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Diamonds and Pearls (song)

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Wikipedia article




{{Infobox song

| name = Diamonds and Pearls

| cover = Prince_DiamondsSingle.jpg

| alt =

| caption = UK 7-inch single

| type = single

| artist = Prince and The New Power Generation

| album = Diamonds and Pearls

| B-side =

| released =

| recorded = Late December 1989

| studio = Paisley Park

| genre =

* Pop

* R&B

| length =

* 4:45 (album version)

* 4:20 (radio edit)

| label =

* Paisley Park

* Warner Bros.

| writer = Prince

| producer = Prince

| prev_title = Insatiable

| prev_year = 1991

| next_title = Money Don't Matter 2 Night

| next_year = 1992

| misc =

}}

"'Diamonds and Pearls'" is the title track of American musician Prince and The New Power Generation's 1991 album. The song is an upbeat ballad, given a rock edge with guitar and heavy drumming. It also features the vocals of NPG member Rosie Gaines. The ballad is an expression of love and not lust, as is the theme on some of the other singles from the album. It was a top 10 hit, reaching number three in the US and the top spot on the R&B chart. The pearls in the accompanying music video come from Connie Parente, a Los Angeles jewelry collector and designer.

The B-side is a mix of excerpts of other 'Diamonds and Pearls' tracks, which serves to promote the album. There was no extended version of the song released. The UK B-side included some of the mixes on the "Cream" maxi single.

The repeated lyric "'If I gave you diamonds and pearls, would you be a happy boy or a girl?'" echoes the lyrics "'I'll buy you diamonds and pearls only if you're good girl'" from Prince's 1982 song, "International Lover".

Critical reception



Patrick Corcoran from Albumism stated that the song's "fairy tale fanfares, sizeable doses of pomp and the delicious interplay between Gaines' and Prince's voices serve up an undeniably touching ballad that delicately and deftly walks the line between sweet and saccharine." Stephen Thomas Erlewine from AllMusic called it a "drippy mainstream ballad" and a "terrific" pop single. Mike Diver for the BBC described it as a "brilliant ballad" in his 2010 review. Larry Flick from 'Billboard' wrote that it is a "soft and soulful lullaby that should keep momentum building at top 40. Once again, Rosie Gaines' vocal support is a true delight." Randy Clark and Bryan DeVaney from 'Cashbox' said it is "actually a soulful R&B ballad-gone-mad with der-Prince's guitar work and production." They noted that Gaines is "sounding quite like she needs her own record, something she will no doubt get from her close-knit pals at Paisley."

Diane Rufer and Ron Fell from the 'Gavin Report' stated that Gaines "absolutely nails her part." Pan-European magazine 'Music & Media' commented, "The melody of this mellow ballad and title track of his new album rings a bell for soul fanatics. It recalls Bobby Goldsboro's famous tune Summer (The First Time), as recorded by Millie Jackson on her classic 'Caught Up' album." A reviewer from 'People Magazine' called it a "mushy mess". Jeff Weiss from 'Pitchfork' said it's a "twinkling locket-pop ballad", and "one of those songs they'll play at weddings until we stop using diamond engagement rings and the ocean runs out of pearls." He added, "It's Prince at his best". 'Rolling Stone' described it as a "sultry ballad", that "intricately wedded the singer's love of glitz and glamour with a distinct, ever-evolving pop-R&B sensibility." Tom Doyle from 'Smash Hits' viewed it as "smaltzy over-the-top-balladeering".

Chart performance



"Diamonds and Pearls" was very successful stateside, receiving massive airplay and peaking at number 2 on the Hot 100 Airplay, and number 11 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay (it was on the decline when the chart first appeared in April 1992). It was a moderate hit in the UK, peaking at number 25.

Track listings



* 'UK 7-inch'

#"Diamonds and Pearls" (LP version) 4:45

#"Q in Doubt" 4:00

* 'US 7-inch and Japan CD'

#"Diamonds and Pearls" (edit) 4:20

#"X-cerpts from the Songs: Thunder, Daddy Pop, Strollin', Money Don't Matter 2 Night, Push, Live 4 Love" 5:04

* 'UK 12-inch'

#"Diamonds and Pearls" (LP version) 4:45

#"Do Your Dance" (Housebangers) 4:23

#"Cream" (N.P.G. mix) 4:54

#"Things Have Gotta Change" (Tony M. Rap) 3:57

* 'UK CD'

#"Diamonds and Pearls" (LP version) 4:45

#"2 the Wire" (Creamy Instrumental) 3:13

#"Do Your Dance" (KC's Remix) 5:58

Charts



Weekly charts



Year-end charts



See also



* List of number-one R&B singles of 1992 (U.S.)

References



Category:Prince (musician) songs

Category:1990s ballads

Category:1991 singles

Category:1991 songs

Category:Contemporary R&B ballads

Category:Paisley Park Records singles

Category:Pop ballads

Category:Song recordings produced by Prince (musician)

Category:Songs written by Prince (musician)

Category:Warner Records singles

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