✦ If ♥ Love U 2night – Single: 1994 / 1995

✦ Mayte’s debut single — a sensual reimagining of a Prince classic

The first official release from Mayte, introducing her as a solo artist with a tender, Latin‑infused reinterpretation of Prince’s long‑circulating composition

✦ Summary

Released in 1994 in Europe and 1995 in the USA, If ♥ Love U 2night marked Mayte’s debut single, produced and written by Prince. The track originated in 1979, was recorded by Prince in 1987, and later re‑cut by Mica Paris in 1991. Mayte’s version — retitled with the iconic heart symbol — became the first to be directly overseen and produced by Prince himself.

The single was intended as the lead‑in to Mayte’s unreleased album Child of the Sun (later issued in 1995/1996 depending on region). Prince crafted a sensual, mid‑tempo arrangement tailored to Mayte’s voice, blending pop, R&B, and subtle Middle Eastern flourishes that reflected her dance background and artistic identity.

Multiple formats were issued, including CD singles, cassette singles, and 12" vinyl, with remixes and edits varying by region. The song received modest airplay and became a fan‑favourite due to its deep connection to Prince’s personal and creative world during the mid‑1990s.

✦ Highlights

• Mayte’s debut single

• Produced and written by Prince

• Released 1994 (Europe) / 1995 (USA)

• First official release of the “heart” retitled version

• Originally written by Prince in 1979

• Prince recorded his own version in 1987

• Connected to the Child of the Sun project

• Multiple regional formats and remixes

• Cult favourite among Prince collectors

✦ Track Details

(Note: Exact tracklists vary by region; this reflects the most common configurations.)

CD Single – 1994/1995

If ♥ Love U 2night — 3:30

If ♥ Love U 2night (Extended Mix)

If ♥ Love U 2night (Spanish Version)

House of Brick (Brick House) — Mayte feat. Prince

CD Single (The Remixes)

0061925NPG,

Edel 0061925NPG

Country: UK & Europe

1 If I Love U 2night (Album Vers.) 4:19

2 If I Love U 2night (Lil' Cash Mix) 5:02

3 If I Love U 2night (Displacement Mix) 6:05

4 If I Love U 2night (Tweakin' Dub) 7:13

Cassette Single – 1994/1995

A. If ♥ Love U 2night

B. If ♥ Love U 2night (Spanish Version)

12" Vinyl – Select European Territories

A1. If ♥ Love U 2night (Extended Mix)

A2. If ♥ Love U 2night (Album Version)

B1. If ♥ Love U 2night (Spanish Version)

B2. House of Brick (Brick House)

12" Vinyl Single Promo

A1 If I Love U 2 Night (Lil' Cash Remix)

A2 If I Love U 2 Night (Album Version)

B1 If I Love U 2 Night (Tweakin' Dub)

B2 If I Love U 2 Night (Displacement Mix)

✦ Reissues & Global Variants

• European CD single (1994)

• US CD single (1995)

• Cassette single (various territories)

• 12" vinyl (limited European markets)

• Included on Child of the Sun (1995/1996)

✦ Production and Context

• Written by Prince in 1979

• Prince recorded his own version in 1987

• Mica Paris released the first commercial version in 1991

• Mayte’s version produced entirely by Prince

• Recorded during the Gold / The Most Beautiful Girl in the World era

• Intended to launch Mayte’s solo career and the Child of the Sun album

• Reflects Prince’s mid‑’90s aesthetic: warm, romantic, global influences

✦ Singles Released

If ♥ Love U 2night — 1994 (EU)

If ♥ Love U 2night — 1995 (USA)

✦ Chart Performance

• Modest airplay; no major chart entries reported

✦ Mini Discography

If I Love U 2 Nite — Mica Paris (1991)

If ♥ Love U 2night — Mayte (1994/1995)

Prince — 1987 version (unreleased studio recording)

✦ Mini‑Timeline

1979 — Prince writes “If I Love U 2 Nite”

1987 — Prince records his own version

1991 — Mica Paris releases her version

1994 — Mayte releases If ♥ Love U 2night in Europe

1995 — US release; included on Child of the Sun

✦ Glam Flashback

Mayte’s If ♥ Love U 2night is one of the most intimate artifacts of the mid‑’90s Prince universe — a song that traveled through multiple incarnations before finding its definitive home in her voice. Soft, romantic, and unmistakably personal, the track captures the warmth of the era and the creative bond between Prince and Mayte. It remains a cherished gem for collectors and a key chapter in the song’s long lineage.

✦ 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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_I2By4xdb0M