Prince: 1999 Album UK (1984)
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A Funky Apocalypse Dance Party
Prince's 1999 double LP, originally released in the US in 1982, had its first UK release on November 9, 1984. (in its original 2LP format) Prior to that, it was released on March 7, 1983, as a slimmed-down single LP with alternate artwork omitting "D.M.S.R.", "Automatic", "All the Critics Love U in New York" and "International Lover"; this single LP was reissued as part of Record Store Day 2018.
1999 had been a breakthrough from cult status to mainstream for Prince in the US, but it wasn't until the release of the album and movie Purple Rain that Europe finally woke. This 2LP was released on the back of this 1984 European breakthrough.
Recorded at Kiowa Trail Home Studio and Sunset Sound, this 11-track fusion of funk, rock, new wave, and R&B showcased Prince as a multi-instrumental genius, playing most parts himself with band support from Brown Mark, Dez Dickerson, Bobby Z., Dr. Fink and Lisa Coleman, plus Jill Jones on backing vocals. The title track’s apocalyptic party vibe amid Cold War fears, Little Red Corvette’s pop-rock romance, and Delirious’s playful energy propelled it to No. 9 on the Billboard 200, No. 1 on R&B charts, with over 4 million US sales (4x Platinum by 1999).
It was his first album to be recorded with his band the Revolution.
Release Details:
Warner Bros. Records
Format: 2 x Vinyl, LP Album Reissue
The album was only reissued on the 2LP format.
US Release Formats and Track Listings
2 x Vinyl LP
Label: Warner Bros. Records – 92.3720-1, Warner Bros. Records – 92. 3720-1
Format: 2 x Vinyl, LP, Album, Reissue
Side 1:
1999
Lead Vocals [Co-Lead Vocal] – Dez, J.J., Lisa
Musician [All Music], Voice [All Voices] – Prince
6:22
Little Red Corvette
Lead Vocals [Co-Lead Vocal] – Dez, Lisa
Musician [All Music], Voice [All Voices] – Prince
Soloist [Guitar Solos] – Dez
4:58
Delirious
Backing Vocals [Background Vocal] – Lisa
Musician [All Music], Voice [All Voices] – Prince
3:56
Side 2:
Let's Pretend We're Married
Musician [All Music], Voice [All Voices] – Prince
7:20
D.M.S.R.
Backing Vocals [Backgroundsinging], Handclaps – Mark Brown, Carol, JamieLisa, Peggy, Poochie, The Count (7)
Musician [All Music], Voice [All Voices] – Prince
8:05
Side 3:
Automatic
Backing Vocals [Background Vocals] – J.J., Lisa
Musician [All Music], Voice [All Voices] – Prince
9:24
Something In The Water (Does Not Compute)
Musician [All Music], Voice [All Voices] – Prince
4:00
Free
Backing Vocals [Background Voices] – J.J., Lisa, Vanity, Wendy
Musician [All Music], Voice [All Voices] – Prince
5:00
Side 4:
Lady Cab Driver
Musician [All Music], Voice [All Voices] – Prince
Voice Actor [Lady Cab Driver] – J.J.
8:25
All The Critics Love U In New York
Musician [All Music], Voice [All Voices] – Prince
5:55
International Lover
Musician [All Music], Voice [All Voices] – Prince
6:35
Record Company – Warner Communications
Distributed By – WEA Records SA / NV
Distributed By – WEA Musik GmbH
Distributed By – WEA Records Ltd.
Distributed By – WEA Records, S.A.
Distributed By – WEA Filipacchi Music
Distributed By – WEA Italiana S.p.A.
Distributed By – WEA Records B.V.
Distributed By – WEA Music Ges.m.b.H.
Distributed By – WEA Metronome Records AB
Manufactured By – Record Service GmbH
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Warner Bros. Records Inc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – WEA International Inc.
Copyright © – Warner Bros. Records Inc.
Copyright © – WEA International Inc.
Copyright © – Controversy Music
Made By – WEA Musik GmbH
Pressed By – Record Service Alsdorf
Printed By – Druckhaus Maack KG
Published By – Island Music Ltd.
