💻 Nothing Compares 2 U – Single Digital: Apr. 2018
- GlamSlamEscape
- Apr 19, 2018
- 2 min read
Nothing Compares 2 U is a digital single by Prince, issued during the posthumous archival period. Released digitally on 19 April 2018, the track marked the first official posthumous Prince single, unveiling Prince’s original 1984 studio recording of a song he had given to The Family for their 1985 album The Family. The release reflects a return to Prince’s mid‑80s sonic palette, showcasing the clarity and emotional weight of the original arrangement.
The track was recorded in 1984, during sessions connected to The Family project. Prince developed Nothing Compares 2 U using his signature mid‑80s production approach, with the final version released exclusively through digital platforms worldwide.
Promotion included a surprise digital drop and the simultaneous release of a video featuring raw rehearsal footage of Prince and The Revolution from Summer 1984. The digital release did not enter the charts unless otherwise noted.
🟣 Track List — Digital
Nothing Compares 2 U — Full‑Length Version — 4:40
🟣 Writing Credits
• Prince — Nothing Compares 2 U
🟣 Format: Digital Release
Label:
NPG Records / Warner Bros.
Catalogue Number:
iTunes: id1372837566 (worldwide)
Released:
19 April 2018
Digital Format Notes:
Digital single; download and streaming release; full‑length 4:40 version only.
Edition Type:
Single‑track
Track Count:
1
🟣 Key Highlights
• Released 19 April 2018
• First official posthumous Prince single
• Distributed digitally worldwide
• Connected to The Family (1985) project and later to Originals (2019)
• Includes 1984 rehearsal‑footage video
• Era significance: first release of Prince’s original 1984 studio version
🟣 Variants
• Digital Single — Worldwide — 2018
• 7" Picture Disc — US: RB7‑567338 — 2018
• 7" Purple Vinyl — Electric Fetus (Minneapolis) — 21 April 2018
• 7" Black Vinyl — 25 May 2018
• 7" Single — US: RPD7‑567338 — 2018
• 7" Single — EUR: 603497858781 — 2018
• CD Promo — Sweden (No Cat Nr) — 2018
🟣 Chart Performance
USA — Billboard R&B Digital Song Sales
Peak Position: 8
Weeks: 1
Entry Date: 5 May 2018
USA — Billboard Hot R&B Songs
Peak Position: 21
Weeks: 1
Entry Date: 5 May 2018
🟣 Context & Notes
• Release era: Posthumous archival period
• Historical placement: First official posthumous Prince single
• Production notes: Original 1984 studio version
• Digital distribution notes: Worldwide digital release; vinyl variants followed
• Archival notes: Later included on Originals (2019)
🟣 Related Material
Additional material connected to this entry is listed in the tag index at the foot of the page.
🟣 Mini‑Timeline
✦ 1984 — Track recorded
✦ 19 April 2018 — Digital single released
✦ 21 April 2018 — Purple vinyl variant released
✦ 25 May 2018 — Black vinyl variant released
🟣 Glam Flashback
A long‑hidden 1984 jewel resurfacing with the emotional force of a time capsule finally opened.
🟣 Sources
Prince Vault, Wikipedia, BBC Charts, US Charts.
🟣 Copyright Notice
All digital artwork, screenshots, and original text excerpts referenced in this entry remain the property of their respective copyright holders. This Chronicle 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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