✦ Cinnamon Girl – Single: Nov. 2004

Escape
Nov 8, 2004
3 min read

Updated: Feb 10

Prince confronts post‑9/11 prejudice with a bold funk protest wrapped in falsetto, controversy, and courage

✦ SUMMARY

Released as the second single from Musicology, Cinnamon Girl arrived in late 2004 as one of Prince’s most politically charged works of the 2000s. The single was issued in multiple formats across the US, UK, and Europe beginning September 28 (US) and November 8, 2004 (UK/EU). The primary CD single featured four tracks: the album version of Cinnamon Girl, a live performance of Dear Mr. Man from Webster Hall, the previously download‑only United States of Division, and an MPEG video of the Dear Mr. Man performance. A second CD single followed two weeks later without the video. Prince’s NPG Music Club later offered an Enhanced CD containing the audio track, the Cinnamon Girl music video, full lyrics, and a five‑minute behind‑the‑scenes featurette. Cinnamon Girl’s anti‑war message, Middle Eastern‑inflected funk, and falsetto vocal delivery positioned it as a pointed commentary on the climate of fear and racial profiling in post‑9/11 America. The single peaked at No. 43 on the UK Gallup Singles Chart and was issued in enhanced CD, promo CD, CD‑R, 12-inch promo vinyl, and VHS formats.

✦ HIGHLIGHTS

• Second single from Musicology

• Released September 28, 2004 (US) and November 8, 2004 (UK/EU)

• Multiple formats including Enhanced CD, promo CD, CD‑R, 12-inch promo vinyl, and VHS

• Features Dear Mr. Man (Live at Webster Hall) and United States of Division

• Enhanced CD includes video, lyrics, and behind‑the‑scenes footage

• Peaked at No. 43 on the UK Gallup Singles Chart

• One of Prince’s most overt political statements of the 2000s

✦ TRACK DETAILS

Primary CD Single (UK/EU, COL 675142 2)

Cinnamon Girl — 3:56

Dear Mr. Man (Live at Webster Hall) — 4:14

United States of Division — 6:18

Dear Mr. Man (Live at Webster Hall) — 4:14 (Video)

Promo CD (SAMPCS 14203 1)

Cinnamon Girl (Album Version) — 3:56

Promo CD‑R (UK)

Cinnamon Girl — 3:56 (1‑track promo)

12-inch Promo Vinyl (XPR 3781)

A. Cinnamon Girl (Album Version) — 3:56

B. Musicology (Album Version) — 4:26

VHS Promo (Betacam-SP, PAL, 3 Nov 2004)

Cinnamon Girl — 4:04

All tracks written and produced by Prince.

✦ CHART PERFORMANCE

United Kingdom

• UK Gallup Singles Chart: No. 43

United States

• No major chart entry reported

International

• No additional chart activity documented

✦

SOURCES

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

✦ DISCOGRAPHY

Musicology Era Releases:

Musicology — Album: 2004

Call My Name — Single: 2004

Cinnamon Girl — Single: Nov. 2004

Dear Mr. Man — Live Performances: 2004

United States of Division — Digital Track: 2004

✦ PRINCE ERA MINI‑TIMELINE

2004 — Musicology released to critical acclaim

2004 — Musicology Live Tour becomes a major commercial success

Sept.–Nov. 2004 — Cinnamon Girl issued in multiple formats

2005 — Continued political commentary in live performances

2010s — Cinnamon Girl re‑evaluated as a key post‑9/11 protest work

✦ GLAM FLASHBACK

Cinnamon Girl stands as one of Prince’s most fearless artistic statements of the 2000s — a protest song wrapped in Minneapolis funk, delivered with falsetto sweetness but aimed squarely at the racial tensions and cultural paranoia of post‑9/11 America. The music video ignited fierce debate, drawing criticism from conservative commentators while earning praise from Arab American advocacy groups for confronting prejudice head‑on. Prince refused to explain the video, insisting that viewers interpret it for themselves. In doing so, he reaffirmed his belief that art should provoke conversation, challenge assumptions, and illuminate uncomfortable truths. Cinnamon Girl remains a testament to Prince’s willingness to speak boldly when the world needed it most.