The Greatest Romance Ever Sold Maxi-Single US (1999)

A Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic Neptunes-Eve Anthem

Released as a maxi-single in the US on November 23, 1999, on Arista/NPG Records (catalogue: 07822-13750-2 CD). “The Greatest Romance Ever Sold” was the only single from the album Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic. Featuring the original Radio Edit with Eve, plus Neptunes remixes with Q-Tip, Jason Nevins club versions, and the Adam & Eve mix, it peaked at No. 63 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 23 on Hot R&B Singles. Issued in commercial compact disc and accompanying double 12-inch vinyl its star-studded millennial Prince return.

Single Overview

Release Details

Label: Arista / NPG Records.

Formats: CD maxi-single, 2×12" vinyl commercial/promo.

℗ & ©: 1999 NPG Records, Inc.

Full Track Listing by Format and Credits

2×12" Vinyl (07822-13750-1 / ARDP-3750) – US

Side A

1. The Greatest Romance Ever Sold (Radio Edit feat. Eve) (4:32)

2. The Greatest Romance Ever Sold (Jason Nevins Romance Beats) (6:03)

Remix, Producer [Additional Production] – Jason Nevins

Side B

1. The Greatest Romance Ever Sold (Neptunes Extended Remix feat. Q-Tip) (5:08)

Remix, Producer [Additional Production] – The Neptunes

2. The Greatest Romance Ever Sold (Jason Nevins Remix Edit) (3:36)

Remix, Producer [Additional Production] – Jason Nevins

Side C

1. The Greatest Romance Ever Sold (Adam & Eve Mix feat. Eve) (4:30)

2. The Greatest Romance Ever Sold (Album Version) (5:29)

Side D

1. The Greatest Romance Ever Sold (Jason Nevins Extended Mix) (6:41)

Remix, Producer [Additional Production] – Jason Nevins

2. The Greatest Romance Ever Sold (Neptunes Remix Edit feat. Q-Tip) (3:42)

Remix, Producer [Additional Production] – The Neptunes

Companies

Phonographic Copyright ℗ – NPG Records, Inc.

Manufactured By – Arista Records, Inc.

Distributed By – Arista Records, Inc.

Record Company – BMG Entertainment

Credits

Design, Photography By – Parke

Engineer – Hans-Martin Buff

Producer – Prince

CD Maxi-Single (07822-13750-2) – US

1. The Greatest Romance Ever Sold (Radio Edit feat. Eve) (4:32)

Written-By – O(+>)

Written-By [Rap Written By] – Eve

2. The Greatest Romance Ever Sold (Neptunes Remix Edit feat. Q-Tip) (3:42)

A&R – Drew Dixon

Arranged By [All Instruments], Instruments – Chad Hugo, Pharrell Williams

Featuring – Q-Tip

Mixed By – Rich Travali

Recorded By – Andrew Coleman

Written-By – O(+>)

Remix, Producer [Additional Production] – The Neptunes

3. The Greatest Romance Ever Sold (Adam & Eve Remix feat. Eve) (4:30)

Written-By [Rap Written By] – Eve

4. The Greatest Romance Ever Sold (Album Version) (5:29)

Written-By – Written-By – O(+>

5. The Greatest Romance Ever Sold (Jason Nevins Remix Edit) (3:38)

A&R – Hosh Gureli

Guitar [Guitars] – Eran Tabib

Percussion [Live] – T.N.

Programmed By [Keyboard Programming], Programmed By [String Programming] – Andy Ezrin

Remix, Producer [Additional Production] – Jason Nevins

Written-By – Written-By – O(+>

6. The Greatest Romance Ever Sold (Neptunes Extended Remix feat. Q-Tip) (5:08)

A&R – Drew Dixon

Arranged By [All Instruments], Instruments – Chad Hugo, Pharrell Williams

Featuring – Q-Tip

Mixed By – Rich Travali

Recorded By – Andrew Coleman

Remix, Producer [Additional Production] – The Neptunes

Written-By – Written-By – O(+>

7. The Greatest Romance Ever Sold (Jason Nevins Extended Remix) (6:41)

A&R – Hosh Gureli

Guitar [Guitars] – Eran Tabib

Percussion [Live] – T.N.