Recorded At – Uptown (4)
Recorded At – Sunset Sound
Mixed At – Uptown (4)
Mixed At – Sunset Sound
Mastered At – A&M Records
Lacquer Cut At – Strawberry Mastering
Engineer [2nd] – Don Batts
Management – Cavallo, Ruffalo & Fargnoli
Mastered By – Bernie Grundman
Producer, Arranged By, Composed By, Performer – Prince
Recorded By, Mixed By – Peggy McCreary
Reissue with new designed labels (7 WB logos: one color, six grey). Semi-glossy widespine cover with double-sided printed poly-lined inner sleeves.
Embossed Warner Music "W" logo on rear side right lower corner.
Some copies include 10" sized purple discography sheet to promote the "Purple Rain" album and related artist projects.
First cat# on: cover (rear, spine) and inner sleeves (upper right corners).
Second cat# on: center labels.
A third cat# can be found on the inner sleeves (lower left corners): 9 [large gap] 23720-1
Runout sides A/B/C/D (stamped): R/S Alsdorf 923720 (+ side indicators + "2" sides A/D), STRAWBERRY (G). Rest etched.
Side A: etched UK appears as "VK".
Side C: etched UK appears as "NK".
Side D: (G) additionally etched.
On center labels:
Publisher credits:
All songs published by Island Music Ltd.
For U.K. only.
℗ + © 1982 Warner Bros. Records Inc.
for the U.S. & WEA International Inc.
for the world outside of the U.S.
Made in Germany by WEA Musik GmbH [Warner Music "W" logo] A Warner Communications Company
On back cover:
Management: Cavallo, Ruffalo & Fargnoli. Direct Fan Mail to: Prince, P.O. Box 10118, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55401
Manufactured in Germany by Record Service GmbH, Alsdorf · Pressé en Allemagne par Record Service GmbH, Alsdorf [W logo] a Warner Communications Company
Druckhaus Maack KG, Lüdenscheid
On both inner sleeves:
Address All Correspondence to Prince... (bottom right, boxed)
© 1982 Warner Bros. Records Inc.
All songs © 1982 Controversy Music ASCAP
All Rights Reserved.
Reprinted by Permission.
Side C/D inner has "Thank U" section on bottom right.
Tape Cassette Album:
not reissued in 1984
CD Album
1985 10 Tracks:
Warner Bros. Records – 9 23720-2
CD, Album, Reissue
Germany
1 1999
2 Little Red Corvette
3 Delirious
4 Let's Pretend We're Married
5 Automatic
6 Something In The Water (Does Not Compute)
7 Free
8 Lady Cab Driver
9 All The Critics Love U In New York
10 International Lover
The first CD edition omitted "D.M.S.R." due to a 64-minute length limit imposed by the major CD manufacturers at the time.
CD Album
1991 11 Tracks:
Warner Bros. Records – 7599-23720-2
Format: CD Album Reissue
Europe
2 Little Red Corvette8
3 Delirious
4 Let's Pretend We're Married
5 D.M.S.R.
6 Automatic24
7 Something In The Water (Does Not Compute)
8 Free
9 Lady Cab Driver
10 All The Critics Love U In New York 5:55
11 International Lover 6:35
CD Album
EU 1997 (11 Tracks)
Warner Bros. Records – 7599-23720-2
CD, Album, Reissue
Europe
Track Listing:
1 1999
2 Little Red Corvette
3 Delirious
4 Let's Pretend We're Married
5 D.M.S.R.
6 Automatic
7 Something In The Water (Does Not Compute)
8 Free
9 Lady Cab Driver
10 All The Critics Love U In New York
11 International Lover
Prince: "1999" Album Worldwide Chart Placements (1982 Initial Release)
Global Performance Upon Launch
Prince's 1999 album, released on October 27, 1982, achieved moderate initial success, peaking in the Top 10 in the US and a few other markets, but it gained greater traction internationally over time through singles like "Little Red Corvette" and the title track. Below is a summary of its worldwide chart placements based on the 1982 release period, drawn from historical data. Note that many international charts were less comprehensive then, and peaks reflect first-year performance (1982–1983). The album's full global impact grew with reissues and posthumous boosts (e.g., #7 US in 2016).
Cultural and Musical Significance
"1999" fused funk basslines with new wave synths and rock guitars, influencing artists like The Time and Janet Jackson. Its double-album ambition mirrored Stevie Wonder’s Songs in the Key of Life, with "Little Red Corvette" pioneering music video storytelling.
The album elevated Prince from niche to mainstream, with "1999" and "Little Red Corvette" cementing MTV rotation. It set a template for Purple Rain (1984), boosting his 1980s reign.
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