Prince O(+> (January 13, 1997) “The Holy River” – CD Single Part 1 UK (2CD Set)

This was the second commercially released single from Prince O(+>’s 19th studio album Emancipation, the third album credited to , and formed part of a two-disc CD set that included exclusive ♀ prints for collectors. Released two months after the album, it was available primarily in the UK and Japan, with only promotional copies in the US.

Artist: Prince O(+>

Label: NPG Records / EMI

Date: January 13, 1997 Catalogue: 72438 83765 2 5 (Part 1) Format: CD Single (Part 1 of 2CD Set) Country: UK

TRACK LIST UK CD Single Part 1

1. The Holy River (Radio Edit) (4:00)

2. Somebody’s Somebody (Edit) (4:30)

3. Somebody’s Somebody (Livestudio Mix) (3:47)

4. Somebody’s Somebody (Ultrafantasy Edit) (3:45)

LINKED RELEASES / VARIANTS

• Album version on Emancipation (1996)

• Part 2 of the 2CD set

• US promotional singles

• Borders Books & Music cassette single (with exclusive “Welcome 2 The Dawn (Acoustic Version)”)

PERSONNEL

Prince O(+> – vocals, all instruments, production

THE STORY

“The Holy River” was issued as the second commercial single from Emancipation in January 1997. The spiritually themed, mid-tempo track reflected the album’s themes of independence and rebirth following Prince O(+>’s departure from Warner Bros. This UK Part 1 CD single focused on an edited version of the title track paired with several remixes/edits of “Somebody’s Somebody.”

A companion Part 2 CD was released simultaneously, and the set included three exclusive ♀ prints for collectors. In May 1997, a special Borders Books & Music cassette version added the previously unreleased “Welcome 2 The Dawn (Acoustic Version).”

CONTEXT & NOTES 

Part of a limited 2CD collector’s set released to support the Emancipation album and the associated tour. The striking cover artwork features a serene waterfall scene with the iconic ♀ symbol. This UK edition is sought after by collectors for the exclusive prints and packaging.

CHART PERFORMANCE 

UK Gallup Singles Chart – #19 (peaked March 2, 1997)

RELATED MATERIAL 

Prince O(+> (1996) Emancipation (Album) For other relevant posts, see the tags at the foot of the page.

SOURCES 

Prince Vault, Discogs, sleevographia2.

All single artwork, photographs, labels, 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.