Prince (April 19, 2018) Nothing Compares 2 U - Single
Updated: May 23
The first official posthumous Prince single — unveiling his original 1984 studio recording of the future classic
RELEASE DETAILS Date: April 19, 2018 (digital) / April 21, 2018 (physical) Catalogue: RB7-567338 (7"), RPD7-567338 (Picture Disc) Format: Digital Single, 7" Vinyl, 7" Picture Disc Country: Worldwide (US focus for physical)
A-Side: “Nothing Compares 2 U (Edit Version)” – 4:12 B-Side: “Nothing Compares 2 U (Full-Length Version)” – 4:40
THE STORY Released on April 19, 2018, “Nothing Compares 2 U” became the first official posthumous Prince single. It presented Prince’s original 1984 studio recording — two years before Sinéad O’Connor’s global hit version. The release included both a radio edit and the full-length take, supported by a video using raw 1984 rehearsal footage of Prince and The Revolution. Physical formats followed quickly, including purple vinyl and picture disc editions.
CONTEXT & NOTES Recorded in 1984 during the Purple Rain / Around the World in a Day era, the song was originally given to The Family. Prince’s own version remained unreleased until 2018. The posthumous single launch marked the beginning of the Estate’s major archival campaign, later culminating in the Originals album (2019). The track’s emotional depth and raw vocal performance made it an instant highlight of Prince’s vault releases.
TRACK LIST
Digital Single
Nothing Compares 2 U (Full-Length Version) – 4:40
7" Single (US) (RB7-567338) A. Nothing Compares 2 U (Edit Version) – 4:12 B. Nothing Compares 2 U (Full-Length Version) – 4:40
7" Picture Disc (US) (RPD7-567338) A. Nothing Compares 2 U (Edit Version) – 4:12 B. Nothing Compares 2 U (Full-Length Version) – 4:40
7" Purple Vinyl (Electric Fetus Exclusive, US) A. Nothing Compares 2 U (Edit Version) – 4:12 B. Nothing Compares 2 U (Full-Length Version) – 4:40
7" Black Vinyl (US) A. Nothing Compares 2 U (Edit Version) – 4:12 B. Nothing Compares 2 U (Full-Length Version) – 4:40
CD Promo (Sweden)
Nothing Compares 2 U (Radio Edit) – 3:30
Nothing Compares 2 U (Original Version) – 4:41
CHART PERFORMANCE US Billboard R&B Digital Song Sales: Peak No. 8 US Billboard Hot R&B Songs: Peak No. 21
PERSONNEL
Prince – vocals, all instruments (1984 recording)
PACKAGING HIGHLIGHTS
Purple vinyl and picture disc editions
Standard black vinyl edition
Custom artwork using 1984-era imagery
Brief availability via Prince.comWHAT THE LABEL / SLEEVE SHOWS Picture disc and purple vinyl editions feature striking Prince imagery from the mid-1980s. Standard sleeves carry the official posthumous Estate branding.
RELATED MATERIAL
The Family – Nothing Compares 2 U (1985)
Sinéad O’Connor – Nothing Compares 2 U (1990)
Originals (2019 album)
For other relevant posts, see the tags at the foot of the page.
SOURCES Prince Vault • Sleevographia2 • Warner Records / Prince Estate announcement • Discogs
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.
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