Prince Songs Other People Made Famous

He had more hits than he could personally release, so he outsourced.

Entries
10
Category
Music
Updated
  1. A painted wooden bridge covered in graffiti-style abstract murals at night, a merry-go-round glowing beyond it.

    10. Round and Round

    Tevin Campbell · 1990

    Prince wrote and produced it for Graffiti Bridge, and it became Tevin Campbell's debut single at 13. It reached No. 12 and went gold, which is more than Graffiti Bridge did. A child outperformed the movie he was in.

  2. A satin pillow on a dark velvet bed, a vinyl single spinning on a turntable beside it in low candlelight.

    09. Do Me, Baby

    Meli'sa Morgan · 1985

    Originally on Prince's Controversy. Meli'sa Morgan's cover went to No. 1 on the R&B chart while stalling at No. 46 pop. Former bassist André Cymone says he wrote it, and Morgan's version credits him too. Even the credits are a slow jam.

  3. A small stone chapel at dusk with a single purple stained glass window glowing.

    08. Love... Thy Will Be Done

    Martika · 1991

    Martika and Prince wrote it together, and he produced it at Paisley Park. It reached No. 10 in the US, No. 9 in the UK and No. 1 in Australia, all on a drum and bass line that never changes once. A hymn that knows exactly where it's going.

  4. A zoot suit and a hand mirror hanging from a jungle vine, tropical leaves all around.

    07. Jungle Love

    The Time · 1984

    Co-written by Morris Day, Jesse Johnson and "Jamie Starr," another Prince alias, who also produced it and played on it. It hit No. 20 riding the Purple Rain wave. Prince wrote his rival band's best song for the movie where they're his rivals.

  5. A wall of glossy pastel sugar cubes stacked like bricks, lit by warm neon.

    06. Sugar Walls

    Sheena Easton · 1984

    Written and produced by "Alexander Nevermind," which was Prince. It reached No. 9 and landed on the PMRC's Filthy Fifteen, which is how a Scottish pop singer ended up on a list next to Venom. The pseudonym did not fool anyone.

  6. A pair of gleaming timbales on a stage riser under hot pink lights, drumsticks crossed on top.

    05. The Glamorous Life

    Sheila E. · 1984

    Prince wrote it and co-produced it as "the Starr Company," and Sheila E. made it hers, timbales and all. No. 7 on the Hot 100, No. 1 on the dance chart, two Grammy nominations. His demo turned up on Originals in 2019, sounding like a draft of her.

  7. A white lace wedding veil draped over a car radio dial on a vintage dashboard, a little red toy car on the seat.

    04. Stand Back

    Stevie Nicks · 1983

    Stevie Nicks wrote it on her wedding day humming along to "Little Red Corvette" on the radio, then called Prince to confess. He came in and played synth, uncredited on the sleeve, and she gave him half the songwriting royalties. Honor system works.

  8. A ringing brass alarm clock on a bedside table showing 6:00, morning light, a wrinkled pillow beside it.

    03. Manic Monday

    The Bangles · 1986

    Credited to "Christopher," the character Prince played in Under the Cherry Moon, and first meant for Apollonia 6. The Bangles took it to No. 2 on the Hot 100. The song keeping it from No. 1 was Prince's own "Kiss." He beat himself.

  9. A chromatic harmonica and a vintage synthesizer on a sunlit studio floor, a gold record leaning against the wall.

    02. I Feel for You

    Chaka Khan · 1984

    A deep cut from Prince's 1979 album, rebuilt with a Melle Mel rap and Stevie Wonder on harmonica. No. 3 in the US, No. 1 in the UK, and a Grammy for Best R&B Song that went to Prince. He wrote the thing in 1979 and got paid in 1985. Patience.

  10. A single tear-shaped crystal resting on black velvet beside a wilted bouquet of roses in a vase.

    01. Nothing Compares 2 U

    Sinéad O'Connor · 1990

    Prince wrote it for his side project the Family, who released it in 1985 to little notice. Sinéad O'Connor's version spent four weeks at No. 1 in the US and was Billboard's top world single of 1990. Prince's own take finally came out in 2018. No rush.

Honorable mentions

  • A white cowboy hat resting on top of a purple guitar case in a recording booth.

    You're My Love

    Kenny Rogers · 1986

    The first song credited to "Joey Coco," another Prince alias, with El DeBarge on backing vocals. Rogers' producer recut it and tossed Prince's playing. It ended up a B-side, so not famous. Included because Prince wrote a Kenny Rogers song.

Dishonorable mentions

  • A glowing red neon heart above a vintage chrome microphone in a smoky lounge.

    Kiss

    Art of Noise featuring Tom Jones · 1988

    Disqualified: Prince made this one famous himself, at No. 1 in 1986. Tom Jones and Art of Noise covered it anyway, and it went to No. 5 in the UK, higher than the original there. Breaking the rules this well is still breaking the rules.

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