0(+>: The Greatest Romance Ever Sold Single UK & EU (1999)
- Escape
- Nov 15, 1999
- 6 min read
Prince’s Rave Romance
0(+> “The Greatest Romance Ever Sold” was released as a 4-track CD single in the UK on November 15, 1999, on Arista/BMG/NPG (catalogue: 74321 74500 2). Featuring the original radio edit plus remixes by Jason Nevins, The Neptunes (with Q-Tip), and a version with Eve, this sensual R&B-funk gem (produced by Prince), was issued in j-card case alongside promo 12", limited 12", and CD-R variants. It peaked at No. 65 on the UK Singles Chart for 2 weeks. Issued in glass-mastered CD, white-label 12", Masterdisk-cut limited 12", and Betacam-SP advance, it’s a seductive ‘99 NPG reissue suite.
EU release information is listed below the UK.
Single Overview
CD (74321 74500 2):
The Greatest Romance Ever Sold (Jason Nevins Remix Edit) – Keyboards: Andy Ezrin, Remix: Jason Nevins – 3:36
The Greatest Romance Ever Sold (Original Radio Edit) – 4:26
The Greatest Romance Ever Sold (Neptunes Radio Edit) – Featuring: Q-Tip, Remix: Rich Travali, The Neptunes – 3:48
The Greatest Romance Ever Sold (Radio Edit) – Featuring: Eve – 4:32
Label: Arista / BMG / NPG Records (UK pressing).
Phonographic Copyright ℗, Copyright © – NPG Records, Inc.
Glass Mastered At – Disctronics S
Design, Photography By – Parke
Engineer – HM Buff
Producer – Prince
J-card case (CD).
Barcode: 743217450021
Matrix: DISCTRONICS S 74321745002 01
Mastering SID: IFPI L502
Mould SID: IFPI 8702
Rights: BIEM/GEMA
LC: 03484
12" White Label (Great 1) :
A1 The Greatest Romance Ever Sold (Adam & Eve Remix) – 4:30
A2 The Greatest Romance Ever Sold (Neptunes Extended Remix) – Remix: The Neptunes – 5:08
B1 The Greatest Romance Ever Sold (Jason Nevins Extended Remix) – Remix: Jason Nevins – 6:49
B2 The Greatest Romance Ever Sold (Radio Edit) – 4:32
12" Limited Edition (ARDP-3783) :
February 14, 2000
A1 The Greatest Romance Ever Sold (Vocal) – 6:40
A2 The Greatest Romance Ever Sold (Beats) – 6:47
B1 The Greatest Romance Ever Sold (Dub) – 5:49
B2 The Greatest Romance Ever Sold (Instrumental) – 6:47
CDr Promo 5-Track :
The Greatest Romance Ever Sold (Original Radio Edit) – 4:19
The Greatest Romance Ever Sold (Jason Nevins Remix Edit) – Remix: Jason Nevins – 3:36
The Greatest Romance Ever Sold (Radio Edit w/Eve Rap) – Featuring: Eve – 4:36
The Greatest Romance Ever Sold (Neptunes Remix Edit) – Featuring: Q-Tip, Remix: Neptunes – 4:19
The Greatest Romance Ever Sold (Neptune Remix Edit) – Remix: Neptune – 3:45
CDr Promo 4-Track :
February 14, 2000
The Greatest Romance Ever Sold (Radio Edit w/Eve Rap) – Rap: Eve – 4:36
The Greatest Romance Ever Sold (Jason Nevins Remix Edit) – Remix: Jason Nevins – 3:52
The Greatest Romance Ever Sold (Neptunes Remix Edit) – Featuring: Q-Tip, Remix: Neptunes – 3:44
The Greatest Romance Ever Sold (Original Radio Edit) – 4:30
Betacam-SP Advance:
The Greatest Romance Ever Sold – 4:41
UK Formats
CD, Single
Arista – 74321 74500 2
4 tracks, j-card case.Vinyl,
12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single
Not On Label – Great 1
White label, generic die-cut sleeve.Vinyl,
12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Limited Edition
NPG/Arista – ARDP-3783
200-copy BMG promo mailout. Mastered at Masterdisk by LZ.
CDr, Promo (5-track)
Not On Label – none
Mastered at Masterpiece. J-card with insert.
CDr, Promo (4-track)
Not On Label – none
Mastered at Masterpiece. J-card with insert.
Betacam-SP, Advance, PAL
Arista International – none
Duplicated by Vanderquest.
Production and Context
Produced by Prince. From Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic. Sensual R&B with hip-hop remix edge. First major release post-name change. Promo push via BMG and Arista International.
Chart Performance
UK: No. 65 (Official Singles Chart), charting for 2 weeks.
Entry Date: February 26, 2000.
Peak: No. 65 (February 26, 2000).
Weeks on Chart: 2 (Feb 26 – Mar 4, 2000).
Chart Run: No. 65 (Feb 26), No. 96 (Mar 4).
Country Variations:
The single was released in:
UK (Arista 74321 74500 2 / Great 1 / ARDP-3783)
Released November 15, 1999. CD, followed by 12", limited 12", CD-Rs, Betacam.
