Martin, Gavin (October 5, 1991). "Long Play". NME. p. 36. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
  12. ↑ Weiss, Jeff (April 30, 2016). "Prince/The New Power Generation: Diamonds and Pearls". Pitchfork. Retrieved January 21, 2020.
  13. ↑ Juzwiak, Rich (October 30, 2023). "Prince / The New Power Generation: Diamonds and Pearls (Super Deluxe Edition) Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  14. ↑ "Prince: Album Guide". rollingstone.com. Archived from the original on March 20, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2016.
  15. ↑ Williams, Jennifer (January 27, 1992). "CBS GETS HIGH MARKS FOR ITS SUPER BOWL COVERAGE". Daily Press.
  16. ↑ Draper 2008, p. 135.
  17. ↑ "Prince Chart History: Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  18. ↑ https://store.prince.com/dept/diamonds-and-pearls?cp=103229_103238
  19. ↑ "Diamonds and Pearls > Credits at AllMusic. Retrieved 15 September 2011.
  20. ↑ "australian-charts.com Prince and The New Power Generation - Diamonds and Pearls" (ASP). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved April 9, 2014.
  21. ↑ "austriancharts.at Prince and The New Power Generation - Diamonds and Pearls" (ASP). Hung Medien (in German). Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  22. ↑ "Top Albums/CDs - Volume 54, No. 25". RPM. November 23, 1991. Archived from the original (PHP) on April 26, 2014. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  23. ↑ "dutchcharts.nl Prince and The New Power Generation - Diamonds and Pearls" (ASP). Hung Medien. MegaCharts. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  24. ↑ 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.
  25. ↑ "InfoDisc : Tous les Albums classés par Artiste > Choisir Un Artiste Dans la Liste" (in French). infodisc.fr. Archived from the original on March 30, 2014. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  26. ↑ "Album Search: Prince and The New Power Generation - Diamonds and Pearls" (in German). Media Control. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  27. ↑ "ダイヤモンズ・アンド・パールズ／プリンス-リリース-ORICON STYLE-ミュージック" [Highest position and charting weeks of Diamonds and Pearls by Prince and The New Power Generation]. oricon.co.jp (in Japanese). Oricon Style. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  28. ↑ "charts.nz Prince and The New Power Generation - Diamonds and Pearls" (ASP). Hung Medien. Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  29. ↑ "norwegiancharts.com Prince and The New Power Generation - Diamonds and Pearls" (ASP). Retrieved April 9, 2014.
  30. ↑ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
  31. ↑ "swedishcharts.com Prince and The New Power Generation - Diamonds and Pearls" (ASP) (in Swedish). Retrieved April 8, 2014.
  32. ↑ "Prince and The New Power Generation - Diamonds and Pearls - hitparade.ch" (ASP). Hung Medien (in German). Swiss Music Charts. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  33. ↑ "Prince > Artists > Official Charts". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  34. ↑ "Prince Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
  35. ↑ "Prince Chart History: Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
  36. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – {{{artist}}} – {{{album}}}" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
  37. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Prince & the New Power Generation – Diamonds and Pearls" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  38. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Prince & the New Power Generation – Diamonds and Pearls" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  39. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Prince & the New Power Generation – Diamonds and Pearls" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  40. ↑ "Longplay-Chartverfolgung at Musicline" (in German). Musicline.de. Phononet GmbH. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
  41. ↑ "Album Top 40 slágerlista – 2023. 44. hét" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  42. ↑ "Oricon Top 50 Albums: 2023-11-06/p/3" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  43. ↑ "Billboard Japan Hot Albums – Week of November 1, 2023". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  44. ↑ "Portuguesecharts.com – Prince & the New Power Generation – Diamonds and Pearls". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  45. ↑ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  46. ↑ "Spanishcharts.com – Prince & the New Power Generation – Diamonds and Pearls". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  47. ↑ "RPM 100 Albums (CDs & Cassettes) of 1991". RPM. December 21, 1991. Archived from the original on April 8, 2014. Retrieved December 6, 2010.
  48. ↑ "Dutch charts jaaroverzichten 1991" (in Dutch). Archived from the original (ASP) on August 24, 2014. Retrieved April 2, 2014.
  49. ↑ "Les Albums (CD) de 1991 par InfoDisc" (in French). infodisc.fr. Archived from the original (PHP) on October 23, 2014. Retrieved April 2, 2014.
  50. 1 2 "Complete UK Year-End Album Charts". Archived from the original on January 11, 2012. Retrieved September 16, 2013.
  51. ↑ "Austriancharts.at - Jahreshitparade 1992" (in German). Hung Medien. Archived from the original (ASP) on August 4, 2015. Retrieved April 2, 2014.
  52. ↑ "Hitparade.ch - Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1992". Hung Medien. Archived from the original on October 22, 2013. Retrieved April 2, 2014.
  53. ↑ "Top Billboard 200 Albums". billboard.biz. Archived from the original on December 8, 2012. Retrieved April 5, 2013.
  54. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1996 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association.
  55. ↑ "Austrian album certifications – Prince – Diamonds & Pearls" (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved February 2, 2012.
  56. ↑ "Canadian album certifications – Prince – Diamonds and Pearls". Music Canada. Retrieved February 2, 2012.
  57. ↑ "French album certifications – Prince & the New Power Generation – Diamonds and Pearls" (in French). InfoDisc. Select PRINCE & THE NEW POWER GENERATION and click OK. 
  58. ↑ "France: Around the French Companies" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 105, no. 21. May 22, 1993. p. F-4. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 21, 2021. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  59. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Prince; 'Diamonds and Pearls')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved February 2, 2014.
  60. ↑ "Dutch album certifications – Prince – Diamonds and Pearls" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Retrieved February 2, 2011. Enter Diamonds and Pearls in the "Artiest of titel" box.
  61. ↑ "New Zealand album certifications – Prince and the New Power Generation – Diamonds and Pearls". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved December 11, 2019.
  62. ↑ Solo Exitos 1959–2002 Ano A Ano: Certificados 1991–1995. Solo Exitos 1959–2002 Ano A Ano. 2005. ISBN 8480486392.
  63. ↑ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 1987−1998" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 17, 2011. Retrieved September 8, 2018.
  64. ↑ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('Diamonds and Pearls')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved February 2, 2012.
  65. ↑ "British album certifications – Prince & the New Power Generation – Diamonds and Pearls". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved April 4, 2014.
  66. ↑ "American album certifications – Prince – Diamonds and Pearls". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved February 2, 2012.
  67. ↑ Souza Filho, Otávio (December 20, 1992). "Prince: muito discos, poucas vendas". O Dia (in Portuguese): 7. Retrieved August 10, 2023.

Works cited

  • Draper, Jason (2008). Prince: Life & Times. Jawbone Press. ISBN 978-1-906002-18-3.

Further reading

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