Graffiti Bridge | ||||
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Studio album / soundtrack by Prince | ||||
Released | August 21, 1990 | |||
Recorded | 1983–1990 at multiple locations | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 68:32 | |||
Label | Paisley Park, Warner Bros. | |||
Producer | Prince | |||
Prince chronology | ||||
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Singles from Graffiti Bridge | ||||
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Professional ratings | |
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Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | |
Chicago Tribune | |
Encyclopedia of Popular Music | |
Entertainment Weekly | A+ |
Los Angeles Times | |
MusicHound Rock | 2/5 |
Q | |
Rolling Stone | |
The Rolling Stone Album Guide | |
The Village Voice | B+ |
Graffiti Bridge is the twelfth studio album by American recording artist Prince and is the soundtrack album to the 1990 film of the same name. It was released on August 21, 1990 by Paisley Park Records and Warner Bros. Records.
The album was much better received in sales than the film. It reached number 6 in the United States and was his third consecutive chart-topper (following Lovesexy and Batman) on the UK Albums Chart. Nearly every song on the record was written by Prince despite the handful of artists performing, including Tevin Campbell, Mavis Staples and The Time. The album produced the hit singles "Thieves in the Temple" and "New Power Generation", an anthem in two parts celebrating Prince's newly created backing band, The New Power Generation. The band would get its first official outing on Prince's next album, Diamonds and Pearls. Though its 17 tracks constituted a double album, the significance of this was obscured by the rising popularity of the CD format.
The concept for the album and film began as early as 1987, or possibly earlier, but experienced delays for various reasons. The title track was originally recorded during this period, hence the liner notes listing Sheila E. and Boni Boyer as performers on the track. In fact, nearly the entire album is composed of previously recorded tunes that were updated for this release.
"Tick, Tick, Bang" was originally from 1981 during the Controversy sessions, and considered for Vanity 6. Written by Prince under the pseudonym Joey Coco, it was originally a more punk rock number with a bass synthesizer; the update of the song includes an uncredited drum sample from Jimi Hendrix's "Little Miss Lover". "Can't Stop This Feeling I Got" was from 1982, but later updated in 1986 for his unreleased project Dream Factory, along with a 1983 track, "We Can Funk". A melody similar to that of "Purple Rain" can be heard during the bridge of "Can't Stop This Feeling I Got". The two tracks were drastically updated for Graffiti Bridge.