🟣 💿Prince – Musicology (Europe Single): May 3. 2004

Format: CD Single

Label: NPG Records / Columbia Country: Europe

Release Date: 3 May 2004

Genre: Funk • Pop • R&B Style: Contemporary Funk • Minneapolis Sound Revival

Overview   Musicology was the first commercially‑available single released from Prince’s 2004 album of the same name. Issued two weeks after the album’s retail release, it served as the lead European single and the anchor for the album’s promotional campaign.

Four weeks before the physical CD appeared, Magnificent was released on the NPG Music Club’s Musicology Download Store as a “virtual B‑side” to Musicology, although Musicology itself was not available as an individual download.

The physical B‑side, On The Couch, was taken from the album of the same name.

Track Listing — CD Single (6749231)

1. Musicology — 4:26

2. On The Couch — 3:33

European CD single for Musicology (6749231), released 3 May 2004.

European promo CD for Musicology (SAMPCS140341).

Label: Not On Label – none Format: Acetate, 12", 45 RPM, Single Sided

CD Promo — UK (SAMPCS140341)

1. Musicology — 4:26

   
   

Vinyl

Technical Details

• Lacquer Cut At: Masterpiece

• Format: Single‑sided acetate

• Playback Speed: 45 RPM

• Label: Unbranded (Not On Label)

This acetate predates or parallels the European CD single release and represents one of the earliest physical cuts of Musicology prepared in the UK.

his rare UK acetate contains a single‑sided 12" lacquer cut of Musicology, prepared in 2004 during the album’s promotional cycle. Cut at Masterpiece, the disc features the standard album version of the track and was likely produced in extremely limited quantities for internal use, playback evaluation, or pre‑release testing.

The acetate carries two punched holes:

• one in the centre (standard spindle hole)

• one offset to the side, consistent with Masterpiece’s archival/test‑press handling

The label area is plain, carrying only timing and facility information.

Track Listing

A. Musicology — 4:26

Label Notes:

• “Total Time: 4'26”

• Masterpiece logo present

• Single‑sided lacquer

🧾 Sources

• Prince Vault (release chronology, chart performance, format details)

• Columbia Records Europe discography (2004)

• Official Charts Company (UK)

• Billboard Magazine archives: Hot 100, Bubbling Under, R&B/Hip‑Hop (2004)

• European chart archives: Ultratop, FIMI, VG‑Lista, Mega Top 50, Schweizer Hitparade

© Copyright Notice

All single artwork, label designs, photographs, and original text excerpts 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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