Prince And The Revolution (October 2, 1985) – "America" b/w "Girl" Single: US
Updated: Oct 1
"America" was released on October 2, 1985 as the fourth and final single issued from Around The World In A Day, Prince's eighth studio album and the second credited to Prince And The Revolution. In North America it served as the album's third commercial single and arrived approximately five and a half months after the album's release.
The single featured the non-album song "Girl" as its B-side and was supported by an expanded 12-inch edition containing extended versions of both tracks. The release became particularly notable for its mammoth extended version of "America", running 21 minutes and 46 seconds, making it the longest officially released extended mix in Prince's catalogue at the time.
The cover artwork followed the design approach used for both "Raspberry Beret" and "Pop Life", featuring an enlarged detail from Doug Henders' painting created for the Around The World In A Day album sleeve.
While "America" was released in most territories around the world, the United Kingdom instead received "Pop Life" as a concurrent single release, which also included "Girl" as its B-side.
RECORDING
"America" originated from the Around The World In A Day sessions and was recorded by Prince And The Revolution.
The extended 12-inch version expanded the album recording into a 21:46 performance without receiving a separate mix title, being credited simply as "America".
In 2025, the full extended version was remastered by Bernie Grundman, mixed by Chris James, and issued digitally by The Prince Estate as a standalone release.
STYLE & THEMES
"America" combined rock, funk and psychedelic influences while continuing the colourful and experimental musical direction explored throughout Around The World In A Day.
The extended version transformed the song into an expansive jam built around the original composition, becoming one of the most ambitious extended releases issued during Prince's 1980s commercial peak.
TRACK-BY-TRACK NOTES
• America — The final single issued from Around The World In A Day.
• America (21:46 Version) — The longest extended commercial release issued by Prince during the era.
• Girl — Exclusive non-album B-side included on both the 7-inch and 12-inch releases.
• Girl (Extended Version) — Extended remix available on the US 12-inch single.
RELEASE HISTORY
The single was released in the United States on October 2, 1985 through Paisley Park Records and Warner Bros. Records.
Commercial releases were issued on both 7-inch and 12-inch vinyl, supported by promotional pressings distributed to radio stations. No cassette or CD commercial editions were released during the original campaign.
A remastered digital release of the complete 21-minute version appeared in July 2025 on streaming platforms as a standalone release.
CERTIFICATIONS
This single did not receive any certifications.
AWARDS
This single did not receive any awards.
PERSONNEL
Prince And The Revolution — Artist
Prince — writer, producer, performer
The Revolution — performers
Doug Henders — cover artwork
Bernie Grundman — 2025 remastering
Chris James — 2025 mix
PRODUCTION
Label: Paisley Park Records / Warner Bros. Records
CHARTS & CERTIFICATIONS
AMERICA
Chart | Entry Date | Peak | Weeks |
Billboard Hot 100 | October 19, 1985 | 46 | 7 |
Billboard Hot Black Singles | November 2, 1985 | 35 | 8 |
EUROPE
Chart | Entry Date | Peak | Weeks |
Belgium (Flanders) | December 28, 1985 | 35 | 1 |
DIGITAL REISSUE (2025 REMASTER)
Territory | Peak Position |
Spain | 2 |
UK | 6 |
Australia | 6 |
France | 9 |
Canada | 22 |
Germany | 34 |
Italy | 38 |
RELEASE VARIANTS TABLE
Artist | Title | Label | Country | Catalogue | Date | Format |
Prince And The Revolution | America | Paisley Park / Warner Bros. | USA | 7-28999 | October 2, 1985 | 7" Single |
Prince And The Revolution | America | Paisley Park / Warner Bros. | USA | 0-20389 | October 2, 1985 | 12" Single |
Prince And The Revolution | America | Paisley Park / Warner Bros. | USA | 7-28999 | 1985 | 7" Promo |
Prince And The Revolution | America | Paisley Park / Warner Bros. | USA | PRO-A-2300 | 1985 | 12" Promo |
Prince And The Revolution | America / Pop Life | Warner Bros. | USA | GWB-0529 | 1987 | 7" Back To Back Hits Reissue |
Prince | America (12" Version) | The Prince Estate | Worldwide | Digital | July 4, 2025 | Digital Single |
TRACKLIST TABLE (ALL FORMATS)
Format | Catalogue | Tracklisting |
7" Single | US: 7-28999 | • America (3:40) • Girl (3:51) |
12" Single | US: 0-20389 | • America (21:46) • Girl (Extended Version) (7:35) |
7" Promo | US: 7-28999 | • America (3:40) • America (3:40) |
12" Promo | US: PRO-A-2300 | • America (3:40) • America (3:40) |
7" Back To Back Hits | US: GWB-0529 | • America (3:40) • Pop Life (3:42) |
Digital Single | 2025 Remaster | • America (12" Version) (21:41) |
NOTES
• Released on October 2, 1985 as the final single from Around The World In A Day.
• The release served as the fourth and final single issued from the album worldwide and the third single in North America.
• The single arrived approximately five and a half months after the parent album reached stores.
• "Girl" was included as an exclusive non-album B-side and remains one of the best-known non-album recordings from the era.
• Both the 7-inch and 12-inch configurations contained versions of "Girl", with the extended mix reserved for the 12-inch release.
• The extended version of "America" ran for 21 minutes and 46 seconds and was the longest commercial extended version released by Prince.
• Unlike many Prince extended mixes of the period, the 21-minute version was not given a separate remix title and was simply listed as "America".
• The single sleeve used a magnified portion of Doug Henders' Around The World In A Day painting, continuing the visual design established by "Raspberry Beret" and "Pop Life".
• In the United Kingdom, "Pop Life" remained the active single while "America" was promoted internationally.
• The single reached No. 46 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 35 on Billboard Hot Black Singles.
• Promotional 7-inch and 12-inch versions were distributed to American radio stations.
• No commercial cassette or CD editions were released during the original 1985 campaign.
• On July 4, 2025, The Prince Estate issued a newly remastered version of the full 21-minute recording on digital and streaming platforms.
• The 2025 release was mastered by Bernie Grundman and mixed by Chris James.
• The remastered edition achieved strong iTunes chart placements internationally, including Top 10 positions in Spain, the United Kingdom, Australia and France.
SOURCES Discogs, 45 World, Wikipedia, BBC Official Charts, Prince Vault, Sleeveographia2.
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