✦ Cream – Maxi‑Single US: Nov. 1991

A seductive Diamonds and Pearls anthem expanded into a full NPG funk‑dance playground

✦ Summary

Cream was released in the United States on November 4, 1991 as a 12-inch vinyl and CD maxi‑single on Paisley Park/Warner Bros. Records (0‑40197). As the second single from Diamonds and Pearls, it arrived at the height of Prince’s early ’90s resurgence, pairing his chart‑topping pop‑funk with a sprawling suite of remixes, instrumentals, segues, and NPG‑driven experiments. The single’s A‑side delivered the album version of Cream — a slinky, seductive groove that became Prince’s final US No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 — while the B‑side and CD tracks expanded the universe with rap features, house remixes, instrumental detours, and extended dancefloor workouts.

The US maxi‑single remains one of the most elaborate and collectible releases of the Diamonds and Pearls era, showcasing Prince’s studio mastery, the NPG’s tight musicianship, and the era’s club‑oriented remix culture.

✦ Highlights

• Released November 4, 1991 in the US

• Second single from Diamonds and Pearls

• Cream became Prince’s final US No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100

• Maxi‑single includes 10+ remixes, instrumentals, and segues

• Features Tony M., Jevetta Steele, Junior Vasquez, Keith “KC” Cohen

• Issued on 12-inch vinyl and CD Digipak

• Pressed by Specialty Records Corporation

✦ Track Details

12-inch Vinyl Maxi‑Single – US (0‑40197)

A1: Cream (Album Version) — 4:12

A2: Cream (N.P.G. Mix) — 5:47

A3: Things Have Gotta Change (Tony M. Rap) — 3:57

A4: 2 The Wire (Creamy Instrumental) — 3:13

A5: Get Some Solo — 1:31

B1: Do Your Dance (KC’s Remix) — 5:58

B2: Do Your Dance (Housebangers) — 4:23

B3: Q In Doubt (Instrumental) — 4:00

B4: Do Your Dance (Ethereal Mix) — 4:43

Pressed by Specialty Records Corporation

Lacquer cut at Precision Lacquer (TD)

Photography by Kevin Mazur

Design by Greg Ross

CD Maxi‑Single – US (Digipak) (9 40197‑2)

Cream (Album Version) — 4:12 (4:45 with segue)

Cream (N.P.G. Mix) — 4:53

Things Have Gotta Change (Tony M. Rap) — 3:57

2 The Wire (Creamy Instrumental) — 3:13

Get Some Solo — 1:31

Do Your Dance (KC’s Remix) — 5:58

Housebangers — 4:23

Q In Doubt (Instrumental) — 4:00

Ethereal Mix — 4:43

Includes multiple unlisted telephone segues

Glass mastered at Specialty Records Corporation

✦ Production and Context

Produced, arranged, composed, and performed by Prince & The New Power Generation.

Recorded during the Diamonds and Pearls sessions at Paisley Park.

Personnel included Levi Seacer Jr., Rosie Gaines, Tommy Barbarella, Sonny T., and Michael B.

Remixes by Keith “KC” Cohen, Junior Vasquez, Curt Frasca, and Dave Aron.

Cream was one of Prince’s most commercially successful singles of the ’90s, blending rock swagger with funk sensuality.

✦ Chart Performance

United States: No. 1 — Billboard Hot 100

United Kingdom: No. 15

Australia: No. 2

Canada: No. 2

Europe (Eurochart Hot 100): No. 6

New Zealand: No. 5

Norway: No. 3

Switzerland: No. 3

Ireland: No. 7

Belgium: No. 10

And strong Top 10/Top 20 placements across Europe

✦ Discography

Diamonds and Pearls Era Singles:

Gett Off — Single: 1991

Cream — US Maxi‑Single: Nov. 1991

Insatiable — Single: 1991

Diamonds and Pearls — Single: 1991

Money Don’t Matter 2 Night — Single: 1992

✦ Prince Era Mini‑Timeline

Oct. 1991 — Diamonds and Pearls released

Nov. 4, 1991 — Cream US maxi‑single released

Late 1991 — Cream reaches No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100

1992 — Love Symbol era begins

✦ Glam Flashback

Cream is Prince at his most effortlessly seductive — a velvet‑smooth groove that glides between rock, funk, and pop with total confidence. The US maxi‑single turns that moment into a full‑blown NPG playground, where rap verses, house beats, instrumental detours, and club‑ready remixes collide. It’s one of the richest, most expansive singles of the Diamonds and Pearls era, capturing the band’s chemistry and Prince’s unstoppable early ’90s momentum.

✦ Image & Artwork Copyright Notice

All images, photographs, and artwork referenced or displayed in this post remain the property of their respective copyright holders. They are included strictly for historical, educational, and archival purposes under fair‑use principles. No ownership is claimed, and all rights belong to the original creators, photographers, designers, and publishers.

✦ Sources

Prince Vault, Discogs, 45cat, AllMusic, Rate Your Music, Wikipedia, Billboard Chart History, Official Charts Company, YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrbFQEcpJ3A