Aretha Franklin & James Brown (September 18, 1989) – "Gimme Your Love" b/w "He’s The Boy" Single: United States
Released in 1989, Gimme Your Love served as the third and final single from Aretha Franklin’s Through The Storm album. Although the album version was written by Narada Michael Walden and Jeffrey Cohen and contained no Prince involvement, the single release featured multiple Prince‑created remixes issued across several formats.
The track was credited jointly to Aretha Franklin and James Brown, as the song is a duet.
While the single did not enter the US Billboard Pop Chart, it reached number 48 on the Billboard Black Singles Chart and appeared in various international configurations, each containing different edits or mixes of Prince’s remix.
RECORDING
The original album version was produced without Prince’s input.
Prince’s contribution came exclusively through his remix work for the single release, issued in multiple edits including the Purple Mix (Parts One & Two), Extended Remix, Single Version, and Edit Purple Mix.
STYLE & THEMES
The song blends late‑1980s R&B with duet‑driven vocal interplay between Aretha Franklin and James Brown. Prince’s remixes add rhythmic re‑shaping, extended breakdowns, and distinctive Paisley Park‑style production touches.
TRACK‑BY‑TRACK NOTES
• Gimme Your Love — The core duet version, remixed by Prince for the single release.
• He’s The Boy — B‑side track included on several formats.
RELEASE HISTORY
Released 18 September 1989 in the USA and 30 October 1989 in the UK.
Issued across numerous formats including 7", 12", 3" CD, 5" CD, and promo editions.
Prince’s remixes were featured in multiple edits depending on territory. Later included in the 2014 Through The Storm (Expanded Edition).
CHARTS & CERTIFICATIONS
USA — Billboard Black Singles: #48
UK — Gallup Singles Chart: #79
PERSONNEL
Aretha Franklin — vocals
James Brown — vocals
Prince — remix production (Purple Mix, Extended Remix, Edit Purple Mix)
Narada Michael Walden — songwriting Jeffrey Cohen — songwriting
PRODUCTION
Produced by Narada Michael Walden Remixes by Prince
Label: Arista Records
Catalogue numbers: • 112 727 • 112 728
Artist: Aretha Franklin & James Brown Title: Gimme Your Love
Label: Arista Records
Country: United States
Catalogue: 112 728
Date: September 18, 1989
Format: 7" / 12" / CD / Promo
Notes: Prince contributed multiple remixes (Purple Mix Parts One & Two, Extended Remix, Edit Purple Mix). Included in Through The Storm (Expanded Edition) in 2014.
Format / Country | Catalogue | Side / Track | Mix / Version | Length |
7" — UK | 112 727 | A — Gimme Your Love | Original | — |
B — He’s The Boy | Original | — | ||
7" — Germany | 112 682 | A — Gimme Your Love | Original | — |
B — He’s The Boy | Original | — | ||
12" — UK | 112 728 | A — Gimme Your Love (Part One) | Purple Mix | 5:51 |
B — Gimme Your Love (Part Two) | Purple Mix | 3:07 | ||
7" — UK | 112 728 | A — Gimme Your Love | Original | — |
B — Think (1989) | Original | — | ||
7" — New Zealand | AS1‑9884 | A — Gimme Your Love (Extended Remix) | Extended Remix | 10:43 |
B1 — Gimme Your Love (Single Version) | Single Version | — | ||
B2 — He’s The Boy | Original | — | ||
12" — USA | 112 728 | A — Gimme Your Love (Extended Remix) | Extended Remix | 10:43 |
B1 — Gimme Your Love (Album Version) | Album Version | — | ||
B2 — Think (1989) | Original | — | ||
12" — Germany | 612 682 | A — Gimme Your Love (Extended Remix) | Extended Remix | 10:43 |
B1 — Gimme Your Love (Album Version) | Album Version | — | ||
B2 — Think (1989) | Original | — | ||
12" — USA | ADI‑9885 | A — Gimme Your Love (Parts One & Two) | Purple Mix | 10:43 |
B1 — Gimme Your Love (Album Version) | Album Version | — | ||
B2 — He’s The Boy | Original | — | ||
7" — UK (DJ Promo) | 112 727DJ | A — Gimme Your Love (Edit Purple Mix) | Edit Purple Mix | 4:49 |
B — Gimme Your Love (Edit Original Mix) | Edit Original Mix | — | ||
3" CD — Japan | A10D‑139 | 1 — Gimme Your Love | Original | — |
2 — Think | Original | — | ||
5" CD — Germany | 662 682 | 1 — Gimme Your Love (Extended Remix) | Extended Remix | 10:43 |
2 — Gimme Your Love (Single Version) | Single Version | — | ||
3 — He’s The Boy | Original | — | ||
12" Promo — Germany | 612 709 | A — Gimme Your Love (Extended Remix) | Extended Remix | 10:43 |
B — Gimme Your Love (Extended Remix) | Extended Remix | 10:43 | ||
12" Promo — USA | ADP‑9906 | A1 — Aretha Franklin & James Brown Interview | Spoken | — |
A2 — James Brown Interview | Spoken | — | ||
A3 — Aretha Franklin Interview | Spoken | — | ||
B1 — Gimme Your Love (Single Edit) | Single Edit | — | ||
B2 — Gimme Your Love (Extended Remix) | Extended Remix | 10:43 |
SOURCES Prince Vault, Sleevographia2, Discogs.
All single artwork, photographs, logos, and original text excerpts remain the property of their respective copyright holders. This entry is a transformative, non-commercial archival summary created for historical documentation and educational reference. No ownership of the original material is claimed or implied.
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