Prince & The New Power Generation (September 9, 1991) – "Cream" b/w "Horny Pony" Single: Worldwide
Released worldwide on 9 September 1991, Cream was the second single from Diamonds And Pearls, the first album credited to Prince and the New Power Generation. Issued three weeks before the album, the single arrived during a major commercial resurgence for Prince.
The track became Prince’s fifth US number‑one single, following When Doves Cry, Let’s Go Crazy, Kiss, and Batdance. It also entered the top ten in fifteen countries worldwide, confirming its status as one of Prince’s most successful international singles of the 1990s.
The B‑side Horny Pony had previously appeared as the B‑side to Gett Off, making its reuse unusual.
A nine‑track maxi‑single followed two months later, containing multiple remixes and staged telephone surveys appended to several mixes. The single was certified Gold in the USA and Platinum in Australia, and was re‑released in 2023 as part of the Diamonds And Pearls Singles collection.
RECORDING
Recorded during the Diamonds And Pearls sessions, Cream features Prince on lead vocals, guitars, and drum programming, supported by members of the New Power Generation.
The track’s production blends polished pop‑rock, funk elements, and glam‑influenced guitar textures. The B‑side Horny Pony was originally intended for the album but replaced at the last minute by Gett Off.
STYLE & THEMES
Cream is a swaggering pop‑funk track built around sensual confidence, melodic hooks, and glam‑rock inflections. Horny Pony leans into rap‑based rhythms and playful lyrical delivery, reflecting Prince’s early‑1990s stylistic experimentation.
TRACK‑BY‑TRACK NOTES
• Cream — A worldwide hit blending pop, funk, and glam‑rock influences, becoming Prince’s fifth US number‑one single.
• Horny Pony — A rap‑driven B‑side reused from the Gett Off single, originally intended for Diamonds And Pearls.
RELEASE HISTORY
Released 9 September 1991 worldwide as a 7" vinyl single, CD single, cassette single, and multiple international formats.
Issued by Paisley Park / Warner Bros. Catalogue numbers include US: 7‑19175, UK: W0061, DE: 5439‑19175‑7, with additional CD and cassette variants across Europe, Japan, Australia, Canada, and the USA. A maxi‑single containing nine tracks followed later in 1991. Re‑released in 2023 as part of the Diamonds And Pearls Singles collection.
Artist: Prince & The New Power Generation
Title: Cream
Label: Paisley Park / Warner Bros. Country: Worldwide
Catalogue: 7‑19175 / W0061 / 5439‑19175‑7
Date: September 9, 1991
Format: 7" Single
Tracklist (7"):
A — Cream (4:12)
B — Horny Pony (4:17)
PERSONNEL
Prince — vocals, electric lead guitar, Roland R‑8 Levi Seacer Jr. — electric rhythm guitar
Rosie Gaines — Hammond organ, backing vocals
Tommy Barbarella — synthesizers
Sonny T. — bass guitar
Michael B. — drums
Tracklist (CD Single):
1. Cream (4:12)
2. Horny Pony (4:17)
3. Gangster Glam (5:06)
Region | Chart / Certification | Peak / Award | Notes |
USA | #1 (2 weeks) | Weekly chart | |
USA | Weekly chart | ||
UK | Weekly chart | ||
Australia | Weekly chart | ||
Canada | Weekly chart | ||
New Zealand | Weekly chart | ||
Austria | Weekly chart | ||
Belgium | Weekly chart | ||
Denmark | Weekly chart | ||
France | Weekly chart | ||
Ireland | Weekly chart | ||
Italy | Weekly chart | ||
Netherlands | Weekly chart | ||
Netherlands | Weekly chart | ||
Norway | Weekly chart | ||
Portugal | Weekly chart | ||
Spain | Weekly chart | ||
Sweden | Weekly chart | ||
Switzerland | Weekly chart | ||
USA | Gold (500,000) | Certification | |
Australia | Platinum (70,000) | Certification |
Notes: Worldwide release issued across multiple territories in 7", CD, cassette, and promo formats. B‑side Horny Pony reused from the Gett Off single. Maxi‑single includes nine tracks and staged telephone surveys. Certified Gold (USA) and Platinum (Australia). Re‑released in 2023 as part of the Diamonds And Pearls Singles collection.
SOURCES Discogs, 45 World, Wikipedia. BBC Official Charts Prince Vault, Sleeveographia2
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