Raspberry Beret

"Raspberry Beret" is a song written by Prince and the lead single from Prince & The Revolution's 1985 album Around the World in a Day.

"Raspberry Beret"
Japanese vinyl cover
Single by Prince and The Revolution
from the album Around the World in a Day
B-side
  • "She's Always in My Hair" (US)
  • "Hello" (UK)
ReleasedMay 15, 1985
RecordedFlying Cloud Drive Warehouse, Eden Prairie, Minnesota, September 12, 1984
Genre
Length7" single and album version: 3:31
12" single: 6:30
Video: 4:18
LabelPaisley Park, Warner Bros.
Songwriter(s)Prince
Producer(s)Prince
Prince and The Revolution singles chronology
"Take Me with U"
(1985)		 "Raspberry Beret"
(1985)		 "Pop Life"
(1985)
Music video
«Raspberry Beret» on YouTube
Prince (UK) singles chronology
"Paisley Park"
(1985)		 "Raspberry Beret"
(1985)		 "Pop Life"
(1985)

Background

The sound of the song expanded upon previous Prince arrangements, incorporating stringed instruments, Middle Eastern finger cymbals, and even a harmonica on the extended version. The song was also more in the pop vein than ever before, though the 12-inch single and video of the song feature a funky intro. Although the song was originally recorded on April 27, 1982, in Studio 2 at Sunset Sound, Prince drastically reworked it in September 1984 with The Revolution to give it more of an international sound. The string section comprised Novi Novog on violin, Suzie Katayama and David Coleman on cello.

The song tells of a teenage romance and first sexual experience with a girl who wears the title hat. The video for the song was directed primarily by Prince, with animation created by Colossal Pictures co-founder Drew Takahashi. The extended version was included on the compilation album Ultimate in 2006. While the song hit number 1 in Cash Box and reached number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S. (behind "A View to a Kill" by Duran Duran), it only reached number 25 on the UK Singles Chart.

Releases

The U.S. B-side, "She's Always in My Hair", is a rock and roll number, with guitar and organs and emotional lyrics screamed toward the end. The UK B-side was "Hello", which was included on the U.S. release of "Pop Life".

The 12" version of "Raspberry Beret" has an incorrect time listing on the label. It is listed as 7:25, when the actual length of the song is 6:35.

Following Prince's death, "Raspberry Beret" re-charted on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 33 on the chart dated the week of May 14, 2016. As of April 30, 2016, it has sold 691,421 copies in the United States.[3]

Charts
Chart (1985) Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[4] 13
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[5] 25
Canada RPM Top Singles 8
Germany (Official German Charts)[6] 35
Ireland (IRMA) 24
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[7] 23
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[8] 2
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[9] 25
US Billboard R&B 3
US Billboard Hot 100[10] 2
US Mainstream Rock (Billboard)[11] 40
Chart (2016) Peak
position
France (SNEP)[12] 36
Year-end chart (1985)Rank
US Top Pop Singles (Billboard)[13] 51
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References
  1. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Around the World in a Day - Prince and the Revolution, Prince | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved September 14, 2011.
  2. Mason, Stewart. "Raspberry Beret - Prince, Prince & the Revolution | Song Info". AllMusic. Archived from the original on April 28, 2016. Retrieved February 23, 2020.
  3. "Hip Hop Single Sales: Prince, Desiigner & Drake". HipHopDX. April 30, 2016. Retrieved April 30, 2016.
  4. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, NSW: Australian Chart Book. p. 239. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  5. "Ultratop.be – Prince & The Revolution – Raspberry Beret" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved May 6, 2016.
  6. "Offiziellecharts.de – Prince & The Revolution – Raspberry Beret". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved May 6, 2016.
  7. "Dutchcharts.nl – Prince & The Revolution – Raspberry Beret" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved May 6, 2016.
  8. "Charts.nz – Prince & The Revolution – Raspberry Beret". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved May 6, 2016.
  9. "Prince: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 6, 2016.
  10. "Prince Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 6, 2016.
  11. "Prince Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved May 6, 2016.
  12. "Lescharts.com – Prince & The Revolution – Raspberry Beret" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved May 9, 2016.
  13. "1985 The Year in Music & Video: Top Pop Singles". Billboard. Vol. 97 no. 52. December 28, 1985. p. T-21.
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