Twelve months on, we're still feeling the loss of an icon. Prince's passing shook the music world to its core, and while we can't bring the Purple One back, we have a wealth of music to remember the pocket-sized virtuoso by.
The Clash staff pick out their most-loved favourites by the visionary below, and you can read our tribute to the artist here.
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‘Let’s Go Crazy’
(Warner Bros)
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to get through this thing called life…” As opening lines go, it doesn’t get much more dramatic, or moving, than this. Alongside this, though, Prince coupled one of his finest riffs, and one of his filthiest arrangements, fusing emotions, viewpoints, styles, and genres in the process.
Robin Murray, ClashMusic.com Editor
‘Purple Rain’
(Warner Bros)
One of the things that I love the most about hip-hop is the way it draws you to different musical realms through sampling and lyrical references. As a teenager when I heard Nas describing his discovery of his father’s music “like Prince searchin’ through boxes of ‘Purple Rain’,” my interest was piqued, and that iconic LP was the next CD I bought.
Grant Brydon, Hip-Hop Editor
‘7’
(Paisley Park/Warner Bros)
A glowing anthem from the purple emperor. Inspired by the Book of Revelation and brought to life by the New Power Generation, this will always be a prime embodiment of Prince’s superhuman freedom.
Duncan Harrison, Writer
‘The Ballad Of Dorothy Parker’
(Paisley Park/Warner Bros)
Of the many strange relationships detailed on ‘Sign O’ The Times’, the sexless night Prince spends with the eponymous waitress in ‘The Ballad Of Dorothy Parker’ is easily the most intriguing. Prince’s gift for telling a story without sacrificing a shred of razor sharp funk is at its peak here too, delivering the most perfect bed of wobbly synths, drum machines, and slap bass of his career.
Tristan Bath, Writer
‘Sometimes It Snows In April’
(Paisley Park/Warner Bros)
This stunningly haunting and timeless ballad never fails to leave tears streaming down my face. He passed on an April day where, in London, snow fell. To the prettiest motherfucker in the game, to the man who could shred a guitar while tearing up a runway, whose make-up was always flawless, truly nothing can compare 2U. "All good things, they say, never last…"
Rob Meyers, Creative Director
‘I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man’
(Paisley Park/Warner Bros)
Painting himself as a man of honour, in this electrifying ‘Sign O’ The Times’ cut Prince puts the brakes on the advances of an amorous woman looking for company after a recent heartbreak since he couldn’t offer more than a one-night stand. Its rushing beat and fiery guitar solo just adds to the song’s impulsive thrills.
Simon Harper, Editor-In-Chief
‘Nothing Compares 2 U’ (by The Family)
(Paisley Park/Warner Bros)
With all the lace, pearls and flying doves, you’d think Prince would be the last person on Earth able to write about real life. Yet he nails it in this song, mainlining the eternal truth of heartbreak and setting the bar for all other break-up songs in the process. RESPECT.
Joe Heaney, Writer
‘Sexy MF’
(Paisley Park/Warner Bros)
Prudish radio edits can be way more fun than the originals. A superfunky but wilfully daytime-unfriendly single, ‘Sexy MF’ went out as “You sexy mother…” then a big, weird pause. What could he possibly mean?
Si Hawkins, Staff Writer
‘When Doves Cry’
(Paisley Park/Warner Bros)
Worldwide hit, eternal classic – this track slayed the Billboard Charts for a whole five weeks and will remain up there as one of the greatest. Only Prince could make lyrics that look so melancholy written down (“How can you just leave me standing / Alone in a world that’s so cold?”) into a glittery dancefloor bomb.
Felicity Martin, Deputy Editor
‘Starfish and Coffee’
(Paisley Park/Warner Bros)
'Starfish and Coffee' is one of those incredible cult tracks that not only is complete musical genius, but also shows Prince's fun and witty side, beyond being an 'image' – Created for 'Sign O the Times' in 1987, it is the perfect uplifting weird psychedelic pop. It got its video ten years later from his cameo (as 'the artist formally known as') on the Muppets in 1997.
Rob Meyers, Creative Director
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Artwork by Melissa Ruth Jordan for RBPM Studio
Listen to the playlist via Apple Music here.
