Rosie Gaines (October 30, 1995) – I Want U Single UK: CD / 12"
Released in the UK on October 30, 1995, I Want U was the first single connected with Rosie Gaines' solo album Closer Than Close. The UK issue followed the song's earlier US release on May 9, 1995.
Issued through Motown, the single appeared across several configurations and became particularly notable for the large number of alternate mixes created around the song. The 1995 campaign encompassed commercial CD and 12" editions alongside promotional pressings, with different combinations of mixes appearing across territories and formats.
The release also has a direct Prince connection. Prince co-wrote I Want U, although the supplied information states that Prince did not perform as a musician on the recording.
RECORDING
The supplied information identifies Prince as a co-writer of I Want U, but does not credit Prince as a performer.
The single campaign substantially expanded the original recording through numerous remixes, including the Purple Version, Earth Mama Version, Weekend Mix, M&M Anthem Mix, Whistles In Heaven Mix and Notice The House Mix.
STYLE & THEMES
The extensive remix programme placed I Want U within several different dance-oriented settings.
Rather than presenting a single definitive treatment across every format, the release campaign offered numerous reinterpretations, edits, instrumentals and extended versions. This approach continued beyond the original 1995 campaign, with additional mixes and reissues appearing in 2000, 2005 and 2009.
TRACK-BY-TRACK NOTES
• I Want U (Purple Version) (3:36) – Principal version appearing across several of the original 1995 editions.
• I Want U (Earth Mama Version) (6:34) – Extended alternate treatment included on the European CD and UK 12".
• I Want U (Earth Mama Version Edit) (4:37) – Shortened version included on the US CD.
• I Want U (Earth Mama Version Instrumental) (5:01) – Instrumental variation issued on the US CD and UK promotional vinyl.
• I Want U (M&M Anthem Mix) (7:26) – Extended mix appearing on the UK CD and 12".
• I Want U (Weekend Mix) (9:35) – One of the longest mixes issued during the original campaign.
• I Want U (Whistles In Heaven Mix) (5:46) – Promotional mix appearing on CD and vinyl configurations.
• I Want U (Notice The House Mix) (5:42) – Promotional house mix.
• I Want U (Bonus Vocal Mix) (6:41) – Vocal mix distributed through promotional versions.
RELEASE HISTORY
I Want U was initially released in the United States on May 9, 1995.
The UK release followed on October 30, 1995.
The single preceded Closer Than Close and was issued worldwide in a variety of configurations. Several remixes were distributed across the original CD, 12" and promotional releases.
The campaign continued well beyond 1995. The single was revisited in 2000 with further remix editions, while selections from the earlier material were subsequently issued digitally during 2005. Further mixes appeared on I Want U – The Mixes, Vol. 2 in 2009.
CHARTS
Country | Chart | Entry Date | Peak | Weeks |
USA | Billboard Hot R&B Singles | June 10, 1995 | 90 | 5 |
USA | Billboard Hot Dance Music – Club Play | July 22, 1995 | 28 | 8 |
UK | UK Singles Chart | November 5, 1995 | 70 | 1 |
The single did not enter the US Billboard Hot 100.
CERTIFICATIONS
The single received no certifications in the territories included in the supplied information.
AWARDS
No awards are recorded in the supplied information.
PERSONNEL
Rosie Gaines – performer
Prince – co-writer
PRODUCTION
Artist: Rosie Gaines
Title: I Want U
Label: Motown
US Release Date: May 9, 1995
UK Release Date: October 30, 1995
Related Album: Closer Than Close
Formats: CD / 12" / Promotional CD / Promotional 12"
NOTES
• Released in the UK on October 30, 1995.
• The original US release took place on May 9, 1995.
• I Want U was the first single associated with Closer Than Close.
• Prince was a co-writer of the song.
• Prince did not perform as a musician on the recording according to the supplied source.
• The single was issued in numerous remix configurations.
• The 1995 campaign included commercial CD and 12" editions alongside promotional releases.
• The European CD catalogue number was 860 386-2.
• The US CD catalogue number was 422860323-2.
• The UK CD catalogue number was 860 485-2.
• The UK 12" catalogue number was 860 485-1.
