Prince (March 27 / April 20 2004) Musicology - Album

Musicology is Prince’s twenty-eighth studio album and his return to a major label (Columbia Records) after years of independent releases. It marked a triumphant commercial comeback and coincided with his Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction.

RELEASE DETAILS

Artist: Prince

Label: NPG Records / Columbia Records

Catalogue: CK 92560

Format: CD

Country: Worldwide

Released: March 27, 2004 (concert giveaway / download) / April 19–20, 2004 (retail)

Genre: Rock, Funk / Soul, Pop

Length: 47:26

CONTEXT & NOTES

A vibrant, upbeat album blending classic Prince funk, soul, and rock with catchy hooks and socially conscious lyrics. Highlights include the title track, the steamy “Call My Name,” and the rock-edged “Cinnamon Girl.”

THE STORY

Musicology was given away to every ticket holder on the Musicology Live 2004ever tour, significantly boosting its chart performance. It was Prince’s most commercially successful album in years, reaching the top 5 in multiple countries and earning Platinum certification in the US. The album signaled Prince’s return to mainstream visibility.

TRACK LISTING (2004 Original CD)

1. Musicology — 4:24

2. Illusion, Coma, Pimp & Circumstance — 4:46

3. A Million Days — 3:50

4. Life ‘O’ The Party — 4:30

5. Call My Name — 5:16

6. Cinnamon Girl — 3:57

7. What Do U Want Me 2 Do? — 4:15

8. The Marrying Kind — 2:49

9. If Eye Was The Man In Ur Life — 3:09

10. On The Couch — 3:34

11. Dear Mr. Man — 4:15

12. Reflection — 3:05

Total Length: 47:26

SINGLES RELEASED

• Musicology (b/w On The Couch) – Lead single

• Cinnamon Girl (b/w Dear Mr. Man (Live at Webster Hall) / United States Of Division)

• Call My Name (promo only)

PERSONNEL Musicians Prince — all vocals and instruments (except where noted)

ADDITIONAL MUSICIANS AND BACKGROUND

• Candy Dulfer — saxophone, additional vocals

• John Blackwell — drums (select tracks)

• Rhonda Smith — bass, additional vocals

• Maceo Parker, Greg Boyer — horns

• Chance Howard, Stokley — additional vocals

• Renato Neto — Fender Rhodes

• Sheila E. — shaker

• Clare Fischer — string samples

Production

• Prince — producer, arranger, engineer

• L. Stu Young, Jess Sutcliffe — engineers

• Mastering at Bernie Grundman Mastering and The Hit Factory

• Afshin Shahidi, Armour Photography — photography

• Sam Jennings, Jeremy Gavin — design

PACKAGING HIGHLIGHTS

• Iconic close-up cover with Prince in a black hat (as shown in the image)

• Concert giveaway version in simple slipcase

• Retail edition in digipak with booklet and enhanced CD-ROM video content

CHARTS

• America

• USA: Billboard 200 | 5 Aug. 2004 | 3 | 26 weeks USA:

• Billboard Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums | 5 Aug. 2004 | 3 | 38 weeks

• Europe (selected)

• UK: UK Albums Chart | 1 May 2004 | 4 | 36 weeks

• The Netherlands: Album Top 100 | 24 Apr. 2004 | 4 | 37 weeks

• Germany: Top 100 Album-Chart | 3 May 2004 | 4 | 12 weeks

Certifications

• RIAA (USA): 2× Platinum – 31 Jan. 2005 (2 million)

• BPI (UK): Platinum (300,000+)

SOURCES Album liner notes, official discography, Discogs, 45cat, Official Charts, Wikipedia, Prince Vault.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE All album artwork, photographs, logos, 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