1999

Color me disappointed. Have always enjoyed the first two tracks, but it was all downhill after that and the hill was steep, long, and rocky. “Automatic” felt like the longest song of all time, and while I’m down with the occasional song that is just unabashedly horny (see: “2 Become 1” by Spice Girls), there are some moments in the back half of this record that made me want to just tell His Purpleness to get a room already. Say what you will about “Darling Nikki,” but at least you can hum it if you don’t like the lyrical content. Not the case here. I mistakenly thought this album came out after Purple Rain. It makes so much more sense knowing that situation is reversed. The blueprint was established on this one, but perfected on the other, I suppose. Or maybe I should say the blue balls were established on this one. I dunno. Dude was herrrrny.

I really want to like Prince and I'm happy he's enjoying himself being a megalomanic sex-dwarf on this record, but I just don't buy it. By turns it's too sentimental, too crude, too cheesy. I'll stick with the singles.

A bit of gospel, a bit of vibes and a bit too repetitive

Prince produced his own albums. He shouldn’t have been allowed to, cos he’s rubbish at it. Cover art looks like it was drawn by a zany primary school teacher’s year 6 class. I don’t like the music either

Terrible songwriter

This was awful. Production is like a parody. The lyrics at idiotic, and the song seem half written. For all the love he gets, Prince seems like the most overrated artist in history. I was genuinely looking forward to this one and have come away bitterly disappointed.

Not feeling anything for this album. Some of the grooves are funky but not really enjoying this album.

I'm at a party because someone I wanted desperately to impress has invited me. I'm not comfortable in these clothes or with these people but I am trying because I'm supposed to. I think I hate it here and I think I hate them.

Abysmal. Yeah first 2 tracks are "okay" however a whole album of songs (which are mostly a considerable length) consisting of the same thing on repeat. Here's my quick guide to writing a song to appear on 1999: "Girl, you want to have dirty sex with me" *bad synth noise* "Girl, I want to have sex with you" *squeal* "It feels really good" *80s porno sounds* Repeat for around 8 or even 9 minutes give the track a silly name. DONE. Genuinely the first album yet I've gotten halfway through a song and skipped, bear in mind halfway through I've already dealt with 4+ minutes of it... I'd give it a 0.5 if I could. 😅

This album was hanging onto a 2 only because of "Little Red Corvette". Then "Automatic" came on and it all went down hill real fast. I just don't get Prince, I don't get the appeal, either from his music or his style, none of it makes sense to me. This dude had a one track mind. All he talked about in this album was sex, sex, and more sex. This album was just awful. It didn't help that every other song was like 8 minutes long. You can hate me if you want but this dude was just not it. I do not understand why he is so revered if this is the stuff that he put out.

More turgid funk from this over-sexed dwarf. A credit to the Jehovah’s Witness movement, a stain on the musical canon 1/5

Prince’s music is so bad. I can’t understand why he’s considered a legend at all. I don’t get it. I hate it. I absolutely hate his music.

Not my cup of te. Every song sounds like ”neutron dance” in my ears

já conhecia óbvio… berço de tanto talento e sucessos

One of Prince’s many great albums. Ground breaking sounds and rhythm programming.

Great album. On par with Purple Rain or maybe even better.

5 stars. How can you give this anything else.

An album that is still underappreciated for its complexity and sophistication. Of particular interest is the drum machine tinkering in which Prince tuned drums low enough to make them harmonic. Trent Rezno4 ane David Bowie have both acknowledged the influence and brilliance of the album.

Loved it. No notes.

If not Prince at his best, it’s Prince at his very close. While a bit unruly at times, most artists could only dream of being able to put something like this together. All his flair, energy, and unparalleled talent gift us with an explosive experience that I never want to end. He deserves all the credit he gets. 1 re-listen Favorite Tracks: Little Red Corvette, Title Track, D.M.S.R, Let’s Pretend We’re Married

Expectation: -> Looking forward to advancing my Prince enlightenment era. After listening: -> So strange how much I appreciate Prince and enjoy his music without previously considering myself a fan. Wouldn't rate this as highly as the epic Purple Rain album but this is fantastic, still a 5, and that's not a fair comparison! Track ranking: LRC 1999 Water DMSR Delirious Cab International Married Automatic Free Critics

Game. Blouses.

We the music lovers tend to find special joy in dance genres. Yeah, there are many outstanding intelligent schools of sound, but dance music is something that is able to resonate with your body. Prince's 1999 is a record which definitely invites you to dance, and even if you will not, it will make your mind dance somewhere in a separate musical realm. 1999 is really diverse. The only bad part I would say is the early few track following the opener. The first track is great and sets the mood to be later developed later on the album. I changed my opinion several times as I was listening. Remarkably, once you reach the mid-part, Prince starts to spew out one banger after nother. This music makes you feel good. It makes you dance. It makes you love your life more. It uses the repetitive parts and the dance rhythm, which sometimes are the same thing and at times not, with success. The synths are not great in those few tracks I have mentioned, but still better than in most such records, and Prince even manages to make them sound warm in one of the tracks. Horny lyrics appear throughout the album and sort of fit the dance mood. I would also highlight the lyrics of "Lady Cab Driver" which have some social commentary sentiment and remind me a little of works such as "They Don't Care About Us" by Michael. Prince also adds those real life situations briefly with music evolving right based after the former, as in the said track. The vocals are just fine, and I loved the moments with bursts of emotions. Those are really decisive and thrilling. "International Lover" is pehaps the strongest track of all; made me think 1999 should indeed be on such lists as "1001 albums" and heard by everyone for its cultural importance and the ability to demonstrate both the music of its time and the general limits and creative capabilities of music (in other words, I consider it classic). Were it not for the last track, I would say that is a cool album with much musical vatiety and dance mood to it, but "International Lover", both thanks to it being a masterpiece and also its placement as the last track, has formed my opinion that this album is too good not to be rated the highest. A fascinating work by Prince. Retrofuturistic by title, its ability to make people dance cannot be disputed, but apart from that, it has tons of emotions and music achievements that truly make it stand out. P.S. The artwork is of curious design. We lack it so much in mid-2020s with all those flat, corporate, liquid glass styles.

I was a DJ when this double album came out, and I absolutely remember going through every track and taking notes... of the 11 tunes, over half were frequently played, which had to be some sort of record at the time. Your typical "dance record" would have one mega hit, maybe one other tune with good beats that people with taste would enjoy, and the rest would be filler. Not this album!

The hornier precursor to Purple Rain. He was clearly fully leveled up with 1999 and Little Red Corvette.

Still Prince. Still awesome.

