Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic
Entertainment Weekly	C
The Guardian
MusicHound Rock	4/5
Pitchfork	8.8/10
Q
The Rolling Stone Album Guide
Spin Alternative Record Guide	4/10
Stylus Magazine	(favorable)
The Village Voice	B–

Around the World in a Day is the seventh studio album by American recording artist Prince, and the second to feature his backing band The Revolution. It was released on April 19, 1985 by Paisley Park Records and Warner Bros. Records. Departing somewhat from the commercial sound of his previous release, the massively successful Purple Rain (1984), the album instead saw Prince experimenting with psychedelic styles and more opulent textures. In compliance with Prince's wishes, the record company released the album with minimal publicity, withholding accompanying singles until almost a month after the album's release.

Around the World in a Day was released to notably mixed reception after the success of Purple Rain, though it nonetheless sold relatively well, eventually going platinum and becoming Prince and the Revolution's second number-one album on the Billboard 200. Two of its four singles reached the top 10: "Raspberry Beret" and "Pop Life".

Recording for Around the World in a Day was begun in sessions dating back before that of Purple Rain. Following six months of touring behind that bestselling album, Prince returned to recording. An initial inspiration for the album's sound came in the form of a demo, recorded by David Coleman, the respective brother of Revolution band member Lisa Coleman, which would ultimately become the title track.

The album pursued a dense, psychedelic style that made use of unconventional instruments and cryptic lyrics. Its sound and album cover drew numerous comparisons to The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album. Prince spoke in an interview about the album's cover art, its psychedelic sound, and the comparison:

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