Album Summary
1999 is the fifth studio album by American recording artist Prince, released on October 27, 1982, by Warner Bros. Records. It became his first album to be recorded with his band the Revolution. 1999's critical and commercial success propelled Prince to a place in the public psyche and marked the beginning of two years of heightened fame via his following releases.1999 was Prince's first top 10 album on the Billboard 200, peaking at number nine, and was fifth in the Billboard Year-End Albums of 1983. "1999", a protest against nuclear proliferation, was a Billboard Hot 100 top 20 hit, peaking at number 12. It has since become one of Prince's most recognizable compositions. "Delirious" reached number eight on the Billboard Hot 100, while "Little Red Corvette" peaked at number six, becoming Prince's highest charting US single at the time. "International Lover" was also nominated for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance at the 26th Grammy Awards, which was Prince's first Grammy Award nomination. 1999 received widespread acclaim from critics, and was seen as Prince's breakthrough album. On March 24, 1999, 1999 was certified quadruple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Following Prince's death in 2016, the album re-entered the Billboard 200 and peaked at number seven, besting its original performance on the chart thirty-three years earlier. A re-release and remaster of the album, including 35 previously unreleased recordings, was released in November 2019.1999 has been ranked as one of the greatest albums of all time by several publications and organizations. The music videos for both "1999" and "Little Red Corvette" received heavy rotation on MTV, making Prince one of the first black artists to be in heavy rotation on the television channel. According to the Rolling Stone Album Guide (2004), "1999 may be Prince's most influential album: Its synth-and-drum machine-heavy arrangements codified the Minneapolis sound that loomed over mid-'80s R&B and pop, not to mention the next two decades' worth of electro, house, and techno." It is also included on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. In 2008, the album was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
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Reviews
Bomb
I was really excited when this popped up as the next album, as generally speaking, it has recently been a series of artists I have never heard of and/or weren't that great to listen to. The front three tracks on this record are outstanding. The title track is one of the defining songs of the 80's, though I personally prefer Little Red Corvette over 1999 (Delirious is worse than 1999 though). However, in listening to this, it's clear why these three were the hits and the rest didn't make the airwaves. Most of the rest of this doesn't hold up nearly as well. Prince is an incredible artist, just felt like this album should have been a hell of a lot better and more complete than it was.
Solid album. Some stuff I wasn't as into, but did enjoy how almost low budget the electronics felt at points? Although that might just be from the time period. "Delirious" "Let's Pretend We're Married" and "All The Critics Love U In New York" were the standouts for me
Admittedly I was doing other things while listening but there are some undeniable generational hits here
Some classics, but tails off a bit at the end.
Omg I love this it’s so nice and electronic
He tried to fool us by front loading with the singles,. Those songs are good, but inconsequential pop. Afterwards it falls away for the listener. I'm sure Prince had fun messing about with his synth drums and rubber band bass sounds, but save it for your Soundcloud page Prince.
Love me some Prince!
idk
Meh, not my thing.
His wail on intl lover :0 The blips on Something in the Water (does not compute) :0 Accidentally had it on shuffle for the first few songs oops. This cover is wild :0 Is this my first 4?? Totally unrelated but if any Beatles albums come up on this I am at present feeling inclined to skip them... OK but like that one part on Let's Pretend We're Married... omg you know the one I'm talking about. Solid 3, verging on 4.
Game, blouse's...
I'm just not really into Prince honestly. The songs were too long, and most felt like generic 80s synth music. Too long, too bland, gets a pass for the couple of iconic hits here.
Impressive guitar combined with a lot of funky bass and synths. I can appreciate Prince's impact on music and culture at large, but this album didn't help me to understand what people enjoyed about his music - it largely defies most conventions in pop music.
YES. I don't listen to this album often enough, thanks for reminding me to listen to it today. It's not better than Purple Rain, but still 5 stars.
Classic. Funk-pop explosion the way only Prince can do it.
Pretty good fair play
Prince is a great guitar player. He may very well have been a genius. His music sounds like absolute shit. It sounded like shit when it was relatively recent, it sounds worse now. It's unfathomable to me that so many people I respect consider this good music. It's like a collection of novelty tracks.
Ég er bara ekki Prince-maður. Langar alltaf að fíla hann en geri það ekki. Þessi rétt svo nær tveimur stjörnum.
I thought it was okay. 5/10
10/10 Its good but not as good as Purple Rain. Some songs do go on WAY too long though
I’ve never really been a Prince fan and it’s taken a lot to pluck up the motivation to listen to this album I’m afraid. It goes without saying that Prince has an incredible voice, a captivating stage presence and is an all round enigma. Making him superstar-worthy. But sadly his vibe is just not my thing 😔 I really liked the album art, and some of the synths reminded me of early Depeche Mode which I really liked - especially Delirium and Let’s Pretend We’re Married. Highlights: The range of that voice! Lowlights: how is every song sooooo loooooong! Top Tracks: In all honesty a lot of them blurred together, but International Lover stood out. Rating: 2
First two tunes are perfect. I feel if you love Prince this is great. Super- talented guy. Decent three from me. 3.3/5
At the outset I thought this one was going to be a 5* - first couple of tracks had excellent choruses but got I tired of the length of the songs without any real progression or development of the melody. Finished strong with International Lover. Solidly between 3-4*
Prince is a great musician but was disappointed by the lack of music on this album. The electro-pop is not my vibe.
