Gold (Prince song)

"Gold" is a song by Prince, his stage name at that time being an unpronounceable symbol, from his 1995 album The Gold Experience.[2] Obviously proud of the song, Prince touted it as the next "Purple Rain" to reporters before the album's release.

"Gold"
Single by Prince
from the album The Gold Experience
B-side
  • "Rock 'N' Roll Is Alive! (And It Lives in Minneapolis)"
  • "I Hate U" (Extended Remix) (CD)
ReleasedNovember 30, 1995
RecordedPaisley Park Studios, October 1993[1]
GenrePop rock
Length4:43 (7" Edit)
7:23 (Album Version)
LabelNPG, Warner Bros.
Songwriter(s)Prince
Producer(s)Prince
Prince singles chronology
"I Hate U"
(1995)
"Gold"
(1995)
"Girl 6"
(1996)
Prince (UK) singles chronology
"Purple Medley"
(1995)
"Gold"
(1995)
"Girl 6"
(1996)
Music video
"Gold" on YouTube

The B-side was "Rock 'n' Roll Is Alive (And It Lives in Minneapolis)", a response to the song "Rock and Roll Is Dead" by Lenny Kravitz. The song complements the rock-based "Gold" and features rousing guitar solos and live drumming as well as various studio tricks throughout the track. The chorus is a sample recorded from a live audience. Prince would later use the technique on several songs for The New Power Generation release Newpower Soul. Prince also made a special remix of the song called the "Tony Fly Mix" to be played on the local Minneapolis DJ's radio program. The remix remains unreleased.

A maxi single on CD and vinyl also included the extended remix of "I Hate U".

A limited edition gold CD single was released in the UK, housed in a gold jewel case. The track listing was the same as the standard CD single.

Critical reception

Andy Healy from Albumism stated that the song "is filled with uplift and hope despite the trials and tribulations it documents." He added, "It's The Artist's very own "Purple Rain" moment, if you will, with rousing chorus, powerful arrangement, soaring guitar solo and epic seven-plus-minute run time. It's also the track that fulfills a promise as it welcomes us to The Dawn."[3] Greg Kot from Chicago Tribune noted "the arena rock" of the song.[4] Alexis Petridis from The Guardian wrote, "Gold reiterates the anti-materialistic message of 1992's Money Don't Matter 2 Night. It's not groundbreaking in the way Prince's singles once were, but it's exquisitely written."[5]

Chart performance

The song achieved little initial success in the US, with minor Mainstream radio play and no R&B/Hip-Hop or Rhythmic radio play, and weak sales. It peaked at number 88 and stayed on the Hot 100 for two weeks. The single was far more successful in the United Kingdom, where it reached number 10.

Charts

Chart (1995–96) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[6] 94
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[7] 42
Germany (Official German Charts)[8] 58
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[9] 25
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[10] 19
UK Singles (OCC)[11] 10
US Billboard Hot 100 88
US Billboard Hot R&B Singles 92
US Billboard Mainstream Top 40 39

References

  1. http://princevault.com/index.php?title=Gold
  2. "Artist (Formerly Known As Prince), The - Gold at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2012-02-18.
  3. Healy, Andy (September 25, 2020). "Prince's 'The Gold Experience' Turns 25: Anniversary Retrospective". Albumism. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
  4. Kot, Greg (September 29, 1995). "Sonic Gold". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
  5. Petridis, Alexis (September 12, 2019). "Prince's 50 greatest singles – ranked!". The Guardian. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
  6. "The ARIA Australian Top 100 Singles Chart – Week Ending 24 Dec 1995". Imgur.com (original document published by ARIA). Retrieved July 20, 2017. N.B. The HP column displays the highest peak reached.
  7. "Ultratop.be – The Symbol – Gold" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved May 2, 2016.
  8. "Offiziellecharts.de – The Symbol – Gold". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved May 2, 2016.
  9. "Dutchcharts.nl – The Symbol – Gold" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved May 2, 2016.
  10. "Swedishcharts.com – The Symbol – Gold". Singles Top 100. Retrieved May 2, 2016.
  11. "Prince: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 2, 2016.
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