Diamonds and Pearls (song)

This article is about the Prince song. For the Prince album, see Diamonds and Pearls. For the song by Monrose, see Even Heaven Cries. For the song by Kansas, see Vinyl Confessions.

"Diamonds and Pearls"
UK 7-inch single
Single by Prince and The New Power Generation
from the album Diamonds and Pearls
B-side
  • "X-cerpts from the Songs: Thunder, Daddy Pop, Strollin', Money Don't Matter 2 Night, Push, Live 4 Love"
  • "Q in Doubt"
  • "Housebangers"
  • "Cream" (N.P.G. mix)
  • "Things Have Gotta Change"
  • "2 the Wire"
  • "Do Your Dance"
ReleasedNovember 25, 1991 (1991-11-25)[1]
RecordedNovember 19, 1990[2]
StudioPaisley Park (Chanhassen, Minnesota)
Genre
Length
  • 4:45 (album version)
  • 4:20 (radio edit)
Label
Songwriter(s)Prince
Producer(s)Prince
Prince and The New Power Generation singles chronology
"Insatiable"
(1991) 		"Diamonds and Pearls"
(1991) 		"Money Don't Matter 2 Night"
(1992)
Music video
"Diamonds and Pearls" on YouTube

"Diamonds and Pearls" is the title track of American musician Prince and The New Power Generation's 1991 album and was released as a single in November 1991. 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.[5]

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".

  1. ^ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. November 23, 1991. p. 21.
  2. ^ "Diamonds and Pearls – Prince Vault".
  3. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Prince & the New Power Generation: Diamonds and Pearls > Review" at AllMusic. Retrieved 15 September 2011.
  4. ^ Williams. Stereo (April 29, 2016). "Let Love Decide: Prince's 'Diamonds and Pearls'". Spin. Retrieved June 6, 2016.
  5. ^ Betts, Katherine (December 1, 1991). "Connie Parente's vintage pieces recall a more glamorous past – with a hint of whimsy". Vogue. 181 (12): 110–114. Retrieved January 10, 2014.