Fun prince album!!

i am having an absolute mandela effect moment with the "don't worry, i won't hurt you..." intro. anyway one of my first favorite albums ever in my life still hits like when i was six. absolutely manic orchestration and production on everything, and sex party and romance turn into a driven rhytmic state of euphoria. in my case, literally baby's first extended pop instrumentals. i tbh dont think its all really about sex except in the way that everything is about sex, its like the whole psyche and not having known prince personally it seems like it must have been pretty singular and weird. but also if it is all just about dance, party, sex, and romance, what else do we have in our short small lives? fave track let's pretend we're married

Very good voice some of the songs reminded me of Michael Jackson

Hard to give anything less than 5 stars to any album of this period by Prince. Be was just about to peak with this going into Purple Rain which continued for many albums. Still feels early 80s in its sound

This is a really cool album and it gets a 5 for sure but I think it's interesting how he comes in so hot with 1999 and Little Red Corvette, 2 bangers in their own right, only to come back to Earth for like 3 songs. I was chasing the high of the first 2 songs for like 20 minutes. I ALMOST gave the album a 4 but he brought me back with the last 4 tracks. Well played, Prince. Highlights: 1999 (ofc), Lady Cab Driver

Great stuff. Naughty at times, but great. :)

it's Prince

No one’s convincing me Prince isn’t a genius. Even the man himself. I mean he changed his name to an unpronounceable symbol- literally. The press release read that the symbol he had legally changed his name to (in the midst of contractual conflict with Warner brothers) was “unpronounceable.” So on paper he was the symbol- but what were we to call him? The artist formerly known as Prince. I remember people railing on this silliness. But it was GENIUS. Pure f*ing genius. Like so much that he did. He changed music AND the machine. What a feat! AND he didn’t let them steal his soul. 5 forever Boolean: yes always so glad to hear The Artist before I too die. Prince RIP

LOVE LOVE LOVE. just so many bangers on here. they need to be playing some of these songs in the club fr

Legend

Love prince

the big prince

One of the most creative creatures in many lifetimes.

Classic Prince. WHat else needs to be said.

YUP.

Brilliant

very high 4, very fun

It's Prince, it's 1999, it's great... it's a classic!

Pop classic, this album cements Prince's status as one of the best performers of all time

Dance Music Sex Romance

Unreal

No surprise to anyone who knows me... I love this album. It's not my favorite Prince album but it's a great one. My only note would be that the songs are too long but that might be because I have no patience these days. I discovered something new that I didn't notice when I was 11... The cover, designed by Vanity, uses a big dildo for the number one. The things you learn as you age...

Another great Prince album to convince me I was probably wrong not to be a bigger fan. Having said that, I'm still probably someone who just needs a really good best of

Genuinely enjoyed listening to the album. Strong start

Fantastisk fløga

Best ever

This album sounds great and is a fun listen. It’s a little too long but for the most part it stays interesting throughout.

Ughhhh! Prince is the first record I remember listening to without my parents, and I will never forget seeing him perform Little Red Corvette on acoustic guitar in 2004 on his Musicology Tour. 😍

I have always loved this album.

Love this album. I feel a Prince weekend coming on..

💜💜💜💜💜 Börjar starkt med 1999, för att därefter följa upp med Little red corvette, Delirious. Fortsätter därefter starkt med Lets's pretend we're married och funkiga D.M.S.R som följs därefter av funk/syntiga Automatic. Tappar fart en aning med Something in the water och Free (Something in the water hade jag kunnat vara utan tycker dock Free är bra) men hittar tillbaka igen med Lady cab driver. 1999 är funkig, vulgär (ibland till en nästan komisk nivå) och tar ut svängarna med långa instrumentala partier, precis som man vill ha sin Prince, det blir en 5a. Bäst är 1999, Little red corvette. Delirious och Automatic

Bom álbum, não ouço muito esse estilo de música, porém gostei

Yea I'm never gonna hate a Prince album, it's simply ingrained in my DNA.

The more I listen to Prince the more I appreciate his talent. Incredible artist, his albums always make their way back into my playlists.

lovely

21/04/26 PRINCE!!!!!!!! mentira que essas duas vozes em 1999 são do prince puta merda ele é genial mesmo a excentricidade dele é o destaque de tudo o que ele faz, é bom por ser diferente e não ter medo essas duas primeiras músicas são maravilhas da humanidade o jeito dele de cantar e fazer a lírica sexual ser o sexo puro é inigualável, caralho de fato estou delirando com o jeito undertale de delirious metade da galera reclama de faixa longa, mas eu não vi problema nenhum, já que o prince sabe aproveitar disso perfeitamente e realmente incrementar o que ele faz e se propõe a fazer em cada faixa tipo olha esse synth solo que delícia vc pesquisa desejo no dicionário e vai aparecer o prince meu medo é essa duração extensa três vezes seguidas, mas já superei com esse início de dmsr mds que coisa maravilhosa, sem palavras pra quão bom é isso aqui dá pra ver que ele se divertia criando e que criatividade pqp, mais de 7 min que não enjoam, inacreditável caralhooooooooooooooooo (automatic) pq tudo aqui é bom, precisa ter um defeito esse vocal distorcido do caralho - e é sobre aspectos como esse que eu me refiro quando falo da criatividade do prince does not compute é bom de um jeito diferente, é meio eerie esse gritão insano free underrated, a menos reproduzida bonita pra caramba o andamento e o piano são sensacionais mano n é possível que de fato não tenha uma coisa ruim dentro dessa liberdade criativa do prince lady cab driver é gostosinho a lírica dela é poeticamente confusa eu não ouvi o prince vomitando no meio do ngc não né transição smooth de lady cab driver pra all the critics o jogo de bateria e sinteitzador continua foda international lover mto foda por fim descobri um álbum mto foda, que já esperava pq o prince é bom pela criatividade ousada e de desejo. tudo em 1999 é sonoricamente fechado e definido, e ao mesmo tempo explorado até o talo. a duração das faixas e do projeto não decepciona, é o que ajuda a expandir e explorar essa sonoridade. synths, voz, temática, baixo, bateria, guitarra, tudo combina de forma única dentro da visão singular e genial do prince 10/10 / 5/5

fav track international lover

I’ve listened to this album recently and loved it. Still love it now. I think “Delirious” is my favorite track. It’s a tough call because 1999 is such a strong song. But I love how delirious feels and sounds like you’re delirious 🤣. The vibe of this album just puts me at ease. Up to DMSR. I really love this album. Apparently I’ve not listened to as much of this album as I thought. Just got to “Free”. What an amazing song. Closing track international lover is fantastic

Good

I love this album despite its flaws - some dubious lyrics and at least one track that probably didn't need to be 8+ minutes - but that's Prince all over.

I worry a little that it I look too closely I to the lyrics they might be a little much. But it's a great listen - 5 stars

Second best album from maybe the greatest artist of all time. My love for Prince can not be overstated and 1999 is a classic

Fantastic album

Wow so catchy! A-u-t-o-matic, so in love with you! Ooh! Alright! Dance, music, sex, romance! Also Lady Cab Driver is where the main melody of Lady by Mojo is lifted from.

i love this album, it is so fun. to have this much energy with live music is incredible

Incredible record

Repeat listen

Masterpiece

Prince is God. Period. "1999" and "International Lover" were the best ones for me.

Coincidentally I watched the Animaniacs episode with the "finger Prince" gag today. Anyways, another instance of Prince being super fuckin cool

This record resonates with me for so many ways. First it is a legendary record. Second it has two songs that would be top 50 ever. Lastly for me, it reminds me of my youth. This record has a lot of meaning for me and it is wonderful.

The musical equivalent of sex on the brain.

amazing

New Wave funk at its ever loving best. It's prime Prince and as such an easy 5/5! This is a love that's gonna last!

Yeah I loved this. Super funky, I think the first Prince album I've ever fully listened to? Really wonderful

Great album

About damn time we got a Prince album. This is the breakthrough where he put his other-worldly talents to use forming a clearer musical identity and really arrived as Prince. Some of the synths are dated and tracks a little long, but its still a masterpiece. 4.5 with a round-up because I am a Prince fanatic.