(European releases below)
EU Variants:
2 x Vinyl, 12", 33 ⅓ RPM
Barcode: 743217270414
Arista – 74321 72704 1, NPG Records – 74321 72704 1
A1 The Greatest Romance Ever Sold (Radio Edit)
Rap [Featuring] – Eve (2)
4:32
A2 The Greatest Romance Ever Sold (Jason Nevins Romance Beats)
Remix [Remix By], Producer [Additional Production By] – Jason Nevins
6:03
B1 The Greatest Romance Ever Sold (Neptunes Extended Remix)
Rap [Featuring] – Q-Tip
Remix [Remix By], Producer [Additional Production By] – The Neptunes
5:08
B2 The Greatest Romance Ever Sold (Jason Nevins Remix Edit)
Remix [Remix By], Producer [Additional Production By] – Jason Nevins
3:36
C1 The Greatest Romance Ever Sold (Adam & Eve Remix)
Rap [Featuring] – Eve (2)
Remix [Uncredited] – Prince
4:30
C2 The Greatest Romance Ever Sold (Album Version) 5:29
D1 The Greatest Romance Ever Sold (Jason Nevins Extended Mix)
Remix [Remix By], Producer [Additional Production By] – Jason Nevins
6:41
D2 The Greatest Romance Ever Sold (Neptunes Remix Edit)
Rap [Featuring] – Q-Tip
Remix [Remix By], Producer [Additional Production By] – Neptunes*
3:42
CD, Single
Arista – 74321 70664 2, NPG Records – 74321 70664 2
Released:
November 23, 1999
Garage House, Funk, Soul, Contemporary R&B
1 The Greatest Romance Ever Sold (Radio Edit)
Written-By – The Artist (Formerly Known As Prince)
4:30
2 The Greatest Romance Ever Sold (Album Version)
Written-By – The Artist (Formerly Known As Prince)
5:29
3 The Greatest Romance Ever Sold (Radio Edit)
Featuring – Eve (2)
Written-By – The Artist (Formerly Known As Prince)
Written-By [Rap Written By] – Eve (2)
4:30
4 The Greatest Romance Ever Sold (Adam & Eve Remix)
Featuring – Eve (2)
Written-By – The Artist (Formerly Known As Prince)
Written-By [Rap Written By] – Eve (2)
4:28
Published By – Emancipated Music
Published By – Blondie Rockwell
Published By – Dead Game Publishing
Published By – NS Artists Publishing
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – NPG Records, Inc.
Copyright © – NPG Records, Inc.
Distributed By – BMG
Pressed By – Sonopress – A-15130
CD Single Cardboard Sleeve
Arista – 74321-706652, NPG Records – 74321-70665-2
1 The Greatest Romance Ever Sold (Radio Edit) 4:30
2 The Greatest Romance Ever Sold (The Adam & Eve Remix)
Featuring, Written-By [Rap] – Eve (2) 4:28
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – NPG Records, Inc.
Copyright © – NPG Records, Inc.
Engineer [Engineered By] – HM Buff*
Producer – Prince
℗ & © 1999 NPG Records, Inc.
Distributed by the local BMG Company.
Made in the EU
Barcode: 7 43217 06652 9
Matrix / Runout: SNA 74321.70665.2 09149915 LBR 02
Mastering SID Code: ifpi L600
Label Code: LC 03484
Price Code (F:): BM 690
Rights Society: BIEM/GEMA
CD, Single (Remix)
Arista – 74321 72704 2, NPG Records – 74321 72704 2
1 The Greatest Romance Ever Sold (Original Radio Edit) 4:33
2 The Greatest Romance Ever Sold (Jason Nevins Remix Edit)
Guitar [Guitars] – Eran Tabib
Remix – Jason Nevins 3:54
3 The Greatest Romance Ever Sold (Neptunes Remix Edit)
Featuring – Q-Tip
Remix – The Neptunes 3:45
4 The Greatest Romance Ever Sold (Jason Nevins Extended Remix)
Guitar [Guitars] – Eran Tabib
Remix – Jason Nevins 6:49
5 The Greatest Romance Ever Sold (Neptunes Extended Remix)
Featuring – Q-Tip
Remix – The Neptunes 5:08
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – NPG Records, Inc.
Copyright © – NPG Records, Inc.
Distributed By – BMG
Glass Mastered At – Sonopress – A-17999
Design, Photography By [Photos] – Parke*
Engineer – HM Buff*
Producer – Prince
Written-By – The Artist (Formerly Known As Prince)
J-card case.
Erratum:
Actual track times entered.
Track durations printed are (incorrect for tracks 1 to 4) -
1 - 4:19
2 - 3:36
3 - 4:19
4 - 6:41
5 - 5:08
Legacy and Collectibility
“The Greatest Romance” is velvet R&B seduction with remix fire. Original UK CDs fetch £3–£8 on eBay/Discogs, white-label 12" (£15–£30), limited 200-copy 12" (£80–£150), CD-Rs (£40–£100). Verify Disctronics glass, Masterdisk stamp, and BMG promo sheet.
Streams on Spotify via Rave Un2…. This NPG-era jewel is a must-have for Prince remix fans and ‘99 collectors.
Have you fallen for the greatest romance on wax? Which remix reigns supreme? Share in the comments!
Sources
Information is drawn from my personal knowledge and supplemented by web sources, including Discogs, 45cat, AllMusic, Rate Your Music, Wikipedia, BBC Official Charts Company, Billboard Chart History and YouTube.
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