Prince And The New Power Generation: Diamonds And Pearls Single US/UK/EU (1991)

Prince's X-cerpts Funk Sampler

Released as a single in various formats in the US on November 25, 1991 (UK & EU same date), on Paisley Park/Warner Bros. Records (US catalogue: 7-19083; UK: W0075 / 5439-19059-7), Prince And The New Power Generation’s “Diamonds And Pearls” was the fourth single from the Diamonds And Pearls album — the first credited to Prince & NPG. The US A-side edit (4:20) was backed with the unique “X-cerpts From The Songs: Thunder, Daddy Pop, Strollin’, Jughead, Money Don’t Matter 2 Night, Push, Live 4 Love” sampler (5:04), while the UK featured “Q In Doubt” (instrumental 4:00) and Cream NPG Mix variants. Peaked at No. 3 US Hot 100, No. 1 Hot R&B, No. 25 UK. Issued in solid/push-out centre, cassette, promo, holographic CD, and 12-inch formats, it’s a shimmering ‘90s Prince classic.

Single Overview

Label: Paisley Park / Warner Bros. Records.

Formats: 7" vinyl (solid/push-out centre), cassette, CD (standard/holographic), 12".

Full Track Listing by Format (US/UK/EU)

US 7" Vinyl (7-19083)

Side A

1. Diamonds And Pearls (Edit) (4:20)

Side B

X-cerpts From The Songs: (5:04)

1. Thunder

2. Daddy Pop

3. Strollin'

4. Jughead

5. Money Don't Matter 2 Night

6. Push

7. Live 4 Love

US Cassette Single (9 19083-4 / 4-19083)

Side A/B (same both sides)

1. Diamonds And Pearls (Edit) (4:20)

X-cerpts From The Songs: (5:04)

UK 7" Vinyl (W0075 / 5439-19059-7)

Side A

1. Diamonds And Pearls (LP Version) (4:43)

Side B

1. Q In Doubt (Instrumental) (4:00) – Edited by Dave Friedlander

UK Cassette Single (W0075C / 5439-19059-4)

Side A/B (same both sides)

1. Diamonds And Pearls (LP Version) (4:43)

2. Q In Doubt (Instrumental) (4:00)

UK & Europe 12" (W0075T)

Side A

1. Diamonds And Pearls (LP Version) (4:45)

2. Housebangers (4:23) – Additional Production/Mix: Junior Vasquez

Side B

1. Cream (NPG Mix) (6:16)

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

UK & Europe CD Holographic (W0075CDX / 9362-40323-2)

1. Diamonds And Pearls (4:44)

2. 2 The Wire (Creamy Instrumental) (3:13)

3. Do Your Dance (KC's Remix) (5:56) – feat. Jevetta Steele

Europe CD (W0075 CD)

1. Diamonds And Pearls 4:47

2. Things Have Gotta Change (Tony M Rap) 4:01

3. 2 The Wire (Creamy Instrumental) 3:16

4. Do Your Dance (KC's Remix) 5:58

US/UK/EU Variants (all supplied)

7", Single – Paisley Park 7-19083 – US – 1991

Cassette, Single – Paisley Park 9 19083-4 – US – 1991

CD, Promo – Paisley Park PRO-CD-5148 – US – 1991

7", Single – Paisley Park W0075 – UK – 1991

12", Single – Paisley Park W0075T – UK – 1991

Cassette, Single – Paisley Park W0075C – UK & Europe – 1991

CD, Holographic – Paisley Park W0075CDX – UK & Europe – 1991

CD, Single - CD W0075 CD - Europe

Production and Context

Produced/Arranged/Performed by Prince & The New Power Generation. Engineered by Michael Koppelman, Tim Penn, Brian Poer, Steve Noonan, Ray Hahnfeldt, Dave Friedlander. “Diamonds And Pearls” co-lead vocals Rosie Gaines. US B-side unique album sampler. UK included Cream NPG Mix and “Q In Doubt” (from Cream maxi).

Singles Released and Chart Performance

USA (Billboard Hot 100): 3

USA (Hot R&B Singles): 1

UK: 25

Legacy and Collectibility

“Diamonds And Pearls” is Prince’s shimmering love ballad, with unique US sampler/X-cerpts B-side. Original US 7" vinyls fetch £10–£30 on eBay/Discogs, UK holographic CD £20–£60, 12" £15–£40. Verify catalogue 7-19083 (US) / W0075 (UK)

Streams on Spotify preserve the pearl shine.

This single is a must-have for Love Symbol-era collectors.

Do you have Diamonds And Pearls in your collection? Do they sparkle for 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