I’m physically incapable of giving less than five stars to Prince

Пока все жили в 1982, принц уже жил в 1999 и в 2005. LCD Soundsystem звучит прекрасно.

Confession: I like this better than Purple Rain

Going into this album, I had heard it once before all the way through. 1999, Little Red Corvette, and Delirious are on repeat for me, and are on some of my playlist where these songs have the right vibe. I was doing Prince a disservice because this album fucks hard. I was grooving and vibing the entire listen. The other songs on this project definitely deserve more love and recognition than they get. This project is an hour and 10 min long, but at no point did it feel that way cause it was able to keep my attention and the vibes were right. Prince is definitely freaked out on this album so there is some raunchy lyrics and weirdly sexual moans and if that isn't for you then you probably won't enjoy some of the songs, but if that doesn't bother you this album is a fun listen that will have you grooving.

This is such a powerful and at the time playful album. Adventurous synth and drum machine experimentalism, barebones funk, mixed with occasionally repetitive backbeats and lyrics that leave absolutely no doubt that its creator was horny af. What a fun melange of genres, styles and sounds. An undeniable, a lava-hot classic!

His best record from a deep catalog. #johnsvinyl

Obvious 5star for me. Love the concept album

Great funk synth pop album. Sometimes the synthesizers sound dated.

Bloated purple orgy

Funk

Not a controversial statement, but this is my Prince. Perfect combo of his musical genius and his pop sensibilities. Every song on here is a banger, totally listenable, and pure Prince. Doesn't get any better than this.

9/10

Listen any year.

Y

My First time listening to a Prince’s album. Honestly incredible and so ahead of his time, very sexual.

Hell yeah!!! This slapped. Prince is a genius and these are all amazing songs. I even like Lady Cab Driver, despite the bridge with the woman's moans incorporated. Normally that ruins a song for me, but this one made sense and didn't take away from the experience. I will be returning to this one! 9/10

1999 and Little Red Corvette alone make this an all time album.

Awesome

Prince pretty much always makes fantastic to perfect music

Yeah, he cooked here

as a Minnesotan it is my god given responsibility to rate Prince five stars, but even outside of where I live this is still a 5 star banger of an album. Those saying this is just 80 nonsense noises completely fail to recognize most "80s nonsense" was copying Prince.

Very erotic, but how could it not be when you are talking about Prince?

best prince album

Absolute banger of an album.

INPUT = {"artist": "Prince", "album": "1999"} LINEUP = {"men": 1, "women": 0} FEATURED_ARTISTS = {"men": 0, "women": 0} TOTAL_MEN = 1 TOTAL_WOMEN = 0 WOMEN_PERCENTAGE = 0 OUTPUT = "Maximum score awarded. 5/5"

Funky. Sexy. It’s Prince. 5/5

Prince in this era was pretty much perfect.

it was amazing is all i have to say, really long songs but worth the listen

Ahead of its time. Great beats and funk.

If you don’t have fun listening to this album, your pulse needs to be checked.

Amazing! Album with so much impact!

Var gefin út betri plata árið 1982? Ég held barasta ekki. Stórkostlegt stöff og fimma.

This was part of my DNA since day one. The part of me that grew up hearing soul singles on AM radio in between Elton John and Paul McCartney hits in the early 70s and the teenage me that loved punk and new wave found common ground in this album, and subsequently in the rest of this great man’s entire discography. And he was just getting started! Dance, Music, Sex, Romance!

Amazing album! No notes!

Sometimes I think this album would have been better as a single LP with an LP's worth of B-sides, and sometimes I think that it shouldn't be a half-second shorter than it is. This re-listen was one of the latter times.

The Purple One’s foray into philosophical religious hedonistic synth pop.

I *might* give it a 4.5 because we don't need 8 minutes of DSMR or 9.5 minutes of Automatic, and the album cut of 1999 goes on a liiiitle too long. But that's splitting hairs, and with no half stars this is a 5 all the way.

very rush sounding

Some tunes in here , I like alot about this album

80’s Prince. Instant 5 stars. I’ll be honest, I’d give The Rainbow Children and LOtUSFLOW3R and HITNRUN Phase One high marks, too, if they appeared on this list. I love Prince. But 80’s Prince is beyond next level.

Tracks I've heard before: 1999 Little Red Corvette In no particular order: Top 3: 1999 Let's Pretend We're Married Lady Cab Driver Bottom 3: Delirious Automatic All the Critics Love U In New York

Full disclosure- I’m a huge Prince fan but have never listened to this all the way through. This very much a companion piece to Purple Rain and I loved it. Still sound exciting and fresh and such a strong album.

Where would music be without this epic artist?! I forgot how spicy the lyrics are, especially for 1982! So progressive both sonically and lyrically. I would give this 6 stars if I could!

Calzato a pennello in un periodo in cui avevo bisogno di carica, mi è piaciuta molto il sound un po' elettronico sperimentale, mi ha ricordato un po' L'Imperatrìce. Ha gasato, super energetic!!

Pure 80s Funk

Day736 - prince just seems so ahead of his time. this seems as fresh now as it did forty plus years ago. my favorite song on the album is still little red corvette but d.m.s.r. is the best song i didn’t know

Excellent Music 🙏🏻

The first half of this album is unbelievable -- 1999, LRC, Delerious, Let's Pretend We're Married, and DMSR. What hit me this time around is that it's as far as most of us back in the day ever listened to the album. (Of course, when it first came out, I couldn't stand it -- because my sister loved it and it was everywhere.) But I honestly don't think I've heard everything from Something in the Water on -- I have no memory of Lady Cab Driver, and I *would* have remembered that -- and International Lover. "Free" is the one weak point on the album and that's a nitpick. It's still brilliantly funky, sexy, and fun.

Sooo sexual and fantastic.

campy and overly horny in the best way possible. five gold stars for this bad boy

Eccentric and 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝒶𝓀𝓎, just like him. I thoroughly enjoyed it, it felt experimental and fun while still being music and not just noise thrown together at random if that makes sense. I saved 10/11 songs, 5/5 ⭐️

Im ready for the prince versus Michael Jackson discourse. MJ has bigger hits but goddamn does Prince slap consistently. My only complaint here is the run time of some of these songs. Magnificent all the way through otherwise. It’s no purple rain but that’s fine. 1999 stand out hit of course but the whole thing continues through. I can understand someone giving this a 4 but it’s tickling the 5 for me.

It's a bonafide classic. This album defined sounds that would carry on for the next several decades. Yet, since it's a Prince album, it can still be underrated.

Such a fab album! The guitar, the vocals, the nostalgia makes it a great listen

My favorite so far

1999, little red corvette best songs

Yes, many of the songs run too long. Yes, a double album was unnecessary. Yes, I'm biased and will give this a 5 when it probably deserves a 4.

This might be the easiest 5 I give.