Programmed By [Keyboard Programming], Programmed By [String Programming] – Andy Ezrin

Remix, Producer [Additional Production] – Jason Nevins

Written-By – Written-By – O(+>

8. The Greatest Romance Ever Sold (Original Radio Edit) (4:26)

Written-By – Written-By – O(+>

Companies

Phonographic Copyright ℗ – NPG Records, Inc.

Copyright © – NPG Records, Inc.

Published By – Emancipated Music

Published By – Blondie Rockwell

Published By – Dead Game Publishing

Published By – NS Artists Publishing

Produced For – Nevco Productions Inc.

Marketed By – Arista Records, Inc.

Manufactured By – Arista Records, Inc.

Distributed By – Arista Records, Inc.

Glass Mastered At – JVC Disc America

Pressed By – JVC Disc America

Credits

Design, Photography [Photos] – Parke

Engineer [Engineered By] – HM Buff

Producer [Produced By] – Prince

Notes

Standard jewel case

Back tray insert:

Tracks 1 & 3: Published by Emancipated Music (ASCAP) / Blondie Rockwell / Dead Game Publishing adm. by NS Artists Publishing (ASCAP)

Tracks 2, 4 - 8: Published by Emancipated Music (ASCAP)

track 4 from his new album RAVE un2 the JOY fantastic

in stores now

tracks 2 & 6: all instruments arranged & performed for the neptunes.

tracks 5 & 7: remix & additional production for nevco productions, inc.

[Love Symbol] is a registered trademark of Paisley Park Enterprises.

Eve appears courtesy of Ruff Ryders Records / Interscope Records

℗ & © 1999 NPG Records, Inc. Marketed, manufactured and distributed by Arista Records, Inc., a unit of BMG Entertainment. Printed in U.S.A. Manufactured in U.S.A. for Arista Records, Inc.

Disc:

℗ & © 1999 NPG Records, Inc.

Manufactured in U.S.A. for Arista Records, Inc.

US Variants

CD Maxi

1- Commercial – (Arista – 07822-13750-2, NPG Records – 137502)

Standard jewel case

2- Commercial – (Arista – 07822-13750-2, NPG Records – 137502-2)

same as above

Vinyl 2×12"

1- Commercial – (Arista – 07822-13750-1, NPG Records, Inc. – 07822-13750-1)

Barcode (Text): 0 7822-13750-1 6

2- Vinyl 2x12" Promo – (Arista – ARDP-3750, NPG Records – ARDP-3750)

The catalog number typically associated with Arista's promotional items is used here. However, it lacks any "Promotional Use Only" labels.

This release was also distributed as a promo to DJ record pools in Canada.

It is packaged in a plain white die-cut sleeve.

Production and Context

Produced by Prince. Engineered by HM Buff. Neptunes remixes feat. Q-Tip. Jason Nevins club versions. Eve on original & Adam & Eve mix. From *Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic* (1999).

Chart Performance

USA (Billboard Hot 100): 63 (13 weeks) – entry 23 Oct. 1999

USA (Hot 100 Single Sales): 19 (21 weeks)

USA (Hot R&B Singles & Tracks): 23 (20 weeks)

USA (Hot R&B Airplay): 33 (16 weeks)

USA (Hot R&B Single Sales): 15 (27 weeks)

USA (Hot Dance Maxi-Singles Sales): 6 (16 weeks)

Legacy and Collectibility

“The Greatest Romance Ever Sold” is Prince’s millennial Neptunes/Eve/Jason Nevins crossover triumph. Original US CD maxis fetch £10–£30 on eBay/Discogs, double 12" promos £40–£100. Verify catalogue 07822-13750-2. Streams on Spotify preserve the Rave-era joy. This maxi is a must-have for late-’90s Prince collectors.

Do you have The Greatest Romance Ever Sold in your collection? Is it the greatest? Share in the comments!

Sources

Information is drawn from my personal knowledge and supplemented by web sources, including Prince Vault, Discogs, 45cat, AllMusic, Rate Your Music, Wikipedia, BBC Official Charts Company, Billboard Chart History and YouTube