✦ Let’s Go Crazy – Maxi‑Single US: Aug. 1984

✦ The definitive Purple Rain dancefloor explosion

The Special Dance Mix backed with the legendary “Erotic City,” issued at the height of Prince’s imperial era

✦ Summary

Released in the United States on August 29, 1984, the Let’s Go Crazy 12" maxi‑single delivered one of the most iconic extended mixes of Prince’s career. As the opening track of both the Purple Rain album and film, “Let’s Go Crazy” was already a cultural force — but the 7:35 Special Dance Mix pushed the song into full club‑anthem territory.

The B‑side, “Erotic City (Make Love Not War Erotic City Come Alive)”, became one of Prince’s most influential and controversial tracks, despite never appearing on a studio album. Its sexually explicit lyrics led to widespread debate and radio edits, and it remains one of the most celebrated B‑sides in pop history.

The US 12" was issued in multiple pressing variations — including SRC, ARC, misprints, represses, and two promo‑only editions — all sharing the same core tracklist. Early copies feature the “Specially‑Priced 2‑Cut Maxi Single” banner and flower‑design labels, with some copies gold‑stamped for promotion.

Commercially, the single was a major success, becoming Prince’s second US No. 1 hit, topping the Hot 100, R&B, and Dance charts.

✦ Highlights

• Released August 29, 1984 (USA)

• Features the 7:35 Special Dance Mix

• B‑side: “Erotic City” — 7:24

• Multiple US pressing variants (SRC, ARC, misprints, represses, promos)

• “Let’s Go Crazy” became Prince’s second US No. 1 single

• “Erotic City” became a legendary B‑side

• Artwork includes “Specially‑Priced 2‑Cut Maxi Single” banner

• Early copies issued without barcode

✦ Track Details

12" – US (9 20246‑0 A / 0‑20246)

A. Let’s Go Crazy (Special Dance Mix) — 7:35

B. Erotic City (“Make Love Not War Erotic City Come Alive”) — 7:24

Credits:

Produced, arranged, composed, and performed by Prince and the Revolution

Published by Controversy Music (ASCAP)

Pressed by Specialty Records Corporation (SRC)

℗ 1984 Warner Bros. Records Inc. / WEA International Inc.

✦ All US 12" Variants

1. SRC Pressing (Standard)

12", 45 RPM, Maxi‑Single

Warner Bros. Records – 9 20246‑0 A / 0‑20246

• Special Dance Mix / Erotic City

• “Specially‑Priced 2‑Cut Maxi Single”

• Flower‑design labels

• No barcode

2. Misprint / Repress (SRC)

12", 45 RPM, Maxi‑Single

Warner Bros. Records – 9 20246‑0 A / 0‑20246

• Same tracklist

• Label or sleeve misprints

• Repressing with identical catalog numbers

3. Promo – PRO‑A‑2173

12", 33⅓ RPM, Promo

Warner Bros. Records – PRO‑A‑2173

A. Let’s Go Crazy (Edit) — 3:46

B. Let’s Go Crazy (Album Version) — 4:40

4. Promo – PRO‑A‑2182

12", 33⅓ RPM, Promo

Warner Bros. Records – PRO‑A‑2182

A. Let’s Go Crazy (Special Dance Mix) — 7:35

B. Let’s Go Crazy (Album Version) — 4:40

5. ARC Pressing

12", 45 RPM, Maxi‑Single

Warner Bros. Records – 9 20246‑0 A / 0‑20246

• ARC pressing plant variant

• Same tracklist

6. ARC Repress

12", 45 RPM, Maxi‑Single

Warner Bros. Records – 9 20246‑0 A / 0‑20246

• Repress with ARC identifiers

• Same tracklist

✦ Reissues & Global Variants

• US 12" only — no picture disc

• Multiple represses with identical catalog numbers

• Promo editions issued at two speeds (33⅓ and 45 RPM)

• International 12" editions handled in separate posts

✦ Production and Context

• Opening track of Purple Rain (album + film)

• Extended mix originally intended for the album

• Edited down when “Take Me With U” was added to the LP

• “Erotic City” became a club staple and radio‑edit controversy

• Linn LM‑1 drum machine central to the track’s sound

• Two guitar solos performed by Prince

✦ Chart Performance (USA)

Billboard Hot 100 — No. 1 (2 weeks)

Billboard Black Singles — No. 1 (1 week)

Billboard Dance/Disco Top 80 (listed with “Erotic City”) — No. 1 (1 week)

✦ Mini Discography

Purple Rain (Album) — 1984

Let’s Go Crazy (US 7") — 1984

Let’s Go Crazy (US 12") — 1984

Erotic City (B‑side) — 1984

✦ Mini‑Timeline

June 25, 1984 — Purple Rain album released

July 1984 — Film premieres

August 29, 1984 — US 12" maxi‑single released

September 1984 — Reaches No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100

✦ Glam Flashback

The US 12" of Let’s Go Crazy is pure Purple Rain electricity — the extended sermon‑funk explosion that defined Prince’s mid‑’80s sound. Paired with the notorious “Erotic City,” it became one of the most influential maxi‑singles of the decade, a club essential, and a cornerstone of Prince’s imperial era.

✦ Image & Artwork Copyright Notice

All images, photographs, and artwork referenced or displayed in this post remain the property of their respective copyright holders. They are included strictly for historical, educational, and archival purposes under fair‑use principles. No ownership is claimed, and all rights belong to the original creators, photographers, designers, and publishers.

✦ Sources

Prince Vault

Wikipedia

Discogs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXJhDltzYVQ

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