The world's going to s*it, so we may as well dance about it, party and have a good time. Impending apocalypse seems like a rather odd theme behind Prince's breakthrough hit, but it's this sort of deep and meaningful attention to songwriting, as well as meticulous creativity, that makes '1999', and its namesake album, such an absolute joy to listen to. Prince had already transformed into the sexy, funky and sleek force of nature two records earlier with 'Dirty Mind', but '1999' is when he took the pop charts by storm. Everything clicked for him here. His songwriting, his band (recently rechristened The Revolution), his bold creativity (this album is 70 mins long and includes three 8+ minute funk freakouts) and a burning desire to succeed. It all hit. '1999' and 'Little Red Corvette' are both pop perfection. I've already dished about the former, but the latter, a tasteful room-raiser about differing needs, is probably the perfect example of the genius of this record. Prince knew how to strike a nerve with his audience, and 'Little Red Corvette' is a perfect pop song with deep undertones. But he's still able to get you to reflect ('Free'), have a fun-filled time ('D.M.S.R.', 'Automatic') and be whisked off to another plane of existence ('International Lover')....Prince was a master of his craft, and he knew it. The fact he wrote every part of this album himself is an achievement in itself, but he was able to continue this throughout his entire career, releasing albums at breakneck speed, playing all the instruments and writing all the music....I mean, did he ever sleep? '1999' is a masterpiece, and it would be a perfect album for any artist. But Prince wasn't done....he followed this perfect record with 'Purple Rain'. Let that sink in. Best songs: 1999, Little Red Corvette, Delirious, Let's Pretend We're Married, Automatic, Free, Lady Cab Driver, International Lover

Prince! Can do no wrong in my book.

Prince does it again. I know the hits but their album versions are a revelation. This was tons of fun to listen to.

This is excellent. I was not familiar really with prince's music beyond the hips and every song I absolutely loved.

This guy was gifted.

Genius.

So good!

Scratches so many of musical itches, particularly Lady Cab Driver and Let’s Pretend We’re Married. Funk, Dance, Guitar-heavy, brilliant.

Another classic

Prince Tax

Most people don't know this but Prince is one of the reasons that we have the Explicit Lyrics label on records. We will cover that when we get to Purple Rain. For me, Prince ranks up there as one of the greatest musicians and this album is one of his greatest. I remember going out and buying Dimond and Pearls when I was just 11. Riding my bike to buy it and for some reason my parent thought that prince was OK for an 11 year old to listen to. It does not matter really this is a banger start to finish and get's all the stars.

Prince was ready to party 17 years early

Great album that with the first four tracks being probably the best opening to any Prince album.

Fav songs: dmsr, all the critics love U in ny, international lover

This might actually be a high 4, since there are some missteps, but this and Purple Rain clearly mark the intersection of Prince's unique talents and pop accessibilty, so I'm rounding up.

Insane. Besides the hits, the deeper cuts are solid - and hint at future brilliance from Prince ('Automatic' sounds very much like a precursor to 'Erotic City' and not in a bad way.) Perfect blend of funk & soul + syth-y dance that really only Prince could do so effortlessly. Just genius.

Not much to say here. I did, at one time, party like it was 1999. Because it was.

love it

All the hits. Some songs sound a little dated but still a classic. Little Red Corvette is my favorite Prince song

Exceptional. It’s Prince.

Fantastic album

Prince, NOT over rated!!

This was a fun album to listen to. I dig it 5/5

Alright, so I was maybe dreaming a little when I wrote this, so, like, forgive me if I go astray. 'K? When I talk about double albums there's this line I love to bring up: "if y'don't do it right it can come across like a supreme ego trip." You're tellin' me you had just **too many good ideas** for **one disc**? You had to toss in a second one to hold 'em all? Well, you must be firing on **all cylinders** to justify that decision. And thankfully, I've only rarely come across one that doesn't and falls into the "ego" pit. It might just be a credit to this album's selection of double albums more than anything, but either way. Here's a question, though: can an album come across like an ego trip and **still** come out as a good album? Oh, yeah, absolutely. And '1999' is the proof of that. If '1999' is anything to me, it's Prince walking into the room, telling everybody "Fuck you, I **am** that good at music" and then having sex right on the open floor with the hottest woman in his presence. And damn it, he's right — he **is** just that good. If he was even a hint less he wouldn't have been able to get away with songs like "D.M.S.R." and "Automatic" being as long as they are. This is 11 straight tracks of amazing synth-pop and electronic funk. It's obviously a little primordial to how layered the follow-up would be ('Purple Rain', of course), but let's not act like that fact takes away from any of these songs. Sure, "Let's Pretend We're Married" doesn't have as much going on as a song like "Take Me With U" or, goodness, "Computer Blue" — it's still a captivating, engaging, and overall just plain **fun** listen. I get a kick out of every "ooo-wee-shaa-shaa-koo-koo-yeah." "Fun" — that's probably the best way to describe this album. Well, alongside "horny." But it's like, however long a song is, and there are some **long bois** on this thing, they're never not fun. And that's what carries them through. It's why while I do get the impression that some stuff **maybe** could have been cut, I know I certainly wouldn't do it. Believe me, I get why someone would hate "D.M.S.R." for how long it is despite how repetitive it is. But, like, come on — it's a dance floor sex jam. On those terms, it's amazing! I totally catch myself shuffling my shoulders to it and clapping on the 4. Believe me, any long song that can hold onto my AuDHD attention span is an achievement in and of itself. And it's not like there aren't parts I consider less fun than others, of course; I've never been 100% on "Automatic" . . . but all the same, I really wouldn't wanna lose a moment of it either. Why would I want **less** '1999'? Honestly. And he did all of this by himself! Besides some backing and co-lead vocals, it seems the only instrumentals he didn't play were some cymbals on one track and a guitar solo on "Little Red Corvette". And that's just something to marvel at, isn't it? He's not the only one-man band deal I've come across, but just to consider that he constructed that groove on "D.M.S.R." all by himself (to bring that song up again). No one else played on that! It was just him, and it came out with such an air-tight and rock-solid groove as it did. (And what a groove it is!) I mean, **goodness**, the ride is so smooth — are we sure this album ain't a limousine? Now, for all my praise, I will admit that I do still prefer 'Purple Rain' to this. Besides 'Purple Rain' being a shorter, single disc album, which I naturally tend to gravitate towards . . . well, a fellow group member mentioned that there were parts of this album that sounded like Kraftwerk-style electronic, and . . . I mean, I've liked the Kraftwerk I've heard, don't get me wrong. But I'm into stuff like 'Autobahn', and this album feels way more 'Trans Europa Express'. In other words: I prefer 'Purple Rain''s largeness over '1999''s sparseness. And, yeah, Prince is obviously a talented enough musician to make the sparseness work insanely well . . . but I am what I am, and damn, gimme an album with "Let's Go Crazy", eh? And with **that** said, it's also funny to just think about Prince's history with multi-disc albums. His first couple were the likes of '1999' and 'Sign "O" The TImes', and they came out damn swinging. They have their issues in places, unavoidably, but they wind up some of the strongest and tightest albums in Prince's entire discography — and it's a large body of work! And then you flash forward to something like the triple-disc set 'Emancipation', where it's like, "I get it, you were holding a lot of songs from Warner Bros.." Heck, just in general you gotta compare this era of Prince, when the albums felt more purposefully put together, to what started with 'Emancipation', when his albums start to feel like, "And here's a buncha songs I threw together last week." And they're all good songs, but still, goodness. This is a tangent, though, so let's get back on track. '1999', from what I remember reading, was made with the express intention of showing off. He could play a billion instruments, and he could write a hell of a tune — so fuck you, here's two discs worth of tunes. And it's no wonder this album, along with its singles ("Little Red Corvette" and the title track), ended up being the first spark in his career. His own 'Off The Wall', to compare him to his rival. I mean, I've listened to the stuff Prince put out before this, and while it's all clearly good (particularly 'Dirty Mind'), nothing was quite on the level of this album. And, sure, this is a case where I prefer 'Thriller' to 'Off The Wall', Prince's talent here is undeniable. He only wanted us to have some fun and party like the world was about to end, and by gawd, I and everyone else sure did. '1999' easily earns its spot as one of Prince's best albums — and if this album feels like Prince having sex with you, then it's a shag well worth engaging with.

