Released digitally worldwide on 6 June 2025 by Legacy Recordings, Free (Acoustic Version) presents a previously unheard 4:09 stripped‑down take of the 1982 album track from 1999. This vault recording showcases Prince alone with his guitar, delivering a tender, unembellished performance that reframes one of his most uplifting anthems as a personal, introspective confession.

Prince released “1999” as a single in Germany on December 30, 1982. It was issued in multiple 7" variants (including promotional) and 12" maxi-single formats with different sleeve designs. 7" Commercial Single, First Pressing – Front RELEASE DETAILS Artist: Prince Label: Warner Bros. Records Format: 7" / 12" Vinyl Single Country: Germany (West Germany) Released: December 30, 1982 Genre: Funk, Rock, Minneapolis Sound A-Side: “1999” Written by: Prince Produced by: Prince B-Side

Prince released “1999” as a single in France on December 26, 1982, backed with “How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore?”. It was issued in 7" and 12" formats, including test pressings. 7" Commercial Single (929896-7) - Front RELEASE DETAILS Artist: Prince Label: Warner Bros. Records Format: 7" Vinyl Single Country: Italy Released: December 1, 1982 (date requires verification) Genre: Funk, Rock, Minneapolis Sound A-Side: “1999” Written by: Prince Produced by: Prince B-Side: “How Com

Prince released “1999” as a single in Japan on December 4, 1982, backed with “How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore?”. It was issued in commercial and promotional 7" formats along with several promotional sampler LPs/12"s. 7" Commercial Single, Insert – Front RELEASE DETAILS Artist: Prince Label: Warner Bros. Records / Warner-Pioneer Corporation Format: 7" Vinyl Single + Promo Samplers Country: Japan Released: December 4, 1982 Genre: Funk, Rock, Minneapolis Sound A-Side: “1999” Wr

Prince released “1999” as a single in the Netherlands / Belgium market on December 1, 1982 (manufactured in Belgium). It was issued in both 7" and 12" formats with several sleeve variations. 7" Commercial Single – Front RELEASE DETAILS Artist: Prince Label: Warner Bros. Records Format: 7" / 12" Vinyl Single Country: Netherlands / Belgium (Made in Belgium) Released: December 1, 1982 Genre: Funk, Rock, Minneapolis Sound A-Side: “1999” Written by: Prince Produced by: Prince B-Si

Prince released “1999” as a single in Italy on December 1, 1982, backed with “How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore?”. It was issued in a picture sleeve with a large centre hole and a promotional “Omaggio Vendita Vietata” punch. Italy 7" Commercial Single (92 9896-7) - Front RELEASE DETAILS Artist: Prince Label: Warner Bros. Records Format: 7" Vinyl Single Country: Italy Released: December 1, 1982 (date requires verification) Genre: Funk, Rock, Minneapolis Sound A-Side: “1999” Wri

A glowing concert review in the Daily Press (Newport News, VA) by Dari Giles praising Prince’s high-energy 1999 Tour performance at Hampton Coliseum, describing a cool, nasty, and pulsating show complete with theatrical entrances, props, lights, and sizzling sets from Vanity 6 and The Time. Publication: Daily Press Date: Tuesday, November 30, 1982 (reviewing Saturday, November 27 show) Country: United States Section / Pages: Entertainment Title: Prince Concert Cool THE STORY

A hometown review in the Star Tribune by Jon Bream of Prince’s double album 1999, praising its danceable grooves and sexual energy while noting its lyrical and conceptual complexity that can “muddle the brain,” positioning it as another bold step from the 24-year-old Minneapolis artist. Publication: Star Tribune (Minneapolis Star and Tribune) Date: Sunday, November 28, 1982 Country: United States Section / Pages: Record Reviews Title: Prince’s new album motivates body, muddl

A concert advertisement in The Tennessean promoting Prince’s 1999 Tour stop at the Municipal Auditorium in Nashville on Thursday, December 16, 1982, with special guest The Time and introducing Vanity 6. Publication: The Tennessean Date: Sunday, November 28, 1982 Country: United States Section / Pages: Entertainment / Concert Ads Title: Live in Concert! Prince 1999 Tour THE STORY The ad features the iconic dripping “Prince” logo and announces the show at 8:00 p.m. Tickets were

A detailed album review in The Commercial Appeal by Walter Dawson examining Prince’s double album 1999, praising its danceable energy, sexual-political commentary, and the artist’s growth while noting the excesses and occasional incomprehensibility of the sprawling release. Publication: The Commercial Appeal Date: Sunday, November 21, 1982 Country: United States Section / Pages: New Records / Album Reviews Title: Pomp and circumstance THE STORY Walter Dawson reviews 1999 as a

A major preview feature in The Philadelphia Inquirer by Ken Tucker examining Prince’s 1999 album and upcoming concert at the University City Center with The Time and Vanity 6, praising the sexually charged, danceable funk while analyzing the provocative themes and live energy of the triple bill. Publication: The Philadelphia Inquirer Date: Sunday, November 21, 1982 Country: United States Section / Pages: Calendar / Pop Music Title: This trio of acts with sexual verve cranks o

A concert preview in the Philadelphia Daily News highlighting Prince’s upcoming 1999 Tour performance at the University City Center on Wednesday, November 24, 1982, emphasizing his sexually explicit lyrics, rock-funk energy, and royal court including The Time and Vanity 6. Publication: Philadelphia Daily News Date: Friday, November 19, 1982 Country: United States Section / Pages: Live! This Week / Entertainment Title: Prince/Ramsey Lewis/Laura Branigan THE STORY The article p

