Prince (October 25, 2005) – “S.S.T.” b/w “Brand New Orleans” CD Single: US
“S.S.T.” was released as a standalone Prince single, independent of an album, with proceeds from the release donated to the Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund.
The project emerged particularly quickly. “S.S.T.” was initially made available through the NPG Music Club within 24 hours of being recorded, while “Brand New Orleans” was simultaneously offered as streaming audio.
Two days later, both Prince tracks became available for purchase alongside “You Will Be Moved”, a Prince-written track performed by Mavis Staples.
The initial downloadable release of “S.S.T.” was dated September 5, 2005. Eight weeks after its original appearance, “S.S.T.” and “Brand New Orleans” were brought together for the commercial physical CD single released in the USA on October 25, 2005.
The physical release was issued through Columbia Records and NPG Records under catalogue number 38K 675152 and retained the charitable purpose of the original project, with proceeds benefiting the Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund.
Neither “S.S.T.” nor “Brand New Orleans” was associated with an album, making this a self-contained Prince release.
TRACK-BY-TRACK NOTES
• S.S.T. — The 3:39 title track was recorded and released with unusual speed, becoming available through the NPG Music Club within 24 hours of its recording. It initially appeared as a download on its own before subsequently being coupled with “Brand New Orleans” on the commercial CD single.
• Brand New Orleans — Running 6:37, this non-album recording was initially made available as streaming audio when “S.S.T.” first appeared. It was subsequently offered for purchase and became the second track on the October 25 physical single.
• You Will Be Moved — A 4:12 Prince-written Mavis Staples track offered alongside “S.S.T.” and “Brand New Orleans” through the NPG Music Club. It was part of that digital offering but was not included on the two-track commercial CD single.
RELEASE HISTORY
“S.S.T.” first appeared as a download on September 5, 2005. Its initial NPG Music Club availability followed extremely quickly after its creation, with the title track released within 24 hours of being recorded.
At the same time, “Brand New Orleans” was available as streaming audio.
Two days later, the two Prince recordings could both be purchased, together with the Prince-written Mavis Staples recording “You Will Be Moved”.
This early digital configuration had no catalogue number. An additional reference supplied for the three-track digital configuration is Amazon B000BLI34I.
Eight weeks later, “S.S.T.” and “Brand New Orleans” received a physical release in the United States. The commercial CD single was issued on October 25, 2005 through Columbia Records and NPG Records with catalogue number 38K 675152.
The physical release contained “S.S.T.” at 3:39 followed by the 6:37 “Brand New Orleans”.
The single was not issued in 7", 12" or cassette formats.
Its wider CD release also affected its chart eligibility. Although “S.S.T.” did not enter the Billboard Hot 100, the supplied information states that it was only eligible following the wider physical release. It instead reached No. 111 on Billboard's Bubbling Under The Hot 100 chart.
CERTIFICATIONS
The single received no certifications in the USA or elsewhere according to the supplied information.
AWARDS
The single received no awards in the USA or elsewhere according to the supplied information.
PRODUCTION
Label: Columbia Records / NPG Records
NOTES
“S.S.T.” was conceived as a benefit release, with proceeds directed to the Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund. The charitable purpose therefore formed a central part of the project rather than the single serving as promotion for an album.
The speed with which “S.S.T.” moved from recording to release was also notable. The supplied information states that the track became available through the NPG Music Club within 24 hours of its recording.
“Brand New Orleans” initially accompanied the project as streaming audio before becoming available for purchase. The two songs were ultimately paired on the October 25, 2005 physical CD single.
The NPG Music Club offering also incorporated the Prince-written Mavis Staples recording “You Will Be Moved”, although this third song was not carried across to the commercial CD.
The physical single was restricted to CD in the supplied release information. No commercial 7", 12" or cassette editions were issued.
CHARTS & CERTIFICATIONS
AMERICA
USA: Billboard Bubbling Under The Hot 100 — Entry: October 1, 2005 — Peak: 111 — Weeks: 1
USA: Billboard Hot Digital Songs — Entry: October 1, 2005 — Peak: 56 — Weeks: 1
USA: Billboard Pop 100 — Entry: October 1, 2005 — Peak: 67 — Weeks: 1
USA: Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Sales — Entry: November 12, 2005 — Peak: 22 — Weeks: 10
The single did not enter the US Billboard Hot 100.
RELEASE VARIANTS TABLE
Artist | Title | Label | Country | Catalogue | Date | Format |
Prince | S.S.T. | NPG Music Club | — | No catalogue number | September 5, 2005 | Download |
Prince | S.S.T. / Brand New Orleans / You Will Be Moved | NPG Music Club | — | No catalogue number | September 2005 | Digital |
Prince | S.S.T. / Brand New Orleans / You Will Be Moved | — | — | B000BLI34I | September 2005 | Amazon Digital |
Prince | S.S.T. b/w Brand New Orleans | Columbia Records / NPG Records | USA | 38K 675152 | October 25, 2005 | CD Single |
TRACKLIST TABLE (ALL FORMATS)
Format | Catalogue | Tracklisting |
NPG Music Club Download | No catalogue number | 1. S.S.T. (3:39) |
NPG Music Club Digital | No catalogue number | 1. S.S.T. (3:39) 2. Brand New Orleans (6:37) 3. You Will Be Moved (4:12) – Mavis Staples |
Digital | B000BLI34I | 1. S.S.T. (3:39) 2. Brand New Orleans (6:37) 3. You Will Be Moved (4:12) – Mavis Staples |
USA CD Single | 38K 675152 | 1. S.S.T. (3:39) 2. Brand New Orleans (6:37) |
SOURCES Prince Vault, Sleevographia2, Discogs.
All single 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. No ownership of the original material is claimed or implied.
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