✦ The Scandalous Sex Suite – Maxi‑Single: 1989

A seductive, cinematic extension of Prince’s Batman soundtrack — reimagined as a 19‑minute suite of desire, danger, and whispered chemistry with Kim Basinger.

✦ — SUMMARY

Released on December 1, 1989 by Warner Bros. Records, The Scandalous Sex Suite expands Prince’s slow‑burn ballad “Scandalous!” into a full 19‑minute narrative divided into The Crime, The Passion, and The Rapture, plus the additional track “Sex”. Co‑written by Prince and his father John L. Nelson, the single served as the fourth release from the Batman soundtrack.

Issued across 7", 12", and CD maxi‑single formats, the suite features Kim Basinger, whose spoken and moaned contributions became the subject of long‑standing fan fascination. The original single peaked at No. 5 on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip‑Hop Songs, cementing it as one of Prince’s most sensual late‑80s releases.

✦ — HIGHLIGHTS

• Released December 1, 1989 (US)

• Fourth single from the Batman soundtrack

• Co‑written by Prince & John L. Nelson

• 19‑minute suite featuring Kim Basinger

• Formats: 7", 12", CD maxi‑single

• Peaked at #5 on US Hot R&B/Hip‑Hop Songs

• Includes “When 2 R In Love” as B‑side

• Eric Leeds contributes saxophone on extended material

• A defining slow jam of Prince’s late‑80s output

✦ — TRACK DETAILS BY FORMAT

7" Single (US)

Side A

• Scandalous! (Edit) — 4:12

Written by Prince & John L. Nelson

Side B

• When 2 R In Love — 3:58

Written by Prince

12" / CD Maxi‑Single — The Scandalous Sex Suite

The Crime — 6:25

The Passion — 6:20

The Rapture — 6:30

Sex (The 80’s Are Over And The Time Has Come 4 Monogamy And Trust) — 6:56

When 2 R In Love — 3:58

Credits

• Produced, arranged, composed, performed by Prince

• Vocals / moans: Kim Basinger

• Saxophone: Eric Leeds

• Published by NPG Publishing ASCAP

✦ — REISSUES & GLOBAL VARIANTS

• Multiple 7", 12", and CD maxi‑singles issued worldwide (1989–1990)

• Artwork variations across US, Europe, and Japan

• Included in later Batman‑era reissue campaigns

• No standalone digital reissue of the full suite

✦ — PRODUCTION AND CONTEXT

• Recorded during the Batman soundtrack sessions, 1989

• “Scandalous!” appears in the film’s end credits

• The suite was marketed as a sensual companion piece to the soundtrack

• Kim Basinger’s involvement added tabloid intrigue and artistic depth

• Prince’s father, John L. Nelson, co‑wrote the original melody

• The suite reflects Prince’s fascination with narrative, atmosphere, and erotic sound design

• A key example of Prince using the maxi‑single format as a storytelling medium

✦ — SINGLES RELEASED & CHART PERFORMANCE

United States

• Hot R&B/Hip‑Hop Songs — #5

International

• Australia — #95

• Austria — #17

• Belgium (Flanders) — #45

• Netherlands — #21

✦ — DISCOGRAPHY

The Scandalous Sex Suite — 1989

Graffiti Bridge — 1990

✦ — PRINCE ERA MINI‑TIMELINE

1989 — Batman soundtrack released

Dec 1989 — The Scandalous Sex Suite

1990 — Graffiti Bridge

1991 — Diamonds and Pearls era begins

✦ — GLAM FLASHBACK

A velvet‑dark whisper from the Batman era, The Scandalous Sex Suite turns a single into a cinematic seduction. Prince, Kim Basinger, and the NPG stretch one song into a full‑bodied experience — part soundtrack, part fantasy, all Prince.

✦ — COPYRIGHT NOTICE

All images, artwork, logos, and related materials referenced or displayed in this entry remain the property of their respective copyright holders. They are included strictly for historical, educational, and archival purposes under fair‑use principles.

✦ — SOURCES

Prince Vault

Warner Bros. Records catalogue

Billboard chart archives

Batman soundtrack documentation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGHcJ_-Hhps

---