Diamonds and Pearls (song)

"Diamonds and Pearls" is the title track to Prince and The New Power Generation's 1991 album.[4] The song is an upbeat ballad, given a rock edge with guitar and heavy drumming. The song 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. The song was a top 10 hit, reaching number 3 in the US and the top spot on the R&B chart. The pearls in the music video come from Connie Parente, a Los Angeles jewelry collector and designer.[5]

This article is about the Prince song. For the song by Monrose, see Even Heaven Cries. For the song by Kansas, see Vinyl Confessions.
"Diamonds and Pearls"
UK 7" 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" (US 7" and Jap. CD)
  • "Q in Doubt" (UK 7")
  • "Housebangers" (UK 12")
  • "Cream" (NPG Mix) (UK 12")
  • "Things Have Gotta Change" (UK 12")
  • "2 the Wire" (UK CD)
  • "Do Your Dance" (UK CD)
ReleasedNovember 25, 1991
RecordedPaisley Park Studios, Late December 1989[1]
Genre
Length4:45 (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)
Prince (UK) singles chronology
Cream
(1991)		 Diamonds and Pearls
(1991)		 Money Don't Matter 2 Night
(1992)
Music video
"Diamonds and Pearls" on YouTube

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."[6] Stephen Thomas Erlewine from AllMusic called it a "drippy mainstream ballad" and a "terrific" pop single.[7] Mike Diver for the BBC described it as a "brilliant ballad" in his 2010 review.[8] 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."[9] 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 dose-knit pals at Paisley."[10] Gavin Report stated that Gaines "absolutely nails her part."[11] 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."[12] People called it a "mushy mess".[13] 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".[14] 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."[15] Tom Doyle from Smash Hits called it "smaltzy over-the-top-balladeering".[16]

Track listing
UK 7"
  1. "Diamonds and Pearls" (LP version) – 4:45
  2. "Q in Doubt" – 4:00
US 7" and Japan CD
  1. "Diamonds and Pearls" (edit) – 4:20
  2. "X-cerpts from the Songs: Thunder, Daddy Pop, Strollin', Money Don't Matter 2 Night, Push, Live 4 Love" – 5:04
UK 12"
  1. "Diamonds and Pearls" (LP version) – 4:45
  2. "Do Your Dance" (Housebangers) – 4:23
  3. "Cream" (N.P.G. Mix) – 5:47
  4. "Things Have Gotta Change" (Tony M. Rap) – 3:57
UK CD
  1. "Diamonds and Pearls" (LP version) – 4:45
  2. "2 the Wire" (Creamy Instrumental) – 3:13
  3. "Do Your Dance" (KC's Remix) – 5:58

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.

See also

References
  1. http://www.princevault.com/index.php?title=Diamonds_And_Pearls
  2. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Prince & the New Power Generation: Diamonds and Pearls > Review" at AllMusic. Retrieved 15 September 2011.
  3. Williams. Stereo (April 29, 2016). "Let Love Decide: Prince's 'Diamonds and Pearls'". Spin. Retrieved June 6, 2016.
  4. "Prince & The New Power Generation – Diamonds And Pearls at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved August 13, 2012.
  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.
  6. Corcoran, Patrick (September 27, 2016). "Prince & The New Power Generation's 'Diamonds and Pearls' Turns 25: Anniversary Retrospective". Albumism. Retrieved November 15, 2020.
  7. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Prince & the New Power Generation / Prince – Diamonds and Pearls". AllMusic. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
  8. Diver, Mike (2010). "Prince & The New Power Generation Diamonds and Pearls Review". BBC. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
  9. Flick, Larry (December 7, 1991). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. p. 74. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  10. "Music Reviews: Albums" (PDF). Cashbox. December 14, 1991. p. 5. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  11. "A/C: Reviews" (PDF). Gavin Report. January 17, 1992. p. 28. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
  12. "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. November 30, 1991. p. 12. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
  13. "Picks and Pans Review: Diamonds and Pearls". People. October 21, 1991. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  14. Weiss, Jeff (April 30, 2016). "Prince / The New Power Generation – Diamond and Pearls". Pitchfork. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
  15. "25 Essential Prince Songs". Rolling Stone. April 15, 2020. Retrieved November 22, 2020.
  16. Doyle, Tom (October 16, 1991). "Review: LPs". Smash Hits. p. 43. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
  17. "Australian-charts.com – Prince & The New Power Generation – Diamonds & Pearls". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
  18. "Austriancharts.at – Prince & The New Power Generation – Diamonds & Pearls" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
  19. "Ultratop.be – Prince & The New Power Generation – Diamonds & Pearls" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
  20. "Lescharts.com – Prince & The New Power Generation – Diamonds & Pearls" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
  21. "Offiziellecharts.de – Prince & The New Power Generation – Diamonds & Pearls". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
  22. "Dutchcharts.nl – Prince & The New Power Generation – Diamonds & Pearls" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
  23. "Charts.nz – Prince & The New Power Generation – Diamonds & Pearls". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
  24. "Swedishcharts.com – Prince & The New Power Generation – Diamonds & Pearls". Singles Top 100. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
  25. "Swisscharts.com – Prince & The New Power Generation – Diamonds & Pearls". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
  26. "Prince: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
  27. "End of Year Charts 1992". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved December 3, 2017.
  28. "Billboard Top 100 – 1992". Archived from the original on January 17, 2010. Retrieved July 30, 2010.
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