Prince & The New Power Generation: Come On Single (1998)

A Funky Call to the Dancefloor

“Come On,” the only single from Newpower Soul, was released in the UK and Europe on November 9, 1998, through NPG Records and BMG. Credited to The New Power Generation but dominated by Prince’s vision, the track featured Chaka Khan on laid-back background vocals and a playful music video where Prince, disguised as an elderly prankster, toys with his band in a London park, intercut with Beautiful Strange concert footage from Café de Paris. The maxi-single boasted multiple remixes, while a 1-800-NEW-FUNK exclusive added a rare “The One” remix. Available in six formats, it peaked at No. 65 for one week on the UK Singles Chart.

Single Overview

A-Side / Track 1: “Come On” (4:30, Prince)

Written-By, Producer – The Artist (Formerly Known As Prince), KAJ. Backing Vocals – Chaka Khan. Engineer – HMBuff.

B-Side / Additional Tracks (varies by format):

“Come On (Doug E. Fresh Mix)” (4:57) – Producer – Doug E. Fresh – Keyboards, Vocals – Butter – Keyboards – Free

“Come On (Remix)” (8:13) – Bass – Larry Graham – Saxophone – Walter Chancellor, Jr.

“Come On (Hypermix)” (7:58)

“Come On (Latenitemix)” (4:10)

“Come On (Acapella)” (3:27)

Release Details:

Label: NPG Records (UK & Europe).

Published By – Emancipated Music.

Formats:

Vinyl 12", Single (74321607161):

A1: “Come On (Doug E. Fresh Mix)” (4:57)

Producer – Doug E. Fresh – Keyboards – Butter, Free – Backing Vocals – Butter

A2: “Come On (Remix)” (8:13) – Bass – Larry Graham – Saxophone – Walter Chancellor, Jr.

A3: “Come On (Album Edit)” (4:30)

B1: “Come On (Hypermix)” (7:58)

B2: “Come On (Latenitemix)” (4:10)

B3: “Come On (Acapella)” (3:27)

Phonographic Copyright ℗ – NPG Records – Copyright © – NPG Records – Distributed By – BMG – Made in EU. – Barcode: 743216071616 – Label Code: LC 0748 – Price Code (F): BM330 – Rights Society: BIEM/GEMA – Matrix A: 74 321 607 16-1 A – Matrix B: 74321 607 16-1 B

CD Single (74321 63472 2):

Come On (Radio Edit) (4:30)

Come On (Remix) (8:13) – Bass – Larry Graham – Saxophone – Walter Chancellor, Jr.

Come On (Late Nite Mix) (4:10)

Phonographic Copyright ℗ – NPG Records – Copyright © – NPG Records / BMG Entertainment International UK & Ireland Ltd. – Published By – Emancipated Music – Recorded At – Paisley Park Studios – Glass Mastered At – Disctronics S – J-card case – Barcode: 743216347223 – Label Code: LC 0316 – Price Code (F): BM620 – Rights Society: BIEM/GEMA – Matrix: DISCTRONICS S 74321634722 01 – Mastering SID: IFPI L503 – Mould SID: IFPI 8706

CD, Single, Promo

(74321607162):

Come On (Album Edit) (4:25)

Phonographic Copyright ℗ – NPG Records – Copyright © – NPG Records – Published By – Emancipated Music – Recorded At – Paisley Park Studios – Engineered At – Paisley Park Studios – Glass Mastered At – Disctronics S – J-card case with title sticker – Rights Society: BIEM/GEMA, ASCAP – Label Code: LC 0748 – Matrix: DISCTRONICS S 74321629182 02 – Mastering SID: IFPI L503 – Mould SID: IFPI 8716

CD Single, Cardboard Sleeve

(74321607172):

Come On (Edit) (4:36)

Come On (Hyper Mix) (7:58)

Phonographic Copyright ℗ – NPG Records – Copyright © – NPG Records – Pressed By – Sonopress – X-5968 – Made in the EU. – Barcode: 743216071722 – Rights Society: BIEM/GEMA – Label Code: LC 0748 – Matrix: X-5968/4321607172 A – Mastering SID: IFPI L0 30 – Mould SID: IFPI 0779

CD Single Maxi

(74321 62918 2):

Come On (Doug E. Fresh Mix) (4:57) – Producer – Doug E. Fresh – Keyboards – Butter, Free – Vocals – Butter

Come On (Remix) (8:13) – Bass – Larry Graham – Saxophone – Walter Chancellor, Jr.

Come On (Album Edit) (4:30)

Come On (Hypermix) (7:58)

Come On (Latenitemix) (4:10)

Come On (Acapella) (3:27)

Phonographic Copyright ℗ – NPG Records – Copyright © – NPG Records – Distributed By – BMG – Pressed By – Sonopress – X-5180 – Barcode: 743216291823 – Price Code (F): BM620 – Label Code: LC0748 – Rights Society: BIEM/GEMA – Matrix: [Sonopress logo] X-5180/4321629182 A – Mastering SID: IFPI L030 – Mould SID: IFPI 0707

Cassette Single

(74321 634724):

Come On (Radio Edit) (4:30)

Come On (Late Nite Mix) (4:10)

Plays same both sides – All tracks published by Emancipation Music Inc./ASCAP – One On produced by o(+> and KAJ – Performed by The NPG – Laidbackgroundz Chaka Khan – Engineer HM Buff Studio Paisley Park – Original version on the album New Power Soul 74321 60598-2/4 – Funk owned and creatively grown – ℗© 1998 NPG Records – Distributed by the local BMG Company, a unit of BMG Entertainment – Made in the EU. – Barcode: 743216347247 – Label Code: LC 0316

Country Variations

The single was released across UK and Europe in six formats:

UK & Europe (NPG/BMG 74321607161): 12-inch vinyl.

Europe (NPG/RCA 74321 63472 2): CD single.

Europe (NPG/BMG 74321607162): CD promo.

Europe (NPG 74321607172): CD in cardboard sleeve.

Europe (NPG/BMG 74321 62918 2): Maxi CD.

UK (NPG 74321 634724): Cassette.

Production and Context:

Recorded at Paisley Park Studios. Producer: The Artist (Formerly Known As Prince), KAJ. Engineer: HMBuff. Backing Vocals: Chaka Khan. Come On was the sole single from Newpower Soul, blending house, funk, and R&B. The video showed Prince in disguise pranking his band in a London park, mixed with Beautiful Strange concert clips. The maxi-single offered remixes; a 1-800-NEW-FUNK exclusive added The One remix.

Chart Performance:

UK: No. 65 (Official Singles Chart), charting for 1 week.

Entry Date: November 21, 1998.

Peak: No. 65 (November 21, 1998).

Weeks on Chart: 1.

Chart Run: No. 65 (Nov 21).

Legacy and Collectibility

Come On is a late-’90s Prince funk gem, with Chaka Khan’s vocals and Doug E. Fresh remix highlights.

Have you snagged this NPG rarity in your collection? Does Come On get you moving? Share in the comments!

Sources Information is drawn from my personal knowledge and supplemented by web sources, including Prince Vault, Discogs, 45cat, AllMusic, Rate Your Music, Wikipedia, BBC Official Charts Company, Billboard Chart History and YouTube

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