Prince (July 13, 2002) – Digital Release: 1+1+1 Is 3 (Live Version)

SOURCE DETAILS  

Artist: Prince

Release Type: Digital Release Country: USA

Catalogue: NPG Music Club

Release Date: July 13 2002

Format: Free Download (NPGMC)

TRACK INFORMATION  

Title: 1+1+1 Is 3 (Live Version) Writer(s): Prince

Producer(s): Prince

Album Origin: The Rainbow Children   Associated Releases: One Nite Alone... Live! • Days Of Wild • Anthology: 1995–2010

RELEASE CONTEXT  

On July 13 2002, the NPG Music Club issued a live version of 1+1+1 Is 3 as a free download for members. The track originally appeared as the eighth song on The Rainbow Children, Prince’s 24th album and his first after reverting to the name Prince.

HISTORICAL NOTES  

A One Nite Alone... Tour performance was released on One Nite Alone... Live! as track six on disc one. An edit of the same performance appeared on the Days Of Wild single.

In 2003, another 2002 live version appeared on the Live At The Aladdin Las Vegas DVD. A third live performance from the Xenophobia Celebration was previously available to NPGMC members, featuring Prince’s overdub: “Xenophobia – Coming soon 2 a monitor near U.”   The Xenophobia live project remains unreleased.

RECORDING DETAILS  

Likely tracked late 2000–early 2001 at Paisley Park Studios, Chanhassen, MN. The intro continues the album’s narrative: “The Muse” receives “the seed of knowledge” from “The Wise One,” repeating “1 plus 1 plus 1 is 3.”

RECORDING SESSIONS  

Late 2000 – Early 2001 Paisley Park Studios, Chanhassen, MN Tracking

PERSONNEL — STUDIO VERSION  

Prince — all vocals and instruments

John Blackwell — drums

Niyoki White — background vocals (Milenia) Mikele White — background vocals

(Milenia) Tia White — background vocals (Milenia) Malikah White — background vocals

 (Milenia) Kip Blackshire — background vocals

PERSONNEL — ONE NITE ALONE... LIVE!   Prince — vocals, instruments

John Blackwell — drums

Rhonda Smith — bass

Renato Neto — keyboards Najee — saxophone

Greg Boyer — trombone

LIVE APPEARANCES  

First Appearance

(likely): 5 January 2002 — Paisley Park First Confirmed: 15 January 2002 (a.m.) — Paisley Park Last Appearance: 17 December 2003 (a.m.) — Volcanoes Night Club, Honolulu Performed Regularly: One Nite Alone... Tour Performed Occasionally: 2002–2003

VERSION HISTORY  

Studio — 5:16 — The Rainbow Children   Live — 6:05 — One Nite Alone... Live! (Lakeland Center, FL — 6 April 2002; mis‑dated April 4 in liner notes) Live Edit — 5:51 — Days Of Wild single NPGMC Download — 5:01 — 26 June 2002 (Paisley Park; overdubs/edits) Video — Live At The Aladdin Las Vegas — 15 December 2002

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION  

One of two Prince song titles containing mathematical equations — the other is 3 x 2 = 6. Copyright: US Copyright Office PA0001074929 (2002‑03‑07) ASCAP Work ID: 450365338 ISWC: T0714411912

SOURCES Discogs, Prince Vault, Wikipedia, The Vault: The Definitive Guide to the Musical World of Prince All magazine scans, photographs 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.