✦ The Truth b/w Don’t Play Me – CD Single: Feb. 1997
- GlamSlamEscape
- Feb 14, 1997
- 2 min read
A Rare Direct‑Order Acoustic Statement
Prince’s first and only single from The Truth — issued exclusively through 1‑800‑New‑Funk as a limited, fan‑direct CD release
✦ Summary
Released February 14, 1997, The Truth b/w Don’t Play Me became the first and only single from Prince’s acoustic‑driven 21st album The Truth — and his fifth album credited to 0(+>. As your notes confirm, the single was “first made available as a CD single through 1‑800‑New‑Funk” on the same day as the NPG Orchestra’s Kamasutra.
Sold exclusively via the 1‑800‑New‑Funk phone service and 1800newfunk.com, the disc carried a premium price of $15.00, reflecting its boutique, direct‑to‑fan nature. Both tracks would later appear on The Truth, which had already been circulated to music critics at the time of the single’s release.
Due to its extremely limited distribution and lack of retail availability, the single was not eligible for any charts, making original copies highly collectible among Prince archivists.
A rare, intimate artifact from Prince’s late‑’90s independent era — and one of the most elusive singles in his catalogue.
✦ Highlights
• Released 14 February 1997 (USA)
• First and only single from The Truth
• Direct‑order exclusive via 1‑800‑New‑Funk and 1800newfunk.com
• Sold for $15.00
• Released the same day as Kamasutra
• Not eligible for charts due to limited distribution
• No catalogue number assigned
✦ Track Details
CD Single – 1997 (NPG / Direct Order)
The Truth — 3:32
Don’t Play Me — 2:50
✦ Reissues & Global Variants
• No reissues
• No international editions
• Original CD remains the only physical format
✦ Production and Context
• Released during Prince’s independent distribution period
• Tied to the rollout of The Truth (sent to critics concurrently)
• Acoustic‑driven material showcasing stripped‑back songwriting
• Direct‑order model bypassed traditional retail channels
• No promotional campaign, radio push, or music video
✦ Singles Released
The Truth b/w Don’t Play Me — 14 February 1997
(No additional singles issued from The Truth)
✦ Chart Performance
• Not eligible for charts due to limited direct‑order release
✦ Mini Discography
The Truth Era Releases:
The Truth b/w Don’t Play Me (Single) — 1997
Kamasutra — 1997
The Truth (Album) — 1998 (direct‑order) / 2021 (RSD vinyl)
✦ Prince Era Mini‑Timeline
14 Feb 1997 — The Truth single released via 1‑800‑New‑Funk
14 Feb 1997 — Kamasutra released
1998 — The Truth included in Crystal Ball direct‑order set
2021 — The Truth receives first standalone vinyl release
✦ Glam Flashback
The Truth b/w Don’t Play Me captures Prince at his most intimate and uncompromising — a moment where he stripped away the layers of production and delivered raw, acoustic confessionals directly to fans. Released outside the traditional music industry pipeline, the single embodies the independence and experimentation that defined his late‑’90s output. Its scarcity only amplifies its mystique.
A jewel of the 1‑800‑New‑Funk era — understated, personal, and fiercely self‑directed.
✦ Image & Artwork Copyright Notice
All images, photographs, and artwork referenced or displayed in this post remain the property of their respective copyright holders. They are included strictly for historical, educational, and archival purposes under fair‑use principles. No ownership is claimed, and all rights belong to the original creators, photographers, designers, and publishers.
✦ Sources
Wikipedia, Prince Vault
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