Prince: Space Single (1994)
- Escape
- Nov 1, 1994
- 6 min read
Updated: Oct 28
A Cosmic Funk Journey
Prince’s “Space” 7-inch vinyl single, and 12" Maxi Single were released on November 1, 1994, on Warner Bros. Records. This ethereal funk track, produced, arranged and composed by Prince,
The B-side of the single is actually the album track. The A-side is the Universal Love Radio Remix of "Space", with completely new lyrics.
In the album version of "Space" Prince sings about being obsessed with a lover and wanting to take their love higher comparing to the likes of space whereas the Universal Love Remix features a rap from Prince at the end which is lyrically similar to his smash hit "When Doves Cry" with a new bridge saying "All the pain that a human has to go through, in a planet that's so bitter and cold / Universal love awaits you, baby all you got to say is that you really, really, really wanna go / And we're outta here".
Critical reception
Larry Flick from Billboard magazine wrote that the song follows the "cozy funk/pop" of the previous "Letitgo." He added, "Unlike his past releases, this track reflects current trends rather than dictating them. Of the five mixes included on the CD pressing, the strumming 'Acoustic' remix works the best, giving the salacious, sex-happy lyrics some much-needed warmth." Chuck Campbell from Knoxville News Sentinel felt the "ensuing smooth cadence of 'Space' elevates the album a bit (though there's not much going on here, either)."
Chart performance
While "Space" did not chart on any airplay charts, it did reach #71 on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart due to single sales. In Australia, "Space" peaked at #91 on the ARIA singles chart.
US Country Variations
7" Single
Label: Warner Bros. Records – 7-18012
Format: Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, Single
Country: US
Track List:
A Space (Universal Love Radio Remix)
Edited By [Edits By] – Chronic Freeze
Remix [Remixed By] – The N.P.G. 3:58
B Space (Album Version) 4:28
12" Maxi-Single
Label: Warner Bros. Records – 9 41833-0, Warner Bros. Records – 0-41833
Format: Vinyl, 12", Maxi-Single
Country: US
Track List:
A1 Space (Universal Love Radio Remix) 3:58
A2 Space (Universal Love Remix) 6:10
A3 Space (Funky Stuff Remix) 5:41
B1 Space (Acoustic Remix) 4:41
B2 Space (Funky Stuff Dub) 4:48
Copyright © – Warner Bros. Records Inc.
Copyright © – WEA International Inc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Warner Bros. Records Inc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – WEA International Inc.
Published By – Controversy Music
Pressed By – Specialty Records Corporation
Engineer [Engineered] – Chronic Freeze, Kimm James, Ray Hahnfeldt
Producer, Arranged By, Composed By – Prince
Programmed By – Statik
Remix – The N.P.G.
Hype sticker on shrink:
Also available on Compact Disc Maxi-Single
Cover:
9 41833-0 [spine]
Original Version from the Warner Bros. album Come. Available on Cassette and Compact Disc (4/2-45700)
©℗ 1994 Warner Bros. Records Inc. for the U.S. and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the U.S.
[optional: Embossed (promo) gold stamp]
12" Maxi-Single Promo
Label: Warner Bros. Records – 0-41833-A
Format: Vinyl, 12", Advance, Single, Promo
Country: US
Track List:
A1 Space (Universal Love Radio Remix) 3:57
A2 Space (Universal Love Remix) 6:10
A3 Space (Funky Stuff Remix) 5:42
B1 Space (Acoustic Radio Remix) 4:42
B2 Space (Funky Stuff Remix Dub) 4:48
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Warner Bros. Records Inc.
White Generic Sleeve
℗ 1994 Warner Bros. Records Inc.
Labels: 0-41833
Controversy Music, admin. by WB Music Corp.
© ℗ 1994 Warner Bros. Records Inc.
CD Single Promo
Label: Warner Bros. Records – PRO-CD-7241-R
Format: CD, Single, Promo
Country: US
Track List:
1 Space (Universal Love Radio Remix Edit w/o Rap) 3:57
2 Space (Acoustic Radio Remix Edit) 3:43
3 Space (Universal Love Radio Remix Edit With Rap) 3:57
4 Space (Funky Stuff Remix) 5:42
5 Space (Album Version) 4:28
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Warner Bros. Records Inc.
Manufactured By – WEA Manufacturing
Published By – Controversy Music
Published By – WB Music Corp.
Glass Mastered At – Specialty Records Corporation
Composed By, Producer, Arranged By, Performer – Prince
Edited By – Chronic Freeze (tracks: 1 to 3)
Remix – The N.P.G.* (tracks: 1 to 4)
Standard jewel case with tray insert only.
Promotion only . Not for sale
CD: ℗ 1994 Warner Bros. Records Inc., a Time Warner Company. Mfg. by WEA Manufacturing.
From the Warner Bros. album COME (4/2-45700)
Controversy Music, admin. by WB Music Corp. ASCAP
Made in USA
CD, Single Card Sleeve
Label: Warner Bros. Records – 9 18012-2
Format: CD, Single, Card Sleeve
Country: US
Track List:
1 Space (Universal Love Radio Remix)
Edited By – Chronic Freeze
Programmed By – Statik
Remix – The N.P.G. 3:57
2 Space (Album Version) 4:28
Copyright © – Warner Bros. Records Inc.
Copyright © – WEA International Inc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Warner Bros. Records Inc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – WEA International Inc.
Published By – Controversy Music
Published By – WB Music Corp.
Manufactured By – WEA Manufacturing
Producer, Arranged By, Composed By – Prince
Carboard sleeve: from the Warner Bros. album Come.
Available on cassette and compact disc (4/2-45700).
