Prince O(+> (November 30, 1995) Gold - Single US/UK

A soaring power‑ballad statement from The Gold Experience era.

RELEASE DETAILS Date: November 30, 1995 Catalogue: 7-17715 (US 7"), W0325CD (UK CD) Format: 7" Single, CD Single, 12" Promo (Gold Vinyl) Country: United States / United Kingdom / International Label: Warner Bros. / NPG Records Album: The Gold Experience (1995)

A-Side: Gold

THE STORY Released on November 30, 1995 as the second commercial single from The Gold Experience, “Gold” is a grand, uplifting power ballad often regarded as a spiritual successor to “Purple Rain.” The B-side, “Rock ‘N’ Roll Is Alive! (And It Lives In Minneapolis),” was a fiery response to Lenny Kravitz’s “Rock and Roll Is Dead.”

CONTEXT & NOTES This single marked a key moment in Prince O(+>’s final Warner Bros. era. While modest in the US, it reached the UK Top 10. Promo editions, particularly the translucent gold vinyl 12", are highly collectible.

TRACK LIST

US 7" Single (7-17715) A. Gold (Edit) – 4:43 B. Rock ‘N’ Roll Is Alive! (And It Lives In Minneapolis) – 4:34

UK CD Single (W0325CD)

1. Gold (Edit) – 4:43

2. Rock ‘N’ Roll Is Alive! (And It Lives In Minneapolis) – 4:34

3. Hate U (Extended Remix) – 6:17

US 12" Gold Vinyl Promo (PRO-A-7941) Side A

1. Gold (Album Version) – 7:23

2. Gold (Radio Edit with Guitar Solo) – 4:23

Side B

1. Rock ‘N’ Roll Is Alive! (And It Lives In Minneapolis) – 4:34

2. Gold (Alternate Radio Mix with Guitar Solo) – 4:37

US CD Promo (PRO-CD-7941-R)

1. Gold (Radio Edit with Guitar Solo) – 4:23

2. Gold (Alternate Radio Mix with Guitar Solo) – 4:37

3. Gold (Radio Edit without Guitar Solo) – 4:43

4. Gold (Album Version) – 7:23

5. Rock ‘N’ Roll Is Alive! (And It Lives In Minneapolis) – 4:34

All Variants

• US 7" Single (7-17715)

• UK CD Single (W0325CD)

• UK Limited CD Single (W0325CDX)

• US 12" Gold Vinyl Promo (PRO-A-7941)

• US CD Promo (PRO-CD-7941-R)

• UK CD Promo (PRCD 99)

• Germany CD Promo (WMSPROM99)

CHART PERFORMANCE UK Singles Chart: Peak No. 10 US Billboard Hot 100: Peak No. 88 US Billboard Hot R&B Singles: Peak No. 92

PERSONNEL

• Prince O(+> – vocals, instruments, production, arrangement

• The New Power Generation – additional contributions

PACKAGING HIGHLIGHTS

• Front sleeve: Striking orange design with bold typography

• US 12" Promo issued on translucent gold vinyl

WHAT THE LABEL / SLEEVE SHOWS

Classic Warner Bros. orange 12" promo labels with detailed credits and NPG symbol.

RELATED MATERIAL

• Prince O(+> (December 2, 1996) Betcha By Golly Wow! - Single UK

• Prince (April 26, 1996) Prince’s Paisley Park to Reopen – Star Tribune News Item

• Prince (April 26, 1996) Princely Touch Makes Album a Jewel – The State (Weekend) Review

SOURCES Prince Vault • Discogs • Billboard charts • Official Charts Company

COPYRIGHT NOTICE 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.