Around the World in a Day cover art

  Studio Album · No. 7

Around the World in a Day Songwriting Credits by Prince

1985 Warner Bros. Records 9 tracks 43 min

Produced by Prince  ·  Engineered by Susan Rogers, David Leonard, Peggy McCreary, David Tickle

Warner Bros. Records Psychedelic PopPop RockPsychedelic SoulPsychedelic Funk
100%
Authorship
Complete Artist

Holds writing credit on 9 of 9 tracks

Authorship Breakdown 9 / 9 documented

Who wrote the songs?

Scored across the 9 tracks with documented writers, by whether Prince carries a lyricist or composer credit.

100%
9 trackswritten by Prince 0 tracksoutside writers
Prince's roles on this album

Share of the 9 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.

Lyricist100%
Composer100%
Producer100%
Performer100%

By the Numbers

9
Tracks
3
Lyricists
1
Producers
4.3 million
Worldwide Copies Sold
1985
Released
Data Insight

Prince wrote and produced almost all of Around the World in a Day himself, again credited to Prince and the Revolution. The title track grew from a piece brought to him by David Coleman and was credited to Prince, John L. Nelson, and Coleman, while 'The Ladder' was co-written with Nelson. The rest of the album was composed solely by Prince, who steered the record toward a deliberately psychedelic, less commercial sound right after Purple Rain's blockbuster success.

Around the World in a Day is the seventh studio album by Prince, released in April 1985 on Paisley Park Records / Warner Bros. Records and produced entirely by Prince. Following the commercial juggernaut of Purple Rain, the album was a deliberate and surprising left turn into psychedelic pop, drawing on the music of Sgt. Pepper-era Beatles and California's Summer of Love. Rather than ride the momentum of his breakthrough, Prince used the album to signal his refusal to be pinned down commercially or aesthetically, releasing it with almost no promotion and still watching it reach number one on the Billboard 200. The title track and 'Raspberry Beret' became hits despite their experimental character, demonstrating that Prince could follow his muse and still win commercially. Around the World in a Day is a bold statement about artistic freedom and the irrelevance of commercial strategy.

Track Listing & Credits 9 tracks

Written by the artist Written by outside writers
#TitleLyricist(s)Composer(s)Producer(s)Performers
1
Around the World in a Day
Prince Rogers NelsonJohn L. NelsonDavid Coleman Prince Rogers NelsonJohn L. NelsonDavid Coleman Prince Rogers Nelson Prince (Lead Vocals, Multi-Instrumentalist)Wendy Melvoin (Guitar, Backing Vocals)Lisa Coleman (Keyboards, Backing Vocals)
2
Paisley Park
Prince Rogers Nelson Prince Rogers Nelson Prince Rogers Nelson Prince (Lead Vocals, Multi-Instrumentalist)Wendy Melvoin (Guitar)Lisa Coleman (Keyboards)
3
Condition of the Heart
Prince Rogers Nelson Prince Rogers Nelson Prince Rogers Nelson Prince (Lead Vocals, Multi-Instrumentalist)Lisa Coleman (Keyboards)
4
Raspberry Beret #2
Prince Rogers Nelson Prince Rogers Nelson Prince Rogers Nelson Prince (Lead Vocals, Multi-Instrumentalist)Wendy Melvoin (Guitar)Lisa Coleman (Keyboards, Backing Vocals)Matt Fink (Keyboards)Bobby Z (Drums)Brown Mark (Bass)
5
Tamborine
Prince Rogers Nelson Prince Rogers Nelson Prince Rogers Nelson Prince (Lead Vocals, Multi-Instrumentalist)
6
America #46
Prince Rogers Nelson Prince Rogers Nelson Prince Rogers Nelson Prince (Lead Vocals, Multi-Instrumentalist)Wendy Melvoin (Guitar)Bobby Z (Drums)Brown Mark (Bass)
7
Pop Life #7
Prince Rogers Nelson Prince Rogers Nelson Prince Rogers Nelson Prince (Lead Vocals, Multi-Instrumentalist)Wendy Melvoin (Backing Vocals)Lisa Coleman (Backing Vocals)
8
The Ladder
Prince Rogers NelsonJohn L. Nelson Prince Rogers NelsonJohn L. Nelson Prince Rogers Nelson Prince (Lead Vocals, Multi-Instrumentalist)Wendy Melvoin (Guitar, Backing Vocals)Lisa Coleman (Keyboards, Backing Vocals)
9
Temptation
Prince Rogers Nelson Prince Rogers Nelson Prince Rogers Nelson Prince (Lead Vocals, Multi-Instrumentalist)

Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 9 contributors

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Frequently Asked Questions Around the World in a Day

What musical direction did Prince take on Around the World in a Day?
Prince moved toward a psychedelic pop and soul sound, a sharp turn from the rock-funk of Purple Rain. The album folds in sitar, finger cymbals, and ornate arrangements.
Did Prince write everything on Around the World in a Day?
Prince wrote most of the album alone. The title track was co-written with John L. Nelson and David Coleman, and 'The Ladder' was co-written with Nelson.
Did Prince intend Around the World in a Day to sound like the Beatles?
Prince rejected the comparison to Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. He said the influence was not the Beatles but his own interest in psychedelic-era musicality and color.
What was the biggest hit from Around the World in a Day?
'Raspberry Beret' was the album's biggest single, reaching number two on the Billboard Hot 100. 'Pop Life' followed at number seven.
Why was 'Paisley Park' significant for Prince?
'Paisley Park' gave its name to Prince's record label and his Minnesota studio complex. It was released as a single in some territories but did not get a US Billboard Hot 100 release.
Is Around the World in a Day credited to the Revolution?
Yes. Like Purple Rain, it is credited to Prince and the Revolution, though Prince wrote and produced the majority of the material himself.

Sources