1999 (album)

1999 is Prince's fifth album, released in October 1982. It became his first Top 10 album on the Billboard 200. Nearly every fan and critic recognises 1999 as Prince's coming-of-age and turning point into greatness. The album was originally released on vinyl as a double set and opens with the classic title track.

Related Topics:
Prince - Album - 1982 - Billboard 200 - Critic - Vinyl

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Not for the last time, Prince is concerned about the possibility of armageddon and nuclear attack and urges his listeners to "party like it´s 1999". The song reached number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 (later making number 2 on the UK charts, with "Little Red Corvette" as the double A-side). "Little Red Corvette" was the song that propelled Prince towards stardom in the USA. With the music video, he became one of the first black artists to be played on the new music video channel MTV. The song peaked at number 6 stateside. Whilst "Little Red Corvette" is a decisive foray into the world of white radio?friendly rock and roll, the rest of the album is dominated by funk and synthesizer dance tracks. The 3rd US single "Delirious" is a lightweight pop music number which still managed top 10 status in the USA. "Let´s Pretend We're Married" is a tight, funk track with typically smutty lyrics. "D.M.S.R." is classic Prince, with outrageous lyrics and an irrestistable bassline.

Related Topics:
Armageddon - Nuclear - Billboard Hot 100 - UK - Little Red Corvette - A-side - USA - Music video - Black - MTV - White - Rock and roll - Funk - Synthesizer - Single - Delirious - Pop music - Bassline

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Side 3 starts with "Automatic" is almost 10 minutes of synthesizers, with bawdy bondage imagery in the lyrics, as well as the unreleased music video. "Free" is a delicate piano ballad expressing patriotism, while "Something in the Water (Does Not Compute) is an ode to a harsh lover that dabbles in the new Computer Age. "Lady Cab Driver" and "All the Critics Love U in New York" are both experiment with synths and sound effects, while delivering sex-soaked lyrics. The final track, "International Lover" is a seductive ballad in the tradition of Controversys "Do Me, Baby".

Related Topics:
Bondage - Piano - Ballad - Computer Age - Sound effect - Controversy - Do Me, Baby

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This album secured Prince a place in the public psyche and within two years, following massively successful tours and a selection of hit singles, Prince was, arguably, the biggest musical star on the planet. In 2003 the TV network VH1 named 1999 the 49th greatest album of all time.

Related Topics:
2003 - TV network - VH1

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