Every song on this album is far too long. Otherwise I enjoyed the vibe. Rating: 3.0
Buen disco, se disfruto. Nose si alguna vez habia escuchado prince
Great 1st track, the full 6+ min version, some other decent songs on here, steady album
Not the best, not the worst Singing is alright but there is some scratchiness of the voice. I wouldn't choose it. 2 stars
more impressed as I go deeper into his catalogue, 199 is a good example
It’s baffling that prince was homophobic while simultaneously making such a gay album. Love it
This one might hit 5 after a few more listens.
Very good.
favs: 1999 d.m.s.r. lady cab driver all the critics love u in new york rating 1.8/5
Another classic by a misunderstood genius. This guy died way too soon and his later work was working up to something monumental. This was of course ahead of its time and still a brilliant album despite the outdated title. (5/5)
very good listen
Some good stuff but like so many double albums it’s too long with not enough payoff.
Yeah I mean it's Prince honing the Minneapolis funk sound. My take aways from this listen is that The Revolution is one of the best backing bands probably in the history of music.
I had to keep reminding myself this was from 1982. It felt much more modern to me. The first four songs are incredible and so classically Prince. The rest of the album does get a bit long -winded as Prince takes us down the rabbit hole of sexual fantasies and explicit descriptions of naughty things, come on it's Prince! Even though songs are funky and wild and very ahead of their time.
♂️Prince!♂️ Classic artist, first time with this album. Best Tracks: 1999, Little Red Corvette, Rating: 7/10
SO REPETITIVE! I FEEL LIKE IM STUCK IN A TIME LOOP ON AN 80s DISCO FLOOR! GET ME OUT!
Honestly just really confused because he made this in 1982? But it’s 1999? But remastered 2019?? That’s just a lot of different years Also personally didn’t like the song with the girl moaning the whole time kinda made me uncomfortable For albums named after years this one comes in second place Anyway sorry prince not my fav 😞 your songs too long
not my favorite work by prince. but anything by prince sits high in my book bcs he was the reason nick and jess ended up together
long ass songs but really good 80s pop. I do in fact want 2 party like it's 1999. I am not a big fan of the dance music sex and romance song though, it was a little too much. I see where it fits but just rubbed me the wrong way
Prince is pretty hit or miss for me. "Free" was probably my favorite.
Hornier than I thought it would be
You cannot deny the talent that Prince has. 80s synth music just isn‘t my cup of tea. Also the songs are way too long.
After listening to this it really feels like I've had sex with Prince, which is a very rare feeling for an album to give. It's groovy and sexy and quite explicit. I enjoyed it. Did not enjoy Delirious though unfortunately. Favourites: 1999 Little Red Corvette DMSR
Cool
Shocked I’m rating it this low but the rating is for the album, which is average imo, not specific songs (because some great ones).
Genuine
It's still pretty good. The sex stuff really gets thin after a while.
Prince has proven to be a tough one for me. Musical genius, sex symbol, shreds the guitar, love the movie Purple Rain. But.... outside of the radio hits, his albums just aren't that interesting. First 5 songs on this rip and then we fall into generic 80's stuff that lacks anything to pull you in.
Heard it before. Ah, this is an absolutely amazing predecessor to Purple Rain, you can even heard some similarities. The "You must be a limousine" from Little Red Corvette just gets stuck in your head, it's so good 4/5
I'm in the Twin Cities, so figured I should listen to Prince. I kept thinking "so this is why 80s pop sounds the way it does!" The synth work especially seems like a trademark: he uses it to drive the dance also like punctuation to break up or emphasize his point. And while it's dancey, it's also kinda laid back in a way that reminded me at times of Marvin Gaye's Let's Get It On.
respect the history, not for me
Great record. Prince rules!
Feel like I should enjoy this way more than I do. Maybe with a tighter edit. A few hits but too much. RYM: Y (#607) Saved a song: Y
It feels a bit like the Jetsons. Prince must’ve been guessing in 1982 what the music of 1999 would sound like he’s obviously such a charismatic and talented performer the musician, but the soundscape is so jarring and foreign that I had a really hard time connecting, especially for someone who grew up on grunge.
I like the song 1999, and the album is objectively good, but I prefer other albums of prince
1999
My continued attempt to love Prince is unsuccessful.