What else is there to say about this album? Solid 5 Stars.

I’m at a 5. Probably higher, though not quite a 10. To answer that top comment, yes, you did, & I think I also just had sex with Prince. Well, I asked for a fun pop album at the end of that last review & I got a damn good one. I thought Prince was already horny as a motherfucker on Sign O’ The Times, but… no, this is the album where he just lusts for sex the whole time. He gets it a lot too! “Little Red Corvette” is that, “Let’s Pretend We’re Married” is that, “Automatic” is that (the whispered panning is weirdly intimate), “Lady Cab Driver” is that, and… yeah. I mean, that is what “International Lover” is, right? I don’t even think I need to describe the details on that; he let it all hang out there. God, no wonder there was such an obvious contrast back then between him and Michael. I know, I know, someday we’ll get Thriller, but once again, “The Lady in My Life” as a comparative closing track feels wild. OK, OK, it’s also unfair to characterize this as nothing but “the horny album” – that would take away from the production work here, which is sort of a prototype for what would eventually emerge & grow into a behemoth by Purple Rain, but… man, this is a masterclass in funky synthwork. I can’t really even describe it; it’s not as layered as Purple Rain, but the general groove / rhythm of this thing feels like a natural bridge between the Earth, Wind & Fire R&B style of the late 70s & the new wave synthpop of the 1980s, blended with a healthy mix of Kraftwerk-esque electronica & Journey / Boston-esque soft rock. There isn’t full blown heavy metal ala “Let’s Go Crazy” or anything, but there are certainly moments that feel like foreshadowing of the bigger things that would come in just 2 years. I don’t think I can really write a paragraph on every track here (lord only knows everyone else has), but I do want to quickly point at two tracks; “D.M.S.R.” feels far ahead of pace for 1982, and honestly, it feels like a prototype French house track, ala Justice or Daft Punk. It doesn’t really have all the same elements to it, but the repetition & rhythmic buildup are there, as is the obvious hook of “dance, music, sex, romance”, which I’m sure has been sampled at some point. “Lady Cab Driver”, much in the same vein, reminds me of “Lady (Hear Me Tonight)” by Modjo, to the point where I’m convinced they just sort of took it and never really mentioned this track’s influence. He says “lady” in basically the same way! I know the latter uses a different sample for its base, but the overall energy / rhythm / layering is all there. They’re two of my favorite cuts on the album; the whole thing is a delight to listen to, even if I only knew the first two tracks coming into it (which, to be fair, were huge singles). If I have any complaints holding me back from a 10, it’s simply the length of this thing; there are definitely parts where tracks could’ve been trimmed around the edges to make it feel more concise & just a little tighter, but regardless, it’s an easy, easy 5, and certainly higher. This is the last Prince album we’ll get on the list, but I definitely need to hunt down more of them. As I’ve said in the past, I’ve been an MJ guy & not a Prince guy (reverence to Prince’s singles as opposed to the albums), but I’ll be damned if getting arguably his 3 best albums hasn’t made me appreciate him far, far more. He’s an icon, truly, and finally listening to these feels long overdue. A perfect 15/15 for Prince (or, in another sense, a 20+/15), and that just feels right. Hell of a run.

Perfect

I regret the narrow musical focus of my youth. I really should have listened to Prince albums like 1999 instead of just watching his videos on MTV. I blame my mother.

I mean of course this is a hell yeah. I can’t believe I’m just now experiencing the power and diversity of genius of Prince

I had a friend in college who was hip to the purple one before I understood how prolific and down right badass he was. We were in Target and Prince had a book out, wherein the cover was him with beautifully coiffed hair, wearing makeup and an open blouse of some sort. My friend holding it in his hands and reviewing the cover said “can you believe people think he’s gay?” 1999 is downright funky. Besides the radio hits we all know, every track is pretty fucking stellar. I found a new favorite while listening to this “lady cab driver”. “All the critics love you in New York” put me in a trance. I loved this. I do believe it’s perfect. RIP you purple majesty.

My favorite Prince album and it still holds up quite well. Back in the day it was great enough and big enough that I expected the actual end of the millennium party to be much bigger and better and purpler than it actually was. Oh well, gives me a reason to stick around to see if we get it right next time.

LP1 is perfect, for sure my favorite Prince album - LP2 is almost as good. I believe Prince when he tells me he wants to fuck me

ah. well. i came home drunk last night and crashed halfway through side B, so this isn't really that fresh. but. i've listened to this album many times, and i must say that it's really probably the best 80s Prince album. of course, the first side has the big hits, but the real best side is actually side D. Lady Cab Driver is actually awesome, the bit where Prince monologues while having sex with this lady is crazy, and the constant tidal pull of the ambient street noise does so much to bring atmosphere. and the guitar solo? incredible. it transitions so smoothly into All The Critics Love U In New York, which is another banger with some weirdo elements. make sure to listen to that on the 4th of November for max vibes. International Lover is an incredibly smooth closer too. bangers all around, this album deserves to be one of the 1001? yes!

Great album.

great artist, great music

5/5. I already know this is a classic but it was nice to hear again. Just a masterpiece in dance pop with R&B roots. The dark tone of the album with sexual tension throughout mixes the parts of the brain of extreme fear and love, creating a wild ride of emotions throughout. You want to dance, cry, make love, etc. all at the same time. It's also an important step in the electronic-rock scene that ages very well due to the high quality production. Best Song: 1999, D.M.S.R., Let's Pretend We're Married, Little Red Corvette

An absolute masterpiece. I could listen to this album for days.

This guy horny as hell! Bops tho

What a treat- you gotta love it! Seriously. You HAVE to

Prince was an incredible talent. I really like his funkier stuff and there's plenty of that here. Drags a bit in the second half but overall a fun listen. Not one of my favorite albums of all time or anything, but very good!

There never was anyone like Prince.

Another classic from Prince!

The title track used to really annoy me, but that was because I only listened to the chorus. Hard to hate a song that tells you “I was dreaming when I wrote this.”

Much of this album feels like it was made in the future. The groove is aggressively precise on almost every track without feeling sterile. Many albums from this era haven't aged well conically, what with the synth sounds available at the time, but I only count a couple places where they verge on stale. Prince's guitar playing is like an alien who learned by listening only to Jimmy Nolen on James Brown records. There are so many little things sprinkled throughout each track that the whole album merits endless re-listening.

Pretty dope listen. Fun, a bit sketchy, but overall just enjoyable!

