Prince’s Hidden Treasures: 50 Unreleased Music Videos in His Secret Vault
Prince, one of the ’80s and ’90s most celebrated artists, was known for his unparalleled musicianship and perfectionism. A multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, and producer, his fan hysteria rivalled that of Michael Jackson. What set him apart was not just his incredible output but his refusal to release anything he wasn’t entirely satisfied with.
Following his tragic death, it was revealed that Prince had a secret vault filled with unreleased material, and among it were 50 completed music videos! These hidden gems, along with many of his unfinished recordings, began to see the light of day posthumously, with albums like Piano and a Microphone (2018) and Originals (2019) offering a glimpse into what had been kept under wraps for decades.
Prince’s journey to superstardom began in 1978 with the release of For You, though it didn’t achieve much success. His self-titled 1979 album, Prince, changed that, introducing his first #1 hit I Wanna Be Your Lover. It also included I Feel For You, a track that never saw a single release by Prince but went on to become a hit for Chaka Khan in 1984, just after her signature song Ain’t Nobody.
Prince continued releasing an album each year throughout the early ’80s, with Dirty Mind (1980), Controversy (1981), and 1999 (1982). The latter, 1999, was his breakthrough album, featuring the title track and Little Red Corvette. With over 4 million copies sold in the U.S. alone, 1999 was his most successful release to date—yet it was nothing compared to the monumental success that was soon to follow.
Prince’s ’80s Legacy: From Purple Rain to Graffiti Bridge
Prince’s sixth studio album, Purple Rain, not only became a global sensation but also came with a groundbreaking film. Selling 25 million copies worldwide, it included iconic tracks like the title song, Let’s Go Crazy, and the unforgettable When Doves Cry. His success was recognised with both a Grammy for the album and an Oscar for the film.
The follow-up, Around the World in a Day (1985), featured the memorable Raspberry Beret, further solidifying Prince’s influence. In 1986, Parade brought Kiss, another Prince anthem, which remains a cover band staple thanks to its infectious rhythm and simple chord structure.
1987’s Sign ‘O’ the Times followed, marking a departure from his previous work and earning critical acclaim as his finest effort. While it didn’t match Purple Rain in sales, tracks like the title song still have a lasting impact on dance floors.
Lovesexy (1988) brought Alphabet St., a significant single from an album that didn’t perform as well in the charts as his earlier work, yet it was still a highlight of the era.
As the ’80s closed, Prince released two soundtrack albums: one for Batman (1989), which lacked standout singles, and another for Graffiti Bridge (1990), which performed better than the film itself. Thieves in the Temple from Graffiti Bridge was a notable single, introducing his new band, the New Power Generation.
Prince in the ’90s: A New Era and Evolving Sound
Prince’s ’90s journey began with Diamonds and Pearls (1991), which produced several hits including Cream, Gett Off, Money Don’t Matter 2 Night, and the title track. The album reached #1 in the U.S. and was a commercial success, reinforcing his status as a musical force.
In 1992, Love Symbol introduced Prince’s iconic symbol on the cover, marking his first album under this new persona. Tracks like 7, My Name Is Prince, and Sexy MF reflected his ongoing exploration of provocative themes, much like his previous hits.
However, his next albums, Come and The Black Album, didn’t quite match the quality of his earlier work, marking a dip in the critical and commercial reception. During this time, Prince was in a legal battle with his label, which led him to adopt the symbol and publicly change his name.
In 1995, The Gold Experience brought a return to form, delivering hits like The Most Beautiful Girl in the World and Gold. This was followed by the soundtrack Girl 6 and the album Chaos and Disorder, but his ongoing legal issues meant minimal promotion for these releases.
The frustration culminated in the ambitious Emancipation (1996), a triple album released under a new label, but it lacked the commercial success Prince had once been known for. His subsequent albums, though full of material, struggled to recapture the magic of his earlier years.
Despite this, Prince’s extensive catalogue continued to stand out, with major hits like Nothing Compares 2 U (made famous by Sinead O’Connor) and Manic Monday (popularised by The Bangles). Prince also surprised fans with covers, such as his rendition of Play That Funky Music by Wild Cherry, showing his ability to reinvent even the classics.
Prince Tunes | Related Pages
I Feel For You | Chords + Lyrics
You can learn how to play I Feel For You by Prince using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recordings.
| F# | Bmaj7 | Emaj7 | F# |
Baby, baby, when I look at you, I get a warm feeling inside…
Kiss | Chords + TAB
You can learn how to play Kiss by Prince using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| A7 | A7 | A7 | A7 |
You don’t have to be beautiful to turn me on…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: Kiss (Prince) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Play That Funky Music | Chords + TAB
You can learn how to play Play That Funky Music by Wild Cherry using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and backing tracks.
| E9 (Eb9 E6) | E9 (Eb9 Eb6 E6) |
Hey, once I was a boogie singer…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: Play That Funky Music (Wild Cherry) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Prince on the web
