Prince (July 17, 1990 & August 2, 1990 ) – "Thieves In The Temple" b/w "Thieves In The Temple (Part II)" Single Release: Worldwide
Updated: Aug 21
Thieves In The Temple was released on 17 July 1990 as the lead single from Prince’s twelfth album Graffiti Bridge, arriving five weeks before the album. The track received a worldwide release and included the additional non‑album piece Thieves In The Temple (Part II). Although it appeared as the second track, there was no separate B‑side, marking the second time a lead single did not contain a new B‑side, following Alphabet St. in 1988.
The song reached number 6 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 1 on the Billboard Hot R&B Singles Chart, becoming Prince’s seventh number‑one R&B hit. It was the final track added to Graffiti Bridge, recorded at the last moment. The song’s structure begins quietly with echoed vocals and keyboards before bursting into a pulsing synth bass, syncopated drum machines, Middle Eastern‑styled melodies and layered operatic vocals. Prince incorporated a harmonica sample from The Chambers Brothers,
and the lyrics express emotional frustration, spiritual conflict and accusations of betrayal.
The maxi‑single expanded the song’s themes with extended lyrics and dance‑oriented arrangements. Junior Vasquez contributed the Thieves In The House Mix, which included samples from Eye No and Batdance, along with a dub version. The music video was drawn from the film Graffiti Bridge, with an extended version mirroring the long remix.
Critical response highlighted the track’s inventive production, emotional delivery and distinctive sound. Retrospective commentary has praised its drum programming, vocal layering and atmospheric tension. The song has been covered by multiple artists, including Herbie Hancock, Renée Geyer and Ulver, and its final scream was sampled in Eddie Murphy and Michael Jackson’s 1993 duet Whatzupwitu.
VARIANTS
Artist: Prince
Title: Thieves In The Temple Label: Warner Bros. / Paisley Park Records
Country: Worldwide
Catalogue: 7‑19751 / W9751 / 5439‑19751‑7 / MX305875‑6 / 4‑19751 / 91 97514 / W9751C / 92 15980 / 0‑21598 / W9751T / 7599‑21598‑0 / MX305873‑4 / W9751TP / PRO‑A‑4345 / 4‑21598 / 9 21598‑2 / W9751CD / 7599‑21598‑2 / WPDP‑6240 / PRO‑CD‑4345
Date: 17 July, 1990
Format: 7" / Cassette / 12" / Picture Disc / Promo / Cassette Maxi / CD / 3" CD / CD Promo
Tracklist
(7"):
A — Thieves In The Temple (3:20)
B — Thieves In The Temple (Part II) (1:41) Cat #: US: 7‑19751 / UK: W9751 / DE: 5439‑19751‑7 / AU: MX305875‑6
(7" Promo):
A — Thieves In The Temple (3:20)
B — Thieves In The Temple (3:20)
Cat #: US: PRO‑A‑4345
(12"):
A — Thieves In The Temple (Remix) (8:03)
B1 — Thieves In The House Mix (6:50)
B2 — Temple House Dub (5:06)
Cat #: CA: 92 15980 / US: 0‑21598 / UK: W9751T / DE: 7599‑21598‑0 / AU: MX305873‑4
12" Picture Disc:
A — Thieves In The Temple (Remix) (8:03)
B1 — Thieves In The House Mix (6:50)
B2 — Temple House Dub (5:06) Cat #: UK: W9751TP
Cassette Single:
A — Thieves In The Temple (3:20)
B — Thieves In The Temple (Part II) (1:41)
Cat #: US: 4‑19751 / CA: 91 97514 / UK: W9751C
Cassette Maxi:
A — Thieves In The Temple (Remix) (8:03)
B1 — Thieves In The House Mix (6:50)
B2 — Temple House Dub (5:06)
Cat #: US: 4‑21598
5" CD:
1 — Thieves In The Temple (Remix) (8:03)
2 — Thieves In The House Mix (6:50)
3 — Temple House Dub (5:06)
Cat #: US: 9 21598‑2 / UK: W9751CD / DE: 7599‑21598‑2
3" CD:
1 — Thieves In The Temple (3:20)
2 — Thieves In The Temple (Part II) (1:41)
Cat #: JAP: WPDP‑6240
CD Promo:
1 — Thieves In The Temple (3:20)
Cat #: US: PRO‑CD‑4345
RELEASE HISTORY
Released 17 July 1990 (7")
Released 2 August 1990 (US maxi‑single)
Lead single from Graffiti Bridge Worldwide release Included non‑album continuation piece Thieves In The Temple (Part II)
Final track added to the album Extended mixes issued across multiple formats
Three tracks were included on the New Power Generation Funky Weapon Remix
CD single - Japan - WPCP-4200
Track list
Thieves In The Temple (Remix 8:10)
Thieves In The House Mix (6:59)
Temple House Dub (5:08)
N.P.G. (Funky Weapon Remix 5:02)
T.C.'s Rap (3:12)
Brother With A Purpose (4:19)
Get Off (4:42)
The Lubricated Lady (2:40)
Loveleft, Loveright (5:00)
CHARTS & CERTIFICATIONS
America
USA: Billboard Hot 100 — Entry: 4 Aug 1990 — Peak: 6 — Weeks: 13
USA: Billboard Black Singles — Entry: 4 Aug 1990 — Peak: 1 — Weeks: 14
USA: Billboard Dance — Entry: 1 Sep 1990 — Peak: 9 — Weeks: 7
Europe
Belgium — Peak: 9 — Weeks: 8
Germany — Peak: 21 — Weeks: 12
Ireland — Peak: 2 — Weeks: 5
Netherlands — Peak: 5 — Weeks: 6
UK — Peak: 7 — Weeks: 6
Pacific Australia — Peak: 16 — Weeks: 9
Certifications USA — RIAA Gold — 2 Oct 1990
Awards USA — ASCAP Film & Television Music Awards — 22 Apr 1991 — Most Performed Songs from Motion Pictures
SOURCES Discogs, 45 World, Wikipedia, BBC Official Charts, Prince Vault, Sleeveographia2
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