Prince and The New Power Generation (November 25, 1991) Diamonds And Pearls - Single US/UK

Escape
Nov 25, 1991
4 min read

Updated: May 25

Prince’s shimmering love ballad and a highlight of the Diamonds And Pearls era.

RELEASE DETAILS

Date: November 25, 1991

Catalogue: 7-19083 (US 7"), W0075 (UK 7"), W0075T (UK 12"), W0075CDX (UK CD Holographic) + others

Format: 7" Single, 12" Single, CD Single, Cassette Single, Promo

Country: United States / United Kingdom / Europe Label: Paisley Park / Warner Bros. Records

Album: Diamonds And Pearls (1991)

A-Side: Diamonds And Pearls

THE STORY

Released on November 25, 1991, Diamonds And Pearls was the fourth single from the album of the same name — the first credited to Prince and The New Power Generation. The US edition featured a unique B-side “X-cerpts” sampler from several album tracks, while UK/European versions included exclusive mixes and “Q In Doubt.” The single became a major hit and a signature ballad of the era.

CONTEXT & NOTES

This release showcased Prince’s evolving sound with the NPG, blending soulful balladry and funk. The holographic CD and picture disc variants added collectible appeal. It marked one of Prince’s strongest commercial performances of the early 1990s.

TRACK LIST

US 7" Single (7-19083)

A. Diamonds And Pearls (Edit) — 4:20 B. X-cerpts From The Songs (Thunder / Daddy Pop / Strollin' / Jughead / Money Don’t Matter 2 Night / Push / Live 4 Love) — 5:04

UK 7" Single (W0075)

A. Diamonds And Pearls (LP Version) — 4:43

B. Q In Doubt (Instrumental) — 4:00

UK/Europe 12" Single (W0075T) A1. Diamonds And Pearls (LP Version) — 4:45 A2. Housebangers — 4:23

B1. Cream (NPG Mix) — 6:16

B2. Things Have Gotta Change (Tony M Rap) — 3:57

UK CD Holographic (W0075CDX)

Diamonds And Pearls — 4:44
2 The Wire (Creamy Instrumental) — 3:13
Do Your Dance (KC's Remix) — 5:56 (feat. Jevetta Steele)

Europe CD Single

Diamonds And Pearls — 4:47
Things Have Gotta Change (Tony M Rap) — 4:01
2 The Wire (Creamy Instrumental) — 3:16
Do Your Dance (KC's Remix) — 5:58

All Variants

US 7" Single (7-19083)
US Cassette Single (9 19083-4)
UK 7" Single (W0075)
UK 12" Single (W0075T)
UK CD Holographic (W0075CDX)
Europe CD Single
Various Promo Editions

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)

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

CHART PERFORMANCE US Billboard Hot 100: Peak No. 3 US Hot R&B Singles: Peak No. 1 UK Singles Chart: Peak No. 25

PERSONNEL

Prince – vocals, instruments, production, arrangement
Rosie Gaines – co-lead vocals
The New Power Generation – performance
Remixes by Junior Vasquez, Keith “KC” Cohen, etc.

PACKAGING HIGHLIGHTS

Front sleeve: Iconic close-up of Prince with pearls and dramatic blue-toned lighting
Back sleeve: Tracklist and credits with symbolic imagery

WHAT THE LABEL / SLEEVE SHOWS

Striking high-contrast portrait of Prince with pearls cascading across his face on the front, paired with a clean back cover featuring track details and Paisley Park branding.

RELATED MATERIAL

Prince and The New Power Generation (March 16, 1992) Money Don’t Matter 2 Night - Single UK
Prince and The New Power Generation (September 1 / October 22, 1992) My Name Is Prince - Single US
Prince and The New Power Generation (November 2, 1992) My Name Is Prince (Remixes) - Maxi-Single Europe

SOURCES Prince Vault • Discogs • Official Charts Company • Billboard

COPYRIGHT NOTICE All single artwork, photographs, logos, and original text excerpts remain the property of their respective copyright holders. This entry is a transformative, non-commercial archival summary created for historical documentation and educational reference. No ownership of the original material is claimed or implied.