Prince (November 20, 1979) Prince Album Review – The Minneapolis Star US

A album review in The Minneapolis Star of Prince’s self-titled second album, praising his rapid musical growth while noting areas for further development.

Publication: The Minneapolis Star Date: November 20, 1979

Country: United States Section / Pages: Music Reviews

Title: (Prince album review)

THE STORY

The review discusses Prince’s second album, highlighting the success of the single “I Wanna Be Your Lover” (which reached No. 3 on the soul charts) and praising tracks like “Still Waiting” and “It’s Gonna Be Lonely.” The writer acknowledges Prince’s maturing pop-soul vision and adventurous musicianship, though noting his lyrics still lack depth. The review ends on an optimistic note about Prince’s wealth of talent.

CONTEXT AND NOTES

This local review came just weeks after the release of Prince’s self-titled second album. It reflects growing hometown pride and recognition of Prince as a major rising talent in the late 1970s, just before he achieved breakthrough success with Dirty Mind in 1980.

Prince’s self-titled second studio album, released in October19 1979, marked his commercial breakthrough and introduced the world to a more confident, funky, and sexually charged Prince

RELEASE DETAILS

Artist: Prince

Label: Warner Bros. Records

Date: October 19, 1979

Catalogue: BSK 3366

Format: LP

Country: United States (international releases followed)

THE STORY

Prince’s self-titled album is a major step forward from his debut, showcasing a more assured artist with stronger funk, pop, and R&B grooves. Once again, Prince played nearly all instruments himself and handled production, though he began incorporating a few collaborators. The album features some of his earliest signature songs, including the breakthrough hit “I Wanna Be Your Lover.”

CONTEXT & NOTES

Coming just 18 months after For You, this album established Prince as a major new force in Black music. It was his first album to crack the Top 40 on the pop charts and reached the Top 5 on the Soul charts. The success of “I Wanna Be Your Lover” helped launch his first major U.S. tour.

TRACK LIST

Side One I Wanna Be Your Lover (5:47) Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad? (3:49) Sexy Dancer (4:18) When We’re Dancing Close and Slow (5:18)

Side Two With You (3:59) Bambi (4:22) Still Waiting (4:14) I Feel For You (3:24) It’s Gonna Be Lonely (5:26)

PERSONNEL

Musicians

• Prince — all vocals and instruments (except where noted)

• André Cymone — vocal harmony on “Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad?” (uncredited)

Production

• Prince — producer, arranger, remixer, album cover concept

• Gary Brandt — engineer

• Mark Ettel — assistant engineer

• Bob Mockler — remixer

• Bernie Grundman — mastering (A&M)

• Lynn Barron & George Chacon — album design (RIA Images)

• Jurgen Reisch — photography (front cover and inner sleeve)

• Chris Callis — photography (back cover)

• Terry Taylor — calligraphy

• 
  

Special Thanks "Very special thanks to: God, Perry Jones, Tony Winfrey, André Cymone, Bobby Z., Dez Dickerson, Gayle Chapman, Matt Fink, Bob Cavallo, Joe Ruffalo, Alvin Winfrey, Chris Brice, Jim Brooks, Thurman Brooms, Chris Brotman, Warner Bros., Pepé Willie, Eric Eisner, Charleville Music, Bambi, Brighton Artists, Cynthia Horner, Ted Astin, Kim, Barry Gross, Murray Nagel, Knut Koupee, Lee Phillips, and all the beautiful people who got into my first album. I love you all."

CHARTS America

Country: Chart | Entry Date | Peak Position | Weeks in Chart

USA: Billboard Top LP’s & Tapes | 17 Nov. 1979 | 22 | 28

USA: Billboard Soul LPs | 17 Nov. 1979 | 3 | 31

USA: The Billboard 200 | 7 May 2016 | 52 (R) | 5

SINGLES RELEASED

• “I Wanna Be Your Lover” (b/w “My Love Is Forever”)

• “Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad?” (b/w “Baby”)

• “Still Waiting” (b/w “Bambi”)

• “Sexy Dancer” (UK & Japan only)

• “Bambi” (Belgium & Netherlands only)

Overall, the album was much more diverse and well-received than For You, critically and commercially, selling three million copies. It is notable for containing standard R&B ballads performed by Prince, before he would go on to establish himself with sexual romps on later albums. The album was certified platinum and contained three R&B/dance hits: "Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad?", "Sexy Dancer" and "I Wanna Be Your Lover." "I Wanna Be Your Lover" sold over one million copies and received a gold disc, rushing to No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 (becoming Prince's first hit single) and topped the R&B charts. In addition, it peaked at No. 41 in the United Kingdom (his first entry in the country) and reached number 2 on the Billboard Dance/Disco Singles chart. Prince performed both "I Wanna Be Your Lover" and "Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad?" on American Bandstand on 26 January 1980. Overall, the success of this album geared Prince towards his next album, Dirty Mind, which would be called a complete departure from his earlier sound.

SOURCES Prince Vault, Discogs, The Warner Bros. archives, Wikiepida.

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.

Prince (November 20, 1979) Prince Album Review – The Minneapolis Star USA