• European promotional CD catalogue number was 860 447-2.
• UK promotional 12" editions included Rosie 1, Rosie 2 and Rosie 3.
• US promotional vinyl included catalogue numbers RGM 1, RG 009 and 374631262-1.
• The single did not reach the Billboard Hot 100.
• It reached No. 90 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart.
• It reached No. 28 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music – Club Play chart.
• The UK release reached No. 70 and remained on the chart for one week.
• Additional remixes appeared during 2000.
• Earlier and later versions were subsequently made available digitally in 2005.
• I Want U – The Mixes, Vol. 2 followed in 2009 with further versions.
RELATED RELEASES
• Rosie Gaines – Closer Than Close Album
• Rosie Gaines (1994) – Don't Say Goodbye Girl
• Rosie Gaines (1996) – House Of Brick (Brick House)
RELEASE VARIANTS TABLE
UK VARIANTS
Country | Year | Format | Catalogue Number |
UK | 1995 | CD Single | 860 485-2 |
UK | 1995 | 12" Single | 860 485-1 |
UK | 1995 | Promotional 12" | Rosie 1 |
UK | 1995 | Promotional 12" | Rosie 2 |
UK | 1995 | Promotional 12" | Rosie 3 |
INTERNATIONAL VARIANTS
Territory | Year | Format | Catalogue Number |
Europe | 1995 | CD Single | 860 386-2 |
Europe | 1995 | Promotional CD | 860 447-2 |
USA | 1995 | CD Single | 422860323-2 |
USA | 1995 | Promotional 12" | RGM 1 |
USA | 1995 | Promotional 12" | RG 009 |
USA | 1995 | Promotional 12" | 374631262-1 |
TRACKLIST TABLE (ALL FORMATS)
Format | Catalogue Number | Tracklisting |
Europe CD | 860 386-2 | 1. I Want U (Purple Version) – 3:36 2. I Want U (Earth Mama Version) – 6:34 |
USA CD | 422860323-2 | 1. I Want U (Purple Version) – 3:36 2. I Want U (Earth Mama Version) – 6:34 3. I Want U (Earth Mama Version Edit) – 4:37 4. I Want U (Earth Mama Version Instrumental) – 5:01 |
UK CD | 860 485-2 | 1. I Want U (Purple Version) – 3:36 2. I Want U (M&M Anthem Mix) – 7:26 3. I Want U (Earth Mama Version) – 6:34 4. I Want U (Weekend Mix) – 9:35 |
UK 12" | 860 485-1 | Side One • I Want U (Purple Version) – 3:36 • I Want U (Earth Mama Version) – 6:34 Side Two • I Want U (M&M Anthem Mix) – 7:26 • I Want U (Weekend Mix) – 9:35 |
Europe Promo CD | 860 447-2 | 1. I Want U (Whistles In Heaven Mix) – 5:46 2. I Want U (Notice The House Mix) – 5:42 3. I Want U (Anthem Mix) – 7:26 4. I Want U (Bonus Vocal Mix) – 6:41 |
UK Promo 12" | Rosie 1 | Side One • Purple Version – 3:36 • Earth Mama Version Edit – 4:37 Side Two • Earth Mama Version – 6:34 • Earth Mama Version Instrumental – 5:01 |
UK Promo 12" | Rosie 3 | Side One • Weekend Mix – 9:35 Side Two • M&M Anthem Mix Instrumental – 7:24 |
LATER REISSUES & REMIXES
Year | Release | Format / Notes |
2000 | I Want U | UK 12" remix reissue |
2000 | I Want U | UK promotional remix 12" |
2005 | I Want U – Remix | Digital reissue of 1995 mixes |
2005 | I Want U 2000 – Remix | Digital release of 2000 remixes |
2005 | I Want U – The Mixes | Digital compilation |
2009 | I Want U – The Mixes, Vol. 2 | Digital collection of additional mixes |
TAGS
Rosie Gaines, Prince, Prince Related Artists, I Want U, Closer Than Close, Motown, Rosie Gaines Singles, 1995
SOURCES
Prince Vault, The Vault: The Definitive Guide to the Musical World of Prince, Discogs, iTunes, Billboard, Ssleevographia2.
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