Duh

In 1982, my musical world was dominated by rock, heavy metal, hist still keeping an interest in punk and new wave. Then Prince's "1999" dropped. As my first Prince album, it was an electrifying introduction to the music of Prince. This double album is a masterclass in genre-bending, flawlessly blending funk, rock, synth pop, new wave, and straight up pop. Every track showcases Prince's virtuosic skills, from his masterful instrumentation to his impeccable self-production, which still sounds incredible today. "1999" isn't an album that tries to please everyone; its themes of hedonism and its long, progressive song structures are unapologetically unique. But that's exactly why it works. I loved it on first listen back in '82 and I still love it today. A timeless classic, five stars. Side one 1- "1999" (5/5) 2- "Little Red Corvette" (5/5) 3- "Delirious" (5/5) Side two 4- "Let's Pretend We're Married" (5/5) 5- "D.M.S.R." (5/5) Side three 6- "Automatic" (5/5) 7- "Something in the Water (Does Not Compute)" (4/5) 8- "Free" (4/5) Side four 9- "Lady Cab Driver" (5/5) 10- "All the Critics Love U in New York" (5/5) 11- "International Lover" (3/5) Total - 51 Average - 4.64 99/1001

quality

This album was really good, I only knew the intro song and then had a great experience hearing the others for the first time.

Just a complete masterclass in writing, performance, and production. Every song is completely packed with fun and catchy grooves, all being done with some of the smoothest sounding instruments ever recorded. But there are still so many moments on this album where Prince isn't afraid to show off his more experimental side, but managing to do so in a way that still remains super accessible and all slots perfectly into the project as a whole.

All time classic

Nobody was more tuned into the frequency of Fuck Music than Prince. Incredible stuff, though maybe some bars repeat on and on a little long.

This is my 4th album im listening to. I really enjoy this one prince was way ahead of his time and he deserevrs all his fame. The rhythm is completely out of this worst and it manages to encapsulate everything i know about music. I feel like im just saying buzz words but i cant think of anything else on this album it just is revoluntary. The only thing holding it back for me is the descrepancy on the songs, this is the first album i've acutally been moving to the beat so far but some of the songs are so out of place i feel that i lose steam when listening to it. 91/100

This is an extremely unusual album, both in terms of its cover and its content!

ups and downs but with so few long songs it could be a very good album to enter the world of Prince

У меня набухло всё, что могло набухнуть. Даже кошка протащилась так, словно щас март, а она не стерилизованная.

A stunning journey both funky and futuristic. A behemoth of an album that is at times funny, honest, raw and a deserved egotistical fantasy.

Actually like this better than Purple Rain - groovier.

A multi talented, and somewhat controversial artist, who became to me as one of the most multi talented artist of all time in music history. The title song still a hit, along with the Purple Rain soundtrack of the eighties. A must buy for those who wants to listen to history

Another incredible album about sex by the icon that is Prince.

What a fucking record, emphasis on the fucking. Could well have been a quadruple with shorter song lengths or at least a triple album using the original lengths. The 2019 Super Deluxe shows a number of tracks more than capable of making the final cut.

Obviously a classic and an easy 5 stars.

5 out of 5 One of the all-time best. Funky, groovy, party beats. Almost everything on the A Side is a #1 hit. The B Side has some absolute crunchy bangers. Great music to party or focus. Prince and the Revolution just make me happy!

Loved this album, first half is tune after tune, high tempo & exciting. This reminds me of the gay nightclub all the straight boys want to go to.

Never heard of him, never gonna make it

Goat

If Sign O The Times is the White Album, the sprawling eclectic experimental brilliant but flawed sketchbook of a genius, 1999 is Abbey Road, 70 minutes of absolute perfection. Landmark of pop, rock, funk, and R&B, this is the album where it all came together for Prince after several excellent records. The first side is stacked with absolute classics, but everything that follows is on the same level of genius.

Supreme talent always.

Great album no skips

not his best but still an absolute classic

I feel so incredibly blessed to have been alive when Prince was on the scene. There has never been and never will be another artist like him. Multi-instrumentalist, vocal range out the wazoo, and unparalleled creativity. He was magical. The only downside to this album is the artwork.

4.5/5.0: Excellent

very funky, made for a fun listen

Non stop bangers

There is no greater artist.

Wow the A side of this album is something else. A couple of the songs lose me a little but "Little Red Corvette" might be my favorite Prince song. At the least, top 3. It's the first one I remember really honing in on as a kid and wondering who's song it was. I did of course also know "1999" having lived through y2k. Even with the weaker songs I overall love this enough to up it to a 5. I think my jaw actually dropped open when I heard "I honestly want to fuck the taste out of your mouth." Like, damn. Ok.

Le combo de démarrage 1999/Little Red Corvette est évidemment incroyable mais ensuite tout est tellement funky et cohérent

oooh

The amazing and only

Veldig bra, mye energi og kul vibe

YOOOOOOOO I FREAKING LOVE THIS ALBUM BEST ALBUM SO FAR Tbh 39 out of the 1001 should just be prince albums lets be real cuz like who wants to listen to duck rock by malcom mclaren? Who is that guy?

💜💜💜💜💜

I think Prince killed about 6 women in the lyrics of this album

Good album

ah hell naw what were my parents doing listening to this freaky ass shit. i literally remember the day this guy died exclusively because my parents spent half the day searching the house for their prince comp cd just so they could listen to it to honor his passing ts hard tho i get the hype. i like the fucked up looking penis 1 on the cover a lot

fun, party album - added more songs to my library than I thought I would. It's a classic!

A classic for a reason

Absolute classic

Fantastic album. Little Red Corvette is just plain sexy, and the song that first got me listening to Prince. I have a special fondness for International Lover because it cracks me up.

Not my favorite Prince album but so what.

This was the first album I ever purchased (on cassette) with my own money. I was 9 years old in 1982 and PMRC warning stickers were a few years off in the future. I loved this album so much and listened to it constantly. As I'm listening now, I realize that I still remember nearly all the lyrics, even the really filthy stuff! I probably learned about the birds and bees listening to this one. I remember my family taking a vacation road trip to Florida and I was sitting in the backseat listening to this cassette on my Walkman when mom suggests we put it in the car's deck so we could ALL listen! Um... no thanks mom! I'm kinda tired of listening to it now. 😆 Over the years I became more of a metalhead and later even a hardcore punk fan. But I've always remained a huge fan of Prince, even though I don't listen to his music all that much anymore. I still believe this is a brilliant, if not a bit foul, album from one of the greatest artists in modern music. Prince is deeply missed. 4.5/5 #94

Not really my thing but can't deny the quality, variety and talent

Probably my fav Prince...banging title track and the 1-2-3-4 whammy of Delirious through Automatic is one I often jump to for a fix. Drops off a little after that, but on top of his game here overall with 80s synths that haven't aged a bit.

