Prince O(+> (November 30, 1995) Gold - Single US/UK

A triumphant symbol‑era anthem paired with a fiery Minneapolis rock manifesto.

RELEASE DETAILS

Date: November 30, 1995

Catalogue: 7-17715 (US 7"), W0325CD (UK CD)

Format: 7" Single, CD Single, 12" Promo, Cassette

Country: United States / United Kingdom / International

Label: Warner Bros. / NPG Records Album: The Gold Experience (1995)

A-Side: Gold

THE STORY Released on November 30, 1995 as the second commercial single from The Gold Experience, “Gold” is a soaring, epic ballad that Prince often cited as a spiritual successor to “Purple Rain.” The B-side, “Rock ’N’ Roll Is Alive! (And It Lives In Minneapolis),” was a direct response to Lenny Kravitz’s “Rock And Roll Is Dead,” recorded live at Paisley Park with audience chants from a recent show.

CONTEXT & NOTES This single bridged Prince’s final Warner Bros. period and his fully independent era. While it underperformed in the US, it became a Top 10 hit in the UK. The 12" promo was issued on gold vinyl, and the track later appeared in the 1996 film Love 4 One Another.

TRACK LIST

US 7" Single (7-17715) A. Gold (Edit) — 4:43 B. Rock ’N’ Roll Is Alive! (And It Lives In Minneapolis) — 4:34

UK CD Single (W0325CD)

1. Gold (Edit) — 4:43

2. Rock ’N’ Roll Is Alive! (And It Lives In Minneapolis) — 4:34

3. Hate U (Extended Remix) — 6:17

US 12" Gold Vinyl Promo (PRO-A-7941) A1. Gold (Album Version) — 7:23 A2. Gold (Radio Edit with Guitar Solo) — 4:23 B1. Rock ’N’ Roll Is Alive! (And It Lives In Minneapolis) — 4:34 B2. Gold (Alternate Radio Mix with Guitar Solo) — 4:37

US CD Promo (PRO-CD-7941-R)

1. Gold (Radio Edit with Guitar Solo) — 4:23

2. Gold (Alternate Radio Mix with Guitar Solo) — 4:37

3. Gold (Radio Edit without Guitar Solo) — 4:43

4. Gold (Album Version) — 7:23

5. Rock ’N’ Roll Is Alive! (And It Lives In Minneapolis) — 4:34

UK CD Promo (PRCD 99)

1. Gold (Edit) — 4:43

2. Gold (Album Version) — 7:23

Germany CD Promo (WMSPROM99)

1. Gold — 7:23

2. Dolphin — 4:59

3. The Most Beautiful Girl In The World — 4:26

4. Endorphinmachine — 4:07

All Variants

• US 7" Single (7-17715)

• UK CD Single (W0325CD)

• UK Limited CD Single (W0325CDX)

• US 12" Gold Vinyl Promo (PRO-A-7941)

• US CD Promo (PRO-CD-7941-R)

• UK CD Promo (PRCD 99)

• Germany CD Promo (WMSPROM99)

WHAT THE LABEL / SLEEVE SHOWS

Vibrant orange packaging with powerful symbolic and photographic elements.

RELATED MATERIAL

• Prince O(+> (December 2, 1996) Betcha By Golly Wow! - Single UK

• Prince (April 26, 1996) Prince’s Paisley Park to Reopen – Star Tribune News Item

• Prince (April 26, 1996) Princely Touch Makes Album a Jewel – The State (Weekend) Review

CHART PERFORMANCE

 UK Singles Chart: Peak No. 10 US Billboard Hot 100: Peak No. 88 US Billboard R&B: Peak No. 92

PERSONNEL

• Prince O(+> – vocals, instruments, production, arrangement

PACKAGING HIGHLIGHTS

• Front sleeve: Striking orange design with bold typography and Prince imagery

• Limited editions included poster elements

SOURCES Prince Vault • Discogs • Billboard charts • Official Charts Company

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.