📺 Prince – Crimson And Clover – Article : Apr. 2009
- GlamSlamEscape
- Apr 23, 2009
- 3 min read
A vibrant and soulful television performance sees Prince deliver a spellbinding rendition of “Crimson And Clover,” blending it with elements of “Wild Thing” in a showcase of his effortless musical mastery and genre-blurring artistry.
The loose, groove-heavy take captures Prince at his most playful and charismatic during a rare daytime TV appearance.
This April 23, 2009 broadcast on The Ellen DeGeneres Show stands out as a joyful, high-energy moment that reminded millions of Prince’s enduring talent and ability to reinterpret classics with his signature flair.
đź“ş The Ellen DeGeneres Show
Date: April 23, 2009
Length: Short-form live performance segment
đź“ş Key Highlights
• Prince performs “Crimson And Clover” with a medley twist including “Wild Thing”
• Recorded April 22, 2009 and aired the following day
• Features Sheila E., Rhonda Smith, and Renato Neto
• Taken from the Lotusflow3r sessions (though not on the download version)
• Showcases Prince’s love of reinterpreting 1960s classics
đź“ş Overview
On April 23, 2009, The Ellen DeGeneres Show broadcast Prince’s electrifying performance of “Crimson And Clover,” originally recorded the day before. The track, a cover of the 1968 Tommy James and the Shondells hit, was the third track on the CD version of Prince’s triple album Lotusflow3r. During the performance, Prince seamlessly wove in portions of “Wild Thing” (The Troggs / The Wild Ones), turning the appearance into a dynamic, genre-blending groove.
The band — featuring longtime collaborators Sheila E. on percussion, Rhonda Smith on bass, and Renato Neto on keyboards — provided a tight, funky foundation that allowed Prince’s guitar and vocals to shine. This daytime TV spot arrived during a period when Prince was celebrating the release of Lotusflow3r and reminding audiences of his unmatched versatility and showmanship.
The performance was widely praised for its energy and musicianship, serving as a bright, accessible window into Prince’s creative world for a mainstream audience.
đź“ş Source Details
Publication / Venue: The Ellen DeGeneres Show (US television)
Date: April 23, 2009
Format: Television Broadcast / Live Performance
Provenance Notes: Performance recorded April 22, 2009; broadcast confirmed via official show records and fan-archived footage.
đź“ş Band
Prince — vocals, guitar
Sheila E. — percussion
Rhonda Smith — bass
Renato Neto — keyboards
đź“ş Setlist
Songs
• Crimson And Clover (with portions of Wild Thing) — [Live medley arrangement]
đź“ş The Story
In April 2009, Prince appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show to deliver a memorable performance of “Crimson And Clover.” The song had been recorded during the Lotusflow3r sessions at Sunset Sound in August 2008 and was premiered on Indie 103 radio in December 2008. Although it did not appear on the download version of the album, it featured prominently on the physical CD edition.
Prince transformed the 1960s classic into a loose, funky groove, incorporating uncredited elements of “Wild Thing” into the chorus. Backed by his tight band — Sheila E., Rhonda Smith, and Renato Neto — the performance showcased Prince’s signature ability to reinterpret familiar material with fresh energy and personality.
The appearance served as a high-profile promotional moment for Lotusflow3r while giving daytime television viewers a taste of Prince’s live charisma and musical depth. Fans and critics praised the playful, energetic delivery, which highlighted Prince’s lifelong love of classic rock and soul covers.
đź“ş Visual Archive
Prince performing “Crimson And Clover” on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, April 23, 2009.
đź“ş Related Material
Additional material connected to this entry is listed in the tag index at the foot of the page.
đź“ş Closing Notes
Prince’s April 2009 performance of “Crimson And Clover” on The Ellen DeGeneres Show remains a sparkling example of his ability to bring fresh life to classic material while staying unmistakably himself. It stands as a joyful, accessible moment in his later career that reminded both longtime fans and new viewers why Prince was — and remains — one of the most gifted and charismatic performers in music history.
đź“ş Sources
Primary reference sources: Broadcast records, Lotusflow3r album documentation, performance archives, and fan-verified footage.
đź“ş Copyright Notice
All broadcast footage, images, and original text excerpts referenced in this entry remain the property of their respective copyright holders. This Chronicle 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.
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