Loved this album way back when, now, not so much. The electronic drums and thin production, combined with the little girl squeals aka Michael Jackson are pretty lame. But the concept could be done better. Prince was a master in his time, but his potential was not yet fully realized. A few great songs here, but what i'd really like to hear would be him unleashing that guitar and play some real funky bluesy soul.
This is the Prince I love. 40+ years old and these songs are sexy as ever. Song writing on full display. Guitar playing impeccable. The album being a touch long is my only complaint. But frankly it’s just brilliant.
2.5
I feel like this will come as no surprise but I really freaking love Prince. If you needed me to pinpoint my sexual awakening, it was late one summer night when I save the music video for When Doves Cry when I was 8. Prince looms so large in my cultural consciousness (his Super Bowl halftime performance is THE Super Bowl halftime performance) and he’s someone I return to with fervour (listening to The Hits/B-Sides to the exclusion of all else). Anyway! Loved returning to this and one simply must give it 5 stars for 1999 alone, but Little Red Corvette is another track I can’t live without. Viva the artist formerly known as Prince!
Prince is pretty cool! This was fun! maybe a little too long
3.5 stars This is great. First 3 tracks are nonstop fire. The album is quite over indulgent by design, and that can get tiring. But I’ve returned to this from time tl time and will continue to.
Damn, this look in excess of 8 playthroughs, but it was worth it. I always tend to find that Prince's stuff is a slow burn; usually a good sign. Dude sure does like sex a lot. Favourite tracks: 1999, Little Red Corvette, Let's Pretend We're Married, Something In The Water (Does Not Compute), Lady Cab Driver, All The Critics Love U In New York.
Really enjoyable, I couldn't stop humming and moving
I can get shot for this but I don't really get Prince. Appreciate the wizardry
The best Prince's album. Simoke the GOAT Однажды я слушал этот альбом на колонке в родительском доме. Песня DMSR. Мать сказала, что это музыка для дебилов, на что я ответил, что дебилы не станут слушать 8 минут один трек. А она парировала, мол дебилам все равно, что слушать. Она не шарит
horny is not a genre i frequent but there were some memorable tracks
A bop
It's fine. Purple Rain is better.
So many different parts and sounds all working together in such a whimsical yet mechanically precise way like a big purple Rube Goldberg machine. Kind of slowed down in the second half but there were still good songs with good moments. I've never really listened to Prince before aside from a couple basic hits so I'm glad this was the first list album chronologically. 7/10
Slightly disappointed by this one. It comes out of the tracks fast, but for me it gets bigger down in overly long tracks after the first three tracks. It does pick up at the end, but that was enough to drop my enjoyment by a point.
Prince ♾️
I always hear how great Prince is and this makes me want to like his music but this was a slog. The song 1999 is fantastic and is an example of what he can do. It descended from there into a miasma of simulated sex sounds and dated 80s production. He is a great musician but the songwriting is not my cup of tea.
I like Prince the artist but this album is not a highlight. At its best when a bit more funky, there are too many lacklustre tracks here that weren’t exciting at all (looking at you ‘free’) and the whole thing suffered from some dated instrumentation and production choices that have aged really poorly and it doesn’t have the strength of songwriting compared to something like Purple Rain.
Not my favourite album by Prince. Some unbelievable tracks on here though.
The sound that launched a thousand synth bands.
Pretty interesting, some good songs on it definitely. Unexpected vulgar vibes, didn't expect that from that type of music
Biggest misgivings about this album are mostly production related. It sounds curiously flat from a recording perspective, and the electronic drums and early Oberheim synth sound is not my favorite thing. Still quite a bit of good music on here in 1999, Little Red Corvette, D.M.S.R., Automatic, and Lady Cab Driver (the only song where he stretches out on guitar, sadly). Some more percussive oomph might have bumped this up a notch, but it's still a decently good time.
Usual Prince album. Several excellent tracks (1999, Little Red Corvette), some decent ones (DSMR, Delirious) and the rest are meh.
Like the hits the rest were a bit bland.
Lewd
I think Prince just made me pregnant
It’s good. Prince is amazing. Objectively a genius. But I’m still not crazy about the album.
I was going to give this 4 *s but when the last song came on, it was a blast so it's a 5.
Early 80's + funky, fun and sexy = Prince is amazing!
Prince is a fantastic artist and an exceptionally talented guitarist. I love his funk. Many of his albums feature excellent tracks, but there isn’t a single one that I think is so good that it deserves a place in a top 1000 list—except that it would be inappropriate not to include him in such a compilation. I couldn’t say that this is his best album, but which one is?
Eh
I am a dilettante who may never have the musical potential to appreciate Prince. Until that time, my review is "meh nice sounds, unique, very well done."
-1 for cringe sex skit
You know this guy fucks
Feels dated and futuristic at the same time. I am dreaming as I write this and my judgment for today … is 4 stars.. or is it 5 can’t decide … oops out of time
Great synth funk. Some songs stretch out a bit but the grooves are really good.
Этот альбом не зашёл, как и другие.
Bonus points for being batshit crazy