Prince: The Arms Of Orion Single (1989)

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A Sultry Batman Ballad

Prince’s “The Arms Of Orion (Edit)” 7-inch vinyl single, was released in the UK on November 6, 1989, on Warner Bros. Records (catalogue: W 2757). Backed with “I Love U In Me,” this tender R&B ballad, written and produced by Prince, was the third single from his eleventh album, Batman. The A-side’s smooth synths and Prince’s falsetto romance peaked at No. 27 and remained on the UK Singles Chart for 5 weeks, then had a second run of two weeks December 24-30

Released four months after the album’s June 1989 debut, it continued the Batman movie tie-in. Available on vinyl and cassette, it’s a sultry gem from Prince’s cinematic era.

Single Overview

A-Side: “The Arms Of Orion (Edit)”

Composed and performed by Prince featuring Sheena Easton, and produced by Prince.

A dreamy R&B duet with Sheena Easton, evoking star-crossed lovers in a Batman-inspired fantasy.

B-Side: “I Love U In Me”

Producer, Arranger, Composer, Performer – Prince. This track is funky and introspective, featuring raw lyrics and synth grooves from Batman.

Release Details:

Label: Warner Bros. Records (UK pressing, 45 RPM).

UK Formats:

7-Inch Vinyl (W 2757): “The Arms Of Orion (Edit)” / “I Love U In Me.” In a picture sleeve with Batman artwork.

Label: Warner Bros. Records – W 2757, Warner Bros. Records – 759 922 757-7

Format: Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo

A The Arms Of Orion Prince With Sheena Easton–

Composed By, Performer – Prince, Sheena Easton

Producer, Arranged By – Prince

BI Love U In Me

Producer, Arranged By, Composed By, Performer – Prince

Phonographic Copyright ℗ – WEA International Inc.

Published By – Warner Chappell Music Ltd.

Published By – Skye Heart Music

Mastered At – Musitech

Distributed By – WEA Records Ltd.

Record Company – Warner Communications

Design – Tom Recchion

Sleeve:

From the Motion Picture Soundtrack Album BATMAN™

[some copies may have a "Promotional copy only not for resale" sticker]

Labels:

Made in UK

℗ 1989 WEA International Inc.

Side A label:

From the Motion Picture Soundtrack Album "BATMAN"™ A Warner Bros. Film

Warner Chappell Music Ltd./Skye Heart Music

Side B label:

Previously Unreleased

Warner Chappell Music Ltd.

Barcode (Text): 0 75992 27577 4

Matrix / Runout (Side A, etched, variant 1): W 2757 A-1 MT

Matrix / Runout (Side B, etched, variant 1): W 2757 B-1 MT

Matrix / Runout (Side A, etched, variant 2): W2757 A2

Matrix / Runout (Side B, etched, variant 2): W2757 B2

Cassette Single (W 2757C): “The Arms Of Orion (Edit)” / “I Love U In Me.” In a cassette sleeve.

Label: Warner Bros. Records – W2757C, Warner Bros. Records – 759 922 757-4, Warner Bros. Records – W2757

Format: Cassette, Single

A1 The Arms Of Orion

Composed By, Performer – Prince, Sheena Easton

Producer, Arranged By – Prince

A2 I Love U In Me

Producer, Arranged By, Composed By, Performer – Prince

B1 The Arms Of Orion

B2 I Love U In Me

Phonographic Copyright ℗ – WEA International Inc.

Published By – Warner Chappell Music Ltd.

Published By – Skye Heart Music

J-card:

W2757C 759 922 757-4 [spine]

Sides one and two

1. The Arms Of Orion

2. I Love U In Me (Previously Unreleased)

From the motion picture soundtrack album BATMAN™

Distributed by WEA Records Ltd. A Warner Communications Co.

1. Warner Chappell Music Ltd./Skye Heart Music

2. Warner Chappell Music Ltd.

Tape shell:

W2757

Barcode (Text): 0 75992 27574 3

Other formats were introduced that were specific to the UK.

Single 3" Mini CD gatefold cardboard sleeve

Warner Bros. Records – W 2757CDX

1 The Arms Of Orion (LP-Vers.) 5:03

2 I Love U In Me 4:12

3 The Arms Of Orion (Edit) 3:52

Single 12" Vinyl Commercial in Picture Sleeve

Warner Bros. Records – W 2757 T

A The Arms Of Orion 5:03

B1 I Love U In Me 4:12

B2 The Arms Of Orion 3:52

Single 12" Vinyl Commercial in Picture Sleeve

P.R. Records

Warner Bros. Records – W 2757 T

A The Arms Of Orion 5:03

B1 I Love U In Me 4:12

B2 The Arms Of Orion 3:52

Single 12" Vinyl Picture Disc in Clear Plastic Sleeve

Warner Bros. Records – W 2757TP

A The Arms Of Orion 5:03

This Side

B1 I Love U In Me 4:12

B2 The Arms Of Orion 3:52

Single 12" Vinyl Picture Disc Clear Rim in Picture Sleeve

Warner Bros. Records – W 2757TP

Other Side

A The Arms Of Orion 5:03

This Side

B1 I Love U In Me 4:12

B2 The Arms Of Orion 3:52

Single 12" Vinyl White Label in Exclusive Printed Sleeve with an A4 press release.

Warner Bros. Records – W 2757 T

A The Arms Of Orion

B1 I Love U In Me

B2 The Arms Of Orion

Country Variations

The single was released in several countries, but not with the varied selection of the UK, underlying Prince's popularity in Europe.

Chart Performance:

Chart (1989) Peak position

Australia (ARIA) 108

Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) 33

Netherlands (Single Top 100) 13

New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) 44

UK Singles (OCC) 27

US Billboard Hot 100 36

UK Chart Data:

Entry Date: No.35 November 12 - 18, 1989.

Peak: No. 27 (November 26 - December 2, 1989).

Weeks on Chart: 7 over 2 runs

Single Chart Performance

“The Arms Of Orion” peaked at No. 27 in the UK for 4 weeks, charting for 7 weeks in total.

Have you snagged this Prince rarity in your vinyl collection? Does “The Arms Of Orion” embrace you? Share in the comments!

Sources

Prince Vault: The Arms Of Orion

Discogs: The Arms Of Orion (1989)

45cat: W 2757 Single

YouTube: The Arms Of Orion Official Video (2008 upload, 10M+ views)

Wikipedia: The Arms Of Orion

Official Charts Company: Prince Singles

AllMusic: Prince Discography

Billboard Chart History: Prince

The single did not achieve any chart success.

Prince: The Arms Of Orion Single (1989)

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