## In-Depth Review of *1999* by Prince Prince’s *1999*, released in 1982, stands as a landmark double album that not only defined the Minneapolis sound but also helped shape the direction of pop, funk, and electronic music for decades to come. This review examines the album’s lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence, and concludes with a balanced assessment of its strengths and weaknesses. --- **Lyrics** Prince’s songwriting on *1999* is a masterclass in juxtaposition: exuberant, sensual, and playful on the surface, yet laced with existential dread and social commentary beneath. The title track, “1999,” is a prime example, blending apocalyptic anxiety with a call to celebration—“Tonight we’re gonna party like it’s 1999”—as a metaphor for living fully in the face of uncertainty and potential doom[1]. Written during the height of Cold War tensions, the lyrics reference nuclear fears (“Everybody’s got a bomb, we could all die any day”) but counter them with communal joy and defiance[1]. Throughout the album, Prince shifts between personal and collective perspectives, often using “I” and “we” interchangeably, reinforcing unity and shared experience[1]. Tracks like “Little Red Corvette” use automotive imagery as a metaphor for fleeting romance and sexual liberation, while “Automatic” and “Let’s Pretend We’re Married” push boundaries with explicit, sometimes provocative, explorations of desire and identity[2]. “Something in the Water (Does Not Compute)” and “All the Critics Love U in New York” introduce themes of alienation and the dehumanizing effects of modernity, echoing anxieties about technology and emotional disconnect[2]. Even the ballads, “Free” and “International Lover,” are layered: “Free” is a piano-driven plea for gratitude and social consciousness, while “International Lover” is a tongue-in-cheek, slow-burning seduction that earned Prince his first Grammy nomination[2]. The lyrics across *1999* are consistently inventive, playful, and often subversive, blending pop accessibility with deeper, sometimes darker, reflections. --- **Music** Musically, *1999* is a tour de force of innovation. Prince fully embraces the emerging technologies of the early ’80s, particularly synthesizers and the Linn LM-1 drum machine, to create a sound that is both futuristic and deeply funky[2][3]. The album is dominated by layered synths, crisp electronic drums, and infectious grooves, codifying the “Minneapolis sound” that would influence R&B, pop, and dance music for years[2][3]. The title track opens with cascading synth chords and a robotic spoken intro, setting a tone that is both celebratory and ominous. “Little Red Corvette” blends rock guitar with synth-pop textures, creating a crossover hit that brought Prince to a wider rock audience[2]. “Delirious” is a bouncy, rockabilly-infused synth jam, while “D.M.S.R.” and “Lady Cab Driver” showcase Prince’s prowess in funk, with extended jams, call-and-response vocals, and intricate rhythmic interplay[4][2]. Prince’s musicianship is on full display: he plays most of the instruments himself but also incorporates contributions from future Revolution members like Lisa Coleman and Dez Dickerson, hinting at the collaborative sound that would define *Purple Rain*[4]. The album’s sequencing is deliberate, with each track flowing into the next, creating a continuous party atmosphere that is occasionally interrupted by moments of introspection or experimental abstraction (“All the Critics Love U in New York”)[2]. --- **Production** The production on *1999* is groundbreaking. Prince’s use of the Linn LM-1 drum machine was revolutionary, providing a crisp, mechanical backbone that contrasted with the warmth of his funk grooves[2][3]. The album’s sound is dense but never cluttered; layers of synths, guitars, and vocals are meticulously arranged to create a sense of space and energy. Prince’s approach to recording was both obsessive and visionary. He often worked alone in the studio, meticulously crafting each track, but was also open to input from his band, resulting in a blend of individual genius and collaborative energy[4]. The mix is bold, with prominent drums and bass, shimmering synths, and vocals that range from seductive whispers to ecstatic shouts. The album’s length—over 70 minutes across two LPs—was unusual for a pop record at the time, and Prince uses the extended runtime to explore a wide range of sounds and moods. The production is consistently adventurous, from the robotic funk of “Automatic” to the jazzy flourishes of “Lady Cab Driver” and the sparse, haunting textures of “Something in the Water (Does Not Compute)”[2][3]. --- **Themes** *1999* is thematically rich, blending hedonism, anxiety, and social consciousness. The most prominent theme is the tension between celebration and apocalypse: the urge to party as an act of defiance against existential threats, whether nuclear war or personal despair[1][2]. This duality gives the album its emotional depth and enduring relevance. Sexual liberation is another central theme. Prince’s lyrics and performances are unabashedly erotic, challenging taboos and celebrating freedom of expression. Yet, this sensuality is often complicated by vulnerability, longing, and the search for connection, as in “Something in the Water (Does Not Compute)” and “Free”[2]. Technology and modernity also loom large. Prince explores the alienating effects of the “Computer Age,” both lyrically and sonically, foreshadowing the digital anxieties that would become more pronounced in later decades[2]. The album’s use of electronic instruments and robotic rhythms reinforces these themes, creating a soundscape that is both seductive and unsettling. Finally, unity and resilience are recurring motifs. The communal perspective of songs like “1999” and “D.M.S.R.” invites listeners to find strength and joy together, even in the face of adversity[1]. The album is ultimately hopeful, urging listeners to “not let the elevator bring us down” and to embrace life’s possibilities[1]. --- **Influence** *1999* is widely regarded as one of the most influential albums of the 1980s—and of Prince’s career. It was his first Top 10 album on the Billboard 200 and produced several major hits, including “1999,” “Little Red Corvette,” and “Delirious”[4][3]. The album’s success helped break down racial barriers on MTV, with its music videos receiving heavy rotation and introducing Prince to a broader audience[3]. The album’s synth-and-drum machine-heavy arrangements codified the Minneapolis sound, influencing not only R&B and pop but also the development of electro, house, and techno music[2][3]. Artists across genres—from Michael Jackson and Madonna to Daft Punk and The Weeknd—have cited Prince and *1999* as key inspirations. Critically, the album has been lauded as a masterpiece of innovation and vision. It has been included on numerous “greatest albums” lists, inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, and praised for its enduring relevance and forward-thinking sound[2][3]. The album’s blend of funk, pop, rock, and electronic music set a new standard for genre fusion and artistic ambition. --- ## Pros and Cons **Pros** - **Innovative Sound:** Pioneered the use of synthesizers and drum machines in mainstream pop and R&B, creating a blueprint for the Minneapolis sound and influencing countless artists and genres[2][3]. - **Lyrical Depth:** Combines party anthems with existential and social commentary, offering both escapism and substance[1][2]. - **Musical Versatility:** Seamlessly blends funk, pop, rock, and electronic elements, showcasing Prince’s range as a songwriter, musician, and producer[4][2]. - **Cultural Impact:** Broke racial barriers on MTV, expanded Prince’s audience, and set the stage for his subsequent masterpieces[3]. - **Enduring Relevance:** Themes of anxiety, resilience, and unity remain resonant, and the album’s sound still feels fresh decades later[2]. - **Strong Singles:** Tracks like “1999,” “Little Red Corvette,” and “Delirious” are iconic, instantly recognizable, and continue to receive airplay[4][3]. **Cons** - **Length and Pacing:** At over 70 minutes, the album can feel sprawling and occasionally uneven, with some tracks (“Automatic,” “All the Critics Love U in New York”) stretching the listener’s patience[3]. - **Repetitiveness:** Certain musical and lyrical motifs recur throughout, which, while reinforcing the album’s themes, can lead to a sense of repetition on extended listens[3]. - **Production Choices:** The heavy reliance on early ’80s synth and drum machine sounds, while innovative at the time, may feel dated to some modern listeners[2]. - **Explicit Content:** The album’s sexual themes and provocative lyrics, groundbreaking in their time, may not appeal to all audiences and limited radio play for some tracks[2]. --- ## Conclusion *1999* is a towering achievement in Prince’s discography and in the history of popular music. Its blend of innovation, ambition, and accessibility helped redefine what a pop album could be, both musically and thematically. The record’s influence can be heard across genres and generations, and its songs remain as vital and compelling today as they were in 1982. While its length and occasional excesses may test some listeners’ patience, the album’s strengths—its inventive production, lyrical depth, and sheer musical joy—far outweigh its flaws. *1999* is not just a party album; it’s a profound meditation on joy, fear, unity, and survival, delivered by one of music’s most visionary artists at the height of his powers.

