[Around the World in 40 years] -- Nine years ago this week, we lost the creative force known as Prince (June 7, 1958 – April 21, 2016). Also this week, but forty years ago, Prince had released his seventh studio album, Around the World in a Day. This LP, the third with the backing band known as The Revolution, was quite the departure from 1984's Purple Rain, the album (and movie) that had pretty much made Prince a worldwide sensation. Prince and the Revolution took their collective musical vehicle, cranked hard on the steering wheel, and careened directly into a world of psychedelic and textured pop.
That seemingly abrupt style change might have bewildered the vast array of newer fans, but those who stuck around were rewarded. Yeah, Prince was experimenting here, but he did so with flair and purpose.
Commercially, the album succeeded, reaching the #1 spot on the Billboard 200. This made it the second outing by Prince and the Revolution to do so. And two of the album's four singles topped the charts, too, with both "Raspberry Beret" and "Pop Life" reaching the Billboard Hot 100's top ten.
Other standout gems on this record include the title track, the serene "Condition of the Heart," and the perfectly and politically charged "America."
Flashback: Around the World in a Day (April 22, 1985)
And that's all till next week. Dedicated 80s-philes can find more flashbacks in the Prophet or Madman archives or via Bookended's 80s Flashback tag. As always, your comments are welcome on today's, or any other, flashback post. And if you like what I'm doing here, please share the link with your friends. If, however, you don't like the flashback, feel free to share it with your enemies.
See you in seven!
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