Sugar Walls Single US: 1984

A Prince-Penned Sheena Easton Scandal

Released as a single in the US on December 22, 1984, on EMI America (catalogue: B-8253), Sheena Easton’s “Sugar Walls” — written by Prince under his pseudonym Alexander Nevermind — was the second single from A Private Heaven. Backed with “Straight Talking,” this synth-pop/disco anthem — produced by Greg Mathieson & Alexander Nevermind — peaked at No. 9 on Billboard Hot 100, No. 3 R&B, and No. 1 Dance. Issued in Jacksonville pressing, promo, and 12-inch maxi with Dance/Red mixes. A controversial Prince classic.

Single Overview

Release Details

Label: EMI America.

Formats: Vinyl 7" 45 RPM (Jacksonville/Allied), 12" maxi, promo.

Full Track Listing

7" Single (B-8253)

Side A

Sugar Walls (3:59) – Written-By: Alexander Nevermind

Side B

Straight Talking (3:41) – Written-By: Laboriel, Mathieson, Easton, Veitch

12" Maxi-Single (V-7852)

Side A

Sugar Walls (Dance Mix) (7:01)

Side B

1. Sugar Walls (Red Mix) (5:26)

US Reissues & Global Variants (all supplied)

- 7", 45 RPM, Jacksonville Pressing – EMI America B-8253 – US – 1984

- 7", 45 RPM, Promo – EMI America P-B-8253 – US – 1984

- 12", 33 ⅓ RPM – EMI America V-7852 – US – 1985

- 12", 45 RPM, RSD Picture Disc – RT Industries RTI0001P – US – 2019

Production and Context

Written by Prince (as Alexander Nevermind). Produced by Greg Mathieson & Alexander Nevermind. From *A Private Heaven* (1984).

Chart Performance

America

- USA (Billboard Hot 100): 9 (17 weeks) – entry December 22, 1984

- USA (Billboard Black Singles): 3 (16 weeks)

- USA (Billboard Hot Dance/Disco): 1 (1 week)

- USA (Billboard Dance Singles Sales): 1 (2 weeks)

Europe

- Germany (MusikWoche Top 100): 57 (5 weeks)

- UK: 95 (1 week)

Do you have Sugar Walls in your vinyl stack? Ready to climb? 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

Whilst every effort is made to provide accurate information, mistakes do happen. Simply leave a comment and the post will be updated. Thank you.