✦ Alphabet St. — Single: Apr.1988
- GlamSlamEscape
- Apr 14, 1988
- 3 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
A stripped‑back Lovesexy groove that became Prince’s first CD‑era single
— SUMMARY
"Alphabet St." was launched as the lead single from Prince's tenth album, Lovesexy, debuting three weeks ahead of the album in the US and four weeks prior in the UK. Released globally, the single came in a clear sleeve adorned with a stylized sticker instead of conventional artwork—a design strategy also used for the subsequent single "Glam Slam."
The release holds historical significance as the first Prince-related single to be available in a CD format upon its release. From then on, almost every Prince single was issued on CD until 2007’s “F.U.N.K.”
For the first time on a Prince single, the B-side wasn't a separate track but rather an extension of the A-side. The A-side featured an edited version of the album track, while the B-side, titled "Alphabet St. (Cont.)," completed the full song.
All formats were released in a simple, clear sleeve or case with a sticker.
The single achieved significant global success, reaching No. 8 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and No. 3 on the Billboard Black Singles chart. It also topped the charts in Norway and New Zealand and secured multiple top-10 positions throughout Europe.
— HIGHLIGHTS
Lead single from Lovesexy
Released April 1988 (US/CA), April 1988 (UK), worldwide
First Prince single ever released on CD at the time of issue
B‑side is a continuation of the A‑side — a first for Prince
Reached No. 8 on the US Billboard Hot 100
Reached No. 3 on the Billboard Black Singles chart
Hit No. 1 in Norway and New Zealand
Strong European performance: top‑5 in Ireland, Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland
Issued in multiple formats: 7", 12", cassette single, cassette maxi, CD, promos
Includes the extended mix “This Is Not Music, This Is A Trip” on 12" and CD formats
— TRACKLISTING
7" Singles — Worldwide
A. Alphabet St. (Edit) – 2:25
B. Alphabet St. (Cont.) – 3:14
Cat #: (release date)
US/CA: 7‑27900 (April 23, 1988)
EC: 45‑80141
UK: W7900 (April, 15 1988)
FR/DE: 927 900‑7
ZA: WBS 537
JP: P‑2398
AU: MX300909‑10
Territory‑Specific 7" Variants
Italy — PROMO 319
A. Alphabet St. (Edit) – 2:25
B. Divine Emotion (Narada Michael Walden)
Argentina — DFW118
A. Alphabet St. (Edit) – 2:25
B. I Don’t Want To Live Without Your Love (Chicago)
12" Singles — Worldwide
A. Alphabet St. (Album Version) – 5:40
B. Alphabet St. (This Is Not Music, This Is A Trip) – 7:48
Cat #:
US: 0‑20930 (April 23, 1988)
CA: 0‑20930
UK: W7900T
DE: 920 930‑0
AU: MX300911‑2
Cassette Single
A. Alphabet St. (Edit) – 2:25
B. Alphabet St. (Cont.) – 3:14
Cat #: US: 4‑27900
Cassette Maxi
A1. Alphabet St. (Album Version) – 5:40
A2. Alphabet St. (This Is Not Music, This Is A Trip) – 7:48
B1. Alphabet St. (Album Version) – 5:40
B2. Alphabet St. (This Is Not Music, This Is A Trip) – 7:48
Cat #: US: 4‑20930 / UK: W7900C
CD Single (1988)
Alphabet St. (Album Version) – 5:40
Alphabet St. (This Is Not Music, This Is A Trip) – 7:48
Cat #: UK: W7900CD / DE: 920 930‑2 / JP: 10SW‑35
CD Promo — US: PRO‑CD‑3079
Alphabet St. (Edit) – 2:25
Alphabet St. (LP Version) – 5:40
Alphabet St. (Extended Version) – 5:40
Alphabet St. (This Is Not Music, This Is A Trip) – 7:48
Back‑To‑Back Reissues (1989)
7" — US: 7‑21858
A. Alphabet St. (Edit) – 2:25
B. I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man (Fade) – 3:39
Cassette — US: 4‑21858
A. Alphabet St. (Edit) – 2:25
B. I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man (Fade) – 3:39
— CHART PERFORMANCE
United States
Billboard Hot 100: #8
Billboard Hot Black Singles: #3
Billboard Dance Club Play: #22
Europe
Belgium (Flanders): #9
France: #47
Germany (Singles): #18
Ireland: #3
Netherlands (Mega Top 50): #3
Netherlands (Top 40): #5
Norway: #1
Sweden: #5
Switzerland: #5
UK: #9
Pacific
Australia: #26
New Zealand: #1
— SOURCES
Paisley Park / Warner Bros. Records release documentation
Billboard, ARIA, IRMA, Official UK Charts Company archives
The Vault: The Definitive Guide to the Musical World of Prince
Contemporary chart publications and trade reviews
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