Prince (September 6, 2018) – "17 Days (Piano & A Microphone 1983 Version)" Single: Worldwide Digital

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On 6 September 2018, the Piano & A Microphone 1983 version of 17 Days was released worldwide as a digital download, serving as an advance preview of the posthumous album Piano & A Microphone 1983.

This early release arrived two weeks before the album itself, offering listeners a raw, intimate glimpse into Prince’s 1983 piano rehearsal tapes.

The track’s full copyrighted title — 17

Days (the rain will come down, then U will have 2 choose. If U believe look 2 the dawn and U shall never lose.) — reflects Prince’s poetic phrasing and the lyrical tone of the era.

The original studio version of 17 Days had been issued in 1984 as the B‑side of When Doves Cry, later appearing in 1993 on The Hits / The B‑Sides. The 1983 piano rehearsal included on the 2018 album was also distributed physically as the A‑side of a 7" vinyl single titled 17 Days (Piano Version), given away as a covermount with the October 2018 edition of Rolling Stone magazine in Germany.

RECORDING

While exact recording dates for 17 Days are not fully documented, the earliest known version was tracked at The Warehouse in St. Louis Park, Minnesota in August 1983.

This session likely took place only days after work on Let’s Go Crazy and Computer Blue. Brenda Bennett contributed vocals to this early version. At the time, Vanity had just departed the Prince camp, and Apollonia had not yet been cast, creating a transitional moment within the Purple Rain era.

Although long believed not to have been intended for Vanity 6 or Apollonia 6, Brenda Bennett later recalled that 17 Days was originally recorded for a second Vanity 6 album and was at one point considered for a solo project Prince envisioned for her.

A new studio version was recorded on 8 January 1984 at Sunset Sound in Hollywood, three days after Oliver’s House, with Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman providing background vocals. Additional work continued in March. Although the When Doves Cry single was credited solely to Prince, 17 Days carried the credit Prince and the Revolution, making it the earliest released track to bear that designation.

In 2000, a fan asked on NPGonlineltd about the identity of the uncredited backing vocalist heard near the end of the track. The response confirmed: “BRENDA BENNETT.” Her contribution may originate from her own earlier version.

The song received its first public airing in early April 1984 when Prince brought a tape of it to First Avenue to be played there.

RELEASE HISTORY

Released worldwide on 6 September 2018 as a digital download preview for the album Piano & A Microphone 1983.

The same piano version was issued physically as the A‑side of a 7" vinyl single titled 17 Days (Piano Version), distributed as a covermount with the October 2018 edition of Rolling Stone (Germany).

PERSONNEL

Prince — piano, vocals Brenda Bennett — background vocals (uncredited, archival version) Wendy Melvoin — background vocals (1984 studio version) Lisa Coleman — background vocals (1984 studio version)

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SOURCES Discogs, 45 World, Wikipedia, BBC Official Charts, Prince Vault, Sleeveographia2

All magazine scans, photographs, and original text excerpts referenced in this entry 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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