Published in The Philadelphia Inquirer on October 31, 1982, this striking concert advertisement promotes Prince’s forthcoming 1999 Tour appearance at the University Center on Wednesday, November 24, 1982. The advert gives Prince top billing beneath the emphatic “LIVE IN CONCERT!” heading and large hand-rendered PRINCE lettering, while The Time are announced as special guests and Vanity 6 are given the particularly notable billing “And Introducing Vanity 6.” The concert was sc

On October 28, 1982, Vanity 6 recorded performances of“Nasty Girl” and“He’s So Dull” for the Dutch television programme TopPop at NOB Studios in Hilversum, the Netherlands. The appearance formed part of the group’s European promotion for their self-titled debut album, with the “Nasty Girl” performance first broadcast on October 30, 1982 and subsequently adopted as the song’s official promotional video. Artist: Vanity 6 Programme: TopPop Recording Date: October 28, 1982 First

1999 was Prince's fifth full-length studio album, following Controversy. The album was released in the United States on October 27, 1982 as an eleven-track double LP through Warner Bros. Records. Although the name The Revolution appeared in mirror-writing on the sleeve, the album itself was not officially attributed to Prince and the Revolution and remained credited to Prince. The original American edition presented the complete 70:35 album across four sides of vinyl. This or

Released on October 27, 1982, Prince’s 1999 receives a highly enthusiastic four-star assessment from music editor Laurie Niemetus in The Louisville Times. Under the provocative headline “It’s message music: The message is S-E-X,” the review examines Prince’s continuing fascination with sexuality while praising the musical growth, arrangements and production of an album regarded as stronger than its predecessors. The same page also reviews The Time’s What Time Is It? and annou

Released on October 27, 1982, 1999 receives a detailed and decidedly mixed assessment from Jon Bream in this November 28 Minneapolis Tribune review. Bream praises Prince’s synthesiser work, rhythms, instrumental hooks and musical versatility, but argues that the sprawling double album is less successful lyrically and emotionally. Even with those reservations, the review identifies several standout moments, including “1999,” “Little Red Corvette,” “Delirious,” “Free” and “D.M.

This short Minneapolis Star and Tribune music item reports strong chart activity for two Minneapolis acts closely connected with Prince. The Time's “777-9311” and What Time Is It? were both at No. 2 on Billboard's respective Black singles and albums charts, while Vanity 6's album was identified as a strong Warner Bros. seller and a Top 10 dance-chart release. The clipping closes by noting that both local records were produced by Prince. Publication: Minneapolis Star and Tribu

A bold concert advertisement in The Atlanta Constitution promoting Prince’s 1999 Tour shows at the Fox Theater in Atlanta on November 12–13, 1982, with special guest The Time and introducing Vanity 6 Publication: The Atlanta Constitution Date: Sunday, October 17, 1982 Country: United States Section / Pages: Entertainment / Concert Ads Title: Live in Concert! Prince 1999 Tour THE STORY The striking ad features the iconic dripping “Prince” logo and announces two nights at the F

Prince released “1999” as the lead single from his double album of the same name on September 24, 1982 in the USA. The song became one of his signature anthems and a major hit upon re-release. RELEASE DETAILS Artist: Prince Label: Warner Bros. Records Format: 7" / 12" Vinyl Single Country: United States Released: September 24, 1982 Genre: Funk, Rock, Minneapolis Sound A-Side: “1999” B-Side: “How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore?” Written by: Prince Produced by: Prince US 7" comme

Released on 17 September 1982, 777‑9311 was the first single taken from The Time’s second album What Time Is It?. Issued four weeks before the album, the single appeared only in the USA and the Netherlands. The B‑side, Grace, did not feature on any album. Although credited to The Time, Prince largely wrote and performed both tracks, with his involvement remaining uncredited. Both tracks were created during the sessions for What Time Is It?. Prince handled most instrumentati

What Time Is It? is the second full‑length studio album by The Time, released in August 1982, thirteen months after their debut. As with their first album, the project was largely written, recorded, and produced by Prince, with no instrumental or songwriting input from band members other than Morris Day, although all members were credited. Four of the six songs were credited to The Time and two to Morris Day, but Prince wrote all six tracks, with lyrics on one written by Dez

Vanity 6 is the first and only album by Vanity 6, a group put together and effectively run by Prince, and was released on 11 August 1982. The album was produced by Prince under the pseudonym The Starr Company, with production credit also (erroneously) shared with Vanity 6. Seven of the eight songs were written or co‑written by Prince, but credit was given to the band members. “He’s So Dull” was written and produced by Dez Dickerson. A follow‑up to the album was planned to coi

Prince released “Sexuality” as a single in Australia on August 2, 1982, backed with “I Wanna Be Your Lover” (unlike the German and Japanese releases which used “Controversy” as the B-side) RELEASE DETAILS Artist: Prince Label: Warner Bros. Records Format: 7" Vinyl Single Country: Australia Released: August 2, 1982 Genre: Funk, Rock, Minneapolis Sound A-Side: “Sexuality” Written by: Prince Produced by: Prince B-Side: “I Wanna Be Your Lover” Written by: Prince Produced by: Prin