✦ Mellow – Digital Single: Jan. 2002

Prince gifts AOL users an early‑2000s exclusive with a smooth, seductive cut from The Rainbow Children

✦ Summary

Mellow was made available as a free digital download on January 14, 2002, exclusively for America Online members via AOL.com. The track, originally the seventh song on Prince’s 24th studio album The Rainbow Children, marked one of his earliest experiments with mainstream digital distribution outside the NPG Music Club. The Rainbow Children, released in late 2001, was Prince’s first album issued under his reclaimed name after retiring the “O(+>” moniker, and Mellow stood out as one of its most sensual, laid‑back moments.

In 2002, a live version of the song appeared on Prince’s first official live album, One Nite Alone… Live!, where it was performed alongside Muse 2 The Pharaoh, The Other Side Of The Pillow, and Strange Relationship from the same concert sequence.

✦ Highlights

• Released January 14, 2002 as a free AOL‑exclusive download

• Seventh track on The Rainbow Children (2001)

• One of Prince’s earliest mainstream digital giveaways

• Later performed live and included on One Nite Alone… Live! (2002)

• Represents Prince’s transition back to the name “Prince” after the symbol era

✦ Track Details

Digital Single (AOL Exclusive, 2002)

Mellow — album version

Format: Free digital download for AOL members

Label: NPG Records / Redline Entertainment

Country: USA (AOL platform)

Released: January 14, 2002

Album Origin: The Rainbow Children (2001)

Live Version: Included on One Nite Alone… Live! (2002)

✦ Chart Performance

United States: No chart entry (promotional digital release)

International: No chart activity documented

✦ Discography

The Rainbow Children / One Nite Alone… Era:

The Rainbow Children — Album: 2001

Mellow — Digital Single: Jan. 2002

One Nite Alone… — Album: 2002

One Nite Alone… Live! — Album: 2002

Xpectation — Digital Album: 2003

✦ Prince Era Mini‑Timeline

2001 — The Rainbow Children released

Jan. 14, 2002 — Mellow offered as free AOL download

2002 — One Nite Alone… Tour and live album

2003 — Xpectation continues Prince’s jazz‑leaning explorations

✦ Glam Flashback

Mellow’s AOL release is a perfect snapshot of Prince’s early digital‑era curiosity — a moment when he was experimenting with new ways to reach listeners beyond traditional retail and his own fan club. The track’s silky, intimate vibe made it an ideal choice for a promotional giveaway, offering casual listeners a taste of The Rainbow Children’s lush, spiritual sound world. Its later appearance on One Nite Alone… Live! cemented it as a staple of Prince’s early‑2000s renaissance, blending sensuality, musicianship, and a renewed sense of artistic freedom.

✦ Sources

Prince Vault, Discogs, AllMusic, Rate Your Music, Wikipedia, Billboard Chart History, YouTube