Prince And The New Power Generation: 7 US Single (1992)

A Love Symbol Apocalyptic Groove

Released by Paisley Park/Warner Bros. Records (catalogue: 7-18824) in the US on November 17, 1992, the 7-inch vinyl single of Prince and the New Power Generation’s “7” is backed with the “7 (Acoustic Version).”

This epic biblical-funk anthem, co-written/composed by Prince with Lowell Fulsom and Jimmy McCracklin (sample of “Tramp”), was from the Love Symbol album. The A-side stormed to No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 for 23 weeks and was certified Gold (500,000) by the RIAA. Issued in vinyl, cassette, CD cardboard sleeve, promo CD, and test pressing variants, it’s a towering ‘90s Prince masterpiece.

Single Overview

Label: Paisley Park/Warner Bros. Records (US pressing, 45 RPM).

Published By: Controversy Music (admin. WB Music Corp. ASCAP) / Powerforce Music / Budget Music (BMI).

Phonographic Copyright ℗: Warner Bros. Records Inc.

Pressed By: Specialty Records Corporation.

Formats

Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, Single (7-18824)

Side A

1. 7 (Album Version) (5:09)

Side B

1. 7 (Acoustic Version) (3:54)

Vinyl, 7", Test Pressing (white label hand-written, 30 Oct 1992)

Side A

1. 7 (Album Version) (5:09)

Side B

1. 7 (Acoustic Version) (3:54)

Cassette, Single (9 18824-4 / 4-18824)

Side A

1. 7 (Album Version) (5:09)

Side B

1. 7 (Acoustic Version) (3:54)

There are 3 other variants of this all SR pressings

• 7 (time scale window reads 100 50 0 with 11 hatch marks, pointed inside corners of cassette shell, SR)

• 7 (time scale window reads 0 50 0 with 11 hatch marks, SR)

• 7 (time scale window reads 100 50 0 with 11 hatch marks, squared inside corners of cassette shell, “MADE IN U.S.A.” Injection print appear top right edge side 2, SR)

CD, Single, Cardboard Sleeve (9 18824-2 / 2-18824)

1. 7 (Album Version) (5:09)

2. 7 (Acoustic Version) (3:54)

CD, Single, Promo (PRO-CD-5981)

1. 7 (Acoustic Version) (3:54)

Production and Context

Produced/Arranged/Performed by Prince & The New Power Generation. Sample of “Tramp” courtesy of Virgin/Ace/Blues Interactions. Acoustic version additional production/mix by Keith “KC” Cohen. Engineered by Airiq Anest, Dave Aron. Design by Greg Ross. “7” was an apocalyptic love song with biblical imagery. Released during the Love Symbol era and name-change controversy, it followed Love Symbol (No. 5 US, 1992).

Chart Performance:

USA (Billboard Hot 100): 7 (23 weeks)

USA (Hot R&B Singles): 61 (16 weeks)

Certifications

RIAA Gold (USA): (500,000 units) March 10, 1993

Legacy and Collectibility

“7” is Prince’s biblical-funk epic, with the acoustic version a stripped revelation. Original US 7-inch vinyls fetch £8–£20 on eBay/Discogs, cassettes/CDs (£3–£10). Verify catalogue 7-18824. Streams on Spotify via Love Symbol reissues preserve the analog thunder. This single is a must-have for Prince fans and ‘90s collectors.

Do you have 7 in your vinyl stack? Does the apocalypse groove you? Share in the comments!

Sources

Information is drawn from 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