Musicology (album)
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| Musicology | ||
 |
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| Studio album by Prince | ||
| Released | April 20, 2004 | |
| Recorded | 2003–2004 | |
| Genre | Pop, Rock, Funk | |
| Length | 47:26 | |
| Label | NPG Records/Columbia Records | |
| Producer(s) | Prince | |
| Professional reviews | ||
|---|---|---|
| Prince chronology | ||
| N.E.W.S (2003) |
Musicology (2004) |
3121 (2006) |
Musicology is an album by Prince, released on April 20, 2004, which proved to be his most successful in years, reaching the top 5 of the album charts in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, and many other countries.
Contents |
[edit] Making of the album
Musicology was the first album in five years that Prince released through a major label (Sony Music) and, being partially recorded in Mississauga, Ontario, was his first to be recorded outside Minneapolis.
Though his career has been spotty since he left Warner Bros., he raised his public profile with acclaimed performances with Beyoncé Knowles at the Grammy Awards of 2004 and at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, as well as his all-hits Musicology Tour. For the first time in his career since leaving Warner Music, Prince was focused on delivering a tight album of 12 tracks running for 47 minutes.
[edit] Chart success
Musicology quickly proved to be Prince's most successful album in twelve years, reaching the top 5 in the US, UK and Germany and making a significant impression on charts around the world. It also proved to be well-received by music critics. Strangely, the title track was only released as a single in Australia, where it enjoyed moderate chart success and airplay. However it was also a hit on the US R&B charts through airplay. The album was certified platinum by Billboard in June 2004 [1] and was certified double platinum in late January 2005. [2]
Part of the album's chart success is due to concertgoers receiving a copy of Musicology, with the album cost included in the ticket price. This prompted Billboard magazine and Nielsen SoundScan to change its chart data methodology: For future album releases, Billboard says that customers "must be given an option to either add the CD to the ticket purchase or forgo the CD for a reduced ticket-only price." [3]
[edit] Awards
Prince won 2 Grammy Awards for Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance ("Musicology") and Best R&B Vocal Performance—Male ("Call My Name"), and was nominated for Best Pop Vocal Performance—Male ("Cinnamon Girl"), Best R&B Song (awarded to the songwriter) ("Call My Name"), and Best R&B Album (Musicology). Prince was chosen by Rolling Stone magazine's readers as the best male performer and most welcome comeback. [4][5]
[edit] Track listing
(all tracks written by Prince)
- "Musicology" – 4:26
- "Illusion, Coma, Pimp & Circumstance" – 4:46
- "A Million Days" – 3:50
- "Life 'O' the Party" – 4:29
- "Call My Name" – 5:15
- "Cinnamon Girl" – 3:56
- "What Do U Want Me 2 Do?" – 4:15
- "The Marrying Kind" – 2:49
- "If Eye Was the Man in Ur Life" – 3:09
- "On the Couch" – 3:33
- "Dear Mr. Man" – 4:14
- "Reflection" – 3:04
[edit] Singles and Hot 100 positions
- "Musicology" (#44 R&B)
- "Musicology"
- "On the Couch"
- "Cinnamon Girl" (UK)
- "Cinnamon Girl" (album version)
- "Dear Mr. Man" (live at Webster Hall)
- "United States of Division"
- "Dear Mr. Man" (live MPEG video) (maxi-single)
- "Cinnamon Girl" video (enhanced CD)
- "Xposed" documentary (enhanced CD)
- "Lyrix" (sic) (enhanced CD)
[edit] Miscellanea
- The song "Life 'O' the Party" has been interpreted as a subtle dig at Michael Jackson.
- Interestingly, Prince chose to print the word "Eye" in "If Eye Was the Man in Ur Life" instead of using the familiar
symbol, which typically represents the word "I".
[edit] External link
Musicology lyrics