CD Maxi-Single Flip Case
Label: Warner Bros. Records – 9 41833-2
Format CD, Maxi-Single, FLP Case
Country: US
Track List:
1 Space (Universal Love Remix) 6:10
2 Space (Funky Stuff Remix) 5:41
3 Space (Funky Stuff Dub) 4:48
4 Space (Acoustic Remix) 4:41
5 Space (Album Version) 4:31
Copyright © – Warner Bros. Records Inc.
Copyright © – WEA International Inc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Warner Bros. Records Inc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – WEA International Inc.
Published By – Controversy Music
Published By – WB Music Corp.
Manufactured By – WEA Manufacturing
Glass Mastered At – Specialty Records Corporation
Engineer [Engineered By] – Chronic Freeze, Kimm James, Ray Hahnfeldt
Producer, Arranged By, Composed By – Prince
Programmed By [Programming] – Statik (4)
Remix [Remixed By] – The N.P.G.*
FLP case:
*From the Warner Bros. album Come. Available on cassette and compact disc (4/2-45700).
Warner Bros. Records Inc., a Time Warner Company. ©℗ 1994 Warner Bros. Records Inc. for the U.S. and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the U.S. Made in U.S.A.
© 1994 Controversy Music. admin. by WB Music Corp. ASCAP [inner panel]
Disc:
Mfg. by WEA Manufacturing
*From the Warner Bros. album Come (4/2-45700) (ASCAP)
[the single asterisks refer to track 5]
Cassette Single Promo
Label: Warner Bros. Records – none
Format: Cassette, Single, Promo
Country: US
Track List:
A1 Space (Universal Love Radio Remix Edit No Rap)
A2 Space (Acoustic Radio Remix Edit)
A3 Space (Universal Love Radio Remix Edit With Rap)
A4 Space (Funky Stuff Remix)
A5 Space (Album Version)
"Non Dolby" & "PRO-CD-7241-R" printed above track list.
Cassette Single
Label: Warner Bros. Records – 9 18012-4, Warner Bros. Records – 4-18012
Format: Cassette, Single, SR
Country: US
Track List:
A Space (Universal Love Radio Remix)
Edited By – Chronic Freeze
Programmed By – Statik
Remix – The N.P.G.* 3:57
B Space (Album Version) 4:28
Record Company – Time Warner
Copyright © – Warner Bros. Records Inc.
Copyright © – WEA International Inc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Warner Bros. Records Inc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – WEA International Inc.
Published By – Controversy Music
Published By – WB Music Corp.
Duplicated By – Specialty Records Corporation
Producer, Arranged By, Composed By – Prince
Cardboard slipcase
Controversy Music, admin by WB Music Corp. ASCAP
**From the Warner Bros. album Come
[double asterisk refer to track B]
Australia Variations
CD Single
Label: Warner Bros. Records – 9362418332
Format: CD, Single
Country: Australia
Track List:
1 Space (Universal Love Remix)
Remix – The New Power Generatio 6:10
2 Space (Funky Stuff Remix)
Remix – The New Power Generatio 5:41
3 Space (Funky Stuff Dub)
Remix – The New Power Generatio 4:48
4 Space (Acoustic Remix)
Remix – The New Power Generation 4:41
5 Space (Album Version)
Cassette Single
Label: Warner Bros. Records – 5439180124
Format: Cassette, Single
Country: Australia
Track List:
A1 Space (Universal Love Radio Remix)
A2 Space (Album Version)
B1 Space (Universal Love Radio Remix)
B2 Space (Album Version)
Canada
CD Maxi-Single
Label: Warner Bros. Records – CD 41833
Format: CD, Maxi-Single
Country: Canada
Track List:
1 Space (Universal Love Remix) 6:10
2 Space (Funky Stuff Remix) 5:41
3 Space (Funky Stuff Dub) 4:48
4 Space (Acoustic Remix) 4:41
5 Space (Album Version) 4:31
Japan
CD Single Promo
Label: Warner Bros. Records – WPCR-169
Format: CD, Single, Promo
Country: Japan
Released: Feb 10, 1995
1 Space (Universal Love Remix) 6:11
2 Space (Funky Stuff Remix) 5:42
3 Space (Funky Stuff Dub) 4:47
4 Space (Acoustic Remix) 4:41
5 Space (Album Version) 4:32
6 Space (Universal Love Radio Remix) 3:58
CD Maxi-Single, Reissue
Label: Warner Bros. Records – WPCR-1520
Series: Collectors Series (9)
Format: CD, Maxi-Single, Reissue, Stereo
Country: Japan
Released: Aug 25 1997
1 Space (Universal Love Remix) 6:10
2 Space (Funky Stuff Remix) 5:42
3 Space (Funky Stuff Dub) 4:47
4 Space (Acoustic Remix) 4:41
5 Space (Album Version) 4:31
6 Space (Universal Love Radio Remix)
Spain
CD Single Promo
Label: WEA – 2003
Format: CD, Single, Promo
Country: Spain
Released: 1994
1 Space (Album Version)
2 Space (Acoustic Version)
3 Space (Universal Love Remix)
Have you snagged this Prince rarity in your vinyl collection? Does “Space” transport you? Share in the comments!
Sources
Discogs: Space (1994)
45cat: Space Single
Official Charts Company: Prince Singles
AllMusic: Prince Discography
Wikipedia: Come (album)
Billboard Chart History: Prince
YouTube: Space Official Audio (2014 upload, 1M+ views)
Hilariously, I was somehow disappointed with the album Come upon release (which is so shocking to me now, because that album is BRILLIANT), but the Universal Love remix of Space is what kind of gave me a way in, to start appreciating the dark, cold beauty of Come.