The 10 Best Prince Songs You've Never Heard
From someone who has heard everything he (or the estate) has ever released...and then some
“Rearrange” from the super deluxe remaster of 1999
1982 was the first year when Prince became the best songwriter of his generation (or at least tied with Elvis Costello). This becomes obvious when you hear everything he recorded for the 1999 album, which was released that year. There is an entire album worth of outtakes, including this one, that would have made 1999 the best record of that year if they had been on it. (Instead, my pick for best album of 1982 would be Elvis Costello’s Imperial Bedroom.)
“Moonbeam Levels” from the super deluxe remaster of 1999
Further proof of my point above.
“Lauriann” from the deluxe remaster of Diamonds & Pearls
Hilarious that Prince threw away rock songs this good.
“Holy River” from triple album Emancipation (1996)
Speaking of lost masterpieces, holy shit is my two word review of “Holy River.” Prince at his most personal and spiritual.
“Come On” from New Power Soul (1998)
From 1997-2003, Prince wrote very few truly great songs. If I had to pick a favorite from that otherwise fallow period, it would probably be this one (or “The Work, Pt. 1” from The Rainbow Children). And it’s not available on streaming platforms as far as I can tell.
“Crystal Ball” and “Last Heart” from the Crystal Ball collection of Prince rarities and outtakes
The title track is an outtake from the triple album version of what became Sign O’ the Times. The latter was recorded shortly after he finished the album Parade. Peak Period Prince. There are 10-12 other essential Prince songs on this collection, but these two are my faves.
“Musicology” & “Illusion, Coma, Pimp, and Circumstance” from the album Musicology (2004)
These are not obscure exactly, but most Prince fans weren’t listening to his new releases by this time, because they had been so burned by the 3-4 albums that preceded it. A return to form.
“FREE URSELF” non-LP single (September 2015)
Prince’s final single released in his lifetime was an 80s level pop masterpiece. Which made his death the following April all the more heartbreaking. It is only available for purchase on iTunes for $1.29 Go buy it now. You’ll thank me.
Thanks Matt; great post; am making plans to visit Paisley Park this fall with my sons. Will check it out!
Great post. I hadn’t heard “Free Urself” before so thanks for that. No other artist’s death gutted me more than Prince passing. Maybe D.Boon of Minutemen. Excellent choices. It’d be hard to pick 5 favorite deep cuts but it’s a great idea.