Absolute classic of an album

Lets party like it's...

I love Prince. Better than “Soft and wet” for me

Love Prince. Some great songs here. Highly 80s

Amazing album! Tunes that fuse rock and funk. Prince was a talented man!

minus points for Delirious ( annoying novelty synth lead) and Free ( tedious) , otherwise 💜 5

I’ve honestly never listened to Prince in length, and I’m only sorry I didn’t sooner. I thought the album was an an education on how pop should be done. Untwined funk and soul- it was brilliant.

Loved this album

We’ve been seriously underweight on Prince over the last 1,055 albums.

Astonishing to remember a time when 1999 was far off into the future instead of even further off into the past. It doesn’t matter how much times passes, this album is as fresh as it ever was

good

Maestro, orgasmi nel sound. Vengo anch'io, no tu no

10/10

So awesome

1999 will always be my favorite Prince album. It is a party from front to back, a celebration of life and living in the face of nuclear apocalypse. If the world is ending, baby, why not live every day like it's our last? I remember the music video for "Little Red Corvette" from my childhood. The iconic suit, the dramatic lighting, the energetic performance... nobody even cared that there wasn't an actual red Corvette in the video.

10/10…funk / pop

Love prince!!!

Incredible you can have a five star album that might not even be in your top three.

Good album. I can see where Patrick got skme of his soul punk inspo from now.

A master.

One of the most influential albums of the 80s!! This was the beginning of my musical adventure in junior high!! Love every song 🎵!!

Os sons do futuro

Any performer, regardless of field, who is destined to be discussed among the greatest in their profession has a moment where they realize they have the power and talent to do anything they want. Whether that's Jordan scoring 63 against the Celtics in the 1986 playoffs or Dylan going electric or whatever, there is always That Moment. For Prince, 1999 is that moment. To paraphrase "All the Critics Love U in New York", nobody's as sharp as he, and he knows it.

👍

Are you kidding? Peak Prince, IMO.

Duh. It’s amazing!

Properly great and funky

This album has a lot of energy. The lyrics are fun and Prince sings with pizazz. Ive heard several songs like 1999 and Little Red Corvette but I really like DMSR. This is a funky album. Every song is a different approach to singing. Sometimes its soft and sometimes its loud and a lout of screaming but there is always a sense of control.

It's Prince. It's genius. Next?

Prince

Party gear

Ultra sexy and synthalicious, jamtastic double album offering from Prince just before his rocketing to international superstardom with Purple Rain. The only thing you can knock this record with is that Purple Rain is even better. You have nuclear apocalypse party jams for the ages with 1999 and classic rock staples with Little Red Corvette to brilliantly set the tone of the record and then lavish extended dance treats like DMSR and Automatic to plump it up along with absolutely ingenious super-seductive role-playing extravaganzas such as International Lover and Lady Cab Driver and the filthiest of filthy synth frolics in Let’s Pretend We’re Married that turn the air the deepest of bluey purple. Easy, easy 5 stars.

This is my favorite album I've listened to so far. It's absolutely the feel of the 80s and dance and weirdness. It's like LCD Soundsystem but 2 decades earlier. A very interesting listen.

I had already listened to this album, but I didn't mind listening to it again to ensure I liked it. Surprisingly enough, I loved it. Prince is one of the few 1980s musicians that actually stands out and isn’t overrated. I never really knew how long the songs were, but I still enjoyed them. I enjoyed this 1980s album more than the last one.

Essential.

classic

ну лега ладно

He had to have been the horniest man alive at the time. What a legend.

I’m a Gen X who somehow never heard this full album. Wow. Prince is the man. Funk, dance, new wave, rock, all at the highest levels, and synthesized in such a ground-breaking way. His talent is off the charts, and that’s before we get to his elastic voice stretching into the most primal cries, the fact that he played almost all the instruments himself, and that he put all his freak in. A classic.

Party time

Fucking aye. Don’t have a reason for never listening to him, definitely keeping my ears open when it comes to more Prince down the line.

Mye som slapper hardt. Tre litt kjipe sanger i midten. Med andre ord en meget delikat shit sandwich. Det er mange nok bangers til at det blir en supersvak 5’er

Again, love prince.

There are plenty of artists who have had sex on an album. Prince is the only artist who has, and ever will have sex with an album. Good shit.

I don't know if it's nostalgia or if this is peak Prince, but this is the one Prince album I can come back to without getting bored.

Deeply sexual Futuristic seduction By man and guitar

Definitely an artist I wish I'd had the opportunity to see live. So funky, so sexy, so, so purple. Clearly a little bit mad, but mostly a very big bit talented.

This was fun!!! Lots of sounds and noises that were very 80’s. So many love songs

Greatest prince record to date apart from The Dream Factory which he personally leant me the demos to and i destroyed so i could feel special but instead i got faced by legal action

10/10. Fantastic creativity throughout.

it’s prince

Prince on everything. Prince making a song, in 1982, named 1999, that was at least 17 years ahead of its time sonically. His decisions... arrangements, vamping, vocals, etc. All sublime. This is one of Prince's several 5 star albums.

5/5 that’s it

Someone spray me with cold water! Prince delivers pop perfection on this album that explores the theme of living for the moment in the most sexually explicit way possible. The way his vocal delivery keeps you hanging on every word is unmatched. I wouldn't consider myself a gay man, but I'd let Prince do unspeakable things to me.

Prince & The Revolution penetrate the pop charts in this track-by-track aphrodisiac, adding some much-needed spice to the mainstream's bedroom.

Disco as fuck

Goat, I love prince and will always love him. The sound which he had is purely unique and full of talent.

I’ve listened to this album so many times in my life. It’s amazing. Prince is amazing. That’s it.

Absolute banger of an album

Don't worry, I won't hurt you. I only want you to have some fun. What a hell of a way to open an album . This album is pure party, pure sex, pure funk. Prince can really do everything. I wish he shredded more, since he definitely can. That's what makes him so good, he's shows a ridiculous amount of restraint, even while being bombastic. This album is all vibes that just build throughout the tracks. The funk bass, synth, and drum combo just move. It's wild this came out in 82. So much from that time and onward owes a debt to this record. There are no duds here.

FUN

THIS IS SO SEXY as a kid I was obsessed with Michael Jackson’s music and while I am less so today, I have tried to fill that gap with newer pop, funk type music with a wide vocal range. didn’t realise that I needed to go back in time and just listen to Prince himself lol

This feels like the point where Prince really became Prince. The sound can be described as heavy funk synth-pop. It's been called the beginning of the Minneapolis sound, but really can you name any other artist apart from Prince who demonstrates that style? More importantly, this is a defining sound of the 80s, a decade characterized by very loud colors and sounds. It's vibrant, fun, sexy and a little dangerous all at once. Who would have expected one of the best dance hits of the 80s, and a staple of New Year's Eves parties ever since, to be a song about the dangers of nuclear war? The whole album is a blast and really cements Prince as an incredible artist.

the OG!!!!

This is the kind of